July 18, 2021

"You're staying?" Phillips said, his head shooting back into the frame of the screen since he was on the floor cleaning his room.

"Yes, but don't tell Benny or anyone, " I said with a big smile, "I want it to be a surprise."

"I won't I swear, I'm just excited for you," he said returning to picking dirty clothes off his floor.

"I can tell, you almost seem more excited than I am, " I laughed.

"Duh, this means I finally did something right!" he stood up and threw a wad of clothes across the room and into a laundry basket.

"You did something right?" I said not understanding what he meant by that, "How?"

"Because I got you and Benny to fall in loovveeee, " he wiggled his shoulders with a weird smile as he said 'love', "and now you're staying so it will all work out perfectly."

"Him and I ending up together wasn't all just you ya know?" I shook my head.

"But it was mostly me," he said standing his ground.

"Right," I rolled my eyes, "Just Don't tell anyone okay? I wanna be the one to tell Benny about it."

"My lips, " he paused to pretend to zip his lips up, lock them, then throw the key, "are sealed."

"Good," I said starting to look off into space.

"How are you feeling?" he asked getting serious.

"What do you mean? I'm great, obviously." I said mostly telling the truth but also lying a little.

"You know what I mean," he said looking at me seriously through the computer, "yesterday you were all worried about leaving the house because of your mom, and now you're completely fine?"

Sometimes I hated how well he could read people. He always knew when something was up, even over face time.

"I'm a little upset about leaving Texas, but I felt like this when I first got here at the beginning of summer too and I'm fine now, so I'll get over it sooner or later."

"California is amazing, trust me." he said sitting down but this time where I could see him, "I lived there pretty much my whole life and I would've stayed if my dad wasn't such a dick."

"I know, I love it too."

A smile came across my lips as I thought about all the days I would get to spend with Benny, the new friends I could make here, and try out for the softball team, which I would, obviously, be getting into.

"Have you ever been to the beach yet?" he asked interrupting my fantasies.

"No, but I will as soon as I get back with all my dad and I's stuff," I said certain that I wouldn't take one step into the house again and automatically change my mind. "We leave sooner now so we can be done with moving in before school starts."

"So what? Are you gonna make him think you're leaving then come back and do like a 'sike bitch you thought' kinda thing?" he said as if he was on the edge of his seat waiting for me to tell him my plan.

"I was just gonna tell him then have him come to Texas with me because we'll only be there for like a week," I said simply.

His expression went from excited to bored in a matter of seconds.

"Yeah, that works too." he shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not gonna trick him like that it's rude."

"It's not rude it's just a surprise." he shrugged his shoulders, "everyone likes surprises."

"I guess, but still I would feel bad for making him think I was leaving him." I put my face in my hand, "plus I'm terrible at keeping secrets from him."

"No honey, you're just terrible at keeping secrets in general." he laughed.

"And you aren't?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I kept moving with my mom from you for like a week, you open up to me about everything like two seconds after it happens," he argued.

"I mean, If you don't wanna know about my chaotic life I Don't have to tell you." I joked and shrugged my shoulders.

"That's funny. I'm your personal and couples therapist. You can't keep anything from me." he crossed his arms with a smirk.

"I hate you," I said trying not to smile but failing.

"Aww love you too, " he said nodding his head and putting a hand on his heart as if someone had just given him the biggest compliment ever.

"I gotta go, " I said while laughing and shaking my head, "I'll tell you when I've told Benny okay?"

"K, good luck looser." he smiled.

"Thanks, idiot," I smirked.

I closed the laptop, making it hang up the call, and got dressed.

I put on a sleeveless orange top with flowers on it, white jean shorts, and sandals.

Apparently, Benny had something planned for me as my going away gift, so I figured it could be the perfect time to tell him I'm staying.

I kept my hair down, but put mascara and chapstick on, then ran downstairs to where dad had just opened the door for Benny.

"Where are you taking her?" he said strictly.

