Mine (Unedited) (Discontinued?)

Chapter 20

Jeff stared at the fire, not particularly enjoying the glare BEN was sending his way. The night was quiet, save for the crackling of the flames and Jeff almost started babbling nonsense just to break the silence. Thankfully BEN spoke up before he gave in to the urge.

"Why?" the blond asked, his frown growing deeper, "that's the only thing I can't figure out. Why would you do this? I know you don't have typical morals, no one at the mansion does, but you have never stooped so low as to steal someone's girlfriend. So why?"

Jeff sighed, pushing hair out of his face while he thought. He had no idea why he wanted Kendra so badly, but he needed to give BEN an answer.

"I don't know, honestly. There's just something about her I guess. I mean, I don't feel for her the same way you do but--"

"Bullshit. Do you not see the way you look at her? Jeff you love her about as much as I do. After everything you've said and done to her, she's forgiven you and you love her," BEN interrupted, crossing his arms.

Jeff shook his head, refusing to believe this, "no. I don't care what you say, but I don't love people. I can't love people, I gave that ability up a long time ago."

BEN snorted, glancing at the tent and imagining Kendra inside, sleeping hard. He doubted she was resting well, she never did when she was experiencing emotional turmoil. He wished he could crawl inside and wrap his arms around her but he couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal. She had let Jeff kiss her, and who knew what else they had done in the isolation of the forest? BEN almost didn't want to know.

"Believe what you like, Jeff, but people don't just kiss their friends on the mouth. They don't act jealous every time their friends are dating someone else and they sure as hell don't destroy gifts given to their friends by their significant other. Everything you've done in the last month and a half, you've been acting like a huge dick whenever Kendra and I are together."

Jeff didn't answer, thinking through what BEN had just said. Was he really in love with Kendra? He wasn't sure, but he doubted it. He swore he lost the ability to love when he killed his entire family years ago. He used to do anything just to get a little bit of attention, and the only one who had loved him was his brother, but he killed him during a moment of insanity. Now his family was everyone at the mansion, and all of them had given up a part of their humanity when they joined.

BEN watched Jeff, wondering if he was starting to connect the dots. There was no doubt in BEN's mind that Jeff was in love with Kendra. He used to agree with Jeff, saying there was no way Jeff could be in love, but now? You'd have to be blind not to see it, and even then he was sure EJ would guess pretty fast.

"What's it like to be in love?" Jeff asked abruptly, grabbing a long stick to poke at the fire and keep it going.

BEN sighed, taking a moment before answering, "it's like the rush of chasing a victim. When you're so full of adrenaline and glee just before the kill. Your heart is racing, your face hurts from the constant grinning, and it's like you fall into the insanity for a few blissful moments. But it's not insanity. It's a pure feeling that makes you want to do anything for the person you've fallen for."

Jeff listened carefully, the description hitting him hard. He really was in love with her. How the hell was he supposed to react to this? He obviously couldn't tell her, she was already dealing with enough with the pain of BEN's imminent rejection. He wasn't stupid, he knew Slender would tell BEN about the kiss that second day of the trip, and he so badly wanted to be there for Kendra, but he wasn't sure she would let him.

"Jeff I'm not mad at you for falling for her, honestly it's not hard to do. She's amazing and beautiful, but I can't believe you would act on that love while she was dating me."

Jeff wiped his hand down his face, trying to think clearly through everything that was suddenly revealed to him. He really needed to sleep on this information, and considering he didn't sleep often the need to now just proved to him that it was almost too much to realize this.

"I'm taking a nap, wake me up if something exciting happens," Jeff mumbled, laying down on his side after pulling his hood up to cover his eyes.

BEN watched Jeff, surprised. Tomorrow they would be at the mansion and Slender would give him the truth. Tomorrow, BEN would know if Kendra really was faithful to him. Tomorrow he would either lose the girl he loved or he'd never let her go.