Beside You Ch. 10: Miss Your Face

Chapter Ten: Miss Your Face

Two weeks is a long time when you purposely avoid people.

Person, I mean.

I ended up failing the knitting project, it was a small price to pay to avoid Michael.

Next time I would just look it up online. It was easier to not have to depend on people to get things done.

Though I felt terrible every time Benny tried to include me, it wasn't fair that I kept turning her down.

I just needed a break from all of it. I just needed some me time, I guess.

"Miss Graham," I heard my last name.

I turned to see my history teacher, Mrs. Coleman.

"Yes?" I asked.

I sat in the small school library when I could have been out having fun with Benny and the guys.

She pointed at the top of my head, "Red isn't your natural color?"

I made a face.

Her pointing out my growing roots made me feel self-conscious.

"No," I said.

"Have you not read the handbook, dear?" she asked, "Rules are rules."

Rules? What did I miss?

Obviously, I didn't read the stupid handbook. I didn't think there were that many rules to actually follow.

"Do I have to have a solid color?" I asked.

"Natural hair color only," she said.

Since when? Why didn't Benny say anything?

That's right, I didn't tell her I dye my hair.

Though, the dark red my hair is now isn't really a natural color. Certainly not mine.

I guess I thought it was obvious that I dyed it.

It had been a while since I dyed it though, but no one has said anything. My roots have been showing for the last week, at least.

"Oh," I said, "I didn't know that."

"You are going to have to dye it your natural color," she said, "You don't want to get in trouble, do you?"

I shook my head.

"You might want to go and get that taken care of before curfew."

I nodded, "Thank you."

Shit. I didn't think teachers were even here on Sundays. Now I had to go do something about my hair.

I forced all my stuff into my backpack.

Now I just had to figure out what the hell to do with my hair. Do I go get it cut and dyed, or do I just color it here myself?

I was pretty sure I would get in trouble for just having dye on campus.

The last thing I wanted to do was mess with my hair at all.

My fingers ran over the tips of my hair. I could use a trim though.

I guess that was settled then.

First, I would go to the room and change, then I would let Benny know where I was going.

I made sure to wear jeans and a long-sleeve black shirt.

Maybe the handbook was something I would need to read. I wasn't sure how they felt about tattoos.

I took my phone out to let Benny know I was leaving.

To: Benny – 'Mandatory hair dying. Do you need anything while I'm out?'

It took a minute before there was a reply.

From: Benny – 'Toothpaste and pads =P Thank you.'

I nodded when I received another message.

From: Benny – 'Mandatory hair dying? What for?'

I sighed as I quickly made my way off campus, I needed to hurry. I could text her on the way.

To: Benny – 'Teacher saw my roots, said I had to dye it or face the consequences.'

Of course, it wasn't exactly what she said, but it was the truth.

From: Benny – 'Here I was thinking you were a natural ginger.'

I couldn't help but laugh at that. If it was up to me, I would be a redhead, but I wasn't born one.

My hair was light brown since I was born. It was darker, but the older I got, the lighter it got.

To: Benny – 'You and I both.'

It took me a minute to find a solon nearby on my phone. It was a small place, but it was the best I could do.

I dialed the number, and quickly checked the clock on my phone.

It was 4:45 PM.

"Hello, Carla's Hair and Nails," the girl greeted, "This is Meghan, how can I help you?"

"Hi," I said a little awkwardly, "Is there any way I could come in now to get my hair done?"

"What were you thinking about having done?" she asked.

"Dye and cut," I said.

"Let me check" I heard the phone clank against a desk or a counter.

There was music playing somewhere in the room, but I could barely hear what it was. The occasional high notes made me listen harder to figure out what it was.

The phone made a weird sound before I heard the girl again.

"You still there?"

"Yeah," I said, feeling hopeful.

"There is a chair open," she said, "Are we expecting you here within the next ten minutes?"

"Five," I said, "My name is Ren."

"Okay," she said, "When you get here, Jane will take care of you."

"Thank you," I said, feeling grateful.

"Absolutely," she said, "See you soon."

She hung up, and I made sure to run across the street.

The first bus stopped a block over from where I wanted to be.

The small solon was made of dark brick, it looked more maroon than anything. The building wasn't even that big.

I pulled the door open and smiled lightly at the grinning girl behind the small counter.

