"If you're looking for Joel I saw him and he's gone home. You've sure got him whipped, poor guy looked like he was about to cry as he dashed outta here like a…"
"Ben-ji. Shut up" Morgan said irritably, drawing his name out as she often did when she was mad at him.
Recognizing her tone, Benji removed his eyes from the bottom of his empty shot glass and up to Morgan. His face, a picture of bewilderment. What had he done to attract her wrath?
"I need to talk to you about our mutual friend Amity. So, up now, and outside" She commanded, pointing to the door.
'Our mutual friend Amity? Since when had Morgan and Amity been chummy?' Benji thought to himself, as he followed Morgan's orders and stumbled outside."Listen, I don't know what you've heard but I honestly had nothing to do with it." He said defensively.
"No, you listen and listen good. You treated her like shit and that's putting it lightly. I know this because she told me herself," Morgan was snapping at him now, and although he hated it, he knew she was right.
"When did you two become all friendly? Or have you gone gay now and that's why Joel ran out of here ready to bawl like the little pussy he…" he didn't have time to finish because Morgan clubbed him hard and fast across the face.
"Morgan what the fuck?" Benji said as he held his cheek.
"What you did to her was the lowest! Do you have any idea how she's been feeling? Do you even care?"
"That's rich coming from you! You've treated Am- like crap since the first time you two met!!! What was with that Morgan? Were you afraid that she was gonna up and take Joel from you?"
Now it was Morgan's turned for a dose of truth. Since she had met Amity she had feared that she'd steal Joel away. In Morgan's opinion, Amity was far more beautiful than herself and always handled herself perfectly with anyone and in any situation. But that was all over with now. Morgan wouldn't let Benji mock her with her own insecurities.
"Yeah, but I'm not the one she's in love with!"
Benji went still. So still that Morgan had to flail her hand in front of his face just to make sure he wasn't in the middle of having a stroke.
He gently pushed it aside and took a seat on the sidewalk.
Morgan, completely calm now, took a seat beside him.
"I've really made a mess of things haven't I?" He said finally, after a couple of minutes.
"You love her too don't you?" she asked softly.
Benji, didn't say anything. He felt no need to justify such a stupid question with an answer.
"Was it Paul? I mean, did he stop you from telling her how you felt?" Morgan continued. Benji just wished she'd shut up and leave him alone.
"Benji say something," Morgan pleaded. Benji always got quiet in times like this, and she hated it.
'Thank god twins similarities rest only with their looks' She thought.
'I couldn't stand it if Joel were like this'"Fine, you wanna be alone, then I'll leave you alone. But you'd better think fast about what you're going to do. Amity's leaving tomorrow and I guess I don't have to tell you whose fault that one is…" She got up to brush off her pants, but after hearing that last part, Benji grabbed her hand and nearly pulled her over onto the sidewalk.
"Going? How, when, WHERE!" He demanded.
"Tomorrow, uh, morning I think. She's bussing to the airport and then flying…Hey! Where are you going?" She yelled as Benji fled away.
Paul hadn't taken Amity home right away. First they had gone out for some late night coffee and a good chat. There she had spilled the whole story of her feelings for Benji, how she had come to realise it, and what had happened when she had tried to tell him. Paul listened patiently and even gave comments and feedback. Although it was all very kind and done with her best interests at heart, Amity took none of it seriously. By now she was well and truly sure that she and Benji would have no future together whatsoever. Even as friends. The more she heard, and the more she thought about it, the more she was anxious to get home.
He hadn't found her at the club. Not upstairs, nor downstairs, not in the bathrooms and not in any of the rooms reserved for private functions. She wasn't at his house, or hers. She wasn't at any of their regular hangouts either. It was like she had been nothing more than a dream he'd had, but with awakening, had come to realise had never truly been real. Benji, now nearly lost in despair, and realising there was no more he could do, returned home to his bed. Then a thought came to him! Amity was flying out tomorrow! Although he didn't know which flight she was on, he did know that she'd be bussing to get there. And as cheap as it was, he now thanked god that the airport only ran three shuttles out everyday. She'd be on one of them, and even if he had to spend all day out at the terminals, he'd be there waiting for her.