The Little Scout
Chapter Two
Ben's POV
"How's your Dad?" Tessa asked Ben over breakfast the next morning.
"Still asleep." Ben replied, taking a bite out of stale bread.
"He'll pull through." She promised him.
"How do you know?"
"It's my sixth sense. My Dad went into war, didn't come back. Was reported missing, I found him and he was fine."
"Then the Skitter's came?" She nodded. "What happened to your Dad?"
"He died. Mech shot him."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I'm over It."
"How long ago was it?"
"Three months today." Today, Tessa had raked her hair up into a ponytail, her fringe brushes her eyes almost covering them.
"How did you get over it?"
"I just did."
"It's not that easy."
"You get used to it."
"How?"
"My Mom died a few years before the invasion, my brother died in war. And then my Dad died. I'm pretty used to it." She looked as if she was going to cry.
"Are you going to cry?" She shook her head violently. "Its okay, Tessa, you can cry."
"No." She told him flatly. Ben wanted to hug her. Offer her support. But he knew that she would just shake him. He knew her too well.
"What the thing you miss most from your life before all of this?" Ben asked, quickly changing the subject.
"My IPod. I have to say, that's the thing I miss most. And probably my boyfriend, that sounds so stupid I know."
"Your boyfriend, what was he like?"
"A bit of a jerk, actually...but he was nice. Died in a blast from a Mech."
"Have you seen anyone you like, you know...like a boyfriend kind of like?"
"Yeah, but it's not the time. Is it? Anyways I know he doesn't like me back."
"Who is it?"
"I can't tell you that, you've got a big mouth."
"No I haven't!"
"I'm still not telling you."
"Why?"
"Because it's you." It all came tumbling out of her mouth. "I'm sorry, I've got to go..."
"No, it's okay. I like you too..." She stays where she is.
"I don't think this is the time for having a relationship, do you?"
"Why not? Hal and Karen..."
"Ben, don't kid yourself. I just can't do it right now, neither can you. Your Dad's recovering you need to be there for him." She stood up and walked away.
"Hey! Hey Ben!" Jimmy shouted, he waved his hands over his head to get Ben's attention.
"What is it Jimmy?"
"Can you keep a secret?" Ben nodded.
"Why?"
"Because it's really important, please?"
"Sure."
"I like Tessa. I was thinking of asking her out."
"What? Don't bother; she's not looking for a relationship."
"How do you know?" Ben shrugged.
"I guessed."
"Oh...well thanks for the heads up."
"No problem."
"Ben! Dad's awake!" Matt rushed up to him and shouted. Matt led Ben to the Medical Truck.
His Dad is sat up and talking to Hal. "I'm so sorry Dad." Ben wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"It's okay. Don't worry. I'm fine now."
"I shot you."
"It's okay...I'm fine."
"But your not."
"I hear you have a girlfriend."
"I don't Dad. I haven't got a girlfriend."
"Then who's this Tessa, is that her name Hal?"
"Tessa Lake."
"So, what's she like?"
"Dad, there is no girl."
"Hi..." Tessa stood behind him. "I just came to witness the great Mason family." Ben's gaze shifted to her arm which bled furiously.
"What happened to you?"
"Nothing, my knife slipped a little. I'm fine." Ben pushed her down onto a bucket.
"There's too much blood to be fine."
"Ben." She stopped him from tearing cloth from his shirt. "I came here for something else; I need to see Dr. Glass."
"Are you Tessa?"
"Yes, Mister Mason."
"Call me Tom."
"How are you...Tom?"
"I'll live. So, I hear my son has...what do you call it?"
"The hots, Dad." Hal helped him.
"The hots for you." Tessa's cheeks went a soft pink colour.
"Dad." Ben whined.
"No, it's fine...Your son is a great solider. He'd make a girl happy someday."
"But not you." Ben finished.
"Ben, your a nice boy and..."
"What's happening?"
"Ben's getting dumped."
"Really? Awesome!" Matt shouted. Just then, Tessa threw her arms around Ben and hugged him.