Chapter 3
Felicity entered the loft, tired after a long day of working at the museum. When she entered the apartment, the first thing she noticed was the smell of spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove and candles lit around the room. She called out, "Noel? Noel, are you here? What is going on?"
"I'll be out in a minute, just getting changed. Have a seat, and relax. Our dinner is almost ready, "Noel said eagerly.
"Noel, why are there candles everywhere? I mean, why are you cooking me dinner? We could've just had left overs," Felicity said as she sat down on the sofa, with a look of growing concern on her face.
"I wanted to make you something special for working so hard on your project at the museum and for all your encouragement. And I think I found a job today," Noel said as he came out of his room, dressed nicely in a button up shirt and dress pants. He had been so anxious for her to get home and to impress her with his thoughtfulness.
"Well, it is nice and all, but you really didn't have to do that," Felicity said as she noticed how Noel was dressed, and stood up from the sofa to grab a bottle of water.
"No, no water. Tonight calls for wine," he said as he grabbed the bottle off the counter and poured her a glass.
"Uh....okay. But this is weird, I mean, can we blow out some of these candles?"
"You can do whatever you want, but I think the candles are nice and lend the right atmosphere don't you think?"
Felicity was becoming more and more uncomfortable with this situation but realized that Noel was not going to let her get out of eating the meal, so she asked, "How much longer until we eat?"
"About ten minutes or so. Why don't you sit down and I will check on the pasta. I will bring the salad out first."
"Salad? Please, don't tell me we have dessert, too?" Felicity asked as she sat down at the table, which had fresh flowers at the center.
"Oh, yes, chocolate cake. Isn't that your favorite?"
"Uh...no, not really, but it's good, I guess...." Felicity said, with growing apprehension.
"Well, get ready for the best spaghetti you ever had," he said with a big grin on his face as he sat down in front of her.
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Ben had just finished his last class for the day and was headed to grab an early dinner with his roommate, Matt. They had gotten along real well since he came to town, and actually enjoyed playing basketball together whenever they had the chance. Matt had a girlfriend back home in Philadelphia, so they often talked about how much they missed their girlfriends. Ben was excited today because tomorrow he would start his observations of the EMT squad, and he was very interested in what sort of medical situations they would encounter. He had been reading a lot of books about medical terminology to get prepared for what might be a confusing day. He didn't want to have to ask a lot of questions, and he wanted to know all he could about the potential situations they would come across. He had even been going to the library and reading extra books, just to make sure he knew all that he could. It filled him with pride to know he had finally found something he liked, and he only hoped he'd be good at it in reality, when he had his practical work experience. "So, hey, tell me more about Felicity. What does she study again?" Matt asked as they waited for their food at the fast food restaurant.
"She is an art major, she loves to paint and draw. She actually had this amazing piece for sale at this art show at school last year. I bought it actually, it is hanging in my room back home," Ben said with a smile on his face as he thought about his lady.
"Wow, that's cool. What was it of?" Matt asked.
"Well, it was actually of a guy running into a wall. I know, it seems odd. But it really reminded me of me sometimes. Just how stupid I can be, not thinking or acting right, you know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I do. I think we are all like that sometimes, especially because we are still young. So, what are you going to get your degree in? You said you hadn't declared a major yet, right?" Matt asked.
"No, no I haven't. But I was thinking about what classes I have taken and what I want to take next year, and I think I could get enough credits in to get a health science degree."
"Yeah? What would you do then, pre-med?"
"What? No way, man. I could never do pre-med, that, that is like crazy," Ben said with a quick dismissive shake of his head.
"Why not? So what, you would have to do some more classes, but why not? You seem to enjoy this paramedic training, you might make a good doctor."
"No way, man. I can't even fathom the idea of more school. I can barely make it through my classes as it is. I just want to graduate and then see what Felicity wants to do, where we will go, you know," Ben said.
"Wow, so you think you two will make the big commitment? The next step?" Matt asked with a grin.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe. I don't know, I mean I'd like to think so, but that kinda depends on how I do here. I mean, this is sort of my one shot at getting my act together. I want to make her proud, you know? Then maybe I can think about the future without being, I don't know, too nervous, you know what I mean, man?"
