YOU BELONG WITH ME , Ben Plunkett

happy birthday ben

I sat on a park bench, freezing my butt off, with my knees pulled against my chest to radiate some body heat.

Behind me, I heard loud footsteps, sounding frantic. I spun around and found Ben, unlocking his car. He spotted me, and I groaned.

"What the hell are you doing out here? It's freezing!" he said, grabbing a hoodie from his trunk and tossing it to me. "Mandy called—she's really upset. We need to go get her."

"It's fine, I can wait here—"

"Get in the car, Jasmine." he said, sternly.

I sighed.

The two of us drove off, and I kept silent as I stared out the window.

"I've been a jerk," he stated. I chuckled. He rolled his eyes, and looked over at me. "Seriously. I'm so sorry, Jazzy."

"Everything was so much easier when no one knew," I mumbled. I shook my head and turned toward my sad friend. "LaToya?" I asked, and he sighed.

"I screwed it all up," he shrugged.

"You're too good a friend, Ben." I said, softly, reaching over to smooth the hair on the nape of his neck. "You always put your friends first—especially Mandy and I. If LaToya Reynolds can't see that, she's stupid. I mean, you've got a huge heart, you're extremely handsome, and just overall the best thing to happen to anyone. Who ever you give your heart to, is the luckiest girl in the world," I admitted to him, all in one breath.

He leaned into my touch, as I brushed my thumb against his cheek.

"Thank you," he said.

"Those are all of the things I love about you, Ben." I told him. "No matter what, you will always have the biggest piece of my heart."

"Jaz—I—"

"Mandy!" I said, as I saw her walking on the sidewalk.

Ben immediately pulled over, her tear stained cheeks catching my eye. I scurried to the backseat, climbing over the console as she watched us.

"You didn't have to—"

"Get in," Ben cut her off.

*

"I'm such an idiot," Mandy said. "You know, I thought Graham Lansing liked me. Like, like-liked me. I mean, how stupid am I?"

"You are not stupid," Ben said.

"No, I am. I am. Because Graham's dad offered me the letter and I said no," Mandy finished.

Ben glanced at Mandy, and then looked at me in the rearview. "What the fuck." I mouthed.

"I chose Graham and he chose Liv from the dance studio," she said. "You know, I was a pawn in his game. I got outplayed by an Everest. And you wanna know the worst part? I've been a terrible friend." she cried. "To both of you! I mean, I've missed lunches and Friday nights. And your freaking birthday? But I'm gonna make it up to the two of you, okay? At prom. Limos and fancy dinners. Okay? Whatever you guys want. If you'll still go with me," she said.

"Of course we will," I said, softly. "I mean, I ripped up my ticket—but they said they'll have one for me at the door," Ben glanced at me in the mirror, remembering the exact moment.

"You are our best friend," Ben snorted. "Besides, we made a pact. Gotta honor it," he held up his hand for her to double tap.

"I'm so sorry I ruined your date with LaToya Reynolds," Mandy cried.

"It's okay. She totally understood," Ben said. I looked out the window again, ignoring Ben's glances.

*

I went to get out of Ben's car, but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me. "Wait," he said. "I didn't open my gift yet,"

"Oh," I smiled, softly. "Well, open it!" I rushed him, excitedly. I grabbed the bag for him, sneakily stealing back the folded up paper with my speech on it, and handing him the bag.

He looked inside, and threw his head back as he laughed. He pulled out the keychain with a grin.

"Where do you find these things?" he dangled it in front of my face. It was a chocolate chip waffle.

"Amazon," I shrugged, grinning. "Do you like it?"

"I love it," he said, "thank you," I nodded, and turned to get out again, but this time I stopped myself.

"Your hoodie," I said.

"Don't worry about it." he said. "Keep it."

I blushed. "Uh, thanks. I'll see you tomorrow—"

"Mandy didn't ruin my date with LaToya," he said, suddenly. "You did,"

"W-what? How?" I asked, offended.

"No—shoot. That came out wrong, sorry—I-" he took a breath. "What I meant to say was—LaToya and I were sitting there, and she was looking pretty, and I was so happy to be there with her—"

"Oh, wow, okay," I nodded, "You don't have to—"

"But I—the entire time we were together, I wasn't even watching her, Jasmine. I was staring outside at the park bench, looking right at you. So yeah, LaToya was sitting there—but you were looking absolutely beautiful, with your arms crossed over your chest like a little kid..." he chuckled. "and I was so upset that I hadn't been there with you," Ben stopped talking. He was breathing, heavily—nervously.

"What are you saying, Ben?" I asked him, unsure. I played with my fingers.

He grabbed my hands, pulling them apart and holding them in his. "I'm saying that what I told you that day in the bathroom was not a lie. I'm telling you that I am in love with you, Jasmine Ortiz," he said, softly.

My heart skipped a beat, and I smiled so wide. I leaned across the center console, and brought his face to mine, kissing his lips for the second time in my life—butterflies erupting like never before.

He smiled against my lips as we kissed, and snaked his arms around my waist. I moved closer, climbing over the console this time, and straddling his lap.

"I love you, too," I told him. "Wait...were you messing with me, again? Because if so, that's really awkward and I—" he cut me off, by pressing his lips to mine once again, and I hummed.

We broke apart. "I will never, ever, mess with you again." he told me.

"Happy birthday, Ben," I whispered.

"This is the happiest birthday I've ever had," he admitted.

I hugged him, tightly.

*

Angelina Speaks:

I am so unwell right now. 😭 My Jasben heart is so happy.

I wanted to give you guys one last chapter for today 🫶