Benielle: A Lodge Fanfiction

Ben's POV:

I just woke up to see Sean walking out of the cabin and I look across the room. Sitting curled up in an arm chair was Danielle who had her hand rested on her nose. I didn't know what to think of her anymore. Last night, I had looked into her eyes and was about to kiss her before Sean walked up to us to look for something to use as a can opener. Part of me wants to go over there and wake her up for an adventure, but I like Skye, right?

Skye is in love with Sean and maybe I should be okay with that. All I know for certain is that I want Skye to be happy. Ever since we broke up, I wanted to get back together with her, but what Danielle said to me about not chasing after Skye when I didn't have to hit me hard. I'll have to think about it.

Danielle wakes up and locks eyes with me.

"Were you staring at me?" She asks.

"Uh…no." Wow, smart reply Ben.

Danielle just gives me a slight smirk and then tries to fall back to sleep, but I can tell that she is thinking to hard to be able to rest. Now, I am the one who is smirking.

Just as I was about to start talking to Danielle about her experience with the outdoors and if her opinion about nature was changing, Skye and Sean came back into the cabin. I froze where I was. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Alex. I guess she had woken up and I had failed to notice for she was just reading the astronomy book Danielle found yesterday to get the blanket which was in turn taken by Sean when he got here without asking. Now, that I think about it he really should have asked first, even if Danielle was adorable when she groaned and pouted at him when she was unraveled from the warm blanket.

Oh, my god. I just called her adorable. Maybe there's something wrong with me. After all this gold hunting I am starting to change my view of Danielle which in a way is scaring me because I never thought I would ever have feelings for the girl. Ugh, Ben stop overthinking.

I am attempting to listen to what Skye and Sean have to say but I keep drifting off. As good as it was to hang out with Skye, I don't think I was pining for her really. Anyway, it sounds like Skye took a photo from the top of the standing stone and Alex found a photo of Skye and her which doesn't really make sense. Alex thinks her grandpa owned the cabin we have been in. I am curious to find out what the possible connection could be.

Soon after, we all began to get ready for traveling back to the Lodge. We had come and found what we were looking for whether we understood it or not. That's for sure.

Standing on the boat and looking over the water I started to wonder how things would have been if Skye had never moved to the area. First, the Lodge would have been sold to Gil a long time ago. Second, Danielle and Sean would likely still be together. Or, maybe not now that I think about it. Their relationship looked good on the surface, but I am not sure that it was ever a great fit. I always had the sneaking suspicion that the only reason Sean stayed with Danielle was that she was the only thing about Sean that his father ever really was okay with. Sean's dad and Danielle's mom had been friends ever since I can remember and although Sean and Danielle were our friends, they had always seemed a little bit other because they didn't work at the Lodge.

Then, I would have probably looked for a new job at some sort of outdoorsy place instead of the Lodge. And Skye… wait she's not in this equation. Seriously, things have changed since she came. It feels like we all grew up together. I feel like I know more about Skye than I do about Danielle. That's a problem. I should fix that. For a while, I just continue thinking about what ifs.

Danielle's POV:

Okay, I am about ninety percent sure that Ben was watching me while I sleep. Once I woke up and caught him staring, I couldn't help but feel his eyes on me for the next couple minutes. I wonder how long he had been looking at me before I woke that first time. Oh, I hope he did not hear me snore. That would have been so very embarrassing. I want him to like me, not despise me.

Anyway, I am a little confused by his current behavior. He has been staring into the distance for like forever. I wonder what's going on his head. Maybe I shouldn't have made it that obvious that I liked him, but I couldn't help it. He's just too kind and handsome. He has always listened to me and even helped me out from time to time, like when he gave me a piggy back ride. That was embarrassing. It's a good thing he kept his word and never told anyone about it. I have always been able to trust him. I wish he could say the same for me. Suddenly, I am close to tearing up.

"Danielle, you okay? Not that I care, but you look pretty distraught." At Alex's voice I turned towards her and Skye."

"Yeah, yeah… totally fine." I tried to give them a hopeful smile. I know that they didn't really buy it but that they weren't going to push me any farther.

Ben had turned around apparently and when I looked forward to sulk again, he caught my eye silently asking if I was okay. I shrugged with a little frown. Ugh, why do I have to be so honest with him. His response shocks me. It's a sweet encouraging smile with a little bit of a chuckle. Luckily, everyone else was talking and wouldn't be commenting on our behavior. I didn't need to end up in a rumor. I have never liked being gossiped about especially when it had to do with who I was attracted to.

Finally, we arrive at the docks. I run off the boat and do a series of cartwheels.

"If I didn't know any better, I would think that you were happy to not have to spend any more time with us." I hear from behind me. It was Ben.

Turning around I say. "Shut up. I just wanted to get off the boat. I was starting to get a little woozy."

