Best Years?

Summer Lovin’

Summer Lovin’

Summer Lovin’

Summer Lovin’

Ben smiled. “Great I  can swing over at 7 if you like. “ He said and smiled at Ridley. It was his last real quiet moment with him tonight  and Ben wanted to make it memorable. “Do you think we will ever see each other again?” He asked with a sad tinge to his voice. “I mean its not like I live down the road.”

“Yeah seven is fine.” Ridley answered, feeling a little sad already. He had let himself get too close to him and now it was going to hurt when he left. Thoughts that the other man seem to mimic, asking if he thought they’d ever see each other again. “I’m not sure. I mean we have the internet so it won’t be too impossible but its not going to be easy.” He said, biting his lip and slipping his hand into his. “Let’s just enjoy.”

Summer Lovin’

Ben smiled. “I dont care as long as I get to spend time with you im happy.” He grinned and walked along and took Ridley’s hand. “We fly back to London the day after tomorrow then back to school on monday. It kinda sucks.” He huffed and kicked a stone. “I wish I could stay here.” He said  as he blew a stray curlaway from his forehead.”by the time I get on the plane you will probably forgotten about me.” He joked. “Will your folks be home tonight? I kind of wanted to give you a goodbye present,”

Ridley appreciated his answer but it left him wondering what they should do after all. He figured that it’d be better to stop at Gray’s Papaya or one of those dollar a slice pizza places that kept popping up. His stomach fell through, when he said they were leaving two days from now, and he wished he could stay. “I wish you could too.” He said, trying not to let himself get too upset. “Don’t say that. I’ll always remember you.” He said, shaking his head when he asked if his parents would be home. “No they’re visiting my grandma and my brother is staying with a friend.” He replied, wondering what kind of present he was thinking if his parents couldn’t be there.

Summer Lovin’

Ben slipped on a simple white polo shirt and blue jeans. He tied his jumper around his neck and smiled at the reflection. He looked preppy and felt like he could finally fit in somewhere. Especially with the hot guy knocking at his door. He kissed his mother good bye and opened the door and smiled at Ridley. “Hey there. Where are we going today?” He asked shyly as they walked along. Ben unsure whether to slip his hand into Ridley’s or not. He grinned at him and once in the elevator lent over and kissed his cheek. before walking out to the street. 

Ridley waited anxiously outside the door, smiling when Ben finally opened the door. He waved at Ben’s parents and then they headed down the hall, grinning when he asked where they were going. “To the Central Park Zoo.” He said, biting his lip. “The Bronx Zoo is WAY better but its kinda hard to get there from here without a car.” He answered, blushing lightly when he kissed his cheek, before they headed out to the street. “Did you want to stop for food before we head in? Or do you think you can wait until after? Its not a big zoo but food within the zoo can be a little pricey.”

September||young ren

“I’ll get it.” Ben called out to the butler as he slid across the marble floor to the door. something he couldn’t do when his folks were home. he flung the door open and his smile faded. “Hi.” He said looking a little stunned “You’re here… why are you here?” He asked opening the huge door so ridley could walk in. “Oh you want me to apologise and  we are never allowed to speak of this again? got it.. my lips are sealed.” He said with a small blush

Ridley shifted anxiously from foot to foot as he waited for the door, hearing Ben coming before he even opened the door. It hurt a little when his smile faded when he saw it was him, moving to the side to let him in. He asked why he was here but before he could answer, he was already coming up with an excuse. He took a quick glance and seeing no one, he went up on his toes to kiss him. “You talk too much.” He murmured, before taking his phone from his pocket. “I put my number in here.” He said giving it back to him, crossing his arms and fixing him with a look. “Listen to me, because I won’t say it again: I like boys and girls- no, I haven’t been with a boy before but pretty sure straight guys don’t pop boners in the shower as they watch their teammates soap up and then have wet dreams about it later that night. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing if there is something between us, but we have to actually know each other before we talk about feelings because right now this is lust- and I’m not interested in lust. If I wanted to just get laid, I could indulge in those rumors and probably pick out any girl in choir- or theatre classes.” He said and sighed biting his lip. “My last relationship ended and I was very serious about her. I learned a whole other language for her. So, I’m wary of jumping into things. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

