Thanks to BournePriceless54, BreyerRose and Freakily Obsessed Yassen Fan who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are awesome. Like before, I own nothing except Benny and Katie.
Chapter 4 – SecretAlex was relaxing peacefully in his bed when he heard someone opening his door. Thinking that it was the doctor coming in to check on him, he closed his eyes tightly, faking sleep. He couldn't stand the doctor that had been assigned the job of looking after him. He heard someone enter the room and shut the door behind them. He was just about to open his eyes a tiny amount in order to find out who it was when he heard a familiar voice.
"For god's sake Alex, wake up. I know you're faking it." He heard Katie say. She sounded annoyed. Knowing better than to continue his false sleep, he opened his eyes and turned to face her.
"Sorry Katie. I thought you were the doctor." He said, explaining the reason for his 'sleep'. "What's up?"
"What did you do?" Katie asked him crossing her arms over her chest. Alex was confused, as far as he knew he hadn't done anything. Not anything wrong anyway.
"What? I don't know what you're on about Katie." He said innocently.
"Come on Alex, I'm not stupid. Something happened between you and Benny."
"What? Seriously Katie, I have no idea what's going on at all. Has Chris sent you here to annoy me or something?" Katie annoyed his comment about Chris and continued.
"Benny, she was fine this morning. She came to see you and then when she came home she was completely different. She's come home and basically cried herself to sleep. You know Benny, you know that she doesn't cry that much. I thought you would have known something about it seeing as you were the last person that saw her before she came home." Alex cast his mind back to his conversation with Benny just a few hours before, trying to figure out what he could have done to upset her. He remembered running his fingers through her long hair and her blushing when he stroked her cheek. That was when it hit him. She had behaved strangely after he noticed her blush. She had left quickly and had not seemed her usual self.
"So Alex, any idea what might be wrong with her then?" Katie asked, snapping him out of his daydream.
"Um, well I did do something which may have upset her." he said, looking at Katie with an apologetic look on his face.
"Alex, what did you do now?" she asked. Alex paused before answering.
"Well, she was sat there and I brushed her cheek with my hand and she blushed." He started; Katie nodded for him to continue. "Then when I noticed, I told her that I didn't know that I had that effect on her, and then she left really quickly after that. I just thought it was cause she was worried about you being on your own looking after Chris. It's all my fault." He said quietly, partially hiding his face in one of his large hands.
"Calm down Alex, it's not your fault. Benny's been worried about you. We all have. Benny was so scared that you were going to die. I've never seen her so worried in years. She's just pretty emotional at the moment."
"So it's not my fault?" Alex asked, his face brightening slightly.
"Well, it might be partially your fault. I mean, you should know by now not to say smart-ass comments to an emotional woman. Seriously Alex, how many times have you been on the receiving end of one of Benny's outbursts?"
"Too many." Alex said, smiling slightly. "So, what should I do about her?" he asked Katie, "I have to make things better between us. I don't want her to be mad at me."
"I don't know Alex. I'm sure you'll figure something out though."
"Hopefully. Can you tell her that I want to see her? Please." He asked. Katie nodded her head.
"As soon as she wakes up I'll tell her. She needs you at the moment Alex. I've got to get back to Chris now, I've left him on his own for a bit. I'll see you later." She said before giving him a quick hug and rushing off out of the room.
Alex sighed and lowered his head back to the pillow in frustration. Somehow, without even meaning to, he had managed to annoy and upset Benny yet again. He reflected on the past couple of days. He was so pleased when he saw her sat by his bedside. He was thrilled when she came back that morning. Ever since the accident she had been by his side, supporting him. Helping him get better. She was there for him when he needed her and yet he couldn't do the same for her. All he could do was get her so upset that she needed help in the first place. Alex heard the door open again and his eyes instantly shot over to the person who had just entered the room. He had hoped that it would be Benny, even though Katie had only left a few minutes before. His excitement turned into disappointment when he saw the old doctor come over to him to check his condition.
Benny's eyes slowly fluttered open and she took in her surroundings. She was laid on her bed, fully clothed yet again. Her shirt was still damp from her tears.
It was then that she saw the radio, broken on the floor, sharp pieces of plastic scattered around the room. She sighed loudly and left her room walking down the stairs, where she saw Chris sat on the sofa watching TV.
"Where's Katie?" she asked. Chris turned the volume down and turned to face her.
