Virtue

*Saphira's POV*

Eventually he bought me a few things he did find prudent on me. Silly Ben I thought.

Benjamin took me for a late lunch at a little restaurant. "I wonder..." I said playing with my hair. "Well, didn't you have a reason to stay in Boston?"

"I mean you came back before you were supposed to. Obviously you are... Very err...attractive..." I said looking down now.

"Isn't there anyone special..."

Benjamin chuckled. He tilted his face to the side and started talking. "You wonder if I'm interested in someone back in Boston." Benjamin verified. I nodded. Benjamin narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

"No, I desire no one in Boston," he said. I saw that he fought back a smile.

Benjamin asked me about the books I liked, my favorite movies and if I liked my new high school. He wasn't so happy to hear Zach was in most of my classes.

When we were done with our lunch, Ben ordered us a few more drinks. We stayed at the restaurant for a while, talking and getting to know each other better.

"May I ask you something?" I asked biting my lips again. "Always."

"What is the reason you dress me like a non?" I meant it as a serious question, but a giggle escaped from my lips.

Then I saw his mom before my eyes, and I immediately regretted bringing this up. His mom was veiled.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I like a woman with virtue," he answered in a very serious manner. I thought about the word. Virtue for a bit. Virtue, virgin. In my head I put two and two together now.

"I see, the whole reason why you don't want to date before having made up your mind to marry, is because you want your bride to be a virgin as well," I blurted out.

Thank God he doesn't know what Lynn had been up to, I thought.

"It is how I have been raised," he shrugged. "Never the less; maybe I'm a romantic fool, but I like the tradition of the wedding night," he said holding my gaze.

He held my hand again, while walking back to his car. Even while driving he never let go of my hand. I didn't mind.

I glanced at my watch. It was 5'clock already. "Can you drop me off at my grandparents' house? I am supposed to have dinner there," I asked biting my lip. Mom would be there soon. What would I say about my new hairdo?

"Nervous?" he asked, while he parked his car in front of my grandparents' house.

"How did you know?" I asked incredulous. "You're biting your lips again," he said as he placed his finger on my lower lip.

"I have studied you a bit and I've noticed, you do that a lot when you're around me. Although, I don't understand why," he said. I felt like some kind of science project.

"You've studied me?" I asked stunned. "Well yes, you seem to fascinate me." he said without shame.

"Right," I said.

"I think I probably should go inside now," I looked at the front door and it was slowly opening. "Will you be there… Tomorrow I mean, at the beach party Sierra and I organized?" I asked quickly before grandma would show her face behind the door.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said and kissed my cheek. "See you tomorrow. My Evangeline," he said with a tempting smile. How badly I wanted him to kiss my lips. I was losing my mind again.

It wasn't grandma who I saw at the door. It was without a doubt Sierra.

"Were you over at Lynn's today?" Sierra asked me dubiously. "No, I haven't been there," I answered wryly.

"Why did Ben drop you off then? I thought he wasn't suppose to come home until tomorrow," Sierra asked suspicious. "He took me shopping," I qualified.

"He went along with you, while you shopped?" Sierra asked not sounding amused. Now, I did find that amusing. "No, he actually took me shopping. He gave me a Benjamin makeover," I clarified feeling a bit smug.

"Oh, that's just awesome," was the only thing she said in response.

Grandma cooked a lovely dinner again. The whole family was there and it was really great. I did feel kind of bad about the whole Ben situation, because Sierra looked very sad now.

I shouldn't of made her upset. So I tried to talk to her about our party. Planning this party had been an awkward event. We only talked through texting. I think That it worked because she relaxed, a little. Or she pretended to be okay. I couldn't tell.

The rest of the night went rather smoothly. When I woke up, mom was already gone. Mom and grandma went to New York… They were going on a shopping trip and would spend the night in a hotel there.

Mom insisted that I should come with them. It had been so long since the two of them had some quality time together. I didn't want to be in their way. I had arranged to stay over at Lynn's place tonight.

Sierra and I had asked if we could use our private beach for the beach party that was held today. Mom was fine with that.

Lynn was feeling better again. "I've heard about your Benjamin makeover..." she said yanking at my brown hair. "He told you about that?" I asked incredulous. "Do you want to know what he said?" Tempting...

"No," I abruptly said. Lynn laughed. "Sierra called me too, you know. About Benjamin dropping you off at your grandparents house. She has seen Benjamin kiss your cheek," she said smiling even wider. Shock colored my face.

"I know you never want to talk about this with me, but you must know. Sierra, certainly isn't going to give up so easily and she'll probably fight dirty. You must keep that in the back of your pretty head now," Lynn said in a serious tone.

she was using me as a dressing doll again. Towing me into an off white lace dress that reached till my feet. It had a pretty golden band around my waist. "You've got great taste," I complimented Lynn. "You're a pretty doll."

"Now come on let's knock down the competition," she said as we walked out of my room.

Our beach was great for having a private party like ours. Sierra of course was all over Ben again, tickling him this time. I went to sit right next to Zack.

We all played a game of truth or dare. It was Naomi's turn to pick someone now. "Sierra," she said giggling and winked at her. "Truth or dare?" she asked.

Sierra gave it a thought. "Dare," she answered. "Kiss Benjamin on the lips," she said in a teasing tone. Sierra stuck her tong out towards Naomi and placed her hand on Ben's neck. Then she kissed him right on his lips.

Everyone started whistling and making noises. My whole body tensed up in response and tears welled up at the corners of my eyes. I fought them back. Be brave, I thought. Finally she released him.

"Saphira," Sierra said saying my name for the first time. "Truth or dare," She asked. "Truth," I said immediately. "Alright…" Sierra said thoughtfully. "Have you ever kissed... A guy?" She asked smug. Okay, point taken I thought to myself.

I directed myself towards Benjamin and started to answer her question. "No," I said boring into his eyes. "My lips have never met a man," I said.

He looked at his hands now. Sierra started coughing to hide her laughter, but I still proceeded. "Nor will I ever, just kiss a random person though," I snapped.

I hoped I made my point. I probably did because he looked at the ocean now. Let him feel it... I thought. Then it was my turn. "Sierra," I said trying to sound nice. "Truth or dare?" I questioned.

"Truth," She replied smugly. "How many guys have you kissed?" I asked.

"That depends on what you mean by kissing," She stated.

She fell right into my trap. I hoped Ben would enjoy her answer to this.

"A full peck on the lips qualifies," I explained.

"Well, then about six guys, including Benjamin here," She said almost sounding proud of her prestige.

I really felt like OR screaming at her. OR starting to cry. I decided that both options were unacceptable. I went for option three. Calming myself the heck down before making a fool out of myself.

I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings anymore. Then all of a sudden Zachary's lips were just inches from mine. I started to yell at him. "Have you lost your darn mind Zachary?" I said furious.

He laughed very loud and scooped me up in his arms.

"I forgive you," He said. "Benjamin is right. A woman's virtue is worth more than silver and gol," he said and began to run along our dock.

"But into the ocean you go," He said roaring with laughter. Then he jumped off our dock. I Screamed "NO!" on the top of my lungs, but it was too late now.