Prove Me Wrong (A Ben Mason/Connor Jessup Novel)

Protection

"What did you just say?" he whispered in a low voice to the blushing female.

She could not believe she had just confessed her inner feelings to Ben. River had been trying to keep him from believing that he was a monster, yet had managed to confess that she loved him. Cursing internally, she pulled away from her best friend and attempted to walk towards the door but one of his hands quickly caught her wrist, pulling the female back towards him. Pulling her back into their previous hug.

Her cheeks were afire with blush and she continuously failed to meet his gaze. "River..." Ben spoke softly to her, tipping her chin up slightly with finger. Finally, she was looking at him. "Say it again." he commanded her quietly.

Her beautiful eyes widened in confusion and shock. Surpressing a smirk, the sandy blonde male leant forward slightly, their foreheads now touching. "Say it again." he repeated once more.

"I would miss you?" she said innocently.

He knew that she was trying to cover up her mistake but he wanted to hear her say it again. He needed to hear her say it again. Up until this moment, River had always been Ben's best friend but now he knew she felt differently towards him, there was no way he could not feel the same. "I love you." he stated plainly, realising he would probably have to say it back before she ever uttered the three words again.

Her breath caught in her chest, River simultaneously looked completely confused and delighted. "I..." the singular word was more of a sigh of relief. "I love you." River replied, a smile spreading across her lips. It faded quickly as her expression became sombre once more. She studied his facial features for a moment, River's right hand brushing away a rogue strand of hair from his face. "You'll never be a burden to me." the female concluded their conversation. "Never. I don't want you to think like that anymore. You've got so many people who would miss you if you were gone. And I'm warning you now, Ben Mason, I ain't falling for no guy who ain't planning on sticking around for a while." the final part she smiled slightly at, showing that there was no malice in her words.

He nodded, showing that he understood her words. "I...I promise. I'm going be sticking around for a long time. So long, you'll be begging for the Skitters to take me." Ben too smiled, despite the insensitive joke.

River hugged her friend tighter, quickly placing a kiss upon his cheekbone. "I could never, ever hand you over to them. I'd get lonely without you." she confessed further, figuring that one more truth from her could not hurt.

The male kissed the top of her head, holding River close. "Listen to us," he chuckled weakly. "we sound exactly like two star-crossed lovers from a romance novel."

"I believe we're more horror novel than romance." River giggled.

"Sounds about right."

"Aww, well isn't this cozy?" a sudden voice appeared behind the two entangled teens.

River felt her blood run cold. Peering over Ben's shoulder, her eyes narrowed at the sight of the second male. "Shut up, Hal." she sneered.

He continued to lean against the doorframe. Holding up his gloved hands in a mock-surrender, the eldest Mason brother merely chuckled. "Hey, I was just showing my support for the latest 2nd Mass couple. Goodness knows it's taken you guys long enough to get it on."

Maggie, who had joined her boyfriend in leaning against the doorframe, laughed at River's reaction. "Now come on, Hal. Leave the two lovebirds alone." she mocked scoulded him.

Ben turned towards his brother, breaking the hug but slipping a protective arm around River's waist. "We're not getting it on, Hal. Why don't you go and annoy someone else?" the younger brother retorted, unable to surpress his wide grin.

"Alright," Hal agreed, nodding and beginning to move away from the doorway. "but don't expect me to keep this a secret from Dad. It's your turn for the birds and the bees lecture." he quipped, whilst walking down the corridor. "Come on, Maggie."

The blonde lingered in the doorway a noment longer. "Use protection." she mouthed before following in the footsteps of Hal.