Note: in the previous chapter, it was written that Gabriella had just gotten married, but that was just a typo that I only realized after I posted. I'm sorry about that .
………..
At 5:25pm, Ben, Bianca, Gretta and Gabriella were already outside the gates that led to the altar, which in Ben's eyes and sense, was still a strange place to celebrate a birthday.
It made him think that nobody would sing "Happy Birthday" like it was usual at the birthday parties he used to go to, and that maybe the young people there celebrated their birthdays in a different way and thought that colorful cakes with candles on top were just for kids, something Ben also agreed with. He even thought about how he would celebrate his 18th birthday with Rook, Kevin and Gwen without any of that childish stuff with colorful decorations, confetti, whistles and antics like that. Fighting bandits in Bellwood, Undertown, or bigger threats right on your birthday would be more interesting. Unlike the other times that Ben went to that place, Duke wasn't there, making him think that maybe he was in one of his trading points. Near where Duque was, there were two boys sitting on a rock who, when they saw a group of three girls and a boy approaching, soon got up and went to meet the four.
-Why did you guys take so long? One of the boys asked. He had brown skin, black hair and brown eyes, was wearing a gray turtleneck sweater, dark blue jeans and black leather casual shoes.
- I was almost having the honor of taking the first sip. The other boy said in a joking tone, as he raised his left hand which was holding a bag full of bottles of drinks that Ben was wondering if they were alcoholic or not. He had white skin and blond hair, wore a beige twill jacket with a black shirt underneath, baggy black jeans and brown leather casual shoes.
"Why does something tell me this meeting between friends is going to be American Pie style? And how old are these guys?" Those were the questions Ben asked in his mind. He saw that bag that had at least five bottles in it and he was hoping to find something like Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
-Well, here we are. Bianca paused briefly before looking at Ben, smiling slightly.
- And... Benjamin Tennyson, these are Marcos and Edward. Bianca introduced Ben to the two boys, who smiled slightly and waved their hands respectively when their names were mentioned. Marcos was the one with brown skin, and Edward was the one with white skin.
-Hello. Ben greeted them as well with a wave of his hand, while smiling in a friendly way. They approached Ben, standing a meter away from him, to examine him more closely.
-My little friend, you're far from home. It amazes me that you made it through the forest and got here in one piece. Marcos said, a crooked smile on his face as he took in Ben and his style that gave away his outsider status.
- We're not trying to scare you, but… I wouldn't be wandering around this forest, unless you're a different type of adventurer or whatever. Edward said, with remarkable sarcasm just like his friend, also finding Ben's style different enough not to be noticed by anyone in that place
- Oh, it's also an immense pleasure to meet you two. I really wasn't expecting such a generous welcome. Ben said sarcastically, acting as if he was being welcomed on a live talk show by a presenter and audience applause, just as he was when his secret identity was revealed to the world. That was enough to convince the three girls present that three jokers were there to make the night as pleasant as Ben had said before. Seeing the three boys get along right away was great, and the sarcastic greetings were funny enough to get a few giggles from the three girls.
"Yeah, I already liked him." Marcos thought, approving of the outsider for his sense of humor and quick understanding of jokes, as he smiled in approval.
"He's not the type to scare easily. What does he do where he comes from?" Edward had his good impressions of Ben, as well as being interested in what Ben did or worked in his hometown.
-Well? What were the two of you's contributions to this… momentous occasion? Gabriella asked as she shook and tossed her hair, proud that she was the reason everyone was the birthday girl of the day. His joy was expressed by a toothy smile.
- Well, first of all, congratulations on your 19 years. Marcos said, smiling, congratulating his longtime friend, who came up to him to hug and thank him. Soon after, it was Edward's turn to congratulate her and receive a hug from her in thanks.
- And since Marcos and I were in charge of bringing the drinks, we thought of something that would please not only your palate, but everyone's. Edward said, smiling in satisfaction at having made supposedly good drinking choices. This made Ben a little surprised, not only knowing that the birthday girl would be 19, but also that she and her friends were thinking of celebrating her birthday by getting drunk. Ben wasn't familiar with alcoholic beverages, but trying a few shots in moderation wouldn't be a bad idea. "
"If I remember correctly, Gretta said that her mum doesn't let her drink anything that has alcohol in it. Not that it's any of my business, maybe she's like a 'rebellious girl', or whatever. I'm already starting to miss Grape Smoothies" Ben was whining about not being near the 22 Mr.Smoothy establishments in Bellwood in his mind, until he heard someone calling his name.