Ben looked at me with a slightly concerned expression, but I gave him a smile meaning that I was alright.

We were walking back to the lodge when my phone went off.

I pick it up and it's my mom.

"Hey, mum!"

"Hello, deary. Where have you been?! I didn't see you last night. You are in big trouble." That deary wasn't meant to be a sweet nickname, rather it meant that I was in some deep doo-doo considering her icy tone.

"I was with friends. We uh…went to this island together on an adventure and got caught in a storm, so we missed our boat. I am so sorry."

"It really was an accident?"

"Yes, mum."

"That doesn't mean what happened was okay, but I am more disappointed than mad. You should have told me where you were going. To make it up to me I want you to come with me to visit the twins and your dad in the city."

"Um, okay… are you sure that's alright?"

"I know things are a little bit rocky between you to, but even if your father and I aren't still together I want things between you two to heal. He is your blood after all."

I shift from foot to foot. "Is there anything else?"

"Yeah, can you come home too?" I was hoping you help me pick out what color I should paint the dining room.

"Fine, I'll come home, but let me say goodbye to my friends first."

"Fair enough."

I hung up on my mom and started to say something but Skye said she had overheard and that she didn't want me in trouble so I should just go. I gave her a quick nod and ran off. I'm a bit mad though. I really wanted to talk to Ben after everything on the island.

I spend about two hours looking through paint with my mom. As much as I like fashion and home décor, I think she was intentionally dragging it out that way it would annoy me. I was distracted and I think she could tell by the time we sat down for a dinner of fish and chips.

"What's up Danielle? You aren't usually this spacy?"

"I just can't stop thinking."

"About the lodge? About the visit with your dad?"

"Something like that." I hoped if I were vague that she would let it drop, and she did, thankfully.

I go to bed that night thinking about what I would do when I go to the Lodge tomorrow. Make a beeline for Ben? Is that too desperate? After a while I fall into a restless sleep. I have never slept well, at least not since my dad left my mom. It's why I got so good at makeup. When I was younger Kaylee was always so worried about me and once, I was old enough to put makeup on it stopped the questions. That's about the time people started to form an image of me. The image that I was shallow and mean. Looking back, I guess that had to do with all the looks and the fashion, but on a personal level it was simply my scapegoat for my depression. Nobody really knew that it was a total mask. That all I wanted was to feel like I had a group of friends that cared about me, maybe even more than my dad, except maybe Ben. I had insinuated that there was something different about how he had viewed me, not as evil Danielle, but maybe for once as part of the group. The group, that seemed so easy for Skye to fit in, like she was always the missing piece of the puzzle and I was that awkward puzzle piece that people kept trying to use but couldn't figure out where it fit into the scene that they wanted.

The next morning, I eat a hasty breakfast, and decide to head over to the lodge once I get dressed since it is the summer, and I don't have classes. I grab a pair of jeans and a simple salmon colored shirt with a little pink, brown, and white flannel shirt that I unbutton, put my arms through and then tie around my waist. Next, I put my hair up into a slightly messy bun and do my makeup before putting on some white sneakers. It's a lot less pink than what I normally wear, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially when I am going to talk to Ben who is probably most likely to view me as the posh princess type. Not that I will complain about that if that's what he is into, but still.

Once I am facing the Lodge, suddenly I can't breathe. If I get rejected again, I won't know what to do with myself. I sit on a bunch out front and do my hair again where I pull some of my hair back into a ponytail and leave the rest straight. I hug myself and just sit staring at the grass feeling like a coward.

Noah's POV:

"Skye, do you know why Danielle has been sitting outside the Lodge for the past hour and a half?"

"Um, no. However, I wouldn't worry. She probably has her reasons; however strange they may be."

Ben comes downstairs after having just fixed the shower in Room #5 again.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Danielle has been sitting on the bench outside for a while. I thought she would have come in by now, and Skye seems to think that it's okay to just leave her alone."

"Noah, if it is really bothering you that much, I will go talk to her. "Before either Skye or I could say anything Ben is out the door and walking towards Danielle.

Skye and I exchange glances and then get back to work.

Ben's POV:

"Danielle!"

Her head shoots up in a sort of half-panicked half-relieved way that makes me wonder what's happening in that little head of hers. I sit down to the left of her. To my surprise she pulls her legs up and hugs her knees. She had been hugging herself before, but not to this level.

"Hey, Danielle, are you okay? Please talk to me."

"I didn't know what to say."

"About what?"

"About everything. I spent all night thinking about what I was going to say when I got to the Lodge, without much success. I thought that when I got here that I would know what to say immediately and then I got here, and I was at a loss for words. I'm so sorry." Tears began to streak down her face.

I didn't exactly know what was going on, but I knew for a fact that Danielle crying where everyone could see her if they walked up to the Lodge was a recipe for disaster.