"She, um … she went down the shop. She'll be back in a minute." He lied. Just as he said this Katie entered the room.
"I'm back, Chris, oh hey Benny. You have a good nap?" she asked. Benny nodded. She turned her back on Katie and Chris and walked into the kitchen to get herself a drink. She heard someone follow her and looked behind her to see Katie walking a few steps behind. Benny poured herself up a drink just as Katie walked into the kitchen, shutting the door firmly behind her.
"Benny, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked cautiously. Benny nodded her head. "Um, when I went out just now I went and visited Alex." She started. At the mention of Alex's name, Benny looked at Katie, giving her all her attention. Katie saw this and continued with what she had to say. "I went to see Alex, because you were upset when you came home, and I thought that he might know what was wrong. He's really sorry for what he did Benny. He never meant to upset you."
"I know." Benny said quietly, avoiding Katie's eyes.
"He wants you to go and see him. He wants to apologize and make it better. He really doesn't want you to be mad at him Benny. And I know that you don't want to be mad at him." Katie said, walking towards Benny.
"I'm not mad at him," Benny said, tears forming in her eyes yet again. "I'm mad at myself." Katie was confused at what Benny said.
"Why are you mad at yourself, you've done nothing wrong?" she said.
"I just can't cope with it all. It's complicated. I just can't cope with seeing Alex so vulnerable, yet so upbeat. I mean, he nearly died but he's just so happy and he's still joking around. It's as if he can't see all the pain he's caused me in the last couple of days." She said, tears rolling down her cheeks as the image of Alex lying unconscious in his bed floated into her mind.
"Awww, Benny it's alright. Alex is just a very upbeat kind of guy. He knows what we've been through in the last couple of days, he's just trying to make us feel better by making us laugh." She said as she pulled Benny in for a hug. She felt Benny shake with sobs as she cried on her shoulder. It was then that it hit her. The reason for Benny's sudden emotional change, the reason for all the tears. It was Alex. Benny had feelings for him.
"Benny, I'm going to ask you something and you have to give me an honest answer, ok?" Katie said, pulling Benny away from her, holding onto her shoulders. Benny nodded, a slightly confused expression on her wet face. Katie took in a deep breath before asking.
"Do you have feelings for Alex?" she asked. She studied Benny's face, looking for an answer in her expression.
"What do you mean, as in do I love him?"
"Yeah."
"Well, yes I do love him." Benny admitted, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. Katie smiled to herself.
"Do you love him as a brother or in the same way that I love Chris?" she saw Benny hesitate before answering the question.
"The same way you love Chris." She said quietly, barely loud enough for Katie to hear.
"Sorry Benny didn't quite catch that. What did you say?" she asked, a smile on her face.
"I love Alex, in the same way that you love Chris." She said slowly, loud enough for Katie to hear clearly.
"Good, now go see him and tell him." Katie said, pushing Benny towards the door. Benny turned around and stared at Katie.
"I can't tell him," She said, "he can't find out about this. Ever."
"Benny, you have to tell him. You can't keep this to yourself forever. If you don't tell him soon I'll tell him myself."
"Katie, you can't tell him. Seriously, he will freak out if he finds out. Katie, promise me that you won't tell him, or Chris, or anyone else. Please." Benny pleaded with her.
"Ok, I promise. You can't keep this a secret forever though Benny. It will come out. Now go see Alex. He's waiting for you." Benny walked back towards Katie and gave her a hug.
"Thanks Katie. Right, I'm off to the hospital." As she walked out of the kitchen and through the living room towards the front door she called back to Katie. "Remember, not a word." She warned. Katie nodded and watched as her best friend left the house. She smiled to herself and went and sat back down with Chris.
"So what was that about?" he asked curiously. Katie just shook her head and tapped her nose. Chris pouted at his girlfriend. "Please tell me." He said, making puppy dog eyes at her.
"Chris, you know the puppy dog eyes never work. Keep begging, you're never going to find out." she said, laughing at him. Chris sighed and rolled his eyes.
"I hate it when you girls keep secrets from me. No one ever tells me anything." Katie laughed again and snuggled up against Chris. She had finally gotten Benny to admit her feelings towards Alex. Now all she had to do was get Alex to admit his feelings towards Benny. One down, one to go.
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So what do you think? Please read and review and tell me if you want me to carry on with this story. I really appreciate all reviews and constructive criticism is always very useful.
CrazyLilRedheadGirl