"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean," Matt said as they ate their dinner.
Later, after they returned to their dorm room, Ben sat at his desk looking at a picture of Felicity from their road trip. He was so amazed by how beautiful she is, how her smile brings this huge grin on his face. Jus thinking about how she giggles when he tickles her feet at night, made him laugh. He sighed, as he thought back to the first time he had tickled her, on the day they had a picnic next to a small lake outside St. Louis. It was the third day of their road trip and they were having so much fun together....
"Ben! Stop it! I mean it, stop! You are going to make me throw up all that we ate if you keep it up!" Felicity said as she tried to move away from Ben, who kept persisting in tickling her belly.
"Ugh, I don't want that. I just like to hear you laugh, you don't do it that often. Plus, I am having too much fun, aren't you?" Ben said with a huge sly grin.
"Yes, yes. We are having fun. Now can it stop being at my expense please?"
"Okay, okay. There, I stopped. So now what? You want to walk around the lake a bit?"
"Sure, that sounds nice," she said as Ben stood and took her hand. She stood up and they began to walk around the lake.
"It's really beautiful here, and the flowers are so nice, can't you smell them?" she said as they walked along, hand in hand.
"Yeah, I smell them. But I like the way you smell better," as he stopped to nuzzle her neck.
"Ben,...we were walking..." Felicity said as she tried to pull away from him, as she noticed a family approaching them on the path.
"Oh, come on, they don't care," he said as he tried to kiss her again.
"Not now, Ben. Can we wait until we get back to our blanket, okay, where we are kind of hidden?"
"Okay then, let's get going," he said as he grabbed her hand and took off at a run.
Both Felicity and Ben were giggling uncontrollably as they approached their picnic site. Ben took her in his arms and kissed her passionately as they fell to the ground. Their kiss grew more intense as Ben started to touch her back and put his fingers inside the small straps of her tank top. Felicity was caught up in the moment and did not notice at first when Ben's hand started to creep it's way up her shirt until he was touching her breast. She let out a small moan and they continued to kiss with a longing that she had never felt before. She could not believe she was in his arms and he was touching her. Ben felt her start to squirm a bit as he touched her breast through her bra, but she did not move away, so he continued to caress her. God, she felt amazing, he thought as he kissed her neck. He felt her touch him lightly on his butt and moaned when she moved her hand away from his face to grab him gently with both hands. As their kissing continued, they both began to pant faintly and he felt her start to quiver as he gently touched her nipples as he moved his kisses to her neck and shoulders. The last thing he ever wanted to do was stop, but then suddenly they heard a child's voice ask "hey, is that my ball?"
Ben looked to their left and saw that the young boy's soccer ball had landed right next to him. He looked down at Felicity who had turned bright red and was trying to pull her shirt down a bit, as she looked at him with embarrassment.
"Yeah, here it is buddy. Have fun," Ben said as he threw the ball back to the child, who took off running and said to his family across the field, "hey, those two were making it out over here...."
Ben laughed, but Felicity sighed and grumbled, "I can't believe this! I am so embarrassed!" as she covered her face with her hands.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," he said as he took her face in his hands, uncovering it and rubbing his fingers gently over her cheeks. "It's okay, it's no big deal. I'm sure he has seen far worse on TV. Hey, look at me, it's not a big deal. We were just enjoying each other. It was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, yes...it was fun, I mean,...well, god Ben, I can't believe the things you have me doing. Making out under a tree where anyone can see," she said with a small smile creeping on her face.
"Well, I think it's great. And just what I always wanted to do with you, since the first moment I saw you," he said as he started to stand up to get their stuff packed.
"Really? I mean, you wanted to, I mean all that time, you wanted that?"
"Yeah, I was just too chicken to say anything. You kind of scared me, you know? But then when I came to your dorm that night I was beat up, I just started to feel like maybe I had a chance with you. You were so nice to me and you looked so beautiful, I decided then that I was a fool for being with Julie, when I really wanted you," Ben said as he grabbed her hand and brought it to his face and kissed it gently.