"Come on, Danielle. Let's go for a walk to the boat house. We can talk on the way." I hold out my hand and she slowly take it in hers and gets up from the bench still looking a bit more than misty.

We walked for a couple hundred paces before I started with "Danielle, if you are having trouble, try starting from the beginning."

"Okay. I'll try."

"Good. Well, go on then."

"Just as a warning this might be more like a life story than a little tidbit."

"That's okay. If you need to get something off your chest then you are in the right place."

"Great… It all started when we were little. Before my dad and mum got divorced, he was always supportive. My mom always seemed to be more distant for me. He was the type of dad who would read to you each night, and I truly loved the guy. I had no idea that a storm was coming for my family. As I later found out he was cheating on my mum, but my younger self had no idea this was going on. I saw my parents fighting and had no idea what to do. When they got divorced my little brothers went with him, as you and the others already know."

"One thing I never understood was how come your mother didn't get custody of the twins."

"Mother liked girls better than boys and the boys wouldn't be separated. In the aftermath my father got the boys. I think my mom regrets casting them away. Occasionally she goes to see my father. Nowadays, it is almost to painful to go see him for me. But my mom told me had to go with her on one of these trips because of the island."

"Because of the island?"

"My mum didn't know where I went and because she knows we weren't stranded on purpose the only way she was going to get any complaining from me was to make me meet with my dad in person. I mean I haven't even talked to him other than through my mom since before Sean and I broke up."

"Is there any way you can make it up to your mom otherwise?"

"Unfortunately, no. It's not so much that I am mad about seeing my dad. It's more that I am a mess right now and he has no idea what my life has been like for the last year."

"What do you mean by mess? You are finally starting to fix things up with Skye."

"My dad will make me start from the beginning and explain everything that has happened from when Skye came till now and I just keep thinking that I made the worst choices. I am going to say these things and feel like the guilty villain who doesn't know what to do."

"You aren't a villain Danielle. I don't treat you as evil Danielle because I don't think that of you. I know you like me, and I like you too. I felt like I was supposed to like Skye because she was the one who ran off leaving me broken hearted yet was trying to be nice about it. I guess, I didn't start to realize I had feeling for you until the cave. You know I had a schoolboy crush on you when we were little. I liked little kid Danielle. I guess once she was somewhat gone, I didn't know how to react and for that I am sorry. In a way I have been seeing glimpses of your true self for a long time and I didn't even notice. You are right. I shouldn't keep chasing after Skye. Instead, I should be chasing after you because whether your stubborn little head loves me or not, I love you."

She looked at me shocked. I don't think anyone had really talked to her like that and told her that they loved her. In fact, I don't think anyone had talked to her without being somewhat condescending in a while. Her mouth was hanging open and she looked so adorable in her outfit. Seriously, that girl could be a model if she wanted. She was impeccable. After a second, her dark eyes began to shine, and she smiled up at me. Oh, what a beautiful sight.

"Can I…?"

Danielle gave me a little nod and I leaned in. I kissed her lips. They were plush and the kiss was unlike any kiss I had ever had before. It was sweet and deep. She pulled away slowly and then hugged me.

"Was that what you had wanted Danielle?"

"Yuh-huh. I just didn't know how to get it and I couldn't really get the words out."

"Well, I guess you don't have to get the words out now. Actually, we don't need any words for that." That got her laughing.

"What are we? Girlfriend and boyfriend?"

"If that is what you and your pretty little head want then that would be a yes."

"Then that is what I want, but could we maybe not tell the others for the time being I want to be able to start a relationship without them watching over our shoulders twenty-four seven."

"Works for me…Listen I have to get back to work, but I will call you later and we can plan our date. Sound good?"

"Sounds good. Thank you."

I lean down and peck her on the cheek. She smiles, gives my hand a little squeeze and runs off. I can't help but follow her with my gaze. What a phenomenal woman, I think. I want to go after her, but I know Skye will be mad at me for taking so much time. I rub my lips to see if any of Danielle's lipstick ended up on me and then I head back inside, eager for the day to end.

1 hour later

I had just fixed another shower. This building is old enough that occasionally nothing works, but I still like its charm. I had just finished my shift when Noah walked by.

"I see you got rid of Danielle."

"I'm not sure that 'got rid of' is a phrase that either Danielle or I would have agreed on for that, but yes she is no longer in front of the Lodge."

"What did she want?"

"To talk to somebody, etc."

"Please don't tell me she came to talk about fashion."

"No, she did not, and second I think she knows when it is appropriate to talk fashion and when it is not." Noah's assumptions were starting to make me a little bit annoyed.

I surprised myself today. I pledged myself to Danielle, instead of Skye. It's just there is something about Danielle that is so alluring. I think it has to do with the combination of daring and cowardly. She isn't one to turn down a dare and can be very stubborn, but she also isn't afraid to whimper if she is scared.

