Mantinas-Couldn't sleep so I'm posting this early. Anyway, hopefully I'll do better on this than some of my other stories-It's been over a month since I started this and I'm still on chapter four! Oh well. I hope you like this.
And yes, I know the gift is a dumb thing, but oh well! What is Ben 10 without THAT design? Nothing I tell you, NOTHING! XD
Their next two classes went about the same when Lunch period came around. Ben placed a chocolate milk on his tray of ravioli pieces, the whole parts served to other students(most probably broken), with carrot slices and an oatmeal cookie.
Finding a sparsely populated table, Ben and Kevin sat down; Kevin's tray of dehydrated-pill-food and a glass of water already where he was going to sit before he sat down. Pouring some water on the tablets, they revealed carrots, ravioli that looked more appetizing than Ben's, and a too dry cookie.
"Here," Kevin concentrated on their ravioli, their short distance something he was not used to. He sighed when it worked, giving Ben the better, whole ravioli than the soup the lunch ladies gave him.
"You didn't have to do that." Ben said, head tilted down, lips barely moving.
Kevin smiled. "It's your big day."
Ben smiled at Kevin, a silent thank you. Kevin nodded a silent 'you're welcome' was returned before they dug into their lunch.
Sitting a couple tables away was Gwen and her friends. One was a platinum blonde haired girl with violet eyes and an Asian girl whose beautiful, brown eyes were trained on Ben to the point where her thoughts of moonlit kisses with said boy could be seen in her brown orbs.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, Gwen," The violet eyed girl said. "Your cousin's a freak."
"Tell me about it." Gwen said, disgusted that Ben lowered his head and, if you looked just right, could see his jaw twitching as if he were talking, then lifting his head, to do what, she wasn't sure, the back of his head the only thing visible.
"I think he's cute." The Asian girl said.
"You would," Violet eyes spat.
"Quit it, Charm."
"Can the both of you can it?" Gwen snapped. "And Julie," She glared at the Asian girl. "Why don't you ask him out? Today is, sadly, both ofour birthdays. It's at my Aunt and Uncle's house."
Julie beamed, a plan forming in her head. "Yeah,"
"Gag me," Charmcaster said, pretending to stick her finger down her throat.
Gwen could relate, but the images of her best friend being related to her cancelled them out. After all, it would be cool to be related to her friends; then they could really be called sisters instead of just 'sisters' or Sisters when they pretended to be witches years ago.
Ben and Kevin, having finished their lunch, began a slight conversation ranging from what happened in class to that morning(in which many apologies were given) to this afternoon.
"You didn't tell me, what's happening for your birthday?"
Ben grimaced a little, face flushing as he began explaining what was going to happen once school let out: "Basically Gwen and her friends are coming over to the house along with her family and Grandpa. Beyond that I can only guess."
Kevin nodded; knowing what will happen. He knew Ben missed those special father-son fishing trips that not even he was allowed to go to. Back when his father didn't drink and mother less stressed and not even fearful of her husband. Back when it was okay for him to be around.
"Hey Ben," Kevin said. "How about we take a fishing trip this year?"
Ben smirked. "Nice, but how? We're not allowed off grounds and after this it's directly home."
"Close your eyes."
Ben complied, not knowing what to expect. Kevin reached out and touched Ben's forearm. A blinding flash and Ben found himself on a boat floating on a crystalline lake surrounded by lush forest of alien design, the whole landscape covered in hazy fog, the sun just starting to rise.
"Where are we?"
"A projection of the lake on my home world located in my backyard." Kevin said, letting his presence be known before handing Ben a pole.
"It's beautiful," Ben said, baiting his hook with a green and yellow worm, tossing the line into the water with a slight 'plop'.
They waited in silence for an unknown amount of time, both receiving tugs on their lines but neither catching anything. Both boys laid back in the boat, their crossed legs on one side, their heads(gently resting against their crossed arms) on the other, their poles at their sides.
"Kevin," Ben said after a while. "How come you haven't done this before?"
"It takes practice and concentration to do this." Kevin replied lazily. "I didn't have those until spending so much time with you, Benji."
"Hey, I ain't that bad!"
Kevin smirked. "Didn't mean it was you." From the hurt look on Ben's face, he knew he did not hear it, which was best. No use upsetting the boy any further today. Instead, he ruffled the now eleven year old's hair, earning an exasperated command to 'stop it'.
Silence pervaded them again, but this time Kevin broke it.
"Okay, how come you don't get mad when I call you Benji anymore?"
Ben blushed, looking at the bottom of the boat. "It still embarrasses me, Kevin. But I remember that friends give friends nicknames. So as long as it's just you saying it, I can live with that."