"That's a surprise," Benny replied in the same straightforward and emotionless tone.

"What time will she be home?" dad continued.

"Definitely not before sundown," Benny said.

"She's busy," he said not taking his eyes off Benny as he stepped away and let me walk through the door.

"No, I'm not. Bye dad, love you." I smiled then closed the front door.

I could hear dad trying to say something, but his talking was muffled since I had basically closed the door in his face.

"You seem better than yesterday, did something happen?" he said suspiciously.

I debated on whether to tell him right away, or if I should ease into it.

"Nope, " I said deciding to wait till the end of the date to tell him, "just excited for whatever you have planned for me."

"Good." he said with a smile, "first we're going to lunch."

He took me to the treehouse, which was lit up beautifully with candles. There was a table with a red and white checkered cloth and two plates on it. A picnic basket was sitting on one of the chairs along with a rectangular black box on top of it. It really was beautiful, but I had a feeling he didn't do this on his own.

"Smalls helped you with this didn't he?" I smiled and nudged him on the shoulder.

"How'd you know?" he joked.

"Just a hunch." I joked back.

He walked over to the empty chair and pulled it out for me to sit in.

"This is just lunch right?" I said as I sat down, "you're not gonna propose to me right?"

"It's just lunch, " he laughed, putting the basket on the table and handing me the small black box with a red ribbon tied around it.

"What's this?" I smiled.

"Open it and you'll see," he said sitting down.

I carefully pulled a string of the ribbon to undo the bow without ripping it, then opened the lid.

"Oh my God," I said as I admired what was in the box.

It was a silver necklace with a heart on the end. It was perfect.

"You shouldn't have, really," I said feeling bad because I didn't get him anything.

"Do you like it?" he asked nervously.

"Are you kidding?" I said looking up at at him with bright eyes, "I love it."

"Good. I don't have good taste in girl stuff so I was worried you wouldn't like it," he said scratching his neck.

"It's perfect Benny." I smiled, "can u put it on me?"

"Right, yeah, of course," he said as he stood up and walked around the table and behind me.

I picked it up out of the box gently, and handed it to him. He reached both hands around my neck as I moved my hair out of the way and he clipped it in the back.

I picked the heart up off my neck and admired it with a smile. I've gotten necklaces from guys before, but this one actually meant something to me.

"I'll never take it off," I said looking up at him since he was still behind me.

"Good," he said with a smile as he leaned down closer to my face.

His hand snaked onto my neck as our lips met and we kissed passionately. It almost felt like he was kissing me goodbye.

I pulled away.

"What was that?" I asked with a small laugh.

"A kiss?" he said confusedly and leaned in for another one which I pulled away from.

"You're not kissing me goodbye right?" I said almost scared but more just confused.

"Of course not. I just know soon I won't be able to as much so I might as well enjoy it." he laughed.

"Okay." I tilted my head back down and started looking through the basket of food.

"What's wrong? Did you not like it?" he said rushing to sit back in his seat.

"Why wouldn't I like it? I love our kisses." I said normally as I pulled out a fresh box of strawberries and set them on the table.

"I don't know some things off, " he said getting suspicious.

"Nothings off." I started getting nervous but tried to play it off as best as I could.

"You're not telling me something." he furrowed his brows and looked at me seriously.

"Okay fine." I sighed and looked at him, "I'm not-"

As if in cue, Ham, Squints, Yeah Yeah, Bertram, and DeNunez all climbed up the latter one by one yelling at each other.

Ham, the first to enter, looked around and gasped, making the rest of the boys shut up.

"Did you guys do this for me?" he said tucking nonexistent hair behind his ear and acting shy.

"No, it's for Ella." Benny rolled his eyes then focused back on me, "what were you saying?"

"It's because you're leaving right?" Bertram said, before I could say anything.

"Well-" I attempted to say but was cut off by Ham pulling up another chair and opening the strawberries.