Skye on the other hand chose Sean over me. She kissed him when we were still dating, and although she was nice about the whole thing, I can't help but notice now that Danielle really was a victim like me. I think I knew that, but it didn't even occur to me that she didn't have any friends to talk about her problems to. Kaylee might have done it, but she is so pro Skye that things could have easily gotten out of control without anybody meaning for them to have. I understand now that I like Skye like a friend, maybe at first, I thought she could be more, but these days that is all she could be for me. I'm free and I am going to love it.

Now, I just must call Danielle. I'll do it once I get home. In the meantime, I am going to try to bike without my hormones going completely out of control.

I had just got home when my younger brother, Ethan stopped me. Oh no, he's going to pry. This can't be good.

"Ben, what has you so excited?"

"Uh…nothing." I try to leave but he grabs my arm and drags me upstairs with him.

"Okay that wasn't nothing you were clearly lying. My question is why."

"No…reason."

"Alright, Ben, stop lying. Seriously, I am your brother I should know when you are flubbing stuff more than anybody else on the planet."

"Sorry. It's just it is none of your business and I don't want to jinx it." Ethan looked at me for a second and then gasped.

"It's a girl isn't it?"

I looked down. He can tell when I am lying so I just tell the truth. "Yeah, I am supposed to call her so we can plan a date."

"Okay, I think there is more."

"Fine, we kissed too. Happy?"

"Mostly."

"What else do you want?"

"The mystery girl's name. Is it the newbie Alex?"

"No, it is not the newbie Alex."

"Who is it then? I know it can't be Skye. Just tell me."

"Promise you won't get mad and throw something at me."

"Um, should I be that angry? You are scaring me now. Who is it? I think you should know better than to fear your little brother."

"Ethan, it's Danielle."

"Danielle? You mean Sean's ex-girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"I don't know why you thought I would be super angry, I mean she can be selfish sometimes, but if you two like each other I am not going to get in the way of that. Honestly, I am just glad you are moving on from Skye. Now, I am guessing you need to call Danielle and plan a date?"

"Yep. I was just about to do that when I walked in. Oh, and also, you can't tell anyone that we are together now. Not even the people at the Lodge. We want to keep it under the radar for a little bit because we don't want people sticking their noses into our drama."

"I hear you. I won't tell anyone. Now go get her!"

It's funny how excited Ethan is about the prospect of me dating somebody. Then again, I have probably been sulking about Skye for a while now.

I pick up the phone and dial Danielle's number. It rings a couple of times and then goes dead. Oh no, maybe she doesn't want me after all. I put the phone down and am about to leave the room when it goes off. It's Danielle. I pick up the phone.

"Hi Ben, I am so sorry for not having picked up. I was in the bathroom when you called."

"It's okay Danielle. I think we have all been there. At first I thought maybe you didn't really want me but then the phone went off and it was like Christmas morning."

Danielle laughed her perfect little laugh with a couple snorts in between. I have always liked her laugh. It is loud and boisterous, commanding people's attention.

"Alright, what's the plan? A date downtown?"

"Yeah. Danielle, how about we go get breakfast together one day and then afterwards we can go take a stroll."

"Sounds nice." We proceed to figure out the details of the date in terms of time and exact place while joking and telling stories in between. The only time she was slightly annoyed was when I told her my brother knew.

By the time I come downstairs I am smiling. I have a date the next day with the girl I adore, and I can't help but be excited. Ethan gave me a knowing smile.

Danielle's POV:

It is the morning of my date with Ben. I don't exactly know how I am supposed to dress. I know he just wants me to be me. I am looking through my closet when I see an outfit, I had made myself a while ago. It was a pink, white, and yellow floral romper that I had paired with a little Eiffel Tower charm and a pair of old-fashioned boots. I put the outfit on quickly and put on some subtle makeup. Next, I put my hair in a fishtail braid, grab my purse and go.

There's a little breeze in the air when I start my trek to town and subsequently the café. It's such a great day to have a date. I can't wait.

By the time I get there, there are only a couple minutes before our date at nine in the morning. Ben's shift at the Lodge doesn't start till eleven o'clock which means we have almost two hours to hang out.

I had been standing in front of the café nervously for a minute or so when Ben came around a corner with some flowers in his hand. They were beautiful. Not roses, but that's a good thing. You see, when I was first dating Sean, Sean gave me a bouquet of roses that got unwrapped and I ended up getting pricked a bunch. It was an even bigger disaster because it had been a double date.

"Good morning Danielle. You look lovely today. I brought you these hydrangeas because I know you don't like roses."

"Thanks for remembering their very pretty."

"Your welcome. Come on let's get some breakfast I am pretty hungry." He took my hand in his and led me into the café.

Soon I had an egg sandwich in front of me, and he had a scone in front of him. We also got tea that we mixed sugar and milk into.

