Here's chapter 7! Let me know what you think if you would like! Enjoy! :)
"Ricky, we can't," Grace whispered, though her protest was weak.
Ricky paused, looking at her with a mix of desire and confusion. "Why not? We love each other, right?"
Grace blushed as she smiled at him. "You…love me?"
Ricky's expression grew serious. "Yes, I do. And I know you love me too. So what's stopping us?"
Grace swallowed hard, the weight of their situation crashing down on her again. "I do love you, Ricky. It's just...everything is happening so fast.
Ricky nodded, his expression understanding. "I know but you're so gorgeous, Grace. Besides, you should know I like having sex."
Grace couldn't help but laugh a little despite her nerves. "That's one thing I do know about you, Ricky. But like I said before, I want to wait until I'm married. I'm sorry but it's the truth."
Ricky's eyes searched hers for a moment before he nodded, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face. "Okay," he said, his voice soft. "We'll wait."
Grace felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Ricky. It means a lot to me," she whispered, leaning in to kiss him gently.
Ricky's arms tightened around her, and he kissed her back with a fierce tenderness. "I'll always respect your wishes," he murmured against her lips.
They lay there for a while, their bodies entwined, their breathing syncing up in the quiet of the room. The conversation about the future hung in the air, but for now, they were content to simply be in each other's presence.
Grace's hand found its way to Ricky's chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
Ricky kissed her forehead. "I just want you to be happy, Grace. That's all that matters."
Grace closed her eyes, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in a while. "I know. And I'm happy when I'm with you," she murmured.
Ricky pulled her closer, his hand stroking her hair gently. "And I'm happy when I'm with you too."
Ben was reading in his room when Adrian suddenly called him.
"What's up, Adrian?" Ben answered, trying to sound casual.
"You tell me, Ben. I heard from your friends that you left early today with Amy." Adrian replied seriously.
Ben's heart skipped a beat. He knew that he couldn't keep his feelings bottled up much longer. "Oh yeah…she just wanted to go for a walk. We didn't miss anything important since we have study hall last period."
Adrian's tone grew skeptical. "Is that all? Because it's not like you to miss class unless something big is going on."
Ben felt his palms start to sweat. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you guys are hiding something, and it's written all over your faces. What's going on between you two?" Adrian's voice was sharp, cutting through the static of the phone call.
Ben's eyes darted around his room, searching for a way to change the subject. "Look, it's nothing big. We just had a talk, that's all."
"A talk about what?" Adrian's voice was insistent, and Ben could feel the accusation in her tone.
He took a deep breath. "Just school things. So you still want to go on a date with me, right?"
There was a pause on the line, and Ben could almost feel Adrian's mind racing. "Of course, Ben. I just want you to be happy. If you need to talk about anything, I'm here."
"Are you sure? Cause you sounded a little jealous of Amy there." Ben said concerned.
Adrian's voice was calm when she replied, "Why would I be jealous of Amy? We're all friends, aren't we?"
"Uh, kind of. I just don't want to cause any drama, that's all." Ben said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Drama? What drama, Ben?" Adrian's voice was now laced with suspicion.
"Just the usual school stuff, you know. Nothing to worry about." Ben tried to brush it off, but his heart was racing.
Adrian's voice grew colder. "Well, if you say so. But remember, if you're hiding something from me, it's only going to cause more drama."
Ben sighed. "I'm not hiding anything, Adrian. Just trying to be a good friend, that's all."
"All right. So where should we go on our date?" Adrian said kindly.
Ben felt a mix of relief and dread. "How about the movies on Friday night? We can grab dinner beforehand."
"Perfect," Adrian said, her tone brightening. "I'll pick you up at seven."
"Actually my driver could pick you up. So we can make out in the backseat if you want." Ben whispered seductively.
Adrian giggled, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Ben, you're so bad," she said, playing along. "But sure, why not? Sounds like fun. And before you go, what are you wearing right now?"
Ben chuckled nervously. "Just my pajamas. Nothing too fancy."
