Chapter Eight: Some Kind of Disaster 1/2

I could hear whispering, but my brain couldn’t quite decipher them yet.

I moved just a little, I hadn’t realized how hot the room was until I felt a light breeze near my face.

A barely audible whisper came from behind me.

“Shut up, Benny,” Michael whispered, “She is sleeping.”

I only knew it was him because I could feel his words from my face all the way to my stomach. Maybe even a little lower.

“She has to wake up soon,” it was Gus this time, “It’s almost nine.”

“What happens at nine?” I asked.

“Fuck,” Michael gasped.

I felt him jump a little under me.

“Today is Saturday,” Benny stated, “You slept here for a while.”

I opened my eyes to see that I was on Michael’s chest, and I tried my best not to let my eyes wander.

I must have really been tired.

“Alright,” I said slowly.

“We made date plans,” Benny said excitedly.

“Is she usually this slow in the morning?” Michael asked.

I laid my head back down and groaned.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Benny laughed.

I didn’t want to get up, I wanted to sleep forever.

It felt good against Michael’s warm skin. I could stay here forever.

“I need to get up,” Michael stated.

“Why?” I asked, tightening my grip around him.

“He has to pee,” Gus stated.

I frowned, but I rolled off of him to face Benny.

The bed moved as he got up, and I missed his warmth.

I pulled the blanket closer to me and stared at a now grinning Benny.

“What?” I demanded.

She didn’t say anything, she just stared back at me.

Once the bathroom door shut, she made a weird surprised face.

“What happened?” she asked with too much excitement.

“What do you mean?” I asked, “Nothing happened.”

Wouldn’t Michael have told her? We were only sleeping.

She pointed at my pants on the floor.

I frowned, “We didn’t do anything.”

“Then why are your clothes on the floor?” she asked, “Are you naked?”

I glared at her as I sat up, I was clearly wearing the yellow shirt Michael was wearing yesterday.

Her eyes studied me, and she frowned.

I knew she wanted Michael and me together, but hell.

On instinct, I was going to stand up to grab my clothes, but of course, if I did that, my legs would be in full view.

The bathroom door opened, and I made sure to pull the blanket more towards me.

I made sure I didn’t look at him as he stood there.

“Leave her alone,” Michael said.

I could feel her gaze on me as I refused to look at him.

“Can we have a few minutes to change?” he asked.

Benny got to her feet and nodded, I didn’t see or hear if Gus responded, but they walked out of the room.

I sighed once it was just the two of us again.

“Are you okay?” Michael broke the silence.

I nodded, “I’m fine.”

Several minutes must have passed before he spoke again.

“Then why aren’t you looking at me?”

I didn’t respond. Had he already forgotten?

“Are you embarrassed?” he asked quietly.

I could feel him close to me, I just couldn’t allow myself to look at him.

“I’m not embarrassed,” I stated.

He didn’t say anything.

“Have you already forgotten?” I asked him.

“Yeah,” he said, “Looks like I was right then.”

I made a face, and I stopped myself from almost looking again.

Right about what exactly?

“You should get dressed,” he said, “Benny brought you some clothes.”

“Okay,” I said without moving.

He needed to move before I did, I promised that I wouldn’t look at his scars. Why was he making this so difficult?

“You aren’t moving,” he stated.

“Neither are you,” I said back.

Finally, he moved to the other side of the bed, and I felt myself relax.

My gaze dropped to the bag next to the nightstand, and I knew it was meant for me.

I reached for the bag and peeked inside.

These weren’t my clothes. I had never seen these before.

Were they Benny’s clothes? No, I couldn’t fit my ass into her jeans even if I really tried.

I didn’t have time to really think about it, I needed to get dressed so we could go out.

The first thing I saw was a pair of ripped black jean shorts that reached just above my knees. There were so many rips that I felt a little weird about wearing them at all. The thin black shorts that I pulled out after seemed like they were meant to go underneath. The fabric was thin, and when it stretched, it would be a little see-through.

I was quick to put them on, and I nearly fell on my face for trying to rush.

The next piece of clothing I pulled out was a dark gray long-sleeve shirt with light gray sleeves, and two black likes on either side of the elbow.

I peeked behind me to see what Michael was doing, and he was getting dressed too.

I had to get off the bed to retrieve my clothes from yesterday.

Next, I pulled the gold notebook from my jeans, and I decided that it probably wasn’t a good idea to bring it this time, so I put in in the bag Benny brought me. The black undershirt was next over my head. I needed all the layers I could get.

