Ice Melts for Love

I Just Wanna Be Loved

Something was seriously wrong with my little brother. Ever since Leigh's visit, he had been looking a little lifeless and sick. Even though Quinn acted all normal, I could still see that something was bothering him. My mother was getting worried so she took a few days off to stay in the house and take care of us. Ben frequented the house even more, too. He asked, oh scratch that, demanded that they play in our house rather than go to the park or his house after school. Maybe he's worried for Quinn, too.

Tonight was the night of the dance. I turned off the TV and rubbed my temple. Tonight was supposed to be a fun night. I was supposed to hang out with Misha and the others. I was supposed to dance the night away with Nate. But because of a slight misunderstanding, everything fell apart. I had made people angry and depressed, even though it wasn't entirely my fault. Damn it. Tears, worthless, annoying tears, began to pool in my eyes.

"Hey! I was watching that."

Oh. How could I forget? Immediately, I didn't feel like crying anymore. I glanced down. Bratty Ben was here in the living room with me. Quinn was going to have a sleepover at Ben's tonight, something they haven't done for the past few weeks. Right now, Quinn was in his room preparing his things while my mother was in the kitchen fixing something for them to eat. I just hope it was something edible.

"Are you even listening to me?"

I sighed. Ben, who was squatting on the floor by the stool that propped my feet, glared up at me. I glared back. I was so not in the mood for this. Suddenly, his facial features softened and he grabbed the remote. He turned on the TV and sulked, putting his hands under his chin.

"Always staring out of space," he began to grumble, "Not even caring to talk or play with me. Well, what do you expect? I'm just Ben. Ben, the nobody. Ben, the freeloader. Ben, the outsider. Ben, the-"

"Want a cookie?" I interjected to stop his ramblings.

He scowled at my direction and grabbed the cookie I was holding up. I rolled my eyes and ruffled his hair. He growled and I chuckled in amusement. He was a good distraction for me. Always there to rile me and at the same time cheered me up. Then it dawned on me. He was trying to be there not only for Quinn but also for me. And being without siblings, he didn't know how to interact with me. But looking back, I remembered that Ben had always appreciated even the little things I did for him, like buying him ice cream or lending him my guitar. He had covered his gratitude with scowls and insults because he was embarrassed.

The doorbell rang.

"Get the door, Ben," I said, flipping through the channels in search of a good show.

Ben scowled.

"No, you get the door, Ellen. Oops, I forgot," he sneered at me and I glared at him, "You can't walk because you're such a big klutz."

"Shut up."

"Well, you can always crawl," he suggested cheekily. "Or hop on one leg to the door."

I narrowed my eyes at him to make him do it. But he ignored me pointedly. The doorbell rang again.

"Get the door," I hissed at him.

"No!"

Just then, my mom peeked out from the kitchen.

"Ben," she said sweetly. "Will you be a darling and get the door?

"Sure, auntie," he agreed immediately, putting on a big smile. I frowned at him. He was always a goody-goody whenever my parents were at home. He was so two-faced.

My mom smiled at him appreciatively and went back to cooking. Ben trudged to the door. I relaxed into the couch and decided to watch SpongeBob. I heard Ben open the door and murmured voices. After a while, the door banged shut and a smug Ben appeared in the living room. Immediately, I grew suspicious and muted the show.