Stuck with you (BWWM)

Chapter 22

Gabi hair and outfit

5 years later

I sat in my cozy NYU dorm room, the familiar surroundings of college life surrounding me. It was a far cry from my days in high school, and as I gazed out of the window, I couldn't help but smile at how much everything had changed since then.

"Hey there," I said to myself, glancing at the laptop screen in front of me. "I know the last time you saw me, I was just a junior in high school. Well, now everything's changed!"

I chuckled to myself, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. Graduating high school, embarking on this new journey at NYU, and navigating life's twists and turns had been an adventure in itself. But there was one constant that had remained - my relationship with Ben.

It had been five years since our paths had intertwined, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth as I thought about all the memories we had created together. Despite the physical distance between us - with me in New York and him in California - our love had only grown stronger.

I typed away on my laptop, giving a little update on everyone's lives. Yasmin was also in NYC, pursuing her dreams at Juilliard. Will was working in a theater, doing what he loved. And as for Ben, he was also working in a theater in California, pursuing his passion for the arts.

Just as I was about to hit "send" on my message, my phone buzzed, and a familiar name flashed on the screen - Ben. I answered the call with a smile, my heart fluttering at the sight of his face.

"Hey, you," he greeted me, his voice warm and familiar.

"Hey! What's up?" I replied, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.

He chuckled, that adorable laugh that never failed to make my heart skip a beat. "Well, I've got an idea. Do you trust me?"

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued and slightly suspicious. "Depends on what the idea is."

He hesitated for a moment, as if he was considering whether to spill the beans or not. "I can't tell you just yet. But do me a favor - come outside."

I frowned, the confusion evident on my face. "Outside? Why?"

"Trust me, it'll be worth it," he said, his voice holding a note of excitement.

With a shrug and a smile, I closed my laptop and slipped on my shoes. I headed out of my dorm, my heart racing as I wondered what on earth he was up to.

As I stepped outside into the cool New York air, I looked around, expecting to see him appear out of nowhere. And then, there he was - Benjamin Cameron Prett, standing before me, a grin that could light up the entire city on his face.

My jaw dropped in shock, and I stood frozen for a moment, unable to process what was happening. "Benjamin Cameron Prett, what are you doing here?!"

He took a step closer, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Surprise!"

I let out a mixture of a laugh and a gasp, my heart pounding in my chest. Before I knew it, I was running towards him, my arms wrapping around him in a tight hug. He held me close, his embrace warm and familiar, like coming home.

"I can't believe you're here!" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of astonishment and pure joy.

He chuckled, his arms still around me. "Well, I missed you, and I couldn't stay away any longer."

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him with wide eyes. "You flew all the way here just to surprise me?"

He nodded, that mischievous glint in his eyes. "2,916.7 miles to be exact."

My heart swelled with affection, and I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "You're insane, you know that?"

He grinned, his hands on my waist as he held me close. "Only when it comes to you."

I shook my head in disbelief, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. "I can't believe you pulled this off. I mean, how?"

He opened his mouth to explain, but I couldn't wait any longer. I leaned up and pressed my lips to his, the kiss filled with all the love and excitement I was feeling. His surprise had left me speechless, but my lips had no trouble conveying my emotions.

As we kissed, the world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in our little bubble of happiness. And as we finally pulled apart, our breaths mingling, I looked into his eyes - eyes that held an endless promise of love, adventure, and surprises yet to come.

"Benjamin Cameron Prett, you are absolutely crazy," I said, my lips curving into a smile.

He chuckled, his hands still on my waist as he held me close. "Crazy for you."

I rolled my eyes playfully, but my heart was doing somersaults in my chest. "Well, I guess I can't complain about that."

He grinned, that familiar grin that had captured my heart from the very beginning. "You better not."

We stood there, wrapped up in each other's arms, the world around us feeling brighter and more alive than ever before. It was a surprise I would never forget, a moment that reminded me just how lucky I was to have this incredible man in my life.