"Ben...I had no idea. I didn't know that, I really didn't. I really can't believe it, you have to know that I thought I was completely insane for following you to NY and then you ending up with my best friend. It was so....."
"Odd? Yeah, I know," Ben said as he led her back to their car. "But it's all over now, we are together and having a great time. I am so happy you came with me. We are going to have so much fun...."
Ben was brought back to reality by the phone ringing. It was too early to be Felicity he realized as he looked at the clock. It was Matt's girlfriend, Diane. He wasn't there, so he took a message. As he hung up the phone he thought about Felicity and wondered what she was doing.......
"It's really good, don't you think?" Noel asked as he took another bite of the cake.
"Yeah, it's pretty good. Thanks for the dinner, Noel. I think I am going to go get ready for bed now, it's getting late," Felicity said, as she stood up from the table, eager to have their odd evening come to an end.
Noel stood up quickly and strode over to her side. "Wait, you have a piece of chocolate on your face," as he leaned over to get it off with his finger. As he leaned closer to her, he was struck yet again with her beauty and took her face in his hand, and leaned in further to kiss her.
"Noel! Noel! Stop!!" Felicity said, with a look of shock on her face. It had all happened so fast, he had grabbed her so quickly and then he almost kissed her. She was sick with disgust as she realized that he had tried to take advantage of her. She moved away from him quickly.
"What? What is wrong? You wanted to kiss me, I know you did," he said with indignation.
"No, Noel, no I did not! I can't believe this. You did this on purpose didn't you? You set up this dinner in an attempt to...to...get me to kiss you or something. Well, you... you shouldn't have done that. You know that I am in love with Ben, you know that I don't feel anything for you but friendship, and I haven't for a long time," she said strongly.
"But why? I mean, you know Ben is going to hurt you again, he did it before and I swear I will always protect you and treat you well..." he said as he tried to move closer to her.
"Noel! Get away, I don't know who you are anymore. This is why you've been so nice to me, helping me when Ben was gone. I can't believe this! You are supposed to be my friend, but instead you are lying to me and secretly trying to...trying to...get me back. Well, you have to know that this night, what you have done here, I will never be able to forget. I can't even stand being in this room with you now. I want you to leave, I mean it, leave. This is Sean's place I know, but I can't be in the same apartment with you right now. Get out!"
"Felicity, I...why can't you just give me a chance?" Noel said insistently.
"No, I want you out, get out right now! I can't be friends with you like this, Noel. I just can't trust you, that you won't pull this again. I love Ben, you should respect that, but you obviously don't. So leave, now. "
Noel left quietly, after getting his coat, but not without saying, "Well, I think you should think about it..."
"I have. And this is the end for you and I. I can't do this right now, you have to leave."
After he finally left, Felicity sat heavily down on the sofa and started to cry. She could not believe that her friend had done this to her. She began to think about her growing suspicions about his behavior and silently berated herself for not confronting him on it and avoiding this incident all together. What would Ben say? Oh god, Ben. Just thinking about him made her cry more.
Back in Kansas City, the next day Ben was walking back to his dorm room with Matt after their first day with the paramedic squad. They were excitedly talking about all the stuff they had seen as they exited the elevator and walked toward their room.
"Man, did you see how Tom managed to get that girl breathing again after she had inhaled all that smoke in the fire. I mean that was amazing! Or when they did CPR on that old guy who had had a heart attack and the woman was crying hysterically that they had to save her husband! I mean, how intense was that," said Matt all in a flurry as they walked down their hall.
"I know, it was all amazing. I mean how do they work that fast and not even think twice about what they are doing, it's like all instinct or something. I just hope I can get that good one day," Ben said as he began to open their dorm door.
"Oh, we will get there one day, man. You'll see, we're learning from the best, that is for sure."
"Yeah," Ben said as he opened the door.
He was surprised to see Felicity sitting on his bed when he opened the door. He just stood there with a stunned look on his face as she yelled "Surprise!"
