beautiful boy . ⎯ benny r.

BIRTHDAY

AMELIA
Today, Andrea and the rest were supposed to come back. I didn't want to go to the sandlot, I don't think it's a good idea right now. Sitting in my room, staring at the floor, I waited for them to burst into the house. It was a drowsy day, it's quiet outside, my stomach twirling out of nervousness, I played with my nails, just sitting in my bed, waiting for something to happen. Waiting for a telegram or a phone call, or even a special boy asking why I'm not with him. I didn't tell anyone that my birthday is today, I'm 14, I like spending my birthdays quiet and alone, I never had a birthday party. Picking up a picture frame of my mom, so I can have her with me, I put on an oversized hoodie that I could stuff the picture inside. While leaving my room I got some money and put my shoes on. I walked to the nearest store, to buy myself a small cake and candles.

A middle-aged woman greeted me at the entrance. When I found the aisle with sweets, I stood there being clueless.
"Hmm...What do you think momma."
"Chocolate, or Vanilla."
"Or how about brownies? Never mind you don't like them."
"Ouu, strawberry shortcake. This one is your favorite momma."
"Let's get it."
I didn't feel stupid talking to myself. I had my mom with me, well not really. I just wanted to pretend that she was still here.
"Oh, we can't forget the candle."
"Hmm, they don't have 14."
"I'll just get the singular ones."

I got home, went to the dining table, set the picture of my mom across from where I was going to sit, opened the minimalistic cake, and placed one candle on it. After lighting the candle, I sat down. The cake in front of me, the canvas of my mom across from me.
I replayed that one time when she sang the birthday song to me. Her soft voice was the only thing I heard. I sang along by whispering the song.
"Now... make your wish, darling," I remember her telling me.
After the song, I closed my eyes. I imagined myself in Seattle, with my cousin, with my mom, I wanted everything to be normal again. I blew the candle.
Cutting the cake, I gave myself a piece, and one for my mom. Even if she wasn't going to eat it, obviously, I pretended she did.
••••
BENNY
Sitting in the dugout, I thought about my relationship with Amelia. I was curious why she didn't come today either. It felt different without her. I never thought that when you are in a relationship, there are times when you feel distant from your lover. I was experiencing those times, she barely comes over to my house after practice, she never tells me if she's going to the sandlot or not. Maybe she likes to be alone.
                                     ••••
AMELIA
A few hours later of staring at my window, I saw a taxi stop at my house. Andrea stepped out, Connor and Jaxon behind her. I didn't know if I should go and greet them or stay up here in my room. I ended up walking downstairs, I didn't know what I was doing at all. In the middle of the stairs, I met with Jaxon. I stood there staring at him. He did the same, but he looked to his side where the entrance was at then looked back at me. He ran up to me.
"Go, go." He whispered signaling me to go back to my room.
"What is it?" I followed him to the entrance of his room.
"Just stay in your room." He answered back, still whispering, shutting the door in my face. I got quiet, beginning to walk slowly to my room.
"Get me a beer." I heard from downstairs. My back was against my door, while I sat on the floor.
"You need to sto-" Andrea sounded miserable.
"I SAID GIVE ME THE DAMN BEER!"
I jumped when Connor yelled.
"What happened to him?"
Someone knocked lightly on my door, I got up to open it.
"But what if it's Connor?" I thought.
"Who is it?" I put my ear against the crack of the door.
"It's Jaxon..." He mumbled.
I opened it slowly. The vibe was very awkward between us.
"Can I come in?" He pointed past my room.
I moved out the way, so he can come in. He sighed as he sat on my bed. I closed the door quietly.
"I'm sorry, Amelia." Jaxon looked at the floor.
"For what exactly?" I walked over to him.
He looked up at me, his eyes were red.
"The way I treated you, you didn't deserve it."-Jaxon
"It is what it is... but why are you apologizing just now?" I sat next to him.
"Well, because mom and dad are the way they are... we only have each other." He looked back at the ground, I did too.
"What are you trying to say?" I slightly turned my head to look at him.
A sound of glass breaking downstairs caught me and Jaxon's attention, which made both of us jump.
"See? We should stick together. No more fighting." He said looking at me while I tried not to make eye contact with him.
"Yeah...your right." I gave him my hand so he can shake it, his face lit up as he shook it.
"We'll end up like him if we don't get our shit together." He chuckled.
"Hey well... if we both go crazy. We'll go crazy together." I put my hand down.
"Yeah... crazy together." He nodded smiling.
Andrea started yelling curse words at Connor.
"SHUT UP YOU BITCH!" He said back.
Me and Jaxon both sighed.
"I don't want to make you feel guilty or bad but, he's like this because you moved here. He didn't want anything to do to you." Jaxon said out of nowhere. My heart dropped. Before I began to talk Jaxon interrupted.
"Well, even with me. He's evil. I guess we were both accidents." What he said made me giggle a bit.
"Accidents, huh?"
"Never mind." He scratched the back of his neck, with a regrettable look on his face.
After a moment of silence, he started talking but stuttered at first.
"Are you and Benny something?"-Jaxon
I wasn't sure if I should tell him. Since they don't have the best bond.
"Umm..."
"You can tell me, I'm just wondering."
"But I thought you didn't like him."
"I really don't care anymore."
"Oh."
"So? I know you like him."
I didn't answer back, only smiled.
  ••••
A moment later I decided to go to Benny's house since he didn't come to mine. The house was quiet. No one was talking, the tv wasn't on, no dishes washing, just pure silence. No sign of the adult or Jaxon.