- Hey, Benjamin? How old are you? Marcos asked, making everyone there look at him, waiting for an answer.
- Just call me Ben. And… I'm 17. Ben replied, smiling sheepishly as he scratched his nose, for revealing his age to people he found to be older than him. It surprised them instantly. Marcos and Edward were 20 and 21 years old, respectively. Gabriella turned 19 that day, Gretta and Bianca were 18. Ben had a physique that made him look 18 or 19, but instead, he was the youngest of them.
-Really? Edward was the first to ask. Marcos and he were really surprised at Ben's age, as a smile formed on both their faces.
- Incredible as it may seem, yes. Ben replied, not caring too much about their spontaneous reaction. The girls were also surprised by Ben revealing his true age, and also expected him to be the same age as them.
"I could have sworn he was the same age as me." Gretta told herself in her mind as she kept her surprised gaze on Ben.
"17, huh? I hope Marcos and Edward bought light or non-alcoholic drinks." Bianca thought, hoping there was something Ben could drink in that bag, while keeping a curious look on him.
"Hopefully he doesn't have a problem trying new things. I won't miss such a cute guest for nothing." If Gabriella had liked Ben on first impressions, she liked him even more when she learned his age.
Ben would have expected them to tease him about his status as the youngest guest, which wouldn't bother him all that much.
-Well, Ben. Lucky for you, Gretta and Bianca only like low-alcohol drinks. If they don't mind sharing, you don't have to be left out. Marcos suggested, breaking the brief silence that followed after Ben revealed his age.
- It won't be any problem. Bianca assured that she wouldn't mind sharing, looking at Ben and smiling.
- Yeah. Which flavor do you like, strawberry or grape? Gretta asked, an inviting smile on her face.
- Maybe he wants to try something stronger. Is this your first time, Ben? Gabriella asked, smiling slightly and provoking Ben's curiosity as if she knew he'd never tried alcohol just by looking at it, and she was indeed right.
- I think it's better to go from "basic to advanced level". If I like it, I keep drinking, I mean, moderately. Ben replied, gesturing quotes with his fingers.
"Just don't make faces, Ben. Don't make faces." Ben thought, imagining that making faces when trying drinks he'd never tasted would be a source of laughter from the other young people there.
-Well so, what are we waiting for? Edward asked everyone, eager to enjoy a bottle of Bourbon he had in that bag.
- Yeah. Show what you brought. Gabriella said, wanting to see if two boys really got the choice of drinks right.
- Let's go near the altar. Edward said, for the others to follow.
Inside that GG bag of kraft paper there were five glass bottles, which Edward began to take them out of the bag and place them on one of the steps of the altar, which were two large bottles, one medium and two small. The big bottle was bourbon, which would be consumed by Marcos and Edward. The medium one was vodka, which would be consumed by Gabriella. And the two small ones were strawberry and grape liqueurs, which would be consumed by Gretta and Bianca, respectively.
-And voilà. Marcos said, smiling and extending his hand to the altar, presenting the bottles to the others who were there.
- Strawberry and grape. As we had asked. Gretta said, smiling in satisfaction with a bottle of liqueur in her hand as Bianca reached for another one that matched her taste preference.
- The bourbon is mine and Marcos'. Edward said, the bottle he and his friend chose to drink from together in his hand.
- Mmmm, vodka. How did you know that I… Gabriella started her question so that Marcos interrupted her to answer it. Her satisfaction was noticeable as she examined the bottle in her hands.
- We've heard you saying you wanted to try one of these thousands of times. Marcos said, as he took six small glass cups out of the bag.
- This is our little birthday gift for you. Edward said, pleased to see his friend happy to receive that gift so willingly.
- How thoughtful of you. Thank you very much. Gabriella thanked her for the gift, happy and smiling.
- You are welcome. Edward said, before starting to hand out the glasses. Marcos and Edward had brought six glasses, thinking in case one of them fell and broke, and had another one in reserve. Everyone opened the bottles that were in their hands and began to themselves.
