- Serena -

What sucked more than being stared at and manhandled by Ben was the fact that I didn't have the freedom to use my powers.

Ben, that puny human. If I didn't have to live in this town I would have blasted the whole fucking place with ice in the shape of a middle finger specially for him. But I like this quiet town, I don't want to leave. It's my little haven.

Roxanne was a noisy sleeper. She groaned and snored the whole night till I had to plug ice in my ears just to have some peace and quiet.

I woke up at 8, just to be on the safe side. I don't know how far Ben's place is from the cafe. I went to wash up and found a set of clothes for both Roxanne and me. Ben must've sneaked in and placed them there when I was asleep.

I pulled the shorts on and realised it was really pretty, it was black with rose embroidery on it. It fit me perfectly and I wondered how he could tell my size. I snapped my bra on but before I could put on my top the bathroom door flew open and Roxanne dived into the toilet bowl puking her guts out.

I slapped her on her back, as gentle and firm as possible as I mumbled sarcastic comments about her being drunk and landing all of us in trouble.

She glanced up at me, the stench of her puke making me want to vomit my empty guts out. "From what I remember, you were the first one to throw the punch," she mumbled and hurled another bunch of stuff into the bowl.

"Well if you were more sober we could have left that place without much attention being drawn to us. You were swaying and talking so much the guys were totally drawn to you," I rolled my eyes and thought about the poor guy who lost his nuts last night.

"Ugh whatever," she groaned and flushed the toilet, taking off her clothes to get in the shower.

I sighed and grabbed my blouse that Ben placed on the counter for me and left Roxy to clean herself up.

I closed the bathroom door and the room door flew open, Austin bursting inside. I screamed and hugged myself, covering my upper half from his crazed eyes.

He stared at me, face burning red, "FUCK I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I SHOULD HAVE KNOCKED FUCK BEN IS GOING TO KILL ME!" 

He slammed the door shut and I fell to the ground, both guys saw me in my bra. Great just fucking great.

Roxanne opened the bathroom door and looked down at me, "What happened?"

"Why are guys so dumb?!" I yelled and she quickly grabbed her towel to cover herself before helping me put my blouse on.

"Okay just chill here while I get dressed. I'll deal with whoever messed with you," she laughed at her unintended pun but quickly went to get dressed.

I haven't even told her it was Austin who barged in.

She flew out from the bathroom after changing and grabbed my arm, pulling me to the living room. 

"OKAY WHO DID IT?!" She yelled. Ben was staring daggers at Austin who was covering his face in his hands on the sofa.

Austin looked up and shrunk back, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to, I should have knocked I'm just not used to having visitors." 

"Oh no no no it's alright, you just scared us. That's all, Serena is fine," Roxanne nudged me and I stared at her. I thought she was going to deal with him? Is this how she deals with-

"I'm sorry Serena, Austin didn't mean to crash in like that," Ben sighed and pressed his temples before looking at me.

I opened my mouth to answer, momentarily starstruck by how sexy his voice sounded this early in the morning. It was so scruff and manly.

"I'm okay," I cleared my throat when the words came out in a squeak. 

"Yeah I'm really sorry Serena, I didn't mean to," Austin mumbled while Ben stared at him.

I shook my head, indicating that I'm fine while Roxanne was already cosying up to Austin. If she knew that Ben saw me topless last night her reaction wouldn't be like how it was now.

I rolled my eyes and strode back to the room to gather our clothes. I heard Ben follow me in and close the door but ignored him and kept our clothes in a bag I found lying around.

"Serena."

Even the way he called me sent shivers down my spine. But oh God it's so awkward, the way he stared at me like that yesterday. He looked like he was ready to devour me.

"Serena," he placed his hand on my shoulder and I turned to look at him, shocked by the sudden contact.

"What is it?" His touch was so nice and warm, I've not felt anything like that in a long time.

"I want to apologise too, for last night. I didn't mean to stare at you like that, it's just, I didn't know how to tell you without making you feel embarrassed," he looked straight into my eyes. I could somehow tell how he felt from the way he looked at me.

He felt really bad about it.

But he really enjoyed it too.

"It's alright Ben. It was kinda weird I guess but I'm okay now, serious," I stared back at him and I felt the sudden intensity between us.

It radiated off us. 