Kevin watched Ben as he spoke. Afterwards Ben looked up into black eyes and both smiled slightly.
Ben's line went taut, pole bending slightly. Ben quickly sat up and began reeling it in, Kevin holding onto him after it came apparent that if he did not, Ben would be flung into the water. Ben reeled and tugged until finally a good sized fish was flung out of the water and landed at their feet.
It was a beautiful fish. It looked like a catfish and salmon had babies with an iridescent rainbow, the colors changing from the base of its two long whiskers to the tip in striped neon.
Ben had a huge smile plastered on his face. Standing up he jumped for joy, shouting: "I finally caught the big one!" over and over again, in a sing-song, not caring that he was rocking the boat.
A bell rung and both boys were transported back to reality(1). Ben picked up his tray, Kevin's already gone, they walked out of the cafeteria and headed towards class.
School went by with ease; a few minor run-ins with Cash and J.T., when, before they knew it, they were on their way to Ben's house-Gwen and her two friends Charmcaster and Julie leading the way, talking animatedly about nothing.
"Oh, like, did you hear about Courtney?" Kevin mimicked Charmcaster, using his right hand as a puppet. "No," Came the left hand; Julie. "She did something stupid!" The right hand said. "Squee!" Both his hands and head were pulled back like excited girls, earning a chuckle from Ben.
Gwen rolled her eyes when she heard her cousin giggle, but focused on the conversation they were having about Courtney getting caught skipping with a boy.
Outside of Ben's house looked normal. No balloons on the mailbox since the guests were few and Carl didn't want an eyesore. But once they crossed the threshold they were met with indigo and green color scheme and a big "Happy Birthday Gwen and Ben" banner, their family shouting that once they were seen in the connecting kitchen and dining room.
Pizza was already ordered and on the counter with various toppings to cater with everyone's particular craving. The plates were indigo, the cups red, while the napkins were green. Kevin figured that it was because green napkins were easier to find than indigo, but he still could glare at the slight symbolism.
Everyone managed to fit at the table, except Kevin who snuck a couple slices of cheese pizza when no one was looking, he stood behind Ben watching as everyone seemed to be enthralled with Gwen; Ben's parents, trying to be the perfect hosts, would only spare him a few glances and words. The only family that seemed to spend a large amount of time with Ben was his grandpa Max and Julie spared a few glances his way, too. And Kevin knew what those glances meant. He didn't like it, she was one of Gwen's friends, which meant she was trouble by affiliation.
Kevin wouldn't be able to stand it if she got her claws in him. Touching his chest, a look of mild confusion and concern replaced his scornful look. Why did his heart hurt? The pain seemed to dull enough that he could relax. Not one to worry his friend, Kevin filed that in the back of his mind to look back on later by himself.
After everyone finished eating it was onto presents. They each got what they wanted, but Kevin couldn't help but notice that Gwen got more. Again, why was Ben the lone wolf when a harpy has friends? He thought wolves were more liked than the mythical harpy.
When the wrapping paper was picked up everyone went into conversation. Taking this as his cue, Kevin motioned for Ben to follow him. Kevin led Ben towards his bedroom.
"Close the door," Kevin ordered nicely. Ben complied. "I got you something." A box covered in green wrapping paper appeared in his hand.
Downstairs Charm watched as Ben's form left her sight. "Why do you think he left?"
Gwen and Julie didn't answer, neither caring, their thoughts on what was to come.
"Okay Julie," Gwen said. "Go get him." Julie nodded and stood up and started to slowly walk up the stairs, wracking her nerves to rehearse what she wants to say.
Carl and Sandra overheard the girls' conversation. Sandra flashed him a smile. "See, Carl, Ben's gonna get a girlfriend."
Carl rolled his eyes his mind chanting: 'Please, God, make him say yes!' But a part of him knew that if there was a God, he most likely wasn't listening or still enjoyed toying with him.
Taking it, Ben slowly unwrapped it to reveal a necklace. A simple thing, really; a flat disk with a green hourglass design with black background. Ben looked up at Kevin, a smile gracing his face.
"It's the coolest thing I've ever gotten." Ben said. "Green and black, like you and me."
Kevin smiled, his black eyes seeming to sparkle, happy that Ben caught that. Nodding, Kevin went on: "I was out looking around last week when you were at your grandpa's and your father ordered you to make me stay." Ben nodded at the memory. "I found this at a store and got it for you."