"So, what do you want to talk about Danielle?"

"How about movies?"

Next, thing I knew we were in a full-on conversation about Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future and The Bourne Trilogy. He had always assumed that I only liked love stories, but as I pointed out most stories have love components and he started laughing. Our conversation moved from topic to topic effortlessly as we made jokes and references to other things we enjoyed. I think I showed how much of a bookworm I really was without meaning to. He was just so easy to be with.

After about an hour and thirty minutes of this, Ben said that he had to go. I was sad but I understood why he was leaving. Work was important to him and even though he isn't particularly happy about the situation with Gil I know he is trying to put on a brave face to everyone else.

"Is it okay if I tag along part way?"

"Sure."

We began our trek back to the Lodge. About twenty minutes later he looks at the clock and tells me that he was on track to be late. He turned to me, kissed my cheek, and then sprinted off, leaving me with a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a smile bigger than the moon.

When I get home, I am smiling and blushing so much that my mom was a little bit concerned.

"Danielle? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am totally fine, actually I am great."

She notices the bouquet and looks up at me again. My cheeks must have been rosy because she had an A-ha moment.

"Who gave you the flowers sweetie? I know it's not Sean because he is dating Skye, right?"

"They are from Ben."

"Ben?!"

"Yeah, we had a breakfast date. I had a ton of fun. We talked about movies and books along with some other stuff. It was great."

"Well, I am glad that you are moving on from Sean. Does everyone know that you and Ben are an item?"

"No. Just Ben, his younger brother Evan, and I know that we are dating aside from you."

"How come you didn't tell the others?"

"With all the Lodge drama still going on we didn't want them to try to put a spotlight on our budding relationship if we want to just have some private time."

"That's fair, but you have to tell me all the juicy details."

"Ugh, fine, deal."

I go into the living room and my mom and I have a heart to heart as I walk her through my date with Ben and the events leading up to it while she makes comments about how it was like a movie or a date she had long ago with my dad. It was sweet. I was having a good day.

Skye's POV:

It is two minutes to eleven o'clock in the morning and Ben still hasn't arrived. I am starting to get annoyed. Usually he comes twenty minutes early and I don't have to work as hard to fill the gap that Alex leaves with her somewhat lack of effort.

Just as I was about to call him, Ben ran in looking exhausted.

"Ben where have you been? Normally you would have been here a little less than half an hour ago."

"I had to do something that was really important and honestly I got here less than ten minutes late which I know isn't okay, but consider me taking some of the minutes from coming early most of the time if it really ticks you off because honestly you just killed my mood."

He ran off to do some work. I exchanged a look with my father who had apparently been standing there the entire time. I was really puzzled. I must have really ruffled his feathers.

Later, I was sitting in my room when Josh walked in.

"Hey, Skye what's up with you?"

"Ben was annoyed with me this morning and it carried on through the whole day. I mean I was a little bit surprised he was late to his shift, but he seemed madder than he should have been."

"Wait, Ben was late to his shift. That doesn't seem like him."

"I know, but he did say that he was doing something important."

"If it really was important enough for him to be late than don't be too mad at him."

"I guess. It just shocked me that he said that I killed his mood. That made me think that he was ecstatic about something. Something that he didn't tell any of us was happening. It's a mystery and now he probably won't tell me what made him so cheery before I messed it up for him."

"Give him some time and things will get better."

Truth be told it did. Over the next couple of weeks, he showed up on time and always was in a pretty good mood. I didn't want to ruffle his feathers, so I didn't say anything to him. One day I was on a date with Sean and brought it up.

"Sean, do you know why Ben has been so happy lately?"

"No, I was hoping you could tell me. I have never seen him so secretive either."

We talked for a couple more minutes, including a conversation about the gold and the Enduro that would be happening the next week.

Ben's POV:

My relationship with Danielle is amazing. Even my brother approves. I think he had always though that she was a super stuck up princess, but despite being a fashionista if you get to know her, she is dorky. I love that about her. Anyway, one day we were walking through town after a date when she asked me a question.

"Did Skye have a good relationship with your brother when you were supposedly dating her?"

"Yeah, one time I asked her to go rock climbing with us and she thought it was a date but still had a blast."

"Oh no! She thought your first date with her was being third wheeled by your little brother. Poor thing. Was she good at it?"

"Uh huh. I was laughing though because my brother fell on purpose to make me look good in front of her when I 'rescued' him." That sent her into fits of hysterics, and I wrapped my arms around her. Then I murmured in her ear "Sweetie, you need to breathe." That made her laugh harder and soon I was laughing along with her.

Once we were done laughing, she looked at me and said "Could you teach me how to rock climb? I am sort of curious about if I would be any good at it now."