"Ren?" she asked.

I nodded, trying to catch my breath.

"Head on back there," she said, "Third chair on your right, Jane is hard to miss."

I nodded as I headed back to the chairs.

There was something otherworldly about a solon. These women heard all kinds of problems, and they were usually only paid to cut your hair.

They could work as a therapist, then again, so could a bartender. Only those jobs required a lot less school.

I counted to three at my right, and I didn't see anyone at the chair.

"What color are you going for?" I heard from behind me.

I turned to see a woman with pink leopard print across her head. That hair cut must have taken forever. She was a very curvaceous woman too.

Any guy that came in here would drop their jaw.

"Light brown," I said.

She touched the tips of my hair, "What was wrong with the red?"

I smiled lightly, "My school won't let me keep it."

"Shame," she said, "Red looks cute on you."

I shrugged, "I liked it too."

"Come on over here," she said, "Take a seat."

++++++++++

I felt so weird.

The air on my neck was cold, and I missed my hair.

It felt like I just got over that annoying length at my neck, where it always poked me.

Maybe it was too short?

My fingers went through the short length, and I realized just how short it was.

It just barely touched my shoulders.

Anxiety ran through me, and I had to stop.

"Are you alright?"

I looked up to see an older woman looking at me. She looked worried.

"I'm alright," I said, trying to give her a convincing smile.

She smiled back at me.

In the middle of a store is the worst place to freak out.

It took me a minute before I realized where I stopped.

I was face to face with condoms, pregnancy tests, and some random creams.

Now I felt worse.

I forced myself to move towards the other end of the aisle where the pads were.

I grabbed the largest pack and headed for the aisle with the toothpaste.

Was this store really big, or was I just out of my mind?

I walked the store, but I stopped once I saw a worker.

"Excuse me," I said.

The guy turned around to smile at me.

"Find everything?"

I glanced down at his name tag. The worker's name was Michael.

Though, it wasn't the Michael I thought of once I read the name.

"Toothpaste," I said, "Where is it?"

He grinned at me, and I felt guilty.

This guy was attractive, I just didn't care.

He has short dark brown hair and light brown eyes.

He headed towards the back of the store, and I followed him.

"There you are," he said, "Anything else you need help with?"

I smiled, "I'm good, but thank you."

He nodded, but he didn't leave.

I walked the small area of toothpaste before I grabbed the kind Benny liked.

I turned to walk out of the aisle, but the worker stood there looking at me.

"Is there something I can help you with?" I asked.

He gave me a shy smile, "I was kind of hoping to get your phone number."

I knew this was something I was supposed to have girly feelings over, but I guess I just wasn't. "I'm sorry, I have a boyfriend already," I lied.

This whole thing was still new to me. Boys didn't flirt with me back home, like at all. This has happened twice already. It was hard to tell if it was actually genuine or not.

It was strange, but I would swear I felt someone behind me.

The worker looked at me. I saw his eyes shift slightly next to me.

There was someone next to me.

An arm wrapped around me, and I was about to freak out.

"Sorry," the voice came from beside me, "I shouldn't leave you alone in public."

I must have looked weird because the worker looked confused.

"This is your boyfriend?"

I hesitated to look who exactly stood beside me, but I had no idea who he was.

Hazel eyes stared back at me.

"No," I stated, "This is his friend."

"Ouch," the guy at my side said, "Next time I won't ditch you, I promise."

He released me, and the worker made a face.

"I'm okay," I said.

He nodded quickly before walking off.

"Now that we're alone," the stranger said.

"You can go now," I stated.

"I help you out, and you run me off?" he asked, "That's not very nice."

"I had it handled," I stated, "If anyone was inconvenienced, it was me."

"Well fuck," he said, "My bad for trying to help."

I glared at the taller boy, "I would have appreciated it more if you said you were my brother."

He held his hands up defensively.

"Collin, where the fucking hell did you run off to?"

I didn't take my glare off the boy in front of me. I didn't trust him, he needed to walk away from me first.

"Christ," he said, "Alright, I'll leave you alone."

I watched him slowly start to walk off, but he collided with someone walking into the aisle.

"There you are."

You have to be shitting me.

The blue eyes looked up to see me, and I wished I had just ditched this guy.

"Ren?" he asked oddly.

