the bittersweet damage | ben plunkett

5 | just like the old times

Ben was leaning on his apartment wall outside when Avery arrived with her hands in her pockets. The two shared a bittersweet look with each other, as they gradually walked closer together.

It took a few minutes, and some inhales and exhales, words finally came out of their mouths.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry."

"Why are you looking at me like that?," Avery questioned the expression on the boy's face. Ben was shocked, and Avery didn't know why. "It's just... why are you apologizing? It's my fault."

Avery tried to avoid eye contact as she spoke beneath her breath, "I overreacted a little, okay?"

"Huh? What was that?"

"I... I overreacted a little, okay? I'm... I'm sorry." She continued to look down at the ground, still avoiding his eyes, "I... I don't want to lose our... friendship just because I got offended over some silly reason. I'm sorry. I want to go back to the way things were. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have been ignorant over what I was saying. I don't--I don't want to... lose us, too," Ben stammered, looking her straight in the eye as they stood infront of each other. Avery finally looked up, and took some moments before she flashed him a smile.

"It's fine. Things happen, I guess..." she trailed off.

"Anyways, um, I kind of set something up in my apartment... if you wanna do something just like the old times."

"Just like the old times?"

"Just like the old times," the boy grinned as she grinned back. Ben took her up the apartment and took her to his room. His room had some lights and a few blankets set up, resembling a fort. It was the perfect spot, because his room TV was right inside the fort. "What'd I say? I told you I could make a fort better than you."

"Ben, we were eight."

"Okay? Still counts," he teased.

"I hate you," she said with a smile on her face.

The two chuckled and sat beside each other under the fort. Ben turned on the TV and played Avery's favorite movie, Freaky Friday. Ben wasn't a huge fan or the movie, but he would watch it just because Avery loved it. Something about the smile on her face, and the little reactions she would make at certain scenes just sparks him. He didn't know why, but there was something special about the movie when he would watch it together with her.

"I don't know why, but this is literally my favorite movie of all time. Like, nothing beats it," Avery grinned as she looked at Ben and then back to the TV screen. Ben smiled at her and sat a little bit closer, which she didn't seem to notice.

"Don't you ever get tired of watching it over and over again, though?"

Avery thought for a moment, "not really. This movie has a bunch of memories to me."

"Memories, how so?," he asked, his eyebrows narrowing. "Hmmm."

"Well, that time when my mom first watched it with me. And, that time when we both first rewatched it together. I don't know. It's just... special." Ben melted inside when he heard that this movie had sentimental value to her, and he was one of the reasons why. He smiled to himself as they continued to watch the movie.

They were both watching in peace and silence, until very recieved a text from her phone. 'God, why do texts keep notifying at the worst times?', she thought.

Vinny:
what's up? is everything okay back there?

Avery:
yup fine

Vinny:
what happened?

Avery:
stuff

Vinny:
alright..

take care, okay?

Avery:
ok

thx

"Who was it? Is everything okay?" Ben noticed Avery looking annoyed while looking at her phone screen, so he was concerned. But it was a simple reason, Avery was sick of Vinny. It's hard to admit, but she had to. She wanted to 'break up' with him already. She couldn't bare to keep being with someone whom she doesn't actually like.

"Oh, uh, nothing. It's just Lucas picking a fight again," she laughed off, as the two continued to watch the movie again. Avery felt comfortable, and safe at that moment. It was just like the old times, when the two would watch 2000s movies together. Ben didn't like those kind of movies, but nevertheless, he still liked watching them with her.

☆

The movie had ended, and it was already afternoon. It was time for the Mandy-Ben-Avery Friday night with books, waffles, and movies. Avery had just then remembered that she told Mandy she wasn't going. But the only reason why she didn't want to go was because of Ben. Now that the two had made up, she finally wanted to go.

She wanted to surprise Mandy, so she told Ben she would go with him and hide in the back seat and scare Mandy using the ghostface mask the boy had from 2016 halloween. Ben feeling a little mischevious, he agreed to the silly plan the girl had.

They walked downstairs and then straight out to Ben's antique car. Avery stayed at the back and only hid when Ben was coming across Mandy's house street.

Avery was trying to stop herself from bursting into laughter, and eventually Mandy was going in the vehicle. Avery was so ready to scare the girl.

Once Mandy had settled into the seat, the car started moving and it was quiet. Avery was a little obvious in the back in Ben's eye, but Mandy didn't really seem to notice her.

She popped out and screamed which made Mandy jump in fear. Avery and Ben then laughed as she took her ghostface mask off and teased, "gotcha!"

"You are annoying. Wait---why are you even here?," Mandy asked, with an irritated tone and a frightened expression. The two still laughing, they waited for their laughters to end until they explained.

"Okay, so basically, and obviously, we made up," Ben easily explained as he fist bumped with Avery in the back. The two shared a glance in the rear mirror while they were both laughing, and with smiles on their faces.

Mandy went off about how annoying the two were, and wishing the two never made up as a joke. It all ended with smiles and giggles on the three's faces, and the Friday night went on like usual.

MSG BOARD:

OKAY. not as juicy as I said last chapter N it's kinda short LOL but still. Interaction, okay, okay, we're getting there.

Please vote if you like this story, and happy 40 reads, Ily all sm. Follow me for upd8s!!