"Yes, I could teach you on Sunday if you want. Just don't compare yourself to Skye too much. You are way better than her in my eyes and I don't want you to forget that fact."

Truth be told, when Danielle wants to prove herself, she is a force to be reckoned with. She was right behind me on the rock wall the entire time working with all her might to do well. I was surprised and very proud of her. Afterwards, I got her a burger and chips with a strawberry milkshake. She was smiling the whole time in her pink outfit. She was adorable.

-Time Skip-

I am with Skye and Sean while they are going to the race track for the Enduro. The two have been testy lately. I told Skye that I can't tell her everything will get better, but that I hope that it does for her. She gives me a small smile and then says "Danielle!"

I turn around and there she is. My angel is wearing the same romper from our first date and her hair in the same way as it was when we first kissed. She looked great and I couldn't help but give her a big smile.

Skye had to leave so I went to join my girlfriend.

"So, how does this race work?"

"Well, actually it is a series of races and after the end of them your rank determines whether you get in the finals or not."

"I bet we could do it next year if you were up to it."

"Would you really do that?"

"Probably not, but it is fun to think about it sometimes. The whole bike thing always seemed like a you and Sean thing, but not so much anymore."

"True."

"Come on, let's get something to drink before the race."

"Sounds good to me." I say as I give her a little poke to the side. Nobody was around so it was totally fine.

Soon the two of us along with Noah were yelling at the screen as we watched the race. None of the bikers could hear us but that doesn't stop us from trying to boo or encourage others.

Alex comes over to us about halfway through the first race and says she needs to talk to Skye. When my girlfriend tells her that Skye is biking, she seems annoyed. Danielle ends up chasing after Alex.

Later that day after Skye and Sean qualified, I went up to Sean to congratulate him on his spectacular biking skills when Jess's coach comes over. After a little prodding Sean readily agrees to bike with Jess for the competition. He didn't notice that Skye had been about to talk to him, and I knew this would end in disaster. Skye was soon yelling at him and ran off.

Sean has always been my best friend but that doesn't mean that I don't consider him a major league idiot a lot of the time.

Danielle shows up a little while later. She could tell something was bothering me.

"What's wrong? Does it have to do with Skye? I saw her and she looked pretty upset earlier." Danielle knows that I don't want to date Skye, so this doesn't bother her.

"Sean agreed to bike with Jess instead of her for tomorrow."

"He what?!"

"I know right?"

"He is being an even bigger doofus than normal." She said smiling.

"I feel bad for Skye. She put so much training in so that she could do something as a couple with Sean and then this happens."

Danielle bit her lip. It was a habit of hers for when she was thinking hard. Suddenly, her eyes opened wide and she looked excited. "Ben, your arm is hurting you, anymore right?"

"No, why?"

"Is there a way you could bike with her instead of Sean for the race tomorrow? She wouldn't be wasting all of her training that way."

"You are correct. But I am not sure if you can swap partners if you didn't do the race today. Let's talk to the ref about it and if not than we won't tell Skye and if you can then we tell her."

"Deal."

The two of us ran off to go talk to the referee. He was a balding man in his fifties with a neon navy jacket and a mic.

"Excuse me sir, but is there a way someone can stand in for Sean for the race with Skye since he will be biking with Jess?"

"Hmm, I suppose, but they would have to qualify as a reserve team. You would have to be there early at eight o'clock that way I can watch over you and make sure that you don't cheat."

"Thanks, I will tell Skye. She will probably want to do it." Danielle and I ran off to find Skye. In the process we ran into Josh, Kaylee, and Noah.

"Hey Noah, Kaylee, have you seen Skye? It's urgent."

Neither of them answered. Instead Josh said "What's up? Is it something we should know?"

"Not really. It's about the race."

"In that case I would go look for Alex. Alex was looking for her earlier as you know and she's probably your best bet."

I gave them a quick thumbs up and we left them wondering what was so important that we had to tell Skye.

Finally, we find her hanging out with Alex. Apparently, they were having a heart to heart about something that was important.

"What's got you two shocked and weirded out?" Danielle asked. I was wondering the same thing.

"I just found out that Skye and I are cousins." Wow was not expecting that one from Alex.

"Really? That's a surprise, but we have a surprise too." My girlfriend said.

"A surprise?" That came from Skye.

"You don't have to quit the race tomorrow." Danielle replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Ben and I talked to the referee and he said that if you come at eight o'clock tomorrow morning that you might be able to qualify with Ben if you get a good enough time."

"It was Danielle's idea. We knew that you weren't happy about not being able bike tomorrow and if you are okay with it, then I will be happy to do it with you."

Skye's eyes were shining. "I'd love to. Thanks."

Alex on the other hand had a mix of annoyance and happiness on her face. I think she was happy that Skye wouldn't be sulking about the whole thing but annoyed that she wouldn't get to start searching for the gold immediately considering everything that had been going on.