-Ben, you didn't tell us which flavor you prefer. Gretta reminded Ben of the question she asked him a few minutes ago.
- Yeah. If I were you, I would choose the grape one. Bianca said, with a smug look on her face, as if she wanted a competition with her friend for Ben's attention.
- And I like the strawberry one because it's WAY better than the grape one. Gretta said, looking at her friend with a sassy look as if she was up for competition.
- Or maybe, he wants something better than both. Isn't it, Ben? Gabriella wanted in on the little game too, as she looked at Ben with a smug look.
- Better than both? You haven't even tasted that stuff. Bianca said, rebutting Gabriella's pretentious claim.
- And he said "basic pro advanced level", remember? Gretta said, also disapproving of Gabriella's pretense. Ben was watching the three girls argue over what he would like to try first, making him think that this wasn't just about drink flavors. Marcos and Edward watched that funny theater play, while they talked about it among themselves.
-See? All this is to see which one he thinks more… you know. Edward said as he uncapped the bourbon bottle.
- I don't know if I feel jealous or sorry for him. Marcos said, imagining the discomfort that Ben could be feeling there.
- Having three beautiful girls fighting for you is something to feel sorry for? I wouldn't. Edward said, before chuckling a little, enjoying as he watched that scene.
- You are right. And did you notice that watch? Marcos asked, seeing that green glow that Azmuth's legacy on Ben's left wrist had.
- Yeah. It's cool and weird at the same time. Edward said, sizing up that clock and its glowing green hourglass outline.
….
Meanwhile at Luiza's house…
-So, he barely arrived in the village and already made new friends? I'm still amazed that he made it this far on his own. A white-skinned man with gray hair, wearing a black coat with a sweater and a white button shirt underneath, jeans and black shoes was sitting in one of the chairs next to the living room table, with a cup of coffee in his hands. This man was Ernest, Luiza's husband.
-Yes. The watchmaker's daughter has a birthday today, and her friends have invited him to celebrate. I told him he could stay here as long as necessary. Luiza replied, referring to her guest.
- And where is Iulian? Luiza asked, wanting to know the whereabouts of her brother, who shared the house with her and her husband. - He's at Leonardo's house. Those two had the crazy idea to go fishing in the reservoir. Ernest said, before drinking a sip of his coffee.
- Are those two crazy? Lord Moreau doesn't like fishermen going there to disturb him. Why don't they go fishing in the river? Luiza asked, appalled by the recklessness of her brother and her friend Elena's father.
- They made the excuse that the river is not having as many fish as it used to. It would be better if they went hunting in the forest. Ernest said, before taking a bite of the walnut biscuit that was in his hand.
- So that they end up crossing the village limits and getting lost? Or… Luiza didn't finish listing the bad things that could happen to her brother and his friend, as she was interrupted by her husband.
- Honey, they are already two grown men and they know how to get along very well. If what the legends say were true, no fisherman would dare go fishing in that place, not even hidden from Lord Moreau's sight. Ernest said, with the intention of calming his wife, making her stop suffering in anticipation. Luiza took a deep breath before agreeing with her husband.
-You are sure. Those two are smart enough not to believe those things. Luiza said, before smiling slightly and continuing to drink her coffee with her husband.
Ernest nodded before he and his wife could talk about other matters.
….
Gretta, Bianca, and Gabriella were still having an argument about which flavor of drink Ben wanted to try first, although it was already clear that there was more to the argument than just drinks. The three stopped arguing immediately when they heard a clearing of their throats coming from who exactly they were talking about, Ben.
-Ladies, as I said before, I'm going to go from "basic to advanced level". Ben said, once more, gesturing, quotes with his fingers while still holding a small glass cup in his hand.
- Get it now? Or is it necessary to draw for you to understand? Bianca asked Gabriella sarcastically, pointing her hand at Ben emphasizing what he had said earlier. The birthday girl was not very happy to hear that from someone who was a year younger than her.
- However… Ben called their attention again, so that they looked at him carefully.
- Grape is one of my favorite smoothie flavors, so I plan to start by trying the grape liqueur. Which doesn't mean I didn't want to try the strawberry one, and the other drinks. Ben said, as he looked around at everyone watching him speak, making it clear that he wanted to try everything from liquor to bourbon.