September||young ren

September||young ren

“ so how do you know if your bisexual if you have only been with a girl.. I mean it’s one thing to say someone is attractive but it another to sleep with them."Ben said with a small smile. "I dated a guy back in London before I moved here.” He said placing his drink down. “ then I moved here.” He said with a small sigh. “ I’ve met some cool people today and have seven new friends on the paper. But I like you. ” he said and looked at Ridley and lent in a kissed him lightly. “ i mean I really like you.. ” he gazed into his eyes and wondered if he actually stood a chance. “ I er..should go.” He said feeling he had crossed the line.

Ridley raised his eyebrow when he questioned his sexuality, saying there was a difference between sleeping with someone and saying someone is attractive. “First off, there’s flawed reasoning in ‘how do you know you like them if you haven’t slept with them?’ because if I were a straight virgin that wouldn’t be a question. Second, I’m on the baseball team so I spend a lot of time with the guys in the locker room and the showers and I’ve felt my body to respond enough to know that I want to be with a guy.” He replied, no heat in his voice but even more surprised by his query when Ben admitted that he had been dating a guy in London. “I’m sorry you had to leave.” He replied softly, smiling when he said that he had met a bunch of cool people, made seven friends on the paper staff...he liked him. Ben leaned in for a soft kiss, and Ridley was amazed that he wanted to kiss him. “Ben...you barely know me.” He said, blushing lightly, wanting another kiss but the other boy got shifty and saying he should go. “You don’t have to go- I just want us to get to know each other better before I start saying anything. There’s no denying I’m attracted to you, but I take relationships seriously, so I won’t rush things.”

September||young ren

“I dont have a date.” He chuckled. “Besides I think the only thing Im looking forward to is my first Halloween in the usa. You guys are more into it then us brits.” He said and sipped his lemonade. “Might try and coerce  my brother to come out with me but he is at his video game stage so ill probably go alone. do you guys have Christmas balls and things like that over here?” He asked and then smiled apologetically “God i must sound like a Martian.”he mumbled. “not making a good impression here am i.” He said with a small smile. “I  usually mumble shit when its someone i like so..” He stared down at his drink embarrassed and expecting the i like you as a friend reply.

“Well there’s still plenty of time you know.” Ridley teased lightly, sipping on his lemonade, smiling wide when he said that he was looking forward to Halloween the most. “If you don’t get him to get out, maybe you should come by here on halloween- its my birthday too.” He said, blushing a little at slipping that in. “You don’t sound like a Martian- you sound like you have a different culture which you do since you’re not from the US.” He replied, giving him a soft smile, eyebrows going up when he said he tends to mumble when he’s around someone he likes. “I think...its a little early for you to like me, you probably only know what others have told you about me...but I think you’re pretty cute and I’d like to get to know you more.” He said, reaching out and taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. “The rumors aren’t true by the way. I don’t sleep around- I’ve only ever been intimate with one person and she was my girlfriend for two years- and I don’t know what else you’ve heard. I am bisexual- but like I’ve said I’ve only ever been with my ex-girlfriend Katherine.”

September||young ren

“If thats ok.” He said politely and then smiled “I’d like that.” Ben got out the car and walked to Ridley’s house. Part of him wanted to grab his hand for reassurance as he was nervous but he didnt want to put off a potential friend. Ben walked in and looked around. “Its nice.” He said looking at the pictures of Ridley on the wall.  He sat down and then looked up stairs. I wish he would show me his room Ben thought to himself and chewed his bottom lip. Ridley was probably just into girls.. but then he was in musicals which made Ben wonder if he was inclined to bat for both teams. He thought back to the girl in his class who had given him the low down on Ridley.  “So.. theres is a spring dance coming up.. you going?”

“Yeah sure, I don’t mind. Come on in.” Ridley said, getting his bookbag and digging out his keys as they headed