Let Me Be The One // Benny Rodriguez // COMPLETED

Chapter #3 // Preacher YeahYeah

Benny's POV

I can't doubt that I like Opal. I do. But since my Dad was arrested for something he didn't do, I've promised myself that I'd follow in his footsteps.

My Dad wanted to be a famous baseball player. But then he met my mother and fell for her. Pretty hard, too. They got married a few years later, and had my older brother Ceaser a few years after that. Then when he was 5, I came along. I'm pretty sure by accident, too. When I was around 3-4 years old, I told Mom I wanted a baby sister and she said maybe. A few years later, she came along. But one day, Dad got a chance to go meet his favorite player, so he took it, and someone smuggled drugs into his bag. So he was arrested when he didn't do anything bad.

I promised myself that I'd follow is his footsteps, to make him proud and fulfill his dream, since some idiot ruined it for him.

But I really think I like Opal.

I don't know anymore.

Maybe at least a little?

No, Benny! No! Snap out of it!

I can't do this anymore, I need to get some air.

I throw on my blue hat and head out, my phone in my back pocket.

When it comes to trusting people, I'm not good at that either. I don't know why, I just don't really trust people. I mean, I do, but not really. Ya get me, man?

As I'm walking down the street, I hear YeahYeah's weird laugh as he runs right into me.

"Oh, sorry Benny." He says, backing up.

"It's okay, Opa- YEAHYEAH!" I correct myself fast.

"Did you almost call me Opal?" He asks me.

I feel blush creeping onto my cheeks and at this point, I can't stop it.

"Bro do you like her!?" He yells. I slam my hand against his mouth, but not hard enough to hurt him.

"Shut up you blockhead!" I shout at him.

I look around and notice an alley close by, so I pull him into it.

"I know I upset you but please don't beat me man!" He scoots away from me.

"I'm not gonna hurt you, I'm coming out." I say.

"YOU'RE GAY!?" YeahYeah yells in confusion.

All. I can do. Is facepalm.

"No, idiot. I..." I don't know if I can say it out loud.

"...You like Opal, don't you." He says softly. I nod.

"Ohhhhh my gosh! Benny, man, I've never seen you like a girl!" He yells. I glare at him and he shuts up immediately.

"But... I don't want to like her. My life revolves around baseball, and I want it to stay that way." I say softly.

"Benny... have you ever thought about trying something new?" He asked me. I guess I really hadn't. I've been too caught up in trying to fulfill Dad's dreams.

"I guess not." I say, looking down slightly. "His future was ruined, and I guess I'm afraid I'll ruin mine, too."

"Benny, your dad's future wasn't ruined, it just changed. I mean, being put in jail isn't good, but him starting a family with your mom didn't ruin anything. That's how you're here, and I'm thankful for that. You're a great friend to have. Look, man, everything happens for a reason. I'm sure your father didn't plan on being put in jail, maybe not starting a family either, but if he hadn't, you wouldn't be here to think about how you could help him. How you could make him proud. I mean, your dad didn't HAVE to marry your mom, or stay when she got pregnant with Ceaser. But he did. He could've left anytime he wanted. But he didn't. Because he loved her. Opal won't ruin your future unless you blame her, or let her. And I know just from being her friend that she would not do something that low on purpose. Try something new for a change. Maybe it'll be fun."

I'm just gonna be honest, I haven't been to church in a while, but that's probably the best sermon I've heard yet.

"Maybe you're right, YeahYeah." I look up at him.

"I'm always right!" He jokes. I laugh a little.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." I smile.

"Anytime! I'm open every day after we play baseball if ya need another talking to." He laughs. I nod.

We go our separate ways from there. I head back towards my house and I can't keep what YeahYeah said out of my head. I mean, he's right, in a way.

I know what I need to do.

Opal's POV

I'm sitting in my room when I hear a knock on the door. I yell for Dad to get it, but then I remember I'm home alone for the day, so I lazily get up and answer the door.

"Oh, hey Benny." I smile, but before I can even finish getting his name out, his lips are on mine.

Someone pinch me, I'm dreaming!

I kiss back once I find the realization that my crush is kissing me.

I expected this to be a 'Hey, how are ya?' type of kiss, but no.

He lifts me into his arms, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist, so I do. Mainly so I won't fall because I'm pretty heavy.

He walks a little ways into the house, closes the door with his foot, but never broke the kiss. Finally, he lets off and looks at me.

"Well hello to you too." I smile at him.

"Sorry about that, YeahYeah just helped me realize some things." He smiles at me.

He sat me down on the couch, sitting beside me, and explained everything.

About his Dad, about how he kept telling himself he didn't have time for girls, how YeahYeah basically preached to him in an alley, he said it all.

My heart was about to pound out of my chest.

"Look at me, Opal, the other night at the carnival was so much fun, and people kept asking me once you left if you were my girlfriend, and I can truthfully say, it hurt me to say no. We've grown so close in a matter of weeks, that it feels like I've known you for years. I've been trying to tell myself that I don't need to focus on girls, I need to focus on my dream of following in Dad's footsteps, but after the other night and YeahYeah's help, I realize that no matter how hard I try, I'll always be in love with you and I can't change that. So... would you like to be my girl...?" He asks, a little nervous.

I promise, I almost screamed. Really loud too.

"I'd love that, Benny." I smile back at him. "And thanks for making my first kiss EPIC." My smile grows bigger.

"Thanks for being my first kiss in general." He smiles back at me.

I love him...

Benny's POV

I love her...