After a quick change of attire and a few deep breaths to calm her still-racing heart, Gwendolyn the always gorgeous and wise redhead exited the girl's locker room. She now wore a small short-sleeve pink shirt with a white cat face similar to her other blue and white shirt exposing a small quantity of her waistline. In addition, she also wore light blue jeans accentuating her femininity quite well. Finally, she had black converses on the same as Ben, and her hair was let loose falling down her neck and back smoothly like a waterfall.
Gwen felt as though she didn't remain too long in the locker room even with having to take a shower due to…reasons she chose not to dwell on because she just might need another cleanse if she did.
Her wondering of the amount of time she spent in the locker room was answered by loud snoring coming from below where she stood. She then found a sleeping doofus drooling the night away.
Gwen sighed and thought, "With all the years I've been stuck with this doofus how did I not see this coming? But…he is kinda cute." She then entertained the thought by getting down onto her knees and gently lifting and dropping Ben's head into her lap. The added slight elevation caused Ben to snore softly instead of loudly. This only added to his cuteness factor as Gwen perceived it.
Gwen didn't know how long she spent there with him just like that. She didn't care however, she was happy her warm smile symbolic of that. She wished they could stay like this forever. Never mind those who opposed what they felt or wanted. Never mind all those who would despise them or look at them with disgust. Just this small moment on its own rendered all of that opposition irrelevant to her.
Gwen channeled those passionate feelings and wishes into Ben's forehead then with her soft lips, planting them there for a few seconds which felt like an eternity and heavenly at the same time. Her eyes stayed closed the entire time and still now as she whispered slowly and softly words that she meant from the bottom of her heart.
"I love you to infinity."
"To infinity and back". Ben Responded in equal volume. Gwen's eyes flew open then and time once again came to a halt as she lost herself in his green eyes not even an inch away from hers. Eyes that gave concrete evidence of what had been said from his lips. His soft lips which once again drew her in like a magnet, as she slowly moved her lips and pressed them into his upside down.
She was beautiful. Beautiful enough to stop time itself. Beautiful enough to make even the sun want to stay as it made its final descent behind her incredible figure. Her hair even rivaled the sunset with its blaze of reddish-orange, which now hovered over him as did her face. Her green eyes are an emerald-colored ocean full of passion and love. Her soft and silky lips having been whispered through emit such words full of promise and warmth.
It Didn't matter how much of a doofus Ben was he felt those words down to every letter. Thus his tears were justified as they streamed down.
To Ben, Gwen was so beautiful inside and out to the point of a new meaning having been needed for the very word. A meaning that cannot be further nor accurately elaborated upon.
"Doofus? What's wrong?" The gorgeous redhead asked in a worried tone, tears beginning to form in her emerald resembling eyes. Ben gave a small and warm smile in response. Then moved himself off her lap and orientated himself onto his knees so that they touched hers, mirroring her position. He then took her left hand and placed it over his beating heart.
Gwen then used her remaining free hand to wipe the tears off of her beloved cousin's face. Then gently pulling his head to hers.
"I'm just happy I have my dweeb". Ben whispered.
"Same her doofus." Whispered Gwen, a tightness in her throat making the words hard to say.
Some additional time passed then as the moment was cherished.
The moment was then broken by the growl of Ben's stomach and followed by a wet laugh from Gwen.
"Let's get some pizza on the way to Mr. Smoothies yeah?" Gwen suggested after her laughter was about over.
"Yeah." Was all Ben said to that, having not found the occurrence near as funny as his cousin did.
Now after having left the gymnasium and entering the town center, the night seemed to be as bright as day with all the neon lighting illuminating the almost vacant streets.
Two shops down was a small brick building with its equally small neon-lit sign that featured 'pizza' written on it. Ben gave one glance accompanied by a smirk to Gwen. Her equal expression only solidifies the desired destination.
"Ciao Mr. and Mrs. Dominic what's new!" Ben exclaimed as he held the door open for his beloved redhead.
