𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, benj nielsen x reader

14 | confessions and new beginnings

Y/N

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The hangover was brutal, the kind that made my head feel like it had been clamped in a vice. But even worse than the pounding headache was knowing I had to show up for work that morning, and to top it off, they gave me extra hours because I had called out yesterday for some stupid party.

I barely remembered the details. All I knew for sure was that Michael had broken up with me, and I had... kissed Benj right after.

The memory was fuzzy, like trying to recall a dream I wasn't sure I'd actually had. The edges blurred, slipping away when I tried to focus. How did I even get home? I prayed I didn't walk — that would be a disaster waiting to happen. But no matter how badly I wanted to forget about it, I couldn't avoid what loomed ahead. Today was Monday, and Benj was going to be at school.

And there's always this awkward tension between us, but now? Now it was massive. I mean, I kissed Benj. My lips were on his.

And, no, it wasn't some wild dream. I felt it. But what did it mean? My feelings toward Benj were complicated and messy, more confusing than I wanted to admit.

I couldn't lie to myself though — there was something between us. Something different from what I'd felt with anyone else.

Would I want to date Benj? Honestly... yes. Would I want to kiss him again, this time sober? Definitely, yes. But the real question was, did he want the same thing? I thought he was over Bailey — at least, that's what he said. But was he really? Now I was overthinking everything, as usual.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when my mom leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Don't forget to clean your room after school, and keep it clean for Friday," she reminded me, her tone distracted as my dad sipped his coffee at the kitchen counter.

"Yeah, I know," I mumbled, still only half-awake. Ah, yes. Friday was Halloween, and my parents were hosting the annual family get-together at our house. It's tradition. Our house is the biggest, so naturally, everyone piles in. The adults drink and socialize, while the kids... well, they usually end up holed up in my room.

But this year? I wasn't feeling it. I didn't want to waste Halloween locked in my room, watching lame movies and stuffing my face with candy.

"Ma..." I began cautiously, the nerves creeping into my voice. "I was actually thinking of going to the school dance this year... instead of staying here?"

Her stare froze me in place. She didn't say anything for a moment, and I could feel the anxiety building. "Yeah, well, who's going to watch your cousins?" she finally asked, her voice not quite sharp, but probing.

"Aaliyah?" I suggested. "She's old enough to handle it."

She sighed, her expression softening. "I don't want to stop you from having fun," she said, and I exhaled in relief. "Just remember, you're still cleaning your room."

I smiled at her and headed for the door, thankful the conversation hadn't turned into an argument. "See you later, Ma!" I called, and she waved me off with a laugh.

The walk to school was uneventful, but the minute I arrived at the entrance, I felt my nerves come back in full force. Benj. How was I supposed to act around him today? Was I supposed to talk to him? Avoid him? Pretend like the kiss never happened?

I took a deep breath and stepped inside, scanning the hallway for any sign of him. For a moment, I let myself feel relieved — I didn't see him anywhere. But then I spotted him, heading toward Koosh. My eyes widened, and I quickly turned the other way, weaving through the crowded halls to avoid any chance of running into him.