"Well, you better wear something nice for our date," Adrian teased.
Ben felt a knot form in his stomach. "Yeah, I'll make sure to dress to impress. What are you wearing now?" he said, trying to keep his tone light.
"Just a tank top and shorts, but I'm definitely going to wear a nice dress and my favorite perfume for you." Adrian said, her voice dropping to a whisper.
Ben felt his cheeks warm up. "Oh really? That's…good."
"You want a peak?" Adrian teased.
Ben's mind was racing. He didn't know if he should indulge in her playfulness or stick to the topic at hand. "Maybe next time, Adrian. I've got to go. I've got a big test tomorrow." He said, hoping to end the conversation without arousing any more suspicion.
"Oh come on, Benny. I want to show you. You're turning me on." Adrian whispered seductively.
Ben felt torn, his mind racing with conflicted emotions. "Heh, all right. Just one picture."
The line went silent for a moment before a notification buzzed on his phone. He glanced at the screen and saw that Adrian had sent him a photo. It was of her in a lacy black tank top and matching shorts, her phone held up in the mirror so he could see her reflection. His heart skipped a beat.
Ben looked away from the image, his thoughts swirling with guilt and desire. He couldn't lie to himself anymore; he had feelings for Amy that went beyond friendship. He knew he needed to tell Adrian, but the fear of losing her held him back.
"What do you think?" Adrian asked curiously.
Ben looked back at the photo, his mouth going dry. "You look...beautiful, Adrian. Really, you do."
"Thank you," she purred, and Ben could almost feel her smile through the phone. "Your turn handsome."
Ben took a deep breath and took a selfie in his pajamas, trying to look casual yet appealing. He sent it to her, his heart racing.
"You're so cute, Ben," Adrian said with a smile in her voice. "But I was hoping to see more skin."
Ben felt his face flush even redder. "Maybe we should save that for the date," he suggested, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Fine, but I'll be expecting something extra special," Adrian said playfully.
Ben couldn't help but smile. "You got it," he said, trying to keep the conversation light despite his inner turmoil.
As they said their goodbyes, Ben couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking a tightrope. He knew he had to tell Adrian about his feelings for Amy, but the thought of losing her was too much to bear. He decided to talk to Leo again, hoping for some guidance on how to navigate the tangled web of emotions.
Ben walked into his dad's bedroom and saw him laying down and reading the newspaper.
"Hey Dad, got a minute?" Ben asked, his voice tentative.
Leo looked up from the newspaper, his eyes scanning Ben's troubled face. "Of course, son. What's on your mind?"
Ben sat down on the edge of the bed, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his pajamas. "It's about Adrian... and Amy. I don't know what to do."
Leo put the newspaper aside and gave Ben his full attention. "What's going on with them?"
Ben took a deep breath. "I think I'm falling for Amy, but I've already started dating Adrian. It's all so confusing."
Leo studied his son, his eyes filled with understanding. "Ah, the ol' love triangle. That's a tough one, buddy. It's important to remember that you can't make someone love you by being with someone else. Anyways, I thought Amy had a boyfriend. Did they break up?"
Ben sighed. "Uh…not exactly."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean, Benjamin?"
"Ah, look at the time. I need to get ready for bed! Nice talking to you Dad!" Ben replied awkwardly as he stood up.
Leo sat up. "Hold on, we're not done here. You've got to sort this out, Ben. It's not fair to either of them if you're confused about your feelings. Sit down."
Ben reluctantly sat back down, his eyes on his trembling hands. "I know, Dad. It's just... I don't want to hurt anyone. Adrian's been there for me, and she's amazing, but I can't shake these feelings for Amy."
Leo leaned back against his pillows, crossing his arms over his chest. "Feelings can be tricky, Ben. But you've got to be honest with yourself, and with them. You can't string them along while you figure it out."
Ben nodded, his shoulders slumped. "I know. It's just... I've never felt like this before. And I don't want to lose Adrian's friendship either."
