Benny's P.O.V

Ethan's been acting wierd all day. I don't know what's up with him. He's probably thinking of Sarah, because it's so obvious that he likes her. Maybe something happened yesterday? He'd probably have told me by now, but he's just been blushing everytime we go to talk. Maybe he thinks I'm too sexy for my shirt? Okay, no. That was uncalled for. Never. Anyway, I'm totally going to ask him if anything happened with Sarah at lunch. I'm curious now.

Back to Ethan's P.O.V

I hope Benny hasn't noticed my blushing practically everytime I look at him. It's his fault for looking so gorgeous today. His tight shirt and black skinny jeans. A girl actually looked at him today. Even they're starting to notice him. It made me sort of mad to think of Benny with a girl, and even more mad everytime I recalled Erica kissing him. But Benny liked girls, and they would eventually like him back, and I'd be heartbroken, but, if it made him happy, I'd try to be happy.

At lunch, Benny asked if something happened with Sarah last night. He said I'd been acting funny all day, that I seemed far-off. I hoped he hadn't noticed the blushing if he'd noticed that. When I said no, he looked confused. I thanked the heavens that Benny would never think that I was blushing because of him, or thinking of how nice it would be to hug and kiss him. I could only imagine what he'd say if he found out. Not in a million years. He'd never talk to me again. Too awkward. Then, I'd be out another friend. Leaving me with Rory, and Sarah. I might kill myself.

There was something about his face, maybe it was his adorable nose, beautiful eyes, nice hair, or clear complexion, but something about him made me love him. He'd been my best friend ever since kindergarten. He was shorter than me for once, about an inch shorter than me. He was shyer than me, too. He liked superheroes even then, and once I got him to open up, he was very enthusiastic about them. It was only two years ago that he shot up, and his voice got deeper. He started liking girls in 7th grade. He didn't really pay much attention to them in 6th. I'd only admittedly loved him for 2 months, but I imagine, somewhere inside of me, It felt nice that he wasn't distracted by short skirts, and blonde hair. In 8th, he started liking Erica. Back then, Erica was a nerdy girl with glasses and a love for Dusk. She was excitable, nerdy, and somehow lovable. Which, now that I think about it, is just like Benny. His crush dulled when she took of the glasses, and became a new person. She was a beautiful vampire now, with a rude attitude, and an intimidating personality. I thought it was sweet, that Benny liked her better when she wore sweats and glasses, then when she wore mini skirts and low-cut shirts. That was why I loved him, he was so to-the-point, so comfortable with his own opinion, and he didn't care what anyone else would think. And I loved it.

I decided that I would abandon my earlier plan of forgetting about him, and instead try to steadily get closer. Walk a little closer in the hallway, laugh at his jokes more, because they really were quite funny. Maybe, if I was being bold, I could convince him to come lay in my bed with me. But I wouldn't ask him out, no. I was going to test him. If he shyed away, I would give up, but if he too stuck closer, then I would ask him out. I wanted love, and to be loved, by the only person who understood me.

The next day, Benny went back to polos. He skipped the skinnies and went back to regular jeans. I was glad. It was nice for me, but it also made him more appealing to the girls. That shirt grazing his slender frame...No, can't fantisize today. Benny was suspicious yesterday. I hung close to him all day. It was nice actually, when his arms would get jumbled and quickly wrap around me, before he got his act together. It was adorable when he fumbled with his books and his bag. I never noticed all the adorable faces he made on a daily basis. Later, he joined up with Rory in a game of soccer. I sat on the bench and watched. Sarah sat next to me. Apparently, she had been talking, because she tapped on the shoulder sounding frustrated.

"Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Nevermind, Ethan. What are you so focused on?" Benny. He had changed into an extra soccer uniform. And it looked great on him. His socks went up just below his knees, and his shorts stopped just above his knees. The shirt was not too baggy, and watching him run around, in this uniform was of course, an extra.

"Oh, I don't know. Just random things. Also, I'm seeing if Benny can actually be succesful in something, that happens in real life. Apparently, he's not doing too bad."

"Uh, huh...Ethan, why do you seem so spacey lately? It's like you just sit in class and stare into outer space. And yesterday, everytime you looked at Benny you were blushing. Tell me what's going on." I decided to cave in. I hoped Sarah wouldn't tell, but I had to make sure.

"Sarah...can you keep a secret? This is really private. Please, please don't tell anyone."

"It's okay, Ethan. I can totally keep a secret. You've been keeping the vampire secret for a while. I owe you one, anyway. Now, what is it?" I hesitated. It was a bit awkward to say out loud, but..

"Okay..Promise?"

"Promise."

"I'm sorta...in love with Benny..." Sarah's face looked about the same as someone who's house was on fire. I had been expecting this,

"Really? Are you serious!"

"Shhhh! Keep it down! But yes...I'm serious. I'm in love with Benny."

"Awww, that's so cute!" She looked at Benny then back to me. "You guys would make such a cute couple! I take it he doesn't know yet?" I blushed. Sarah was acting like a fangirl.

"No..I've decided to start dropping hints, though."

"Awww! I can help if you want? Do you need my help?"

"No, thanks. Just promise not to tell anyone, not Benny, Erica, and ESPECIALLY not Rory."

"Got it. So..what are you thinking of now? I know if a guy I had a crush on was in the middle of a sports game, I would certainly be thinking of a few things, and looking at a few things..Let's cut to the chase. How do you feel about Benny? Tell the truth."

"Fine. I think he's super hot, and I'd like to make out with him. He's the cutest thing I've ever seen, and he has a great body. He's super funny. Not to mention, totally sexy." Sarah supressed a laugh.

"Sarah, what is it?"

"It's so funny to hear you say things like that, Ethan. I'm just not used to you saying stuff like that. Hot? Make out? Sexy? Not exactly what I'd expect from you. Not to mention, I've always personally thought Benny was a huge goofball." I blushed again. I suppose what I said had been a tad edgy, but she said to tell the truth.

"Frankly, if I were a vampire, I would hesitate to sink my fangs into him and just rip-"

"OKAY! That's enough!" We laughed. Finally assuming a normal voice, as we'd been quiet for the past few minutes. No one was around except for those playing soccer, and they were about to be finished. One more goal...and Benny shot it in. His team won, and he got high-fives all around. He rushed over, panting.

"So *pant* how'd I do?"

"Great job, Benny. Ethan thinks so, too. Right Ethan?"

"Oh, yeah. Benny was great at soccer."

"Thanks. Sarah we'll meet you at E's house after I change back and we leave, okay?"

"Okay." Sarah winked at me. I was cluless for a minute, then I realized. Locker room with Benny. Hot. Awkward.

Benny took his shirt off, revealing his slender body, no fat, and not a lot of muscle. He was an adorable, gentle guy. I guess I seemed gentle too. I could only imagine if Benny knew that I fantisized about kissing him with all my passion. He slipped a blue polo on, different from the purple one he had sported previous to the game. He and I were the only ones in the locker room. The others had practice, and Rory hadn't worn a uniform. Benny took of the shorts and slipped on his regular jeans. I blushed furiously, and tried to hide it. When he ad put his normal shoes back on. I rushed out, my face red. I took a deep sip from the water fountain, and walked quickly back home, Benny following.