One Big Family (Camren & Norminah)

Part 11: 'The first time' you broke my heart

Earlier that Friday...when the welcome home Lauren party was coming to an end and everyone was starting to leave Ben had pulled Charlie to the side to have a chat. They hadn't really said much since Ben admitted to his feelings for his best friend and he felt bad for ignoring her. She couldn't help the way she felt just as much as he couldn't help the way he felt.

"Hey, what's up?" Charlie asked as they entered her bedroom.

"Charlie...I...I don't want things to be weird between us, now that everything's kinda...well out in the open." Ben mumbled as he took a seat on her bed.

"I don't want weirdness either." Charlie agreed as she came to sit next to him.

Ben gave her a thankful smile.

"I'm sorry for kind of ignoring you the last few days." He mumbled.

"Ben...it's totally understandable and I don't want you to feel bad ok. I'm sorry too...I even made you some 'I'm Sorry' Cookies but then I chickened out in actually giving them to you because I didn't want to upset you." Charlie replied softly.

Ben smiled.

"I love your cookies." He replied.

Charlie shrugged bashfully.

"They're not that great." She mumbled.

Ben just chuckled.

"How come Austen wasn't here?" He asked not that he really cared, Ben didn't really like the guy and not just because he was with Charlie but...he was kind of a...well a dumbass and Charlie could do so much better. She always had a knack for picking the wrong guy for a boyfriend.

"Well mom has never really liked him so I didn't want her to be annoyed on her first day back home." Charlie replied with an amused smile.

Ben chuckled and nodded.

"How are things with Daisy? Weren't you going to ask her out?" She asked.

"I um yeah...We're going on a date tonight." He stuttered.

Charlie smiled.

"Yeah?" She asked.

Ben nodded.

"That's great Ben. Where are you taking her?" She asked excitedly.

"I'm gonna take her dancing at the karaoke bar." He smiled.

"Aww...well I want all the details tomorrow morning when we go out for our Saturday coffee and muffins." Charlie smiled brightly.

Ben nodded.

"I'm glad your...moving on." Charlie added softly.

"Me too...I probably should have done it a long time ago." He mumbled.

"Well you're doing it now so...I just want you to be happy Ben." Charlie replied.

"Same goes for you Charlie." Ben smiled.

"Well I better go and get ready for tonight." He added as he stood up.

"Alright... Don't forget tomorrow." Charlie winked.

Ben nodded and turned to leave.

"Hey wait!" Charlie yelled after him.

Ben turned around confused, Charlie took the few steps she needed to wrap her arms around him giving him a hug.

"For good luck." She whispered then kissed him on the cheek.

Ben smiled and hugged her back.

~~~ Ben and Daisy ~~~