Felicity entered the loft, tired after a long day of working at the museum. When she entered the apartment, the first thing she noticed was the smell of spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove and candles lit around the room. She called out, "Noel? Noel, are you here? What is going on?"
"I'll be out in a minute, just getting changed. Have a seat, and relax. Our dinner is almost ready, "Noel said eagerly.
"Noel, why are there candles everywhere? I mean, why are you cooking me dinner? We could've just had left overs," Felicity said as she sat down on the sofa, with a look of growing concern on her face.
"I wanted to make you something special for working so hard on your project at the museum and for all your encouragement. And I think I found a job today," Noel said as he came out of his room, dressed nicely in a button up shirt and dress pants. He had been so anxious for her to get home and to impress her with his thoughtfulness.
"Well, it is nice and all, but you really didn't have to do that," Felicity said as she noticed how Noel was dressed, and stood up from the sofa to grab a bottle of water.
"No, no water. Tonight calls for wine," he said as he grabbed the bottle off the counter and poured her a glass.
"Uh....okay. But this is weird, I mean, can we blow out some of these candles?"
"You can do whatever you want, but I think the candles are nice and lend the right atmosphere don't you think?"
Felicity was becoming more and more uncomfortable with this situation but realized that Noel was not going to let her get out of eating the meal, so she asked, "How much longer until we eat?"
"About ten minutes or so. Why don't you sit down and I will check on the pasta. I will bring the salad out first."
"Salad? Please, don't tell me we have dessert, too?" Felicity asked as she sat down at the table, which had fresh flowers at the center.
"Oh, yes, chocolate cake. Isn't that your favorite?"
"Uh...no, not really, but it's good, I guess...." Felicity said, with growing apprehension.
"Well, get ready for the best spaghetti you ever had," he said with a big grin on his face as he sat down in front of her.
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Ben had just finished his last class for the day and was headed to grab an early dinner with his roommate, Matt. They had gotten along real well since he came to town, and actually enjoyed playing basketball together whenever they had the chance. Matt had a girlfriend back home in Philadelphia, so they often talked about how much they missed their girlfriends. Ben was excited today because tomorrow he would start his observations of the EMT squad, and he was very interested in what sort of medical situations they would encounter. He had been reading a lot of books about medical terminology to get prepared for what might be a confusing day. He didn't want to have to ask a lot of questions, and he wanted to know all he could about the potential situations they would come across. He had even been going to the library and reading extra books, just to make sure he knew all that he could. It filled him with pride to know he had finally found something he liked, and he only hoped he'd be good at it in reality, when he had his practical work experience. "So, hey, tell me more about Felicity. What does she study again?" Matt asked as they waited for their food at the fast food restaurant.
"She is an art major, she loves to paint and draw. She actually had this amazing piece for sale at this art show at school last year. I bought it actually, it is hanging in my room back home," Ben said with a smile on his face as he thought about his lady.
"Wow, that's cool. What was it of?" Matt asked.
"Well, it was actually of a guy running into a wall. I know, it seems odd. But it really reminded me of me sometimes. Just how stupid I can be, not thinking or acting right, you know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I do. I think we are all like that sometimes, especially because we are still young. So, what are you going to get your degree in? You said you hadn't declared a major yet, right?" Matt asked.
"No, no I haven't. But I was thinking about what classes I have taken and what I want to take next year, and I think I could get enough credits in to get a health science degree."
"Yeah? What would you do then, pre-med?"
"What? No way, man. I could never do pre-med, that, that is like crazy," Ben said with a quick dismissive shake of his head.
"Why not? So what, you would have to do some more classes, but why not? You seem to enjoy this paramedic training, you might make a good doctor."
"No way, man. I can't even fathom the idea of more school. I can barely make it through my classes as it is. I just want to graduate and then see what Felicity wants to do, where we will go, you know," Ben said.
"Wow, so you think you two will make the big commitment? The next step?" Matt asked with a grin.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe. I don't know, I mean I'd like to think so, but that kinda depends on how I do here. I mean, this is sort of my one shot at getting my act together. I want to make her proud, you know? Then maybe I can think about the future without being, I don't know, too nervous, you know what I mean, man?"