I looked down the whole time walking to Bennys house. The sun began to set. I knocked on his house. He was the one to open the door.
"Hi..." He says.
"Hey." For some reason, it was really awkward between us. He stepped out the way so I can come inside, no one was in sight, only me and Benny. He closed the door.
"Is there something wrong?" I crossed my arms.
"No." He was definitely holds something back.
"Is it because I didn't go to the sandlot?"
He looked down.
"I know it's important to you Benny, but I enjoy being alone sometimes." I cupped his face with both of my hands. Our eyes met.
"Is it because you get tired of me?"-Benny
"What?! No. Of course not. Why do you think that?" I backed away.
"I don't know. I just thought you felt that way."-Benny
I shook my head, rolled my eyes, and began laughing. He started to smile too. I got closer to him for a hug.
"You are so..." I couldn't come up with a word, I felt too cozy in his arms.
"Charming." He responded.
Laughing I answered, "Yes, definitely."

After hugging for a few moments, we sat on his roof, watching the sunset. I stared at the pink clouds in awe, and the way the colors blended together leaving a dark blue behind.
"I could stay here all day if I could." Whispering I said.
"Yeah, especially with you." He looked at me smirking, knowing that I don't like getting told cheesy stuff.
I elbowed him softly.
"Come here." He pulled me closer to him so I could lay down on his lap.

We stayed like this for a few minutes until it got dark. I sat with him in his bed playing Uno.
"I should get going." I hopped off his bed.
"Can you sleepover?" He held my hand.
"The adults came back today. Connor is... you know." I actually wanted to stay here.
"Oh..." He says with disappointment.

He leads me back to the front door.
"I'll see you tomorrow. This time actually." I chuckled, my arms around his neck.
"Alright, be safe." He hugged me, then let go.
"That's it?" I mocked him, because of last time.
"Now you know how it feels like?" He said with annoyance, leaning his head to slightly to the side.
"I'm just joking, jesus." I rolled my eyes and pecked his lips. Then I left. I didn't mention my birthday to him. The house was still in the same state that it was when I left.
••••
This chapter was longer so I'm trying to keep this short tehe. Feel free to comment recommendations. Or if you want to see more of a certain character comment. Byeeee :)
-Alice🌅