I Love You No Matter What

Chapter 19: Ben

The last few months have been great. Depression' s shooting has run smoothly. Anastasia and I have become close friends. Though I want to be more than friends. My temporary house in L.A. is a hotel room. I spend most of my time in the room, going over the script multiple times. All my siblings are in Florida to help out with the wedding, but it isn't happening until a few months from now.

A knock comes to my door. I open the door to find Anastasia on the other side. "Hey," I greet.

"Hey." She walks in and gives me a hug.

"I didn't expect you to come today," I say.

"Felt like surprising you today," she says.

We sit down on my bed. "How's running going?" I ask to make conversation.

"It means nothing if I can't get the right running equipment or a coach," Anastasia says sadly. She has been running in the clothes she brought with her from France. She doesn't have any money to pay for running shoes and she can't get into track meets.

"I could always loan you money," I tell her.

"I couldn't ask that of you," she says.

"But I'm willing to," I say.

"You're so nice." She gives me a peck on the cheek. "But I still won't accept."

"You're so prideful," I mutter.

"You've helped so much already with giving that extra role as a runner in your film," she says.

"It was nothing," I say sheepishly.

"You're such a good friend."

I take her hand. "I was hoping you would like to be more than friends," I say quietly. "As you know, one of my older sisters is getting married in a few months. Would you like to be my date?"

"I would love to," Anastasia answers. "You never talk about your family."

"Neither do you," I argue.

"Touché," she says. "Let's just agree not to talk about them. I'm trying my hardest to forget my family."

"Then how about we take a trip?"

"Okay," Anastasia says happily.

We get up and leave the room. We keep our promise and don't talk about family. It feels great to have someone talk to you who's not family or wants to know about my family.