One Of A Kind

N I N E

One Of A Kind

Chapter Nine

Not Edited

~ Sage Preston's POV ~

"Ow" I mumbled quietly as I got caught on a branch.

"Are you okay?" Benjamin whispered from below me. "I can come up and help?"

"No. I got it" I climbed slowly down the tree that is next to my window.

I dropped on the ground and breathed a breath of relief.

"Come on. I parked my car up the road" Benjamin pointed up the street and we walked out of my yard together.

"Thanks for doing this" I mumbled.

"No problem. If it makes you feel any better we'll just call it another one of our dates for the deal" He smiled at me and I smiled back. "But can I ask why you didn't text one of your other friends?"

I looked down and shrugged. Why did I text Benjamin instead of Charlie, Mick or Piper? Piper is probably asleep because it is 2:30 am but I know Charlie and Mick like to stay up this late and play video games. But if I called one, the other would show up and I didn't want to deal with them making a joke of the situation. And honestly? I don't want to talk to them about this. It's embarrassing.

"Hey? Sage? Are you okay?" Benjamin asked.

I looked up and realized we were at his car.

"Here, get in" He opened the passenger door and I nodded.

"Now tell me what's going on" Benjamin said once he got into the car.

I looked at him and took in his appearance. He was wearing a tank top and basketball shorts. Not enough clothes on for this weather, he must have rushed out when he got my 'I need you' text. His hair was even more messier, saying he was asleep or had been asleep recently but he still had on his signature beanie.

"They don't know that I'm not in love with you" I stated simply and his eyebrows shot up. "I'm not in love with you"

"Anything you say baby girl" Benjamin glanced at me sideways and I could see his smile. "But continue"

"He told me that I couldn't see you anymore. That I lived under his roof so I had to follow his rules. What if you made me happy? What if I wanted to be with you? He didn't ask me at all. Instead he just regarded it all as some sick joke that your parents planned" I leaned my head against the window.

"I wouldn't do that. That's really messed up" Benjamin said and I nodded.

"He doesn't care about me" I sighed.

"Your dad? He has to care about you" Benjamin parked the car in an empty parking lot.

"I don't fit into his narrative. He wants this perfect family. Perfect wife. Perfect home. Perfect kids. I'm not perfect" I whispered.

"Sage, nobodies perfect" I didn't notice Benjamin grab my hand.

"My family is. I just don't fit. My hair isn't blonde. My eyes aren't blue. I like sports instead of cheerleading. I like hockey instead of football" I felt the tears well up in my eyes. "Why can't I just be like them?"

"Sage. You're not like them because you're you. Do you really wanna look like a perfect copy of your mom? I'm not trying to be rude, trust me, but don't you think that it's a little weird? Your family looks like a bunch of clones" Benjamin joked and I smiled a little bit. "You're beautiful and smart and you're a great goalie. You're different. One of a kind. You don't want to be like them"

"Thanks Benjamin" I smiled at him.

We sat there just staring at each other. My hazel eyes staring right into his grey ones. We sat there for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. Then his eyes flicked down and-

"Hey you kids can't be sitting here" Someone knocked on the window and we jumped apart. When did we start leaning in?

"Sorry officer. We'll be leaving now" Benjamin coughed as he rolled down the window.

"It's no problem. Just get going" The police officer frowned at us and made his way back to his car. When did that get there?

"Do you want to go get some coffee?" Benjamin smiled over at me as he pulled out of the parking lot.

I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat and nodded.

He tried to kiss me and I didn't... I didn't stop him.

It has to be my emotions. They're running wild right now. Right? And my body is creating hormones that are telling me that kissing is what we are supposed to do. I mean he is an attractive guy and-

"Stop overthinking it, Sage" Benjamin laughed and I frowned.

"Huh?"

"We almost kissed. It's okay" He smiled and I squinted at him.

"We didn't almost kiss" I scoffed.

"Oh yeah?" He smirked.

"Mhm"

"What kind of coffee do you want?" He asked once we pulled into the drive through of the 24/7 Dunkin Donuts.

"Uh just a blue coolatta" I shrugged. It's too late for coffee.

"Oh I want a red one" Benjamin grinned happily. He was just a big child.

A few minutes later we were driving down the road towards my home. It was almost 4 am. We had to get back to real life sometime.

May: are u okay?

Me: Yeah. Just went for a walk. Coming home now

"Who's that?" Benjamin glanced at my phone.

"My sister. Just wondering where I am" I sighed. I've never lied to May before like that.

"I was serious before. I'm not just saying it because I like you. You're one of a kind and it's a good thing" Benjamin smiled at me and I nodded uncomfortably again. My face felt hot again for some reason.

We made it back to my house a few minutes later and he got out of the car to walk me to my tree.

"Oh Sage?" Benjamin came closer as I started climbing the tree.

I looked over at him with furrowed eyebrows. I was a few inches up the tree so I was at his height.

"You have something right" Benjamin pointed towards my chin and I tried to see what it was.

"What-"

I was cut off by his lips. It was short and warm. I didn't have time to do anything because by the time I was aware of it, he was walking away.

"Benjamin" I hissed and he turned towards me with a smile. I was fully prepared to yell at him but it got caught in my throat. "See you later" I said lamely.

"See you later, Sage" Benjamin breathed a laugh before turning and leaving again.

What just happened?

a u t h o r s   n o t e

Oooooh he said it! He said it! He said the title lol I hope you guys enjoyed this adorable chapter of One Of A Kind!

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