I made sure to look in the bag again, and I was grateful. There at the bottom of the bag was a small tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. I also noticed the little hairbrush and a small stick of deodorant. This is what it felt like to have people care.

It was silly, I know, but I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot.

“Something funny?”

I was pulled out of my thoughts by his question.

“Nothing,” I said, “I just feel freakishly wonderful.”

“Freakishly wonderful?” he asked, “I hope that’s a good thing.”

I turned to grin at him, “It is.”

He looked at me strangely before turning around to go back into the bathroom.

That was my chance to put on the deodorant and to put on the long sleeve shirt.

I knew the weather here changed during the seasons like most do, but it was usually colder most of the year.

So far, that is one of my favorite things about this place. One of four.

I glanced back towards the bathroom before focusing on getting ready.

Next, I ran the brush through my hair before putting my socks and shoes on.

I sat on the bed while I waited for Michael to come out of the bathroom.

It didn’t take very long, but when he did, the scent of mint filled my nose.

“I’ll let them back in,” he said, making his way to the door.

I nodded, not trying to say anything with him so close, my breath was probably terrible.

Once I was in, I shut the door and placed the bag on the floor after grabbing the stuff out and setting it on the counter.

My teeth were first, and I brushed them thoroughly.

I met my reflection and frowned.

How the hell did my hair stand up like that? I took the brush and ran it under the faucet before brushing my hair, and to my satisfaction, it stayed down.

It didn’t take much longer for me to finally walk out of the small bathroom.

“There she is,” Benny said.

I greeted them with a smile, because damn it, I felt like it.

I got smiles back, and I instantly felt warm.

“Are you all ready?” Gus asked.

I was quick to nod, “What are we going to do?”

Gus and Michael exchanged looks.

“What?” I asked.

“You and I apparently don’t get to know,” Benny pouted.

Looking at the clothes they were all wearing, it was going to be something active.

Benny wore black shorts with a green shirt.

The shoulders of the shirt were black, while the long sleeves were light gray.

She carried a dark blue backpack.

Her shoes were the usual blue Converse.

What did they have planned? What could she possibly have in there? I thought we already talked about what we were going to do today.

She smiled at me again, and I felt a little lost.

My gaze went to Gus, and he wore shorts too, but he was going for neutral colors. The beige shorts definitely weren’t jeans, they looked like dickey pants, only knee-length. His shirt was light gray with darker gray long sleeves. The only color he wore was on his camouflage Converse shoes.

I didn’t expect to see Michael in shorts too, but they were black and just reached his knees. They looked like they had several pockets, and it made me wonder what he used them all for, or if he used them at all.

His gray shirt was definitely the best out of all of ours, it read ‘absolutely will not, can not, shall not, adult today.’ There was also a simple black ring on his middle finger.

His shoes were black Converse. That was just the color he always seemed to wear.

At first glance, I didn’t really notice, but I can partially see a tattoo on Michael’s left calf.

It was the first time I had actually seen him in anything other than his uniform pants.

Except for the first time in the motel. Though I felt like I purposely blocked some of that out.

It looked like a black phoenix overlapping a red-orange one. It took up the whole side, and part of the back of his left calf. Their wings were spread up and out, so it reached his knee cap. Their tails extended almost all the way to his ankle.

It looked well drawn. It made me wonder if it hurt or not.

“Is there a reason we don’t get to know where we’re going?” I asked.

Michael looked at Gus, and Gus shook his head.

“Gus said I can’t tell you,” Michael shrugged.

These jerks.

I had to sigh, there wasn’t much I could do if I didn’t know where we were going.

“Are you ready?” Gus asked me.

I nodded slowly as I thought about it.

“Let’s go then,” he said, making sure to push Benny out first.

“I have a feeling that today is going to be a very long day,” I said to Michael.

“Spoiler,” he said, “It is.”

I groaned as I finally stepped outside.

“You’ll be fine,” Michael said before passing me.

His tone was strange, but I figured he was just tired.

++++++++++

I swear we were on the bus for a while. Forty-five minutes last time I checked the clock on my phone.

We talked about a bunch of random stuff, but slowly the conversation stopped. Michael was first to break from the conversation until it was just Benny and Gus. I pretty much just shut my mouth and let the two of them have some time together.

Random small talk was never my strong suit.

It felt like forever until Gus finally said something to someone other than Benny.

“We’re almost there.”

I looked around, but I had no idea where we were.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“We’re near the trails,” Benny answered.

“Like hiking trails?” I asked her.