"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean," Matt said as they ate their dinner.
Later, after they returned to their dorm room, Ben sat at his desk looking at a picture of Felicity from their road trip. He was so amazed by how beautiful she is, how her smile brings this huge grin on his face. Jus thinking about how she giggles when he tickles her feet at night, made him laugh. He sighed, as he thought back to the first time he had tickled her, on the day they had a picnic next to a small lake outside St. Louis. It was the third day of their road trip and they were having so much fun together....
"Ben! Stop it! I mean it, stop! You are going to make me throw up all that we ate if you keep it up!" Felicity said as she tried to move away from Ben, who kept persisting in tickling her belly.
"Ugh, I don't want that. I just like to hear you laugh, you don't do it that often. Plus, I am having too much fun, aren't you?" Ben said with a huge sly grin.
"Yes, yes. We are having fun. Now can it stop being at my expense please?"
"Okay, okay. There, I stopped. So now what? You want to walk around the lake a bit?"
"Sure, that sounds nice," she said as Ben stood and took her hand. She stood up and they began to walk around the lake.
"It's really beautiful here, and the flowers are so nice, can't you smell them?" she said as they walked along, hand in hand.
"Yeah, I smell them. But I like the way you smell better," as he stopped to nuzzle her neck.
"Ben,...we were walking..." Felicity said as she tried to pull away from him, as she noticed a family approaching them on the path.
"Oh, come on, they don't care," he said as he tried to kiss her again.
"Not now, Ben. Can we wait until we get back to our blanket, okay, where we are kind of hidden?"
"Okay then, let's get going," he said as he grabbed her hand and took off at a run.
Both Felicity and Ben were giggling uncontrollably as they approached their picnic site. Ben took her in his arms and kissed her passionately as they fell to the ground. Their kiss grew more intense as Ben started to touch her back and put his fingers inside the small straps of her tank top. Felicity was caught up in the moment and did not notice at first when Ben's hand started to creep it's way up her shirt until he was touching her breast. She let out a small moan and they continued to kiss with a longing that she had never felt before. She could not believe she was in his arms and he was touching her. Ben felt her start to squirm a bit as he touched her breast through her bra, but she did not move away, so he continued to caress her. God, she felt amazing, he thought as he kissed her neck. He felt her touch him lightly on his butt and moaned when she moved her hand away from his face to grab him gently with both hands. As their kissing continued, they both began to pant faintly and he felt her start to quiver as he gently touched her nipples as he moved his kisses to her neck and shoulders. The last thing he ever wanted to do was stop, but then suddenly they heard a child's voice ask "hey, is that my ball?"
Ben looked to their left and saw that the young boy's soccer ball had landed right next to him. He looked down at Felicity who had turned bright red and was trying to pull her shirt down a bit, as she looked at him with embarrassment.
"Yeah, here it is buddy. Have fun," Ben said as he threw the ball back to the child, who took off running and said to his family across the field, "hey, those two were making it out over here...."
Ben laughed, but Felicity sighed and grumbled, "I can't believe this! I am so embarrassed!" as she covered her face with her hands.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," he said as he took her face in his hands, uncovering it and rubbing his fingers gently over her cheeks. "It's okay, it's no big deal. I'm sure he has seen far worse on TV. Hey, look at me, it's not a big deal. We were just enjoying each other. It was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, yes...it was fun, I mean,...well, god Ben, I can't believe the things you have me doing. Making out under a tree where anyone can see," she said with a small smile creeping on her face.
"Well, I think it's great. And just what I always wanted to do with you, since the first moment I saw you," he said as he started to stand up to get their stuff packed.
"Really? I mean, you wanted to, I mean all that time, you wanted that?"
"Yeah, I was just too chicken to say anything. You kind of scared me, you know? But then when I came to your dorm that night I was beat up, I just started to feel like maybe I had a chance with you. You were so nice to me and you looked so beautiful, I decided then that I was a fool for being with Julie, when I really wanted you," Ben said as he grabbed her hand and brought it to his face and kissed it gently.
