Chapter 14: We Will Always Be Friend

Ben's POV

After days and weeks of observing the aliens' activities and endless of meetings, tonight was the day. Tonight the fighters of 2nd Mass will go on our mission to destroy Karen and her allies. There wasn't any fear, only determination and confident. Even if we die fighting, we will. We can never let 'them' win the war. As I strapped my rifle to my back, I saw Matt sitting on his bed, looking glum. I knew what he was thinking, but dad will not allow him to join us on this mission. Hal and I will not agree too. I am not treating him like a kid but I still feel he is too young. This is an important and dangerous mission and I want him to be safe.

'Why didn't dad allowed me to come with you all?' he sounded dejected.

'Only when you are ready, buddy,' I said hoping he would understand.

'But I am old enough now. I am almost thirteen and I have proved myself as a fighter' He exclaimed. We all knew that but somehow we just wanted to protect him for however much we could. I walked towards him and crouched down in front of him.

'I never doubted you're a good fighter. Dad, Hal, Colonel Weaver, Maggie and the rest of the 2nd Mass have never doubted that too. You will fight alongside us one day. I promised,' I gave him a smile and ruffled his hair. He looked sullenly at me. I pulled him close and we embraced in a brotherly hug.

'Take care Ben.' He tighten the hug

'You too.'

Matt walked me to where the group has assembled. Colonel Weaver and Jean, his daughter, was in a deep conversation. Hal, Maggie and the others were hauling up stuff into the jeeps. Pope and the Berserkers were checking on their weapons. Dad and Anne were giving each other a hug, and when dad saw Matt and me he motioned for Matt to come over. Matt trudged slowly over with his head hanging. I gave him a pat on the shoulder and then from a distance I spotted her. She was standing all alone looking at us getting ready for battle. Our eyes met and we locked in a gaze with one another. My mind went back to the conversation we had an hour.

[Flashback]

Right after the meeting when Colonel Weaver and Dad told us that the mission will commence in two hours from now, I rushed to the rooftop. This is the day I have been waiting and dreading at the same time. I wanted so much to get this mission over with and I am glad that we are finally doing it. The more we wait the worst our situations will become. We do not know what Karen might be planning and we have to make a quick move. Another part of me is dreading it is because it's going to be difficult to tell Kym. And there were just so much I wanted to tell her. Of course she would understand but I know she would be extremely worried as well. And when I am gone, who is there to protect her? Not that she doesn't know how to take care of herself; I just wanted to be near her to know that she is safe. When I pushed open the door leading to the rooftop, it was empty. It's very unlikely for Kym to be late. She is always very prompt and on time. I waited and after more than 15 minutes, I knew she is not coming and I began to panic. Just as I was about to leave, the creaked of the door alerted me. I saw Kym slowly walking up to where I was standing. Relief washed over my face. She's safe. She's ok. She's fine.

'Hey,' she said. She didn't apologize for being late and neither were there any explanations for it. This is another thing that is very unlike her. We stood facing each other.

'I need to tell you some….' Before I could finish she cut me off.

'I know. The mission will be tonight. I heard about it,' she said.

'Yeah, we will be leaving in two hours' time,' I said, my gaze locking into hers. Her eyes were searching mine and there seems to be things she wanted to tell me but she was hesitant.

'Please stay safe,' finally she uttered softly. I pulled her into a hug. It feels so good to be near her. I stroke her hair and placed my chin on her head.

'I will. I promise. Promise you will take care too when I'm gone,' I said as I pulled her away and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. At that very moment, it doesn't matter what my feelings for her were. I just wanted her to be safe and I wanted to come back..alive. She nodded and pulled me in into another hug. We stayed that way for a long long while.