"Well if it isn't my favorite Tennyson duo. How's Max?" Mr. Dominic returned the greeting and sent out a question while throwing up pizza dough as if it was nobody's business.
"He's doing well Mr. Dominic, he's currently on a week's road trip with grandma down memory lane, so long as memory lane still exists". Gwen said humorously while walking in with an elegant stride even while wearing clothes far from the dress she deserved. The sapphire blue dress Ben felt she belonged in as she danced in his arms sparkling, glowing with radiance and vibrancy, under the stars.
Ben was only snapped out of his thoughts when Mrs. Dominic entered the vicinity with her loud voice and thick Italian accent ever obvious in her English.
Mrs. Dominic could also be very blunt…
"My my, what a beauty of a cousin you have here Ben.
Why don't you just marry her already!"
The heat instantly filled the faces of the green-eyed duo, turning them into the equivalent of the red color of pizza sauce Mr. Dominic was rolling the pizza dough in.
The heat only got worse as Mrs. Dominic made her way around the counter and embraced Gwen and Ben tightly with her big body equal to her husband's but not any less brawn.
"Now let's get you two love birds in a booth." She exclaimed with a delighted smile.
The restaurant was mostly empty except for a woman and what appeared to be her son as he chanted "pizza, pizza" while the mother did her best to wipe the pizza sauce off his cheeks while holding back laughter.
"Now here we are." Mrs. Dominic hummed. An honest smile never left her face. "Will it be the usual?"
The Tennyson duo which sat across from one another, could do nothing more than give small nods with bright red faces while staring wide-eyed at the granite table.
"bene allora, I'll be right back with you two lovelies." Mrs. Dominic said while walking away visibly happy.
Both teens contained a storm of thoughts then.
Gwen's was easily category 5.
"M-M-Marry?! M-Me?! Would he do that?! Would I say y-yes?! Am I even ready?!"
Gwen, still with her head down, eyes shut tight, took slow and deep breaths and placed her hands from her racing heart in her chest, onto the table, and readied herself to look up.
That's when she saw it.
Her thoughts and insecurity faded instantly as she laid eyes on the boy across from her. Her destiny, her future across from her. The embodiment of safety and security. The sole reason for her happiness and hope. The boy she'd give her life for without hesitation.
The answer was crystal clear then, as he sat there looking out the window into the night with the lights overhead reflected in his olive green eyes. His rose-colored cheeks. His cute nose. His entrancing lips.
The young man on his own caused the young woman's heart and mind to sway as if being taken away by a gentle river stream. The melodic and soft rhythm of the piano echoing around her only added to that sway. While adding some warm color to that river stream.
The soft playing of the piano entered Ben's hearing. It eased his nerves and gave him a bit of the resolve necessary to look Gwen's way.
That's when he saw it.
The incarnation of beautiful. The queen of beauty itself. The girl he'd give his life for without hesitation. The Apple of his eye. As she gazed at him with those heart-catching big emerald green eyes. Her doll-like face from her rose-colored and visibly soft cheeks to her small and perfect nose with an equal rose-colored hue. To her soft pink lips.
She was beyond cute. Beyond enchanting. Beyond perfect.
His heart stopped while also feeling weightless. He felt weightless, floating. His mind is empty. Empty, except for the soft sounds of piano keys echoing around him. The piano emanated a melody so wonderful so colorful that it felt like a flowing river of warm colors. One that he was blissfully drifting away in.
Her perfect hands worrying at the other on the table.
Without any mental process, the young man, never taking his eyes off of hers, reached over and ever so gently placed his hands over them.
The question played in Ben's mind once again.
"Why don't you just marry her already?"
"I've been wondering that all my life."
Time resumed as drinks were placed on the table accompanied by a pie of pizza with pineapple toppings.
"Goditi i piccioncini." Mrs. Dominic hummed as she walked away once again with visible happiness.
The Tennysons although not wanting to, let go of the other's hands so that they may grab themselves a slice of their favorite pineapple pizza.
