My Past, Your Past, Our Future (arranged marriage)

Chapter 23 (Benjamin's P.O.V.)

After I finished texting Shay, I rolled over and tried to fall asleep. And after tossing and turning for another half hour, I finally fell into a deep and comforting sleep, knowing that my best friend was doing the same.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Saturday, December 12th 2015

I awoke and rolled over to check the time. 9:38 am.

Wow, I was more tired than I thought. Thinking back to last night. I picked up my phone and shot Shaliene a quick text,

B- Morning sunshine :) what are you doing today? 9:39 am

I only had to wait moments for a reply,

S- Nothing much, just relaxing and maybe going doing some Christmas shopping. 9:40 am

B- Mind if I tag along? I haven't done any of my shopping yet :/ 9:40 am

S- That's fine, but don't expect me to buy your gift while you're shopping with me ;) 9:41 am

B- What!! Fine then I won't buy your gift today either. 9:42 am

B- ;) I still do want to come with. 9:42 am

S- That's great, would love to have you join. 9:43 am

B- If I pick you up at 10:30 am does that give you enough time? 9:44 am

S- Yeah, that's plenty of time. See you soon BFF :) 9:45 am

I smiled at her text then jumped out of bed and into a cold shower.

By 10:10 am I was on my way to pick her up.  And as I was driving down 194, to get to Shay's house, I had to swerve out of the way of another car that wasn't paying attention. Oh my gosh! Can't anyone drive anymore? I thought, as I got closer to Shay's house, hoping there wouldn't be anymore careless drivers.

When I pulled up to their house I grabbed my keys and headed toward the front door. Knocking, I waited patiently until Mrs.Lewis answered the door saying,

"Benny! How nice to see you again. You and Shay have plans?"

"Yes ma'am. We're going Christmas shopping." I replied, noticing Shay bounding down the stairs.

"I'm ready. Bye mom!" She yelled as she pulled me out the door.

"Hey," I said, mimicking a hurt voice, as we walked to the car, "I want your mom to like me."

"Don't worry she loves you. But if we stood there another minute, we would be questioned for an hour. Where are y'all going? What are going to do? I was just saving you from the full FBI interrogation." She replied in a playful voice, as she hopped into the car through the door I was holding open.

"Thanks." She said with a genuine smile.

"You're welcome." I replied, grinning, as I shut the door and jogged to the drivers side, hopped in and started the car, and asked,

"Where to first?"