"It sucks that you're leaving, " squint's said wrapping an arm around me, "you're the only girl we've ever liked, not counting my girl Wendy... We like you only as a friend though of course."

"Who says Bennys the only one with a crush on her?" Bertram said with a mouth full of strawberry as he winked at me.

"Dude," Benny said making him on the arm and giving him an annoyed look.

"It's not just a crush my man, " Ham said putting his hand on Bertram's shoulder.

"Yeah yeah, they're in loovveeee." Yeah Yeah said poking Benny on the shoulder twice.

"Just had to check one last time." Bertram shrugged his shoulders and gave me a weird smile while wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I sent back an awkward grin then looked at Benny who had a hand on his forehead.

"You guys planning on staying?" I asked.

"We were gonna have a sleepover here, " DeNunez said, "unless we're interrupting something."

"No it's fine DeNunez, " Benny said with a smile which quickly faded when he saw Ham going through the picnic basket. "We were just leaving."

He reached for my hand, guided me through the boys, and led me onto the balcony.

"Thanks for the food!" Ham yelled with a mouth full of whatever else Benny had packed.

"No problem." Benny sent him a thumbs up with a fake smile then turned back at me and motioned his head as if he was trying to say 'let's get out of here.

I went down the ladder first, Benny followed after I got off, then took my hand in his once again as we walked away from the treehouse.

"I had no idea they were coming, " he said rushed, "if I had known I wouldn't have made the picnic there. I just thought it was a good spot because, "

"That's where we first kissed," I said, finishing his sentence with a smile and looking over at him.

"Yeah, " he looked back at me.

"It's fine, let's just go to the next place," I said trying to bring a positive energy back on the vibe.

"Okay, you're gonna like this one," he smirked and led me to the next place.

I honestly thought he would take me to our spot where we looked over town, but somehow we ended up at a drive-in movie. I wasn't complaining though, I've always wanted to go to one of these. The only problem was, neither of us had a car.

"A drive-in movie without a car, I love it." I smiled.

"Who said we didn't have a car?" he smirked and started walking through the lot of cars and towards an old baby blue truck with the name "Glenda's" on the side in cursive.

"How'd you get a truck?" I said in disbelief.

"I know a guy, " he shrugged his shoulders and opened the back of the bed.

He held out a hand to support me as I got into the back of the truck were a blanket, popcorn, and a cooler of sodas were already there.

"You're amazing," I said as he climbed into the bed once I was comfy.

"I know." he smiled.

He sat down next to me and reached his arm around my shoulders. The sun was setting just behind the screen, so it was perfect. The sky was pink and orange behind the big piece of silk as the movie began to play.

"Pitch perfect?" I asked as the opening scene played since I knew every single part of those movies.

"Your favorite right?" He asked holding me closer.

"Duh." I laughed and leaned my head on his shoulder.

Halfway through the movie, I heard a familiar laugh coming from in front of us. I looked over to see Wendy Peffercorn and two of her minions sitting in a new white jeep that had all the doors and roof off. I noticed she was looking right at Benny and I, of course giving me a look I'm supposed to be intimidated by but it didn't affect me much. That's when the best idea came to my mind.

I looked back over at Benny, put a hand on his chin, and gently made him look my way. Before he could say anything, I kissed him. He automatically gave in to the kiss, no hesitation whatsoever. Our mouths moved perfectly in sync like they always did as if they were made for each other. I looked out of the corner of my eye to make sure she was watching, and just as I suspected, she was staring right at us.

Benny moved his body to where it was facing me, instead of the screen, and put both hands on my lower sides, sending goosebumps all over my body. I loved this. Not only was I kissing the boy I loved, but I was also letting that bitch know that he was mine, not hers.

We eventually let go of each other and focused our attention back on the movie. Our breathing was heavy and our faces were red. Wendy was still looking at me, her face as red as her stupid lipstick and her nostrils flaring. I didn't look back at her though. I couldn't give her the satisfaction. I was happy, Benny was happy, and Wendy was pissed. Just how I liked it. Now all I had to do was tell Benny that I was staying in Salt Lake instead of going back to Texas.