"You know this girl?" the guy asked, "No wonder she is acting like a cunt."

I felt my stomach knot, and it was always a sign that I was about to do something stupid.

"The only cunt here is you," Michael said to the other boy.

His eyes never left me.

I know I looked weird, and I hadn't seen him in two weeks. This was just stupid.

"I have to go," I said, "Tell your friend not to touch me again."

The guy made a face, "Is this one a dike?"

Michael sighed, "Collin, just shut the fuck up."

I was thinking about walking passed them, but it would be better if I went out of my way to avoid them.

"Ren, hold on," I heard Michael say.

I didn't want to stop. I didn't even want to talk to him.

My feet betrayed me, I stopped at the opposite end of the aisle.

"Did something happen?" he asked me.

I looked back at his friend, "He tried to stop a worker from hitting on me, but that was it."

"That's not what I meant," he whispered, "Are you okay?"

I just looked at him "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You've been avoiding us."

"I've been avoiding you," I pointed at him, making sure not to touch him.

He looked confused, "Why me?"

He was an idiot.

"It isn't obvious?" I asked.

"You're still mad about that?" he practically hissed.

"Yes," I growled back, "I'm still pissed that you're an asshole."

"Ooh," Collin said from behind Michael.

"Fuck off for a minute Collin," Michael growled at him.

Collin held up his hands, "This is fucking ridiculous. First, I meet a hot chick I want to stick my dick into, and she shuts me down. Second, the King knows her, and he clearly hasn't fucked her yet."

I glared at Michael.

"What more do you want me to do?" he asked, "Throw him out of the store?"

I wanted them both to be thrown out.

He looked down at the contents in my hand, and he looked like he understood my temper.

"Hell no," I said, "These aren't for me."

"Then who" he stopped, "Gross."

"You find periods gross?" I demanded, "But you stick your dick in everything?"

He made a face, "Not during that time of the month."

"Moron," I said.

Did I just say that out loud?

"What?" he asked.

Why did it sound like he was trying not to laugh?

"Do you have any idea what Gus and Benny are doing right now?" he asked me.

I shrugged. I thought the three of them were hanging out.

"Oh," I said.

"Notice I'm not actually with them today," he said, "Yeah, gross."

Now would be the perfect time to mess with him, he was practically asking me to.

"Not even if I begged?" I asked.

His face went serious, he almost looked pissed off, but it didn't work if he tried.

"Not that gross," I said, "It might just depend on who you earn your red wings from."

His hand went right to his face. I heard the light smack.

"You're fucking joking," he sighed.

"What?" I asked quietly, "Too gross?"

"If you like a girl, you eat her out no matter what time of the month it is," Collin said, "If she asks for it, you pretty much have to."

Michael shook his head, but he avoided looking at me.

"Besides," Collin said, "Some of them orgasm a lot harder when they're on the rag."

"Really?" I asked him.

He shrugged, "I was with a girl that had a thing for fucking all kinds of bloody."

"Will you just shut up" Michael hissed.

I shrugged this time. I didn't mind Collin when he didn't try to hit on me.

Michael walked a little away before saying something to Collin.

I was about to ask him what he was doing, but he walked out of the aisle.

Collin stood there, looking at me awkwardly.

"So, you're friends with Benny?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"She's pretty hot," he said simply.

I nodded, "She is."

He looked a little surprised before smiling, "You go to that girly school, right?"

"Yeah," I said, "Do you go to school with Michael?"

He nodded.

"And to think," I said, "I had such high hopes for you."

He laughed, "I'm not that scary."

I smiled lightly. I guess he didn't look that bad.

He was an attractive guy. Collin was just a little taller than Michael, and he has short dark brown hair. Those hazel eyes were a bonus.

If this guy was like Michael, it wasn't that obvious, unless he talked about girls.

"So, what brings you here to this establishment?" I asked.

"If I told you that," he said, "I would appear less mysterious."

"Condoms," I nodded.

He laughed, "And Advil."

"How could I forget?" I asked, "Got to have that Advil."

He laughed harder, and I couldn't help but smile to myself.

Michael walked back into the aisle, "Come on."

I shrugged as I followed them.

My irritation was long gone, and I just felt like I was in a good mood.

"Ren, right?" Collin said.

I nodded as I watched him slow to my pace so that Michael was ahead of us.

