BEN Drowned x Reader

Part 17

(Y/N)'s P.O.V.

There's a knock at the door. I glance up to check the time and see that it's already 1:17pm. I haven't stayed in bed this late in what feels like a long time.

"(Y/n), c'mon, let's go!" Kate's voice says between knocks. I groan as I peel myself from underneath the covers, trudging to the door. It feels like I'm wading through water. My limbs are heavy like stone and my head throbs. It's such a chore just to get to the door, but I make it there and open it regardless. Kate and Toby stand side by side wearing matching dinosaur pajama pants and Kate holds a third matching pair.

"Hm?" I hum, looking at Kate impatiently.

"You look-you look like you got hit by-by a bus," Toby says.

"Feel like it too," I mutter hastily, running my hand through my messy, tangled hair. They exchange a glance.

"What's wrong?" Kate asks, furrowing her brows. I can't admit to them that I'm this upset over a boy, especially when it's Ben. That's embarrassing, and I'm sure they'll just tease me for it. But I shouldn't lie to my friends either. Besides, if they do tease me for it, I can always just shut the door and go back to bed.

My eyes fall to the floor awkwardly. "I don't know," I start, "I guess I'm just... coming to terms with the fact that I do have feelings for Ben, and that he'll never like me back." I can feel heat rush to my face. I must be blushing. As if I wasn't already embarrassed enough. I wait for the laughs, jokes, and prodding, but it never comes.

"Oh, (y/n)," Kate coos. The pity in her voice isn't much better than what I was expecting. It makes my insides churn. I don't want to be pitied. "Get yourself cleaned up, you're a mess." Wait, what? "We're having a playdate today. Let's get you something to eat first, then we're going to Toby's to play games." She hands me the folded fuzzy dinosaur pants. "And put these on so you can match us."

"Huh?" I can't help but mutter.

"We're gonna make you feel better!" she cheers. A warmth spreads in my chest and the only thing suppressing a smile on my face is the shock I feel. I've never had friends treat me so well. These guys are so good to me. I love them. "I'm gonna go start making our brunch feast so come to the kitchen when you're done, (y/n)!" She doesn't even finish her sentence before she turns away and starts toward the stairs. Once she puts her mind to something, she chases after it without pause. It's admirable.

Toby and I watch her go around the corner, and as I turn to go back into Ben's room to change, Toby stops me with a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey," he starts, "Kate likes to just-just fix things, but if you want to just talk about it, I'll be-I'll be here to listen," he offers with a smile. I return the gesture. He's so kind.  "But I can't give you love advice 'cause I-I-I can't even help myself out," he finishes with a huff of a laugh.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

His face flushes pink, but he acts like it doesn't. "Oh, nothing. I just—"

"Do you like someone?" I interrupt, my curiosity causing a newfound energy to bubble up inside of me.

He opens his mouth like he's trying to speak but failing as his face turns a darker shade of red. A second later, he finds his voice. "This is not how I was expecting this conversation to go." Him dodging the question gives me enough of an answer.

"So you do like someone," I say.

"Augh," he slaps his hands over his face, pressing the heel of his palms into his eyes. "Yeah, but-but the worst part is I've liked her for years and I've done nothing about it!" he exclaims. I was right! I wonder who it is. Part of me is excited for Toby's sake, but then I realize that it could mean Kate won't have a shot with her crush.