Benny was surprised that I knew every word to every song, but it was easy since I've watched all three movies more times than I can count. I just wished it was the third movie that was my favorite.

At the end of the movie, we began to pack everything up, Benny picking up trash and any popcorn that might have fallen, and me folding the two blankets we used.

"Aw you guys are adorable, who's car is that? Your mommy's?" Wendy's voice came from behind me and I could hear her fake pouty lip, "oh that's right, you don't have one."

I stopped what I was doing and slowly turned around to face her.

"What did you just say to me?" I asked wanting to punch that stupid smirk off her face.

"You heard me, " she crossed her arms, "I said you don't have a mom, get it, because she's dead?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Benny said stepping up in front of me.

"Nothing, I'm just putting a bitch in her place Benny Boo, " she said pretending to be innocent even though we both knew she was the devil.

"She wasn't doing anything to you. What makes you so annoying that you just have to come over here and start something like that?" he said, clearly very irritated.

"What's the matter, Ellie? Can't fight your own battles?" she said looking around Benny and at me.

"Benny move," I said in an angry tone.

"No, I got this." he insisted.

"Benny, " I said raising my voice which made him turn and look at me, "move." I stared him dead in the eyes until he finally said "yes ma'am" scaredly and stepped away.

"I actually didn't want to start anything, but it was tempting so I did," she said looking me in the eyes.

I glared back into her ugly blue eyes with nothing but pure hate and anger. I wanted nothing more than to rip that girl's fluffy, overgrown eyebrows off her God damn face.

"Then why'd you come over here? Someone jealous that I can actually get a boyfriend?" I snapped at her.

She paused for a moment and looked back at one of the girls with her. She handed Wendy a flyer which Wendy held out to me.

"I'm throwing a back-to-school party tomorrow and I was wondering if you guys would like to come." she held the flyer out in front of me but didn't look away from my eyes for a second. I didn't look away from hers either. We were basically in a staring contest and I was not about to lose.

"Hell no, we're not going to your stu-"

"We'll be there." I interrupted Benny and took the paper, still not looming away or blinking.

"Good, " Wendy said backing away.

"Yeah, " I said waiting for her to turn around so I could finally blink.

"Guess I'll see you two there, " she finally looked away and winked at Benny.

I was satisfied that I had won the staring contest, but upset that she just winked at Benny.

"Wink at him with those creepy eyes one more time and I'll gouge them right out of their sockets," I said still staring at her even though she had already looked away.

"I'd like to see you try girlie,"

"Girlie?" I snapped.

She did not just call me that. I had no idea why, but that name just made my blood boil. Every time I got in an argument with another girl they'd say girlie and it always made me wanna throw hands.

"Are we not on the nicknames stage yet?" she asked.

"The only stage we're on is the one where you leave Benny and I the hell alone and go back to whatever hole you crawled out of." I crossed my arms.

"I actually crawled out of the rich side of salt lake, unlike you two. You'd be able to see that if you look on the flyer." she smiled pointing at the extra flyer she had in her hand.

I looked down at the address and rolled my eyes. Her house was next to Phillips's old house. Those houses were way nicer than Grans or Bennys but all the people there were stuck-up rich bitches, if you couldn't already tell from how Wendy acts.

"Yeah, whatever girlie, " I said, mocking the way she talked, "we'll be there."

Finally, she turned around and walked back to her Jeep with the two other girls with her.

"Why would you wanna go to the party?" Benny asked putting the blankets in the bed of the truck then closing it.

"Because I can't let her think I'm intimidated by her, " I said closely examining the paper one last time, "if I go to the party looking way better than her, then I can put her in her place and she'll stay the hell away from you."

"That actually works with girls?" he laughed.

"Yup, it's a lot easier than just punching them in the face like guys do." I joked.