"Your hair looks good," he said, "For some reason, I remember you being a ginger."

"Not my real color," I stated.

"Shame," he said.

"Are you done?" Michael asked, clearly irritated.

Collin shrugged as he looked at me.

What the hell was his problem?

"Let me have your stuff," Michael said.

I just looked at him.

"I think I can handle some pads and toothpaste," I stated.

He glanced away, and I felt a little guilty.

He tried to do nice things, but he should know by now that I didn't like it when he tried to buy me stuff. We had a fight about this before.

Of course, I had more than just those two things, I just didn't want to give him my stuff.

I glanced over at Collin.

"Can I talk to Michael for a minute?"

He nodded, and for the first time, he walked far enough away so he couldn't hear us.

"It's not like I'm buying you a car," he said, "We can get back faster if I buy it."

That wasn't a good enough excuse. It would be maybe a five-minute difference, so why did it matter?

"You know it bothers me," I stated.

"Whatever then," he said.

He stood in front of me, and he didn't turn back around.

Well, I guess this is what I deserved. I can survive without him. I don't need him to buy me anything.

As I thought about it, I should return the clothes he bought me. It would be fair.

I was avoiding him. It would make him really leave me alone.

Of course, it would be insulting too.

He paid for his things and walked out of the store.

I wasn't sure why I was expecting him to look back at me.

I set my stuff down, and the guy rang it up.

It took me a minute to realize it was the boy from earlier, the one that tried to get my number.

"Was that rude one your boyfriend?" he asked.

"That obvious?" I asked.

I didn't have time to play games. I know Michael and I aren't together, but it would hopefully let this boy know I was not interested.

He held up a credit card, "He told me to give it to you to use."

I held my hand out for the card and just placed it in my back pocket before removing my own card out to slide it.

The nerve of that jerk.

I got my receipt, and I took my bag.

"Have a nice day?" he said.

I didn't even bother trying to say it back, I needed to get outside before Michael ran off.

The door opened, and I saw him laughing at something Collin was saying.

It was a laugh I have only seen a few times before.

He was holding his sides because he was laughing so hard.

More than anything, I think I was jealous now.

I went from being in bitch mode to being in full-blown girl mode.

That didn't sound like much of a difference, but it was a massive difference.

I didn't realize Michael was smoking until I got closer to him, he was quick to put it out.

I pulled the card out of my back pocket, and I held it out to him.

"Don't do that again," I said.

"You didn't use it, did you?" he asked.

"What do you think?"

He sighed before flicking the cigarette across the parking lot.

"Seriously?" I asked,

"What?" Michael asked.

"There is a trash can right there" I pointed to the large stone trash can by the door.

"My bad," he said.

"I take it we're all going to the same place?" Collin asked.

"School?" I asked.

He looked at Michael before nodding, "School, yeah."

"Why do I get the impression that you two are going somewhere else?"

"Was it the condoms that gave it away?" Collin asked.

Michael looked a little confused.

"Sort of," I said, "The hesitation when I said school was the real clue."

"Ah," he said before wiping fake sweat off his forehead, "The Advil didn't give it away."

I kept forgetting about the Advil, but it wasn't like that mattered.

It was probably for a hangover they would later go through for being idiots.

"So, where are you going?" I asked.

Michael just avoided looking at me, but he had to have known that Collin would answer if he didn't.

"There is a party downtown," he said, "If you're interested."

I could practically hear Michael's neck snap as he looked back at Collin.

"I can't," I said, "Curfew and all."

"Shit," Collin said, "I forgot about that."

I shrugged, "You guys have fun, though."

I started to walk off, but I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I can give you a ride," Collin said, "If you want."

It was nice of him to offer. When I thought about declining, I remembered the bus I would have to wait fifteen minutes for.

"Alright," I said, "I would appreciate it."

Collin grinned, and I followed him to his car.

It was an older black ford focus, I'm sure if I asked the year Collin would know it, though I didn't care much to know it. I sat in the back, and Michael sat up front.

The ride back was short, and the car smelt like smoke.

Collin stopped at the curb so I could get out of the back seat.

"Thank you for the ride," I said.

As I shut my door, I heard another door open.

Michael got out of the car and shut the door behind him.

"Change your mind?" Collin asked.

"Yeah," he said, "Have fun."

