A Player's First Choice // Stenbrough

017 / The Smell of Sweetness

"How did you know?" I shrug. "Just do."

++++

—Thursday 12:57 am

I pull the blanket up to my ears as I giggle reading the text from Richie.

Richie

R: did you make it home?

S: yeah why?

R: can't I check up on you?

S: no

R: I- how do I respond to that???

S: figure it out. Use your big brain. Oh, wait. Your head is hollow

R: well excuse me, sir. I make all A's and what do you make

S: not saying...

R: oh yeah. All A's and two B's.

S:...

R: what's what I thought

S: I feel exposed

R: as you should.

S: stop attacking me

R: you're short.

S: no need to bring that up

R: you're like a little bean

S: you're so mean I swear

R: I'm only speaking the truth.

S: >:/

*five minutes later*

S: hey. You okay?

R: Yeah. I fell asleep

S: go to bed. I'll talk to you tomorrow

R: but I don't wanna

S: then I won't talk to you

R: night

S: that's what I thought. Good night :)

R: :3

—

I lay my phone on the table beside me. Good thoughts flood my head. The kiss replays in my mind until I fall asleep.

—Thursday 6:12 am

"Why are my blinds open?" I groan closing then quickly. "I don't wanna get up," I mumble sitting up slowly.

—6:38 am

"Hey, Ben...you okay?" He nods gently. "We were up studying. I'm guessing you forgot?" "Oh shit. Yeah. I'll be fine though. This unit is pretty easy."

Ben glares at me. "Oh could've asked me for help." I chuckle. "I guess so." He opens the door for me. "Where's Eddie?" "He left really early. Someone came by. Couldn't really hear their voice very well." He shrugs as we sit on the bus.

Instead of driving, we've decided to ride the bus instead. It's easier and cheaper.

"Watch out." A loud voice laughs as they walk down the pathway. "Stan? You ride the bus now?" He smiles gently.

"Yeah...cheaper." I chuckle. "Bennifer hey man." He pats Ben's head, sitting behind us. "Why are you so happy? It's too early for that." I giggle.

"I don't know. Good day, I guess?" He shrugs patting my head. "Stop doing that. Your hand is probably dirty." He chuckles doing it again.

—7:15 am

"Richie stopppp." I groan as he laughs. "Have you seen Eddie?" "No. Bill left really early this morning. You haven't seen him either?" I shake my head, Richie's arm wraps around my neck, pulling me closer.

"You're gonna choke me." "Hmmm. Kinky." He mumbles as I begin to open my locker.

"Is that Bill's hoodie?" I look down. "Uh....yeah." A girl rolls her eyes before walking off.

"Everyone must hate me now." I chuckle grabbing my books. "More jealousy than hatred." "Look at you. Using big boy words." I grin as he side-eyes me.

"Bye Stan." He speed walks down the hallway chuckling. "Eddie?" He turns around quickly. So does another face. Their arm around him.

"When did you leave this morning??" "Bill wanted to hang out... sorry for worrying you." He giggles. "Hey, Bill." I smile as he smiles faintly.

Unusual.

"Hi, Mikey." Mike hugs me from behind. The smell of sweetness giving it away. "How did you know?" I shrug. "Just do." I smile.