Valentine's day started off pretty nice this year. Never had you been able to wake up on the day of lovers in the arms of you own. Last year Benny had to go out of town with his mom for a day, and you were left to spend time with a bunch of other guys who didn't even know you were a girl at the time.
This year seemed all too good to be true, and even though there was still that pained part of your heart from months passed, it was now just a dull ache. You couldn't be any happier to wake up that morning, wrapped in the arms of your best friend and love of your life. He was still sleeping peacefully, and you took the time to admire him as he did. He looked like an angel, which fitted your nickname for him perfectly. His features were so soft when he was asleep. He just looked - for lack of a better word - relaxed.
You noticed how his facial features were changing slightly as he got older, becoming an older Benny. He was still just as beautiful in your mind as the day you met him. Though he didn't completely look like he did a few years ago, his eyes were always the same. Just as they were closed you could even picture them perfectly. His hazel Brown eyes with almost a bit of green in them. You'd never seen eyes like his before, and after you did, you knew you'd never know a more beautiful pair in your life.
His hair was much longer than it used to be, as now he liked growing it out. As much as he would hate you to know this, the main reason why he did was because one time you mentioned to him that you liked it better that way, claiming it felt good to run yours fingers through. After that he told himself he'd never cut it shorter than it already was.
You laid next to him, running your hands through his hair, feeling the dark curls softly between your fingers. He didn't stir as he woke up, but a sweet smile set in on his face. You smiled back at him, even though his own eyes were still closed. You loved waking up in the morning to see his sleepy eyes open for the first time that day. They always looked a little puffy and tired, and only you ever got to see them that way.
As Benny finally opened his eyes and looked into yours, he smiled even wider.
Just the fact that yours was the first face he saw everyday was enough to make him smile, even on the cloudiest of days. He raised his arm from where it rested, sliding up your back and pulling you closer. You nuzzled your face deep into his chest, feeling his arms squeeze you gently. As much as his face changed, his body did also, his once slim and skinny figure filling out into a slightly bulky and muscular one. Playing baseball always gave him some extra muscle, but now that he was older, it just made him even stronger. Benny wasn't the boy you'd fallen in love with anymore. Now he was a young man, and you loved him just the same, or more even, as your love grew for him by the day.
You exhaled softly, breathing in his scent soon after. There was a small groan to leave his lips, and you pulled back to look at him, seeing that he already closed his eyes again. You would have loved to stay in bed with him all day today, but judging by how your grades were doing lately, you couldn't afford to miss anymore days of school. Benny's grades were fine by now, so he really didn't have to worry, but you on the other hand, were wanting to go to a good college, preferably one of the ones that Benny had already been offered scholarships to for baseball.
You gently ran your fingers through his hair again, this time leaning in to kiss him slowly. You moved your lips along with his for a few moments, and in no time, he rolled on top of you, pressing you into the bed with his body. You were by no means complaining, but if he was going to do what you thought he was going to do, he better hurry up so you both weren't late to school.
-
After a good half hour of Benny saying good morning to you, you scrambled to get up and ready for the day ahead of you.
Benny stayed the night at your place last night and so he had to quickly hop from window to window via the tree that had been steadily growing between both houses. You on the other hand wasted no time in getting dressed and ready. It only ever took you a few minutes except for when it came to your hair. You were the only kid that ever greased her hair in your school, and it was just something that you had pride in. The way you would sculpt it with your comb to make it look like all your friends back in Phoenix.
You finished getting ready before heading into the kitchen and sitting down at the table with your mom. You thanked her when she set down a plate of fresh pancakes in front of you, smiling at her when she sat down. Her face held a look that said 'we need to talk' and your heart immediately picked up speed.
"Ellis, I wanted to have a quick chat with you before you leave for school." She said sternly although a little hesitant to actually bring up the topic of discussion.
When you didn't reply, just staring at her in slight fear, she leaned back in her chair to begin.
"I want you to know that in no way does this mean you can't stay over with Benny. And it doesn't mean he can't stay over here." Again she stopped, unsure of how she could possibly phrase this to where it wouldn't be awkward. "I would however like to let you know, that I am able to... hear you both at night. I won't go into detail, but last night you guys kept me awake for a while. I know this probably wasn't what you wanted to hear this morning, but if you guys aren't able to keep it down, that you could just save your.... private activities for when I'm not here." She finished, trying to meet your eyes, though you wanted to look anywhere but at her.
Your face was redder than anything, and you couldn't believe that you and Benny had been so loud that your mom has to tell you about it. Your mom bringing up the fact that she could actually hear you was mortifying to say the least.
"Oh. I uh.... I'll be sure to remember that. Sorry mom." The color in your face hadn't changed, and you still had yet to make eye contact with her, but you nodded in her direction, before standing up and leaving the table. You neglected the fact that you'd only eaten two bites of your food, heading straight for the door and slinging your backpack in before you left.
As you stepped outside, you shook your head, trying to think of a way you could possibly communicate this to Benny without making it weird and having to tell him that your mom could hear you guys when you were.... doing the thing. Speak of the devil, Benny came out his door within moments, coming along side of you as you began walking.
"You'll never believe what just happened." Benny began, his tone one of embarrassment almost, and you urged him to continue, your face changing to one of intrigue, though you still had the red color to it.
"So uh... my mom told me that she's been talking with your mom lately, and they decided..." he trailed off, his face getting red. He probably had it too.
"Lemme guess, 'she thinks it's best that we keep our private activities for when she isn't home'." You did air quotes when you said practically the same thing your mother just told you.
"Yeah, you too huh?"
All you did was nod your head to him, keeping your line of sight on the sidewalk in front of you, feeling the blush on your face get worse.
"Well, I guess that rules out my plans for tonight. Still got some other stuff though." He said, grabbing your hand and squeezing it tightly.
You smiled when you felt the familiarity of his fingers intertwined with yours.
"Like for example, this." He stopped walking, keeping you both in place as he pulled you close to him for a kiss. It lasted long, and while it happened you felt Benny fiddling with your left hand. You completely pulled away when you felt him slide some thing on your ring finger.
Looking down at your hand, you saw a lovely silver band adorning your finger. It wasn't girly, and it wasn't super fancy, but I definitely looked like it belonged on you. Benny knew you better than you did.
"It's a place holder. Just until I can work up the nerve to do the real deal. I know that in the past we always said we were gonna grow up and get married, but then a lot of crap happened and we weren't so sure. Now I'm a hundred percent sure. Even if we get separated again, or if we end up going to different schools later on... I promise you I'm gonna marry you. I promise." Benny said that he wasn't sure at one point, but that was only half true. Even when he got word of you dating another guy back in Phoenix, he still thought he could somehow get you back, and now that he did, he swore to himself he could never let you go again.
You didn't even have words as you stood there, trying not to cry at the beautiful gesture. You knew you would marry him because there wasn't another person in a billion miles you would rather spend the rest of your life with. You gently pressed your lips against his for a second or two, wrapping your arms around him for good measure.
"I love you, always." You told him, making him give you that beautiful smile of his.
"I love you more."
"Very unlikely."
Sorry for the inactivity, been trying to get my shit together...