Collin waved, "Bye Ren, later Michael."

He drove off, and he didn't seem even the slightest bit irritated about Michael changing his mind.

"What is with you today?" he asked.

I had to turn to glare at him, "With me?"

"You say no to me, but the second he offers you a ride, you say yes?"

Why did I get the impression that he was jealous?

"Got it," I said, "Next time, I'll take the bus so that you won't get butt hurt about it."

"That's not the point," he said.

"Sounds like it," I said.

"I'm just trying to wrap my head around your logic," he said, "You won't let me do things for you, but the second a stranger offers you a ride, you say yes."

"He wasn't a stranger," I stated.

"Yes, he was," he said, "You don't know anything about him."

"You were there," I said, "I knew that nothing would happen to me, okay?"

His hand went up to rub at his eyes as if they hurt him.

"You're still missing the point," he said, "Why say no to me, but yes to him?"

"It's not even the same thing," I said, "Have someone buy my stuff at the store or get a ride to school."

"It is the same thing," he said, "To me, it is the same thing."

I had to sigh, "Then it's clearly you who doesn't understand."

He put his hands in his pockets, and he looked away from me.

"I'm trying to make sense of it," he admitted.

Was it weird to think he looked cute when he pouted like that?

"Maybe there is no making sense of it," I said "I'm sorry, but we've talked about this before. I don't like you buying me things."

"Why?" he asked, "Because you feel like I want you to fuck me to pay me back? Do you really think that's what I'm trying to do?"

"If I said no, it would be a lie," I stated, "But it isn't about that anymore."

He just shook his head slowly, but his jaw clenched.

"I feel guilty," I admitted, "I want to prove that I can survive on my own."

"Prove to who?" he practically snapped.

"My mom," I said.

I didn't realize how sad I felt about it until I said it out loud.

"Your mother doesn't deserve the thought you put into her," he stated, "She hurt you."

"I want her to regret it," I said, "I want her to want me, is that really so wrong?"

The way he looked at me now made me feel more broken than I had in a while.

"I know that you can take care of yourself," he stated, "I'm just letting you know that you don't have to."

I had to shut my eyes tightly to make any tears stop before they try to fall.

"Benny told you a while ago that you were one of us. I know I haven't said so yet, but you are," he said, "We kind of branded you."

I wasn't sure how, but the tears didn't fall, and I found myself laughing.

"I don't want you to think I buy things for people I don't give a shit about," he said, "If you matter, I want you to know it. It's one of the few ways I actually know how to express myself."

"Sounds like you're getting better with your words," I shrugged.

"Not really," he stated.

"It takes you a few tries, but it comes out right eventually."

He didn't say anything else about it, he just looked at me.

"What?" I asked, making sure my hair wasn't sticking up.

"Why did you change it?"

It took my brain a minute to register what he meant.

"It isn't my natural color," I stated, "Apparently there is a rule about dying hair."

"Couldn't you get in trouble for dying it again?" he asked.

I shook my head, "I was told to dye it my natural color."

"I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I like it," he said.

"There is nothing wrong with it," I said, and I actually believed it, "I was hit on twice today."

He didn't look surprised, and it made me wonder why.

"You really think you changing your hair made you suddenly attractive?" he asked.

I shrugged, "Maybe."

He shook his head, he avoided looking at me again.

"You're an idiot," he stated, "There was nothing wrong with you before."

"Is it the cut or the color you don't like?" I asked before I realized I shouldn't have.

It wasn't supposed to matter which he preferred.

He met my eyes, and I had to look away. Why wasn't he answering?

His gaze alone did things to me. I wished that it didn't.

"You should probably head in," he said.

I didn't move, I just stood there.

"You're going to leave as soon as I walk through the gate, aren't you?"

"I don't know," he said.

"You can tell me," I said, "I won't get mad."

"I really don't know," he admitted, "I don't want you to go, and I don't want to go either."

My heart went crazy. Did he just say what I think he did?

"Then don't go," I said, "Skype with me."

He let out a small laugh, "Like Benny and Gus?"

"No," I said, "I don't really think we're going to be talking a lot, it's more for the company."

"Okay," he said, "But keep your clothes on, I know you have a boyfriend."

I shoved him as he laughed.

I didn't think he heard any of that.

It took a minute before the laughing stopped.

"I'll see you on the other side," he said.

