the ballad of him and his brain ∙ van mccann (UNDER EDITING)

15

author's note: i dont care for this chapter very much idk?? ive been having terrible writers block lately im sorry friends :(( but in the next chapter van & rose have sex so... ya be prepared 4 that ((and it's dirty lol)) but if smut isn't your thing then just skip it xx

*

"Benji? what on earth are you doing here?"

the fellow with mystifying eyes and giant hair simply looked at me. "is Van in there? with you?" he questioned quietly.

unsure whether to answer him or not, I still found myself nodding 'yes'.

"I've tried calling him all day and texting him all night, we all have, and none of us have heard from him. we figured he was with you."

"okay, but how did you know where I lived? we've only hung out twice," I asked almost angrily. Benji cleared his throat,

"you can hold mister McCann accountable for that, but before I go, there's something I want to tell you. Rose, be careful with Ryan. I know you two have gotten close and chummy and all that good stuff, but you don't know him all that well. he is a complex person, and there's more to him than that 'prince charming' exterior. he has layers, lots of them. don't let him get to you - he'll just -"

before Benji could finish or I could even utter a word, Benji's eyed widened when the hallway light flickered on. "Rose? are you okay? are you talking in your sleep or something?" Van's voice echoed through, and when he entered my bedroom, I kicked myself in the ass for leaving my door open.

"Benji? what the hell are you doing mate, are you off your rocker or something?" Van spat, now standing at my window, giving one of his best-friends a death stare.

"um, no," Benji stuttered, "I just wanted to know where you were. Larry needs you and none of us have been able to get ahold of you,"

"why the hell didn't you go to the door then? have you lost your marbles or something?" Van continued, cutting Benji off. "whatever it is Larry needs, I don't care right now. tell him I'll get to it later, but as of now, I don't give a shit. I'll be back tomorrow, alright? alright, I'm glad we agree." Van finished, slamming the window shut. he let out huff and fell onto my bed.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "um, Van? I'm sorry, but I'm confused..." I murmured, sitting down beside him.

"ah babe, you should be," he replied, his eyes glued to my ceiling. "long story short, my friends never let me breathe, and Benji and I are best friends, but we're total opposites, and we don't always see eye-to-eye."

"but weren't you a little mean to him?"

"hah, no," Van snorted, running his warm hand up and down my back. "I need privacy love, and they hardly ever give me any. how long was Benji

there before I came into your room?"

"I don't know really, a minute or two maybe?"

"what did he say to you?"

"he complained that he and the others couldn't get ahold of you, and some other rubbish."

"rubbish?" Van questioned, sounding intrigued. "what kind of rubbish?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I think your friends are a little crazy,"

Van flung his head back in laughter. "I think you're right."

I felt Van latch onto my hair, twisting the ends around his fingers. "Rose, I've been thinking... I've been wondering, have you ever wanted to run away?"