Ben lunged, embracing his best friend in a bear hug. Kevin was surprised. They never did this before. A few pats and innocent touches, but no hugs. But he quickly wrapped his arms around Ben, both enjoying the comforting contact that letting go seemed to be difficult for them, but they managed. Looking at the necklace, Kevin cleared his throat: "Um, here, let me help you with that."
Unclasping it, Kevin brought both ends to the back of Ben's neck, clasping them back together. Standing back Kevin looked at the boy and flashed a smile and a thumbs up.
"Um, Ben," Followed a soft knock that came from the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"
Ben looked at the door confused. "Why would Julie want to talk to me?" He asked, looking to Kevin who's only response was a cold, hard glare at the door.
Ben sighed, figuring that he was not going to receive any help from his best friend, he opened the door and let her inside. After closing the door and turning to face Julie Ben found that Kevin had disappeared. Probably back to his ship-the one he never saw before despite how many times he begged to see it.
Julie shuffled her feet, eyes never leaving the floor. Finding this odd since moments before she asked to come in, he walked towards her, mouth ready to ask what's wrong, when she pecked him on the cheek.
"I like you!" She shouted nervously.
Ben was struck dumb. A girl kissed him and it felt like being kissed by his mother. He knew a little about this game called love from a few sources. From the cartoons he was supposed to be a dithering nincompoop who'll then mutter 'gawrsh' or 'shucks' after being kissed, his face turning red, toes grinding into the ground. From the books Gwen liked to read he was supposed to feel a spark or something. It wasn't supposed to feel like your mother kissing you goodnight or like you're a cherry bomb that turned into a dud. Surely his sources weren't wrong.
"I'm sorry Julie," Ben said. "But I don't feel the same."
"Oh," Julie said, sounding rather surprised. "I see…" She slowly walked out of the room, tears streaming down her eyes.
Ben was about to go after her, but Kevin chose that moment to reappear.
"Don't go after her," Kevin said. He looked moody but his voice held mirth. "It'll only confuse things."
"Where were you?" Ben asked a little angrily.
"In the closet, Benji," Kevin said. "I didn't want you to rely on me in this."
"You knew she was gonna do that?"
Kevin shrugged. "She's been giving you looks all afternoon. I figured she would try that."
Ben glared at him.
"I know you feel bad now, Benji, but it'll pass. Believe me, it's better that it was just you than you leaning on me for what to say."
There was something in those dark orbs that said it would have ended with a crying girl running out of his room, total devastation that would lead to the life of a nun, instead of walking calmly out, slightly hurt, but with a high chance of her heart healing. Ben sighed.
"How did it feel?" Kevin asked. "Getting kissed by her?"
"Why?" Kevin shrugged. "It was like when mom kissed me goodnight."
Kevin laughed. Ben smiled; he could never stay sad when he heard that laugh.
Downstairs everyone was expecting to see Julie and Ben holding hands. What they did not expect was Julie walking down the stairs, tears clearly falling from her eyes.
"What happened?" Charm asked.
"He said he didn't feel the same."
Gwen looked furious. She started to walk towards the stairs when her grandpa stopped her with a gentle arm on her shoulder.
"Grandpa," Gwen groaned. "He made Julie cry!"
"Julie's a big girl," Grandpa Max said. "And Ben doesn't have to date her if he doesn't feel the same way."
"But…"
"Nothing good ever comes out of being forced to be with someone."
"Fine,"
In the back Carl silently fumed.
Ben came down a few minutes later when everyone was saying their goodbyes. Gwen and her friends left with her mom and dad to finish the night off with a sleep over. When the last car drove away into the evening, Carl turned his attention towards Ben.
"Clean this up." He demanded.
"Yes sir," Ben said.
"Carl, please, it's his…"
"Shut up." He snapped. "It's his party, so he can clean it up!"
Carl stormed off into their bedroom, Sandra following behind, hoping to talk some sense into him, leaving Ben and Kevin to silently pick up the small mess the quests made, tearing the empty pizza boxes, and taking down the decorations.
"No, Sandra!" He roared. "He was also hosting this party and he left! He also turned down a girl!" Silence, Sandra was trying to coax him into another state of mind. "What boy turns down a pretty girl? I'll tell you what kinda boy turns down a pretty girl! A fucking faggot!"
"He's a late bloomer dear!" Sandra said, speaking up. "He just needs more time."
"He doesn't…"
"Hey," Kevin said, breaking Ben's concentration from their conversation. "Let's go upstairs."
Ben just nodded, allowing Kevin to grab onto his hand and walk him upstairs.
1) Think in terms of a dream. Science says a dream lasts for a few seconds(or was it minutes) but the dream-from the memory of the dreamer-thinks it has lasted longer than that.