-Time Skip-

The next morning, I meet up with Skye on the track and we ace or try out as a reserve team. I texted Danielle and everyone else, except Sean telling them we wanted it to be a surprise for him.

When I got to the starting line, I think Sean was close to peeing in his pants. You would think that he thought I would beat him; except I know that wasn't it. Skye had lied to him about it being okay that he had switched partners. But I get why she did it. She believes in Sean and wanted him to have his dream. She knew that he wouldn't get it if he was with her. He was more important to her than the race.

As it turns out we ended up with second place. Right behind Sean and Jess. She hugged me when we got to the end. Danielle ran up to me after that and hugged me while burying her face into my chest. She pulled away quickly though as to not arise suspicion.

"Good job Ben and Skye! I knew you would be incredible."

"Thanks Danielle. It was your plan after all." She gave us a playful courtesy which made our entire party who had crowded around us chuckle.

Skye stormed off towards Skye like a woman on a mission soon after which both concerned me and made me happy. I turned to Danielle and the others.

"Do you want to go to the fair or what's up?"

"Kaylee, Noah, and I are going to get Kaylee ready for the show, but you guys can go on." Josh answered.

"I am going to see if I can figure out where the painting went, but you guys go ahead." Said Alex.

Once everyone left, I turned to Danielle. "Perfect."

She took my hand and twirled. "What do you think?" She gestured to her outfit.

"You look beautiful as always. It is a different look for you." Danielle was wearing a pair of overalls that reached her ankles over a pink t-shirt with white sneakers and a snake locket.

We played a bunch of the games and I even won her a big blue elephant stuffed animal. Then, we ducked into a photo booth. The pictures were so sweet. She put them into her purse for safekeeping and then pecked my cheek with a little smile.

She was hugging the stuffed animal to her chest by the time we got to the concert stage. That girl, I think Frankie is her name started singing the song even though she wasn't supposed to. Before anyone really knew what was happening the sound went off. Frankie looked really freaked out, but a couple minutes later she was beckoning Kaylee to the stage and she started singing her song in front of everyone. It was the best she had ever been. You could tell that Kaylee's heart was into the music.
I grabbed Danielle's arm when Kaylee was done, and we ran up on the stage to hug her and tell her how superb she was. Then, Noah hugged her in front of everyone. Skye walked up on the stage to congratulate Kaylee, but she looked, well not exactly herself. She beamed at me though so it couldn't have been that bad.

As it turned out I was able to help them all. Danielle noticed the painting in the trash around the endo of Enduro and when she told me all the clues, I told her and the others that I knew where the gold was. I told them where to meet me the next day. Everyone was excited, Kaylee and Noah couldn't come but that was okay with me.

Danielle's POV

"Ugh, why do I have to bike there?"

"This is why I questioned your Enduro proposition." Ben said to me with a slight smile on his face that made my heart skip a beat.

After a bit Ben, Alex, and I arrive at the observatory and Ben gives his explanation for how he knew the gold would be there. Skye climbs up with the help of my boyfriend and then he leaves to go support her when she talks to Gil. Alex gave me a funny look that must have confused Josh.

"Alex, what's with the face?" Josh asks.

"I am wondering what is going on with Danielle and Ben." Alex says.

"Shut up Alex!" I say. She just smirks in response, while Josh looks really confused. We start heading off to Skye's trailer with the hope that we'll be celebrating in a few."

Unfortunately, somebody had bought the Lodge so we couldn't buy it. Skye was so distraught I wanted to go over and hug her, but I didn't because we weren't close like that.

Ed, Noah, and Kaylee show up and we tell them the bad news. Ed looks confused and looks at Kaylee. Kaylee proceeds to tell us that she got the royalty money on Frankie's version of the song and that they had bought the Lodge with the money.

Everyone was over the moon. We were hugging and laughing and everything. Soon we were singing and dancing around a carousel and all the way back to the Lodge.

-Time Skip-

I had left the Lodge a while ago and was off to meet with Ben at the Boathouse for a date.

Skye's POV

I need to tell Ben that I choose him, not Sean. He found out that I broke up with Sean when we were at the observatory and seemed surprised, but hopefully we would be together soon.

I run up to the others. "Do you know where Ben might be?"

"He went to the Boathouse, why? Josh asked.

"I am doing something that I should have done a long time ago. "(I'm not sure if I got that line right. I haven't seen that episode in weeks. Sorry.) I run off hastily.

When I am approaching the Boathouse, I see Ben. For a moment he looked like my knight in shining armor, and then it was all over. Danielle had walked over, and he had snogged her.

Bloody hell! (Shoutout to Ronald Weasley) When did this happen?

"Ben?!"

He turned to look at me and then his eyes went wide about something behind me. "Fire!" he shouted.