Leo placed a comforting hand on Ben's shoulder. "You're going to have to talk to both of them, son. Tell Adrian the truth, and give her the option to decide if she still wants to go on the date. And be prepared to accept her answer, whatever it may be. As for Amy, you need to let her know how you feel, even if it's hard. It's better to be honest now than to let things get even more complicated."
Ben nodded, feeling the weight of his father's words. He knew Leo was right. He couldn't keep playing this game with two people's hearts. Then again, what does he have to lose? If things don't work out with one, he'll have the other.
"Thanks Dad. Good night. I love you," Ben replied kindly.
Leo nodded, his gaze never leaving Ben's face. "Love you too, son. Remember, be honest and be yourself. That's all you can do."
Once Ben walked back into his room he texted Amy.
Hey Amy! I was wondering if you would want to make out a little before school in the morning. Meet me at my locker. ;)
Amy's response was quick. Sure, I'll be there! Good night Ben! ;)
Ben's heart raced as he thought about the next day. He had to decide what to do about Adrian. He knew he couldn't keep leading her on, but the fear of losing her was almost as strong as the desire to be with Amy.
…
The next morning, he woke up early, his mind swirling with thoughts of the conversation with his dad and the anticipation of seeing Amy. Once at school, he made his way to his locker, where he found her waiting for him with a shy smile. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and Ben felt a pang of guilt knowing he had to tell Adrian the truth. Well…eventually.
"Hey," Ben said casually, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach.
Amy's smile grew wider. "Hi," she replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Ben took a deep breath and leaned in, capturing her lips with his. The kiss was soft at first, but quickly grew more passionate. He felt Amy's hands slide up his arms, her fingers threading through his hair as she pulled him closer. The scent of her perfume filled his senses, and he lost himself in the moment. After taking a breath he pushed her slowly against the lockers with his body and they kissed again.
"Jack's not here, is he?" Ben whispered after they broke apart.
"Mmm no. We still have about thirty minutes until school starts. Should we go somewhere more private?" Amy whispered after licking her lips.
Ben's heart was racing. "Yeah, let's go to the library, it's usually empty before class starts. And if anyone sees us, we can just say we're studying together."
Amy giggled. "Heh, I don't know. Someone might see us."
Little did they know Grace was watching them from behind a wall. She thought about confronting them but it wasn't any of her business.
"Hmm…What about the theater?" Ben asked quietly.
Amy's eyes lit up. "Perfect! Let's go!"
They slipped away from the hallway, their hearts beating in sync as they approached the theater. The heavy doors swung open, revealing the dimly lit space with its velvety curtains and the faint scent of popcorn. They found a secluded corner backstage, surrounded by props and costumes from past performances, and Ben's arms encircled her waist, pulling her close.
Their kiss grew deeper, more urgent. Ben's hands roamed over her body, exploring the curves that saw in his dreams. Amy's breath hitched as he traced the line of her neck with his lips, sending shivers down her spine.
"Ben," she gasped, pushing him gently away. "We have to stop. We can't do this here."
Ben's eyes searched hers, his own desire warring with the knowledge that she was right. "I know," he murmured, regretfully pulling away. "We're going to get in trouble."
Amy nodded, her breath still coming in short gasps. "But it's so hard to resist."
"Ha ha, no kidding," Ben laughed his eyes never leaving hers. "But we can't let anyone find out, not yet."
Amy leaned her forehead against his chest, her breathing slowing down. "I know. It's just... it's so complicated."
Ben stroked her hair, feeling the warmth of her body against his. "I know," he said softly. "But we'll figure it out."
Amy pulled away, a sad smile playing on her lips. "Promise me we will?"
Ben nodded firmly. "I promise, Amy. We'll find a way."
They shared one more lingering kiss before reluctantly parting ways, the tension between them palpable. As Ben walked to his first class, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He had to tell Adrian about his feelings for Amy, but the fear of losing her was overwhelming. He knew he couldn't keep playing with her emotions.