[End of Flashback]

Kym's POV

When our eyes met, I felt this sudden pain and hurt in my heart. I am not going to stop him from fighting because that would be selfish of me. I know deep inside that we need to fight. The 2nd Mass need to soldier on for our humanity sake. Although I am not one of the fighters, I know this mission is important. It is going to be dangerous too. But I want to stay confident that with the help from the volms and rebel skitters we stand a greater chance in making this mission a success. But still, the worry, concern and anxiety are there. I feel unease. It felt like this is the final goodbye. I don't like this feeling but I can't get rid of it. I want to stay positive that each and every one of the 2nd Mass who is going for this mission will be kept safe. That my Ben will be safe too. 'My' Ben? Yes, though I never admitted to him loudly, he will always be 'my' Ben. If we have met under different circumstances, will things be different between us?

Neither of us makes a move. We just stood there and locked in our gazed. He finally walked towards me but without breaking our gaze. So many emotions were running inside me. He understood why I do not want to start a relationship. He respected my decision. I am glad but am I being selfish? I am protecting myself from being hurt and in return, I deprived Ben from receiving my love which I have so much to give but was fearful to give. He has freely given me so much and yet I am denying him that little love that could make so much difference.

Before both of us could speak, Colonel Weaver shouted for them to get ready to leave in five minutes. Both Ben and I shifted uncomfortably. Each of us searching for words to say but somehow nothing was said.

'So, that's it. I am leaving now,' Ben finally break the silence and I could hear the reluctance in his voice.

'Yeah,' that's all I could utter.

'Here. Save keeps this for me until I come back,' Ben said as he handed his sketch book to me. With that he turned and walked away. I looked at the sketch book and flipped it open. I came to a page where I have not seen before. There on the page was a drawing of both Ben and I with our arms around each other. We were smiling happily. At the bottom of the drawing was this note 'Me & my best friend, Kym. The girl who touched my heart and shown me the meaning of life. The girl who stole my heart and make me fall in love.' A sudden swirl of emotions hit me. I looked up from the drawing and noticed that he was walking further and further away. I clutched the sketch book tightly in my hands.

'Ben!' I shouted. He stopped and turned around. I ran towards him at full force and he had to stretch out his arms to steady me when I reached him. I flung my arms around his shoulder and pulled him into a tight hug. I don't care if anyone was staring at us. I just wanted to feel him near me once more.

'I know I have been selfish and stupid. I was not ready to start anything with you and I am still not ready but I wanted to give both of us a chance,' I said with tears streaming down my face. I felt his arms tightened around me and then he pulled away from me. He wiped away my tears and stroked my cheeks. There was a smile on his face.

'Thank you,' he said. With that I stood on tip toe and brushed my lips against his. I took him by surprised this time.

'Please take care. Promise me you will come back,' I said. He nodded. From the corner of my eyes I saw everyone in the 2nd Mass looked at us. But I wasn't embarrassed.

I do not know what our future holds but I wanted to give each other a chance. I want to give him the love that he deserves. It doesn't matter whether I am ready or not. If I love someone deep enough, I am willing to give. And even if I don't see him again, I have no regrets. I am sure he would have no regrets too.

Ben's POV

When Kym ran towards me and gave me a big hug, I was surprised. I was even more surprised when she kissed me lightly on the lips. I didn't expect it. I was glad she has finally decided to be truthful with her feelings. She has finally understood that love is so much more than just a feeling. It involves pain and hurt too. And that makes love even more powerful.

'No matter what happens, we will always have each other. We will always be friends,' I said as I turned and walked towards the jeep where most of them were waiting. All eyes were on Kym and I but I wasn't bothered at all. I felt a sense of joy within me. Hal gave me a soft punch on the shoulder when I passed him. Maggie flashed me a smile. Dad and Anne were looking affectionately at me. Matt gave me a thumbs' up while Denni just grinned.

We have no idea what the future will be like. At the moment it doesn't look promising but for the last three years, the human race has not stop fighting. Our outlook of life is not encouraging but our fighting spirit is strong. We will encounter many obstacles. We will continue to lose our love ones as long as this war continues. But we will not lose hope. We will fight till the end. Love will bring us through it all.

END -