He locked his gaze with mine, I couldn't run. His hand slid up my neck and I shivered, feeling the electricity buzzing on my skin. His touch felt so good.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He breathed out, his hand cupping my face.

I gulped and nodded, what the hell was happening?

"But I'm not," he whispered.

Roxanne's shrilling voice echoed throughout the apartment, "OH MY GOD!"

Ben and I jumped, startled out of our little intense bubble. 

I looked away from him, not sure what to do. I glanced up at him just as he looked at me and I felt the chill running up my cheeks. God his face was red as hell too.

"I'll just-" I grabbed my clothes and nearly ran out of the room.

I slammed the door behind me and Roxanne and Austin stared at me like I was crazy, "You alright?" Roxy asked and I nodded slightly.

"Yeah, just went to get our clothes," I wheezed out and she eyed me but shrugged it off and motioned for me to come over.

"Look at the news, a warehouse caught fire this morning. And the best part is the warehouse belonged to a gang that was smuggling illegal weapons. How cool is that?" She laughed and continued staring at the television. 

Was she serious? She found anything entertaining.

"Where is that warehouse?" I asked her, staring at the television.

Austin sighed and flipped the channel, "It's in the next town. Ben! Some warehouse caught fire!"

Ben strode out of the room, his face dark and serious, "Yeah I heard."

"I wonder who set it on fire," Austin eyed Ben and they had a stare-off while Roxy and I were looking at one another like they were nuts.

"Oookay then, Roxy and I have to go down to the cafe. We'll catch you guys later," I quickly grabbed her from the sofa and pulled her along with me.

"We'll give you a lift," Ben blocked my way and I stared up at him.

Ohhh if I can blast him with ice just once, he's making me confused with my own feelings and I hate it.

"We can take care of ourselves Ben," I stated harshly and his face dropped slightly.

"Serena please, we insist," Austin placed his hand on Ben's chest and pushed him away to give us some space.

I guess we're not the only ones that can sense the tension between us.

Roxy nudged me all the way downstairs to their car just to stop my stubborn ass from escaping. I mean Ben's car. According to Austin, he doesn't have to get a car because Ben's ride is good enough for both of them.

What an understatement.

After more nudging and elbowing from Roxy, she managed to get me to sit in front with Ben and I can't say I'm happy about it.

It's complicated.

The conflicting feelings stirring up within me are making me sick. 

Firstly, he is weird.

He flipped Roxanne and me off the first day we saw him. Then he does all this staring and whatnot. Then he's all poker face and expressionless. Oh and he can pack a whole lot in a punch. The guy he slammed got knocked out cold. Then some gangsters call him out by his name. To add on he has a freaking Ferrari. 

And now he's being weirdly protective since last night. Plus the moment we had in the room, what was wrong with him?

"Is that okay with you?" Ben finished whatever he was saying and I glanced at him. 

"I'm sorry what?"

"God Serena pay attention. Ben was asking if it is okay for him to fetch you home after the cafe closes. Seems like there's a gang loitering in our area," Roxy filled me in and I shook my head.

"I'll be fine Ben, really," I mumbled and saw him take a deep breath.

"Come on Serena, just for us guys to feel better. We'll feel more at ease knowing you girls are safe," Austin chirped, trying to keep the mood light.

I glared at Roxy through the rear-view mirror and she did the same, seems like she won't take no as an answer too.

Oh well then.

"If that's the case then Austin can send me back while Ben takes Roxy home, it should be about the same," I folded my arms while all three of them shot me looks.

"Serena!" Roxanne gritted her teeth and seethed my name.

They were all too afraid to confess their feelings to one another. Well I'm confused with my feelings, but that's a different issue.

I rolled my eyes, as much as I was being a bitch about a small matter but I didn't want to be in close contact with Ben.

I need to sort my feelings out. These few days were already screwing with me.

"I'm fine with someone taking Roxanne home, but I can take care of myself. If Austin wants to take my best friend home then I'm totally for it. But I don't need anyone to fetch me home," I sent a glance to Ben and he gulped. His grip on the steering wheel tightening with every second and I was afraid he will snap the whole thing in half.

Ben and Austin were giving one another weird stares and Ben finally sighed, "Okay fine, if that's what you want then we'll respect your decision. Austin will take Roxanne home."

I nodded, happy that I got my point across.

We arrived at our cafe and after thanking the boys, we got straight to work. Today was going to be another long day.