Meanwhile Grace bumped into Jack on the way to her first class.
"Hey Grace, you okay?" Jack asked, noticing her flustered expression.
Grace took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Oh, hi Jack. I'm just great. How are you?"
"Are you sure? You look like you've just seen a ghost. I'm fine." Jack said concerned.
Grace felt guilty. "It's nothing. Um…I just remembered I need my history homework."
Jack nodded, not fully convinced. "Yeah right. You're not a very good liar. What's going on?"
"Nothing. I promise, Jack. See you around." Grace replied kindly as she smiled.
"Whatever, Grace. Just be careful with Ricky. He's just trying to add you to his list." Jack said seriously.
Grace's eyes widened. "What? No, it's not like that. We love each other."
Jack's expression was skeptical. "Look, Grace, I'm not trying to start anything. I just don't want to see you get hurt. You know Ricky's reputation."
Grace felt a spark of anger. "Jack, please. Ricky is nothing like that anymore. He's changed, I promise you."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "How do you know? You've barely been together and didn't he cheat on you?"
Grace's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "That was a mistake, okay? We've talked about it. Besides, who are you to judge?"
Jack held up his hands in defense. "I'm not judging. I'm just looking out for you, that's all."
"Well then let me return the favor, you better keep an eye on Amy. I gotta get to class." Grace said in an irritated tone.
Jack looked surprised by her sudden hostility. "Grace, wait. I didn't mean it like that."
Grace didn't stop, her pace quickening as she headed to her first class. She knew Jack was just being protective, but his words had hit a nerve. The rumor about Ricky's past was one she'd heard before, but she didn't want to believe it. In her heart, she knew Ricky had changed.
After Jack walked into his first class, he sat next to Adrian.
"Good morning, Adrian. Do you know why Grace has been acting weird?" Jack asked intrigued.
Adrian looked up from her book, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "What makes you say that?"
"She said to keep an eye on Amy…after I told her to be careful with Ricky." Jack answered quietly.
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Why would she say that? Unless, she saw something."
Jack's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Adrian leaned closer, her voice lowering. "I know Ben's had a crush on Amy but…No he wouldn't. Would he? We're supposed to be going out tomorrow night."
"It's ok, Adrian. Grace probably just said that because I made her angry about Ricky." Jack whispered.
Adrian nodded, her mind racing. She had noticed the tension between Ben and Amy, but had dismissed it as friendship. Now she wasn't so sure. "Maybe you're right," she said, her voice filled with doubt.
Jack smiled at her. "Don't worry about it. It's probably nothing. Besides, you've got your date with Ben to look forward to. Maybe he'll tell you how he feels then?"
Adrian's thoughts swirled, her eyes unconsciously drifting to the window across the room. She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about their upcoming date. "Maybe," she said noncommittally.
As the bell rang signaling the end of class, Adrian couldn't help but feel a knot in her stomach. The conversation with Jack had left her feeling unsettled. She decided to head to the library to clear her mind. Once she walked into the library she saw Ricky reading at a table.
"Hey Ricky. What's up?" Adrian said causally as she sat next to him.
Ricky looked up from his book, his eyes widening slightly. "Oh, hey Adrian. Nothing much, just trying to get ahead on some reading. What's going on with you?"
Adrian took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Just trying to figure some things out. You know, relationship stuff."
"Ah, so you're in a relationship now?" Ricky asked sarcastically.
Adrian rolled her eyes. "Trying to be. So, how's Grace?"
Ricky smirked. "With who? Are you jealous?"
Adrian felt her cheeks grow warm. "What? No, I'm just making conversation. And I'm going out with Ben tomorrow night."
"Ha ha, yeah right. I should have figured you're going out with Ben after hooking up with him. Hope you two have fun." Ricky said annoyed as he closed his book.
Adrian felt a flicker of anger at Ricky's assumption. "We're not hooking up. We've just kissed. And I'm not like you, Ricky. I don't sleep around with everyone I know."
