The sun shined the entire day. I get in the ocean several times and now I was drying off and detangling my hair. I had my sunglasses on.
"It's nice isn't it? To experience something else than rain for once" It is Benjamin. I look around and realize that the others are back in the water.
"I didn't think you would come, but Im happy you did" He says quietly.
"I was forced" I replied, he gave me a horrified look.
"No I'm just kidding. Benjamin I should say something" I start.

"Can I say something first?" He asks. I nod. He continues.
"I dont care what everyone else says. I'm sorry if they have been pressuring you. I really am. It just, I mean, these couple of days have been hard. Everything's changed." He looks at me and I notice the black circles under his eyes and how tense his jaws are. I am filled with sympathy. He didnt have any say in this, not the phasing nor the imprinting. If I feel overwhelmed, then how is he feeling? He dont even have his thoughts for himself.
"I want us to be friends" I say and he looks happy. I continue.
"And I'm sorry."
"Josephine, you have nothing to be sorry for". Benjamin says and looks me in the eyes. The way he looks at me is so intense, I have to look away.
I am about to say something when his hands catches a football inches from my face. We turn around and see a group of teenage boys looking in our direction.
"Look where you are throwing you idiots" He snaps and throws the ball back.

Later that day the temperature is dropping and I suddenly feel cold. I already have my hoodie on. The others seem uneffected by the cold. They are always running warm.

"Em how long are you planning on staying?" I ask.

"Well I have patrol in an hour and was planning to go straight to it. Do you wanna leave?"
"No its okay. I'll stay" I answer.

"I'll walk you home".

I hadnt even realized that Benjamin was listening to our conversation. I hesitate but then I tell my self to get it together. I have known Benjamin my entire life, he is the easiest person to be around. And we are friends now, right? Everyone waited for my answer.
"Sure" I say. We collect our things, and say our goodbyes. I dont miss Calians warning to Benjamin "Behave".

I had nothing to worry about. The conversation on the way home is light hearted. We talk about school, he has missed a couple of days when he had first phased and now he is trying to catch up.
"I would help you, but I'm already busy trying to help Em. And I think she needs my help more than you do" I say and chuckle.

When we reach the house our steps faltered.

"Thank you for walking me home" I say.
"Any time"
I hug him, and he hugs me back. I dont miss his light kiss on my head, I reach for the door handle when he speaks again

"Josephine, thank you".

The rest of week runs by smoothly. I am walking to my final class of the day when I bump into Jason Wattson.
"Hi!" I say He gives me a big smile.
"What's up?" He asks.
"Oh you know, just waiting for my favorite class to start" I say ironically. He laughs.
"Yeah, same. At least we have it together" I smile and walk into the class room.
When the class is over he hurries over to me.
"Hey, we were thinking about throwing a party at Caspers house this Friday. You and Emmeline should come"

I hesitate. Emmeline and I havent spent time with Jason, Casper and their friends in a long time and with Em newly phased, it didnt sound like the best idea.
"Well thank you for the invitation, but I dont think we will make it."
"Because you are not allowed to?" Jason replies and crosses his arms over his chest. I ask him what he meant.
"Well I dont know but it seems like your FRIENDS dont allow you to do what you want to. Are they afraid of competition or what?". I falter and dont know what to answer.
"I mean, how about Emmelines boyfriend, isnt he too old for her? Its kinda weird if you ask me".
We are by my locker now. He got closer.
"You are 18 Josephine, everything is supposed to be fun at 18. I want you there".

"Maybe next time" I say and smile politely.

He get even closer and I am almost trapped against the locker, he looks like he is going to say something else when I hear a voice

"Is there a problem here?" It is Benjamin. Jason steps back.
"Absolutely not" He answers grinning.
"I was just talking to Josephine, she is allowed to have friends you know".

Benjamin shrugs his shoulders and get closer to us

"J, Theo and Em are waiting in the car. Do you want to come to Emilys?" He asks me. I nod and we start walking. Jason starts to walk in the other direction when Benjamin turns his head

"Oh and if you ever get in Josephines face like that again, I'll kill you"