Brewed to Perfection

Part 18

"There's no chance im puting that thing on" Benjamin said, whilst holding out the neon yellow shirt i had handed him (more like aggressively thrown) a minute before.

I rolled my eyes before sighing, reaching for the door out of the staff room "Tough shit Benny, for the rest of the afternoon you will be channelling spongebob squarepants" I chuckled, deciding to help out Jerry and not wanting to stay and argue with the devil man child.

It was weird, talking so nonchalantly to Benjamin made me feel sick. For some odd reason, it was almost as though I didn't see him as a real person. He had always been this big bad wolf in my past.

I used to cower in his presence, my voice mute and body shaken with fear. But now, being near him, talking to him and actually looking into his eyes I realised he wasn't a big bad wolf afterall. He was just a regular mutt, All bark no bite.

I however was feeling more like a yappy chihuahua. Loud and most definitely would and will bite. It felt freeing genuinely not being scared of him. 15 year old Maeve was scared. Scared of a boy whose words would hurt more than a knife to the chest. Scared of standing up for herself. Scared of what people thought.

Now, I don't have time for that shit anymore. Lifes short and that ass isnt going to make me live my life in fear. As the famous saying goes, 'A life lived in fear is a life half lived.' And I was done half living.

-

"Could you grab the mop Maeve? Seems like this milk has gotten into every little nook and cranny" Jerry asked whilst handing over what looked like a badly made frappe over to a customer. Jerry always left huge pieces of ice in his frappes instead of blitzing them for the correct amount of time. He was too impatient.

Looking at the mess on the floor I started replaying the satisfying moment of pouring milk on Benjamin over and over again in my head. That was definitely a memory I was never going to forget.

The mop has always been kept by the staff room so instead of walking back to get it myself, I shouted for the Demon to grab it instead. "BENNY, GRAB THE MOP!"

Jerry slowly turned around to face me. His blue eyes bugged out. "Did you?-" He stopped and placed a hand over his open mouth theatrically. "Are my ears deceiving me or did you really just say what I think you said?" Jerry asked whilst looking unsure.

I shrugged my shoulders. "What? He's literally right next to the mop, I'm not going to go walking all the way back there to grab it when he can." I stated factually.

Jerry scoffed and pulled his face, "Not about the mop Lass, You finally said his name" "You actually called him Benny." He sounded almost in disbelief.

It wasn't that shocking actually. I was sure I had probably said his name at least once out loud... hadn't I?

"Wowzers, I need to leave you two alone more often" Jerry joked.

I didn't find that joke very funny. "No tha-"

I was halfway through rejecting Jerry's terrible offer when the serpent came traipsing past with a mop and bucket in hand.

"Yeah Jerry, I think you should! Just like I told you, she'd warm up to me once we spent some time together" Benjamin replied. He was back to his stupid customer service voice. Slightly more intonation, friendlier sounding. And utterly and completely fake.

My whole face must have screwed up at Benjamin's reply because Jerry winked in my direction. "Oh yeah? Are you warming up to Benny, Maeve?"

EW. Did Jerry think my look of disgust was actually me blushing.

"No-no, I-" I looked around feeling uncomfortable, that was when I noticed Benjamin's face. His dark, angular eyebrows were raised, his brown eyes scrunched and his lips turned up into a cruel smirk.

He was evil. There was no other way around it. I wouldn't be surprised if he was just wearing a human skin suit, and underneath he was bright red, with a long tail and black horns.

Jerry's focus remained on my face, I wasn't sure how he wanted me to respond. But I did know that Benjamin wanted me to feel awkward and get some sort of reaction from me.

So I decided at that moment, if he wanted a reaction I'd give him one.

I brought my fingers towards my lips and pretended to lightly bite my nails. I lifted my shoulders slightly and looked at the floor.

"He's not so bad I guess" I forced a fake giggle out. If Benjamin wanted Jerry to think his charm had finally worked on me... sure.

I could pretend to be in love with Benjamin if it made him extremely uncomfortable... even better.

I'd seen so many girls in school who were obsessed with Benjamin, would sigh as he walked by. He never gave any of them the time of day. He was actually a bit of an ass to them too.

I was going to make him regret everything.

Jerry looked taken aback with my 'honesty' and coughed before looking towards Benjamin.

Benjamin, too, looked confused by my response.

"I'd just like to say- Benny... i think we could be really really good friends" I butted in again, whilst batting my eyelashes towards him.

"Well, I think I'm going to leave you two love birds alone for a bit. I've got a payroll to do in the office. One of you, get moppin '!" Jerry started to walk away before stopping and placing his hand on Benjamin's shoulder, "Be careful lad, she's a firecracker" and with that he was gone.

I tried not to gag while Jerry suggested me and - 'that person' were lovebirds.

I was so encompassed in trying to wind up Benjamin, i didn't even notice the horrible neon yellow shirt or the studying look on Benjamins face.