-Having said that, Bianca, would you be so kind as to… Ben politely asked Bianca to serve him with the grape liqueur, while smiling friendly.
- Of course. Bianca nodded, feeling satisfied with having won that "competition". She walked over to Ben to serve him while keeping her gaze on his. When she was finished, she brought her face close to Ben's to whisper something in his ear.
-I also love grape flavor. Bianca whispered, her voice soft and seductive before looking into Ben's eyes and giggling. She winked her left eye at him as she turned to walk towards her two friends. The two just averted their gazes and closed their eyes, turning up their noses in disappointment.
-Hmph. Gretta and Gabriella said at the same time, only to get more giggles out of Bianca.
- Glad you understood each other. Marcos said, with a glass of bourbon in his hand.
- Because we still have to toast! Edward said excitedly as he filled his glass to the brim. Gretta, Bianca and Gabriella filled their glasses as well, before everyone, including Ben, gathered in a circle. The birthday girl would be the one to give the speech before everyone could toast and drink. Whether she had rehearsed or memorized the words she was about to say, nobody knew.
-Well, first, I would like to thank you for being here, just as you always have been. Since childhood, we've always been together and enjoyed every good moment, and helped each other when we had problems. But now, I'm here, completing another year of life, with the best friends I could ever have. Gabriella began her speech, she was happy through it all, and trying hard not to get too emotional and start shedding tears.
Gretta, Bianca, Marcos and Edward listened to those words while flashbacks ran wild through the minds of each one. Every happy moment, every sad moment, from childhood to youth, everything they had experienced together up to that moment played through their minds like a movie.
-And finally, I really want to say to Gretta, to Bianca, to Marcos, to Edward. Gabriella said, smiling as she looked into the eyes of each one she named respectively.
- And you too, Ben. Gabriella didn't want Ben to feel left out or left out in any way. That took him by surprise, making him pay attention to the words that would be said by her
- I love you, all of you. Gabriella said, so that her friends would feel flattered and honored to hear her say such beautiful words.
- A toast, not only to me, but to us. Gabriella said, as she held out her hand that held her glass of vodka, for the others to do the same.
- To us! Todos eles disseram em uníssono, antes de encostarem seus copos um no outro, para que assim, pudessem começar a beber, conversar e se divertir.
-You first, outsider. Marcos said, referring to Ben, who already understood what that meant: he would be the one to start the night of fun trying his first glass of liquor, which ironically, was the same flavor as the vitamin he liked the most, grape.
Ben watched that dark purple liquid, similar to wine, while encouraging himself in his mind:
"Yeah, here I go." Ben thought, before finally bringing the glass to his lips and feeling the sweet taste of grape and a bitter tone of alcohol flood his mouth, until he swallowed. It was something like a kid taking a spoonful of syrup, something like that, but in the end, Ben ended up enjoying it.
-It's not a grape smoothie, but it's still good. Ben said, smiling before drinking some more grape liqueur. The others laughed and started drinking too, before choosing some interesting topic to talk about, and Ben's life was their first option. Ben honestly didn't expect to experience alcohol drinks like that.
He imagined something like drinking champagne or wine at Christmas and New Year parties, but that experience, although premature, was still a good one.
"Oh man, Mom would hate to know I'm drinking this. But it was going to happen one way or another, whether she wanted it or not" Ben thought, wondering how his mother would not approve of this behavior, even though she wasn't there. to give you a few ear tugs.
-Is it my impression, or the stranger has already left. Edward said, in a sarcastic tone, drawing Ben's attention back to the youth group.
- Is he already drunk? Marcos asked in a joking tone, drawing a few chuckles from the others.
- Hey, Ben. Why don't you tell us more about yourself and that weird? Gabriella, like Marcos and Edward, paid attention to that green glow that clock had. Everything about that watch caught the eye of anyone who paid attention to it, even if the final version of the Omnitrix drew less attention than the prototype, the Recalibrated, and the Ultimatrix.
-Sure, why not? Ben asked, while smiling slightly as he methodically thought about every word he had to say. Things like him being from New York instead of Bellwood, or that the watch was a gift from his grandfather and all the rest.
He just had to be careful not to drink too much and say inappropriate or nonsensical things involving aliens, time travel, or saying what that watch actually was. Ben was looking at them as he told himself in his mind:
"Just drink in moderation, Ben."
….