Ben

Chapter Fifteen: Nothing like Ben

I somehow figured that life is meaningless without having someone or something to live for. It's like a drive for us to continue on living instead of just existing. It's good to have someone or something to dedicate your success to. The feeling of relief that you get once all your hardwork is done is replaced with so much joy when the people you dedicate your life with tells you that their proud. Or seeing yourself getting closer to what you're aiming for like the happiness you feel when the plant you planted had sprouted.

When I got home from our travel, it was already time for our 3rd quarterly exam. I needed to keep up with the lessons so I was always busy even when I was home, making me forget that Ben told me he was coming to see me.

He came the same time when he usually visits, when I saw him I felt like all of the stress I had faded away.

"Hi." I beamed at him and he handed me a paper bag filled with my favourite snacks.

"I missed you." He said once we were sat on the ground. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"I missed you too." I said with all the sincerity I had. He wasn't able to visit me ever since my family's drama, and that was a long time ago.

"How was your trip?" he asked while tearing open a bag of potato chips.

"It was great- gave me a peace of mind." I said to him and grabbed a handful of chips. I was about to eat the chips when I stopped halfway, surprised with what I saw. Ben is eating potato chips!

"You said you don't like them!" I exclaimed and punched him on his shoulder.

"You influenced me. I always get you this so it's natural that I'd also get to like them." He said in defence. Wow, who would've thought? I remembered asking him before if he likes potato chips and he even made a disgusted look! Now here he is, mouth full of chips that he once hated.

"How dare you insult my potato chips and claim that you love them now!" I shouted at him and playfully grabbed his hair.

"Aww stop that! Just tell me about your trip!" he said trying to remove my fingers from his hair. I must've overdone it but if he wants to stay with me, I guess he needs to get used with occasional beatings. I might be sadistic but.... Maybe he's a masochist? Who knows?

I laughed at how crazy his hair looked while he was trying his best to rearrange it. I wanted to help him... my hand wants to reach out and touch his hair. Touching his hair and grabbing it is really different from feelings to meaning.

I wonder how it would feel like to run my fingers through his hair?

"Hey Cris." I snapped back to reality.

"Yep?" I said probably while looking dumb basing from his hysterical laugh.

"What's so funny?" I asked him while I try to reach his arm just so I could pinch him.

"Your face!" he said then continued to laugh hysterically. I cut him off by grabbing both sides of his face and forced him to face me. I stared at him for about 2 seconds right straight into his eyes and I didn't even know why I did that. I just found myself staring and later on realized it because his eyes weren't steady anymore, it's as if he's avoiding my gaze.

"Stop." He said and I felt his cheeks heat up. Why does it feel like were on reverse? Am I really the girl here?

I quickly removed my hands and leaned on the wall so that I would be on his side.

"I saw a house on our way to the venue." I started because he was just sitting there, his left hand on his mouth and I don't even know why he's doing that.