Ben

Chapter Four: Know Ben

    One of the basic human instincts is to mate or reproduce. But unlike other animals, we mate at a certain point in our lives. We don't just find someone and mate with them. It takes time, well disregard some 'accidental' mating.

    Us humans need to undergo other stuffs in order for us to proceed to mating. Others view this as something that is sacred. It should only be done once a couple is married. And we know that people just don't get married, some might have just married some random stranger I guess. But the thing is, before we get married we fall in love first. If we look at it in general terms.

    How can you marry someone you don't love? It's just the same as choosing a career that you're not even interested in. It's both a waste of time and energy.

    Then how do we fall in love?

    Honestly speaking, nobody knows. What do we know about love?

    Love is surprising and it's difficult to brand thing as love right away because it could be many other things.

    But there is always something before love, that is infatuation or perhaps like or maybe, a crush.

    It wasn't easy for me to admit that I had a crush on Ben. Yes I was attracted to him the moment I saw him at school but it doesn't mean I had a crush on him in an instant.

    Needless to say, I was taking it slow. Not wanting to jump into conclusions.

    The fact that I was only attracted to Ben at some point made me realize that I knew nothing about him other than he likes girls.

    Sitting on my armchair I thought to myself, how will I get to know him more?

    "Cris!"

    I almost screamed out of shock. What is up with people trying to kill me with shock these days?

    I turned to see that it was my seatmate Lia.

    "Lia you scared me!"

    I almost grabbed her and wanted to shake her like a freaking bottle of juice.

    "I'm sorry. I called you three times already. You were busy zoning out. Let me guess, you're thinking of Ben again huh?...

     She said while wiggling her eyebrows.

    "You know it's bad to think about him all the time, why not try talking to him. I heard his hitting on you and is actually single!"

    This one is really talkative when it comes to stuffs like this. What can I say, she's one of those happy-go-lucky high school girls. Can't blame her for being who she is.

    "What are you talking about? I'm not thinking about him."

       I denied, not wanting to add fuel to the fire. Everyone seems to have convinced themselves that I like Ben and so does he. They think we're  a thing now which I can't deny, makes me feel elated.

       "Stop denying it. Everyone knows you like him."

        There, she said it. Everyone freaking knows.

       "Anyways Cris, don't you want to know more about Ben? Well unless you already know a lot about him, if you know what I mean."

       I really didn't know what she was talking about. This girl is making unruly claims.

      "What? We don't even text."

       I said just to let her know that we have no means of conversation between and that we are not a thing just to let her stop talking.

       "Oh my, is that true?!"

       She said that too loud and it's kind of embarassing me.

      "Haven't you exchanged numbers yet? Do you want his number or do you want me to send your number to him?"

       The latter seemed obvious that I was totally interested with Ben but the former is actually worse. So what if I get his number? That means I have to text him first and that's just too much for me!

       "Oh, I have an idea. How about I plug your number to all of my contacts?"

        She really looks excited as she giggled after saying that.

       I then gave her an uncomfortable smile.

       "I don't know, I really don't like it when random people get my number."

       Her face looked sad for a minute and then it lit up again.

       "Then I just have to send it to Ben then! I'll write it as if it's meant for a group of people!"

        Why is she so energetic? Her energy is draining me.

        I couldn't protest on Lia's ideas, not that I don't mind but I felt drained. Besides, I would like it if Ben would sent me a text anyways.

        The moment our classes were over, I quickly got up and went straight home. I was avoiding something, maybe someone, maybe Ben.
        Wait, why am I avoiding him?

        Is it because I saw him staring at me with those owl eyes earlier? Or is it because of something more?
        Why would I try to avoid him if I want to know more about him?

        It wasn't long till I arrived home, I went to my room and plopped down my bed when I heard my phone rang. I received a text, but from whom?

       I checked to see it was from an unknown number saying

       "Hi Crissa."

       It read.

       "Don't get your hopes up Cris."

        I said to myself and typed my reply.

       "Hi, who is this btw?"

        Not long before I sent my message, a new one arrived. It was from Lia.

       "Good afternoon Cris! I already plugged your number to your prince charming. Enjoy talking to him! ^_^"

       What a brave person, she really did it. I guess this unknown number is Ben?

       But I was thankful for her I guess. I never thought that a day would come Ben would text me.

       Not a second later there was a reply from the unknown number.

      "This is Ben. Kindly save my number ;)."

       A wink emoji? Really now? And oh my gosh he said he's Ben!

       My heart pounded with excitement. Oh my gosh! Why am I getting nervous and excited at the same time! What do I say?

       Despite me almost having a nervous breakdown; I collected myself and sent him a reply.

       We chatted through the night. I learned more and more of his parts. I learned that he believes in god, he has a younger brother at our school, I learned that he likes the shade of blue, basketball and so many things by just simply texting with him.

       It felt great. To know more about the person you like either makes you like them more or stop liking them. In my case, it was the former.

       I know from the start that Ben was a good guy, I know that he's someone likeable, if not I wouldn't have had my eyes on him for a long time.

       This night made me realize one thing, that despite all the fuss and gossips about him, what I wanted more was to know Ben.