I turned around and I felt like I was in a nightmare, but this is real life and there is a fire at the Lodge. Ben runs past me with Danielle's hand as they charge towards the beloved structure.

I sprint after them as we approach the front of the Lodge. We can hear the sirens from the firefighters on their way and soon they are seen storming the building. I am frozen. Not sure what to do. All the others are hugging someone. Ben is holding Danielle, Noah is holding Kaylee, and Alex is being smothered by Kyle and Aaron much to her discomfort.

Thankfully, Josh comes up to me and envelopes me with a much-needed hug. Soon, I was crying into his shirt. Not just for the Lodge but for what I had lost. Danielle was just like her necklace from yesterday. Slithering up and taking what I held dear. I had wanted Ben back and yet he had been kissing Danielle. What had happened to him liking me?

Without even thinking I walked up to Ben and slapped him. Hard.

"How could you!?" I screamed.

"Skye, you have no right to be mad at me. I didn't start the fire."

"I know that, that is not what I am referring to. What I meant was 'how could you kiss Danielle?'"

"What?" Kaylee asked. She looked shocked. I looked at Ben.

"Why?! I thought you liked me, not her."

"Don't you think I can change my mind. I don't want to date you anymore and truth be told I have been dating Danielle for about a month. Which by the way I am surprised we got away with without anyone figuring it out."

"To be fair, Alex was really close to cracking it." Danielle said.

"I can't believe this. I just can't. You can't possibly want her instead of me and the Lodge can't be on fire. Someone pinch me and wake me up." Josh pinched me but it did nothing to help the situation. Gah!

"Skye, you may have come here for a fresh start and maybe you need a fresh start from today, but just because you broke up with Sean does not mean we are suddenly going to be in a relationship. I don't like you that way anymore and would really like it if you could give us some respect."

"Respect? How can I respect you if you kept the relationship a secret? You two are literally blowing my brains out here."

"We did it because we wanted something private that wouldn't get broadcast on ." Danielle exclaimed.

"That's fair. I would have been chasing them around for gossip for days." Josh pointed out.

"Exactly." Danielle said.

I didn't like it, but I guess I must get used to it. I gave them a half smile and turned to the others. We found out a little later that there wasn't much damage from the fire. Thank God.

Danielle's POV:

It has been months since Skye found out that Ben and I were dating. I know that she was upset, but I think she is mostly over it now. I replaced Noah at the Lodge and I was on receptionist's duty when a figure from the past walked in. By the way I love being receptionist. It's my favorite job at the Lodge and I am good at it to the surprise of the others.

"Sean! I haven't seen you in a while!" He was standing with his mouth slightly open.

"What's up?"

"I never thought I would see Danielle working here with a smile on her face and her hair in a messy bun."

"Well, sometimes people surprise you."

"That's for sure." That's when I noticed Jess next to him.

"Hi Jess, is there anything that I can do for you?"

"Actually, yes. The coach has left, but I was hoping that I could stay at the Lodge and hang out with your lot for a week."

"Sure, let me see what rooms we have open." Soon I had booked her in Room #12 and told her where she could easily find it with a smile on my face as I filed the paperwork.

Sean was still standing in front of me when I received a call from Room #5 telling us that the shower has broken again. Thankfully, Ben walked in at just the right time.

"Ben, could you please go fix the shower in room five? I think the lady was about to bite my head off from the other end of the line."

He chuckled at me, walked over, and planted a kiss on my forehead. "I'll get right to it." He promised.

Sean looked so shocked by his display of affection for me that Ben and I went into chest aching laughter.

"Oh my god. You are almost as surprised as Skye was!" I practically screech in between breaths of air.

"Wait, Ben, you aren't with Skye?"

"Obviously. In fact, I turned Skye down and I have been dating Danielle since before you left, but it was a secret at the time." Sean's expression became so priceless that I took a picture of it for my memories.

"Hey!" But we were all laughing. This year has been crazy, but I am glad I have Ben to share it with.

3rd Person POV:

As the years went by, Danielle and Ben stayed together much to everyone's total surprise. Danielle ended up getting a degree in Graphic Design, while Ben got one in Engineering. They even had two beautiful daughters.

Everyone else got married too, except Skye. However, she was dating someone else so maybe she would be soon. Josh found a great guy who was always there for him and Kaylee and Noah had been together and forever singing and recording all their newest hits. Even Kyle, Aaron, and Alex, though Alex and Aaron didn't end up together, not that anyone is surprised by that.

So maybe things weren't the way they were when Skye was fifteen, but that was okay. Skye didn't have a picture of her with the good guy in a frame sitting there for her every night just like her mum, but she still had a great friend in Ben for as long as she lives.

The Lodge stayed in business, for it was what motivated Skye. She loved the family business and wouldn't let go of it for anything.

Our choices define us, and for the most part Skye's companions' choices led to great lives as they should have.

The End