Chapter III
Gwen's dream that night wasn't a strange one––not so compared to the typical fantasies that played in her head, no, the dream she had this night was more like an instant replay from earlier in the afternoon. Ben had just confessed his love for her and she sat there holding his hand, staring back at him dumbly, not really believing the words that had just come out of his mouth. It didn't gross her out––far from it––on the contrary, it excited her to no end. Over the past couple years, Gwen had watched her cousin's transition from a stubborn, rowdy, disgusting, annoying, brat of a boy (she smiled fondly at the memories, despite the description she ran through her head) to a stubborn, rowdy, handsome, charming, selfless young man. Less and less, as the two spent time together, did they learn they'd much in common, and their differences––which sooner or later led to insignificant conflict––only helped strengthen their tolerance for one another.
By the end of their first summer, both parties had decided (to themselves) 'tolerance' played no part in their relationship, the two enjoyed being around each other. Plain and simple.
It was at the onset of puberty when Gwen realized that Ben meant something more to her. Before she turned twelve (much like her cousin) the opposite sex was yet another thing to merely be tolerated… they were gross. And as if an overnight change took over her body and mind, Gwen suddenly yearned for the accompaniment of a young man. Now, she'd gone out with a few boys from her class, usually an afternoon or two following class was enough for a decisive 'break up'. Ultimately, what she soon learned from her experiences with dating are as follows: the boys she could get were pigs; those she couldn't, she was too afraid to talk to; and nobody else had a thing in common with her. Needless to say, Gwen's first couple years in junior high were a little depressing.
Well, in the aspect of finding herself a boyfriend, yes, school was disappointing. But from an academic viewpoint, she was in a league all her own, straight A's across the board, even in the advanced classes. And then there was Ben. When she wasn't engulfed in her studies (even a few occasions when she was), he was always there to hang out and have fun. Whenever he was around her, boy troubles were completely forgotten––not even her studies could totally drown that out.
Gwen was completely happy being in the company of Ben, nothing else mattered when he was near. At the beginning of her seventh grade year the realization finally hit her, he was the only person that could make her forget about her worries; she never felt time was wasted when they hung out––no matter if they'd done absolutely nothing; she could actually talk to him (and vice-versa) candidly and frankly about anything… and he would listen to her. She'd put the puzzle in her mind together.
It was at the onset of puberty when Gwen Tennyson fell in love with her cousin, Ben.
***
Tears slid down Gwen's now rosy pink cheeks just before her quivering lips let her speak. "I love you too, Ben… With all my heart." Finally, weeks of inner turmoil put to rest, endless nights lying awake, afraid of how her cousin would react to what she kept in her heart, her love for him––and here he was the one to bring forth his taboo secret first.