“Yes,” she said sourly.

I could hear her lack of excitement. I hope mine wasn’t as obvious.

I looked over at Michael to see if he would finally give something away, but he didn’t. He didn’t even look at me. He was just staring at his phone.

It made me wonder what he was doing, but I figured it wasn’t any of my business.

The bus finally stopped in front of a small store.

Gus stood up, “Everyone off.”

I worried now what he had planned for us. Was it going to be crazy hiking? I don’t think I was up for that.

I had to stop and watch the bus drive away as I stood there. Should I have gotten off?

“Just tell them already,” Michael said, “They are freaking out.”

Gus looked at both of us, and I could see the worry on his face.

“It won’t be a surprise if I tell you now,” he said, “Are you sure you want me to tell you?”

“Yes,” I stated.

I hated surprises, and that was never going to change.

He looked at Benny, and I could tell that she had been bugging him about it, she seemed pretty irritated. That was not a face I had ever really seen on Benny.

He looked at her, and I could see his worried expression, he didn’t like to make her mad that much was clear.

“We were going to hike the trail that leads to the golf course,” Gus admitted.

Benny still didn’t look too happy about the plan.

“I thought it would be a good idea,” Gus said, like even he didn’t believe it.

I had to force myself to smile, even if I wasn’t thrilled about the idea.

I thought we already talked about this.

“What Gus forgot to mention,” ‘Michael said, “Was that we are on separate teams once we reach the golf course.”

Benny looked at him. The irritation changed to what appeared to be anger.

“Me and Ren against the two of you,” Benny said flatly.

Was she alright?

Gus looked like he was hurt, but I think there was more to it.

Michael moved in closer to say something to Gus so that we couldn’t hear.

He let out a sigh before he opened the door into the small store.

They went inside, and I stood next to Benny, and I tried to read her mood.

“Can I ask?” I asked her.

She looked at me, and she shut her eyes but showed me a small smile.

“Did something happen?” I asked her.

“I don’t know,” she said, “Gus is planning to propose to me.”

“That’s great,” I said.

“He has been acting really weird, though,” she said, “This whole thing is weird.”

“Weird how?”

“He is trying to include Michael,” she said, “I’m surprised he is even in on this.”

“So, this isn’t usual Michael?” I asked.

She made a face, but it didn’t look like that was really the problem.

“Is there something else?”

“I haven’t told Gus yet,” she said with a face.

Is she…

“My parents,” she said.

“What?”

“They don’t really like Gus,” she said, “They are getting married again, and they want me to bring Michael.”

That definitely complicated things.

“Do you really care what your parents think about Gus?” I asked.

She shook her head, “I worry about his feelings.”

“He cares what they think,” I said as if it should have been obvious.

She nodded.

“So then why do you look like you’re in a bad mood?”

“It’s easier to be mad, then it is to feel scared,” she admitted, “I’m just afraid to tell him.”

“How long have you known your parents were going to get married again?” I asked.

“They called me yesterday,” she said, “And he took me to look at rings.”

That must have made looking a lot more difficult.

“Did you find one?” I asked.

She smiled lightly, “Sort of.”

“What do you mean by sort of?”

“There was one,” she said, “But it was too much, I couldn’t let him buy it.”

“A ring that will last forever,” I said, “Sounds worth it to me.”

“You think we will last forever?” she asked.

I couldn’t help but smile at her, “You two are so perfect together that it is gross.”

She laughed, “We are.”

We heard the bell on the door, and we knew the boys were back outside.

Gus stood there a little awkwardly.

Benny let out a sigh, “I talked it over with Ren, and we both agreed. The two of us on a team just isn’t a fair chance for either of you.”

Gus looked relieved, and when Benny went to hug him, I could see how tightly he hugged her back.

“Let’s go,” Benny said, “Today is supposed to be fun.”

She was quick to rush Gus behind the store where the trails began.

“I’m guessing she told you,” Michael said.

I looked at him, “She told me she found a ring.”

“Don’t worry,” he grinned, “Gus got it.”

This boys’ smile really did mess with me.

“The one she wanted?” I asked.

He nodded, “Benny did exactly what we thought she would, she tried to get him to buy her a cheaper one.”

I was glad for that, she really seemed like she liked that ring.

“Will I ever get to see it?” I asked.

“Gus might try to show it to you before he asks her.”

I nodded, I would actually like that.

“Is that all she told you?” he asked.

I started to walk around the store, and he was quick to follow me.

“Maybe,” I said.

“Nothing about her parents?” he asked.