"Alright," I said, "I'll call you in five minutes."

We both hesitated before we walked through the front gates of our school.

I felt like I lived for moments like these. He seemed like your typical boy next door, and I felt like I wanted that sometimes. It made me smile a little when I thought that. He was right next door, sort of.

I received a few looks because of my near sprint to my room.

I set the bag on Benny's bed, but I removed the small hair conditioner I bought and placed it on my desk.

Next, I kicked off my shoes, and I sat at the computer at Benny's desk. I opened it before typing in the letters to take me to where I wanted to go.

I searched the page until I saw Gus's picture, and I pressed video chat once I saw it on his profile.

It took a minute before I saw a black screen.

Thank you, Benny, for not singing out, like ever.

"Hold on a minute," it was Michael.

The room was dark, except for the small amount of light coming from the screen.

I sat still as I waited for Michael to do whatever he was doing.

He walked back and forth in front of the camera like he was looking for something.

"Did you lose something?" I asked.

He didn't answer.

I just heard a banging sound.

"Fuck," he hissed.

That sounded like a toe stub.

"Whoever said changing in the dark was easy, was a liar."

I shrugged, the light from the computer should help a little.

"You don't have to change in the dark," I stated, "I can always turn around."

Even though I wouldn't want to.

The light went on, and he was wearing a pair of black sweat pants and a long-sleeve white shirt.

"Cold?" I asked.

He looked good in white. Hell, he looked good in anything.

"It's freezing in here," he said as he sat at the chair in front of the computer.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"You are clearly sitting in a nice and toasty room," he stated, "Gus is usually the first one back, he always turns on the heater."

"I'm sorry," I said as seriously as possible.

I tried not to laugh, but it was funny.

He leaned out of the camera to mess with something close to the ground.

"You alive?" I asked.

He sat back up and leaned back in the chair "There we go."

That seemed like an odd place for a heater.

"It plugs in like a fan," he said.

The computer moved so I could see the small circular heater. It looked identical to an ordinary cooling fan, except that the top was all metal. The red glow gave away that it was a heater.

He set it back on the desk.

"Touching it while it's on is a horrible idea," he said, "But this thing works like it's supposed to."

It was funny how different he seemed on the other side of the computer in his own room.

Natural habitat is the first thing I thought of, but he isn't an animal. At least not right now.

We sat in silence for a little while, and I could hear the small heater on the other side.

A loud buzzing sound ended our peaceful quiet.

"Hello?" Michael said into his phone.

I watched as he listened, not giving away who it was or what they were saying to him.

"Alright," he said, "You better get her back here, you're cutting it pretty close."

It was Gus.

He listened for another minute before hanging up the phone.

"They're on their way back," he said.

I nodded, "Does he usually share his sexcapades with you?"

"We're guys," he said, "We usually do."

I just thought it was funny.

"Doesn't Benny tell you anything?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"That's right," he said, "You're a virgin, you can't compare notes."

I shook my head as I sighed, "It hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean I don't know what goes where."

"Oh," he said, "So if two lines are parallel, eventually they'll fuck?"

I couldn't help it. It was easily one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. I laughed.

"They only do that if they intersect," I stated.

"Right," he laughed as he nodded, "This is why I'm shitty at math."

"If it was sex math, it would be more interesting," I stated, "It would be too weird to not remember."

"Exactly," he said, "Though, both of our schools would slap that idea down in a heartbeat."

"That's a shame," I said, "Because we could really use some sexual math."

"Don't knock it 'til you try it," he shrugged.

After that, it got quiet again until the door opened behind Michael.

Gus was barely in the room before he noticed where Michael was.

"Are you watching porn on my computer again?" Gus asked.

"Hi Gus," I said.

"Oh," he said before moving closer to see the screen, "Hey Ren."

Awkward.

"Your hair looks good," he said right away.

"Thank you," I said as I looked at Michael.

"So, you guys are talking again?"

Michael and I both groaned at the same time.

"What?" Gus asked.

"Yes, dad," I said, "We're talking again."

Michael laughed, but Gus looked confused.

"Did you just call me dad?" he asked.

"You're acting like a concerned parent," Michael stated.

The door handle jiggled before Benny walked through the door.

"Hey," I said to her.

"Where did you put the pads?" she asked.