"Eww, pineapple pizza yuck." The boy that was originally sat in a booth further down, had now out of practically nowhere insulted the taste of both Tennyson cousins from the side of their table which the kid was barely taller than.
The cousin duo gave no retaliation except to stick their tongues out in sync as if children once again.
"Max! You can't run off like that!" The mother of the boy named Max appeared and took hold of the boy's hand. "I'm very sorry for the disturbance." The woman wore a stressed expression. It was clear to see she was a good person.
"No harm done ma'am". Gwen responded to the woman with a soft tone and a gentle wave of her hand.
"Just like grandma." Ben thought, a smile forming on his face.
"Come along now Max." Said the lady as she walked with her son's hand in hers.
Ben took into account how Gwen stayed watching them, even as they exited the restaurant. He chose not to inquire into it for now, however.
"Strawberry lemonade?" Ben asked bringing Gwen's attention back.
"Yup. Tops peach passion fruit any day." Gwen responded triumphantly.
"No, it doesn't". Ben said back after taking a sip of his peach passion fruit drink.
"Yes, it does". Gwen stated after taking a sip of her strawberry lemonade. "Try some then Ben." The challenge obvious in her tone.
The doofus without hesitation accepted the challenge. "Listen dweeb I've already developed immunity to your cooties, this won't phase me."
Only it did right as he was about to put his lips on the straw he paused and all he could think about was the sensation of soft lips pressing into his and the taste of strawberries.
He then brought his gaze up to Gwen and he saw her watching him with the palm of her hands supporting her chin and a cocky expression.
Ben sighed then and smirked. "I'd rather have the real thing." He spoke while then moving in closer to her and softly planting a kiss on her lips.
He then sat back down in his seat and enjoyed his slice as Gwen remained frozen for a moment the heat present in her face.
A laugh escaped Ben as Gwen's face matches not only her drink but her hair as well.
"B-Baka!" Gwen shot out struggling for English words and instead using a Japanese insult while taking back her drink. But Ben's laugh seemed contagious because she couldn't hold her laughter in.
The two teens, like children, laughed together and ate their favorite pizza together.
The duo said their goodbyes to the Italian couple and exited the restaurant. Their surprise it had grown quite chilly outside. Although dark, the sky appeared to appeal to the possibility of snowfall at any moment.
Ben noticed the chill Gwen was trying to not let show.
He took off his jacket and placed it on her. She looked up at him with those eyes of hers that never seemed to stop glistening.
She put her arms through the sleeves although it was too large, the jacket seemed to suit her perfectly. She then took her cousin's hand into hers and kept close to him even after he said he'll walk her home. And never moved even a little farther away even after arriving behind her currently empty and quiet house and behind her old tree with a treehouse full of memories. Their treasured memories.
Never moved any farther away but moved ever closer. Closer as possible into the tight hug she gave him and didn't let go. Didn't want to let go.
She spoke through cold lips, hot eyes, and a tight throat. "I-I don't want you to leave. Isn't there some way we can stay together and be with each other more often even if it's not every day?
I just… don't know if I can bare another week without you.
Ben…I need you." Her voice became a whisper barely audible in the cold night air.
Ben tried his best to keep himself together for her sake. "I dread the time between us every day, every hour, every minute. But I promise-" Gwen jumped out of his embrace then and looked him right in the eyes while taking his hands in hers.
"Ben, please! I don't care what happens so long as I am with you. I love you with all that I am. I want to be yours. To hell with the world, I'm so fed up with all of it. My heart can't take much more. Please Ben…you and I both know I'd go through hell and back if it meant I could just see you."
Tears poured at that from her eyes and his.
Ben was left with no choice he had had enough too. Her tears solidified that fact.
"Ok Gwen, we'll stay together…forever. This I promise again." He pulled her back into the hug then.
"Tonight we'll leave this all behind and go find Grandpa and Grandma. They're our best hope." Ben said softly into her red hair and thereafter planted a kiss into it which seemed to ease her quiet sobs.