𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, benj nielsen x reader

15 | reputation

The gymnasium was transformed into a Halloween wonderland, strings of orange and purple lights casting a warm, festive glow over the scene.

The high school's annual dance was in full swing, and I was buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves. Tonight wasn't just any party—it was my first dance with Benj, and despite only being together for five days, I felt like I'd known him forever. The whispers and sideways glances from the crowd about our seemingly random pairing didn't bother me anymore. I was beyond caring what anyone thought.

Benj and his crew had gone all out with their Ghostbusters costumes. As I approached them, their enthusiasm was clear—Eddie, Koosh, and Connor all stood in their gear, each piece meticulously put together. I couldn't help but laugh as I took in their commitment to the theme. Benj, however, stood apart from the group. His Ghostbusters uniform looked effortlessly cool, and his gaze was fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

"No way," I exclaimed, my hand covering my mouth to stifle my laughter. "You guys are seriously amazing!"

They struck exaggerated poses, each one more comical than the last. Benj's smile widened as he took in my reaction, his eyes gleaming with affection.

"You look nice," he said, his voice warm and genuine. The compliment made me blush, and I suddenly felt a rush of nerves.

"Oh here we go," Koosh chimed in, breaking the moment. Everyone turned to him, his tone laced with mock annoyance. "You guys are really going to do this here?"

Eddie, who had been standing next to Koosh, gave him a gentle but firm nudge. It was enough to make Koosh yelp in surprise. "Stop it. They're cute," Eddie said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, it was cute at first, but now it's annoying," Koosh grumbled. "We can't go two seconds without them sticking their tongues down their throats or complimenting each other."

Benj and I exchanged an amused glance and, in perfect sync, flipped him off. It was a playful gesture, and we both laughed as Koosh feigned shock, clearly enjoying the banter.

I took a moment to scan the gymnasium, taking in the festive decorations that lined the walls. The black and orange streamers, the spooky cutouts of witches and goblins, and the glittering disco ball overhead—all of it set a vibrant, joyful tone for the night.

The music pulsed through the room, a mix of hits and classic Halloween tunes. I mingled with the boys, chatting and laughing, and even joined in with the cheerleaders for a dance or two. It felt liberating to be part of the lively crowd, my earlier anxiety melting away in the rhythm of the night.

As the evening progressed, a slow song began to play. "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley filled the room with its soothing melody, and I immediately turned to Benj. He met my gaze with a knowing smile, and we moved toward the center of the dance floor.

The rest of the world seemed to fade away as we began to sway to the music. The bustling gymnasium and the snickering of our friends became distant background noise. Benj's hands gently rested on my waist, and I placed mine on his shoulders. We moved in sync, our bodies close, and I could feel the steady beat of his heart through his costume.

"You're doing amazing," Benj said softly over the music, his breath warm against my ear. I tried to stifle a grin but couldn't help it.

"Am I?" I asked, tilting my head to look up at him. His eyes were so close to mine, filled with sincerity and admiration.

He nodded, his smile unwavering. "I feel like I'm going to fall over my feet," I confessed with a chuckle, trying to steady my movements.

"No, you're doing perfect," he assured me. "Better than me."