"Bed," I pointed at her bed.

She walked to the bed, then looked at the computer.

"You watching porn?" she asked.

What is with them and porn?

I sighed, "I'm on Skype."

"Oh," she said, "With who?"

She walked closer, but the boys both hid.

"Seriously, what the hell are you watching?" she asked as her eyes went around.

Why was the room dark again?

"I was talking to…" right before I could answer, both of them screamed into the monitor, and Benny practically fell behind me.

"Oh shit," Gus said, "Benny, are you okay?"

She stood up, and she glared at the screen, "Dicks, both of you."

Michael laughed, and I had to make sure my heart didn't jump out of my chest. They didn't let me know they were going to do that. They nearly gave me a heart attack.

She went over to the bed and grabbed the bag before leaving the room.

"Well, I suddenly feel like a jerk," Gus said.

"Tell me about it," I said, "You guys scared the hell out of me."

Michael chuckled, "Yeah, we did, but you weren't the one that fell on the ground."

Very true.

"She's been like this all day," he said, "I haven't been able to cheer her up."

"Gross," Michael said.

"I didn't say anything gross," he stated.

I nodded, "You said you tried to cheer her up. That could mean many different things."

"You guys are gross," he said, "So what if we had sex while she was on her period?"

"Gross," Michael said again.

"I didn't say gross," I shrugged.

"Don't tell me that you're secretly a freak Ren," Gus said.

"I don't know," I said, "I'd like to think I'm open to the weird."

"Gross," Michael said.

I laughed, "I didn't say kinky. I just said weird."

"Eh," Gus said, "I don't know the difference."

"There is no difference," Michael stated.

The door opened again, and Benny stopped at the door, and she looked at me.

"I like your hair," she said.

She kind of just overlooked it before, but it was pretty different.

"Thank you," I said.

"Are you still Skyping?" she asked.

I nodded, "Do you need the computer?"

She shook her head, "I'm just tired."

"Okay," I said, "Sorry guys, it's time for our scheduled naked pillow fight."

They both stopped talking and stared at the screen.

"You don't really have to go, do you?" Gus asked.

"Victory calls," I said, "She beat me last time, so I have to win this time."

"Last time?" Michael asked, "Why are we just hearing about this now?"

"We have a policy that doesn't allow us to tell, or else we get spanked."

Benny stood behind me, and I could see her nodding.

"Uh oh," I said, "I said something, didn't I?"

"That's five," she said, "Or ten over your panties."

"Such a hard decision," I said, "What do you guys think?"

They were blank as they stared at the screen.

I wanted to laugh, but this was just too good.

"Will you promise to be gentle if I say without?" I asked.

"If you win, I'll be gentle," she said, "But if you lose, I'll have to use the new toy."

I gasped, "The new one?"

Benny was the first to break, but I was glad she caught on to my pervert ideas.

She laughed, and the boys immediately looked deflated.

"You were joking?" Gus asked.

I shrugged, "If we had a naked pillow fight club, what makes you think I would be allowed to tell you about naked pillow fight club?"

"I don't have a good enough reason," he said.

"We're going to sign off now," Benny said, "Goodnight, you guys."

"Goodnight Benny," Gus said, "Goodnight Ren."

"Goodnight," I said back.

"Night," Michael said.

He didn't look like he was ready to go to sleep, but I was.

"Talk to you guys tomorrow," I said into the camera as I waved.

I ended the call.

Benny laughed, "Did you see their faces?"

"So funny," I said.

She laid down on her bed, and I decided it was time for me to change my clothes.

"So, you and Michael are okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said, "We ran into each other at that Marty's store on the corner."

I was quick to switch my jeans for sweat pants, and the long-sleeve shirt was replaced with an oversized t-shirt.

"I'm glad," she said.

"Me too," I said, "I felt like a jerk, but I just didn't want to ruin any fun you guys were having."

"We get over things quickly," she said, "Gus and I branded you two, and you guys hardly even act like it bothers you."

I shrugged, "I like it."

"I'm glad," she said.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled.

"There is nothing to apologize for, we were just worried about you."

Despite the cold around me, I felt warm. It was still a strange feeling to me, but it was a feeling that was growing on me.

I shut the light off before I laid down on my bed.

"Goodnight," I said into my pillow.

A small chuckle came from Benny "Goodnight."