"Ben...I had no idea. I didn't know that, I really didn't. I really can't believe it, you have to know that I thought I was completely insane for following you to NY and then you ending up with my best friend. It was so....."
"Odd? Yeah, I know," Ben said as he led her back to their car. "But it's all over now, we are together and having a great time. I am so happy you came with me. We are going to have so much fun...."
Ben was brought back to reality by the phone ringing. It was too early to be Felicity he realized as he looked at the clock. It was Matt's girlfriend, Diane. He wasn't there, so he took a message. As he hung up the phone he thought about Felicity and wondered what she was doing.......
"It's really good, don't you think?" Noel asked as he took another bite of the cake.
"Yeah, it's pretty good. Thanks for the dinner, Noel. I think I am going to go get ready for bed now, it's getting late," Felicity said, as she stood up from the table, eager to have their odd evening come to an end.
Noel stood up quickly and strode over to her side. "Wait, you have a piece of chocolate on your face," as he leaned over to get it off with his finger. As he leaned closer to her, he was struck yet again with her beauty and took her face in his hand, and leaned in further to kiss her.
"Noel! Noel! Stop!!" Felicity said, with a look of shock on her face. It had all happened so fast, he had grabbed her so quickly and then he almost kissed her. She was sick with disgust as she realized that he had tried to take advantage of her. She moved away from him quickly.
"What? What is wrong? You wanted to kiss me, I know you did," he said with indignation.
"No, Noel, no I did not! I can't believe this. You did this on purpose didn't you? You set up this dinner in an attempt to...to...get me to kiss you or something. Well, you... you shouldn't have done that. You know that I am in love with Ben, you know that I don't feel anything for you but friendship, and I haven't for a long time," she said strongly.
"But why? I mean, you know Ben is going to hurt you again, he did it before and I swear I will always protect you and treat you well..." he said as he tried to move closer to her.
"Noel! Get away, I don't know who you are anymore. This is why you've been so nice to me, helping me when Ben was gone. I can't believe this! You are supposed to be my friend, but instead you are lying to me and secretly trying to...trying to...get me back. Well, you have to know that this night, what you have done here, I will never be able to forget. I can't even stand being in this room with you now. I want you to leave, I mean it, leave. This is Sean's place I know, but I can't be in the same apartment with you right now. Get out!"
"Felicity, I...why can't you just give me a chance?" Noel said insistently.
"No, I want you out, get out right now! I can't be friends with you like this, Noel. I just can't trust you, that you won't pull this again. I love Ben, you should respect that, but you obviously don't. So leave, now. "
Noel left quietly, after getting his coat, but not without saying, "Well, I think you should think about it..."
"I have. And this is the end for you and I. I can't do this right now, you have to leave."
After he finally left, Felicity sat heavily down on the sofa and started to cry. She could not believe that her friend had done this to her. She began to think about her growing suspicions about his behavior and silently berated herself for not confronting him on it and avoiding this incident all together. What would Ben say? Oh god, Ben. Just thinking about him made her cry more.
Back in Kansas City, the next day Ben was walking back to his dorm room with Matt after their first day with the paramedic squad. They were excitedly talking about all the stuff they had seen as they exited the elevator and walked toward their room.
"Man, did you see how Tom managed to get that girl breathing again after she had inhaled all that smoke in the fire. I mean that was amazing! Or when they did CPR on that old guy who had had a heart attack and the woman was crying hysterically that they had to save her husband! I mean, how intense was that," said Matt all in a flurry as they walked down their hall.
"I know, it was all amazing. I mean how do they work that fast and not even think twice about what they are doing, it's like all instinct or something. I just hope I can get that good one day," Ben said as he began to open their dorm door.
"Oh, we will get there one day, man. You'll see, we're learning from the best, that is for sure."
"Yeah," Ben said as he opened the door.
He was surprised to see Felicity sitting on his bed when he opened the door. He just stood there with a stunned look on his face as she yelled "Surprise!"