Ricky leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. "That's a lie. You're trying to take advantage of him, aren't you?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Ricky leaned closer, his voice a low whisper. "I know you're not into Ben. You're just using him to get over me."
"Aren't you doing the same thing with Grace?" Adrian asked sternly.
Ricky's smirk dropped. "What do you mean?"
Adrian's voice was firm. "You heard me. You're using Grace to get over me, aren't you?"
Ricky's eyes flashed with defensiveness. "That's not true. I love Grace. And she's not like the others. She's special."
Adrian scoffed. "Everyone's special to you until you get bored, Ricky. And then you move on to the next one."
Ricky's jaw clenched. "That's not fair. I've changed, Adrian. I'm not that person anymore."
Adrian studied him, her eyes searching for any hint of truth in his words. She wanted to believe him, but the doubt lingered. "Maybe you have, but it's hard to forget the past. And it's even harder to trust someone who's hurt you before."
Ricky sighed, his gaze dropping to the table. "I know I've made mistakes. But I swear to you, I'm not playing games with Grace. She means a lot to me."
Adrian's eyes searched his, looking for any hint of deceit. "If that's true, then why are you so quick to assume Ben and I are playing games?"
Ricky looked up, his expression earnest. "Because I know you, Adrian. You're not the type to settle down. Unless you're trying to change."
Adrian's eyes searched his for a moment before she nodded slowly. "Maybe I am trying to change. Maybe I'm tired of the games too."
Ricky reached out, placing his hand on hers. "I'm here if you ever need to talk. But just remember, I'm happy for you if Ben truly makes you happy."
Adrian gave a small smile, appreciating his sincerity. "Thanks, Ricky. I'll keep that in mind." She withdrew her hand and stood up. "I should get going to class."
Ricky nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before returning to his book. As Adrian walked away, she couldn't shake off the conversation. The doubt about Ben's feelings for her grew stronger with each step. Was she just a rebound? Did Ben really care about her, or was he just using her to move on from his crush on Amy?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a text from Ben. "Can't wait for our date tomorrow," it read. A warm feeling spread through her chest, but it was tainted by the uncertainty. She replied with a simple "Me too," trying to keep her emotions in check.
As the morning classes dragged on, the anticipation of lunch grew stronger. Adrian's stomach rumbled, not just from hunger, but from the tension coiled within her. She needed to clear her mind, to figure out what was real and what was just a mirage of hope. When the bell finally rang, she practically sprinted to the cafeteria, eager for a distraction from her tumultuous thoughts.
Ben was already there, sitting at their usual table with a tray of food in front of him. He looked up as she approached, and his eyes lit up with a smile that made her heart flutter. But was it genuine, or was it just a facade?
"Hey," he said, standing to pull out a chair for her.
Adrian sat down, trying to ignore the way his eyes lingered on her. She didn't want to start a fight, not here in front of everyone. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice tight.
"Everything okay?" Ben asked, sensing her tension.
Adrian forced a smile. "Yeah, just a bit stressed about school." It wasn't a complete lie; the situation with Ben was definitely adding to her stress.
"I get that," Ben said sympathetically, sliding into the chair opposite her. "Want to talk about it?"
Adrian took a deep breath, debating whether to bring up her suspicions or enjoy their lunch in peace. But the weight of the conversation needed to be addressed. "Ben, can I ask you something?"
Ben looked up from his sandwich, his expression concerned. "Of course, what's on your mind?"
Adrian took a moment to gather her thoughts, her eyes flicking to the side to avoid his gaze. "It's just...I heard some things. Do you still like Amy?"
Ben's chewing slowed, his eyes widening slightly. He swallowed hard before speaking. "Do I still like Amy? No, I want something real with you. Whatever you heard was probably just a rumor."
Adrian studied him, looking for any signs of deceit. "All right, Ben. I trust you. What do you say we sneak off into the chem lab and have some fun until lunch is over."
Ben's eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he nodded eagerly. "Sounds like a plan."