Brewed to Perfection

Part 33

I didn't know if it was the whiplash from what had just happened or the sudden realisation I was more gullible than my sixteen year old self, but walking to the bedroom I thought I was going to collapse.

I just needed my phone. Once i got my phone and ordered my taxi i would be fine.

I was fine.

It wasn't like I had never gotten used to the gut punching feeling Benjamins words hurled but in my mind the memory was less painful compared to how bruised i felt now.

I tried to keep breathing normally, clearing all the noise in my mind but it was impossible.

With each step towards the room, tear after tear fell down my cheek.

My phone was where i had left it on the bedside table and as i turned the screen on I realised the lock screen wasnt mine. The text message notification also wasnt for me. I read it anyway.

'How'd it go???' - A

I let Benjamins phone fall from my hand to the floor. It might have cracked the screen, or it might have been fine. I never checked.

My actual phone had been plugged into a charger and placed on top of my pillow. I never did that, but Bev was sweet, she really did care about me.

My phone was nearly fully charged, and I managed to use the last bit of my data to order myself an uber home.

It was £40 I didn't have to waste, but I needed to leave. I couldn't think of anything worse than sitting next to him in Stuart's car for any amount of time. Ten seconds would be too long.

I didn't bother showering as the uber was getting here in less than ten minutes. I grabbed my old clothes from last night that were now laying in a bundled heap on the floor.

Benjamin's clothes were mixed on the floor with mine. His band t-shirt made me flinch. I had a bad feeling about last night when I saw him walking towards Bev's car. I should have listened to my gut.

Brushing my hair seemed pointless, so did brushing my teeth but I did it anyway, using my finger as a toothbrush as successfully as I could.

With my old clothes on, the smell of Benjamin lingered in the air. My clothing smelt like him and I wanted to stand under the shower and drain it all away. It wasn't just his smell, I wanted every memory of Benjamin gone.

The day I first saw him at twelve years old. The golden eyed boy at the bus stop. The day he first talked to me. The first time I saw him smile. The first time he made me cry. Prom night when he showed up at my doorstep. The day he walked into Brewtiful. The night when he made me believe he had changed.

My phone buzzed to let me know the uber had arrived and I ran downstairs and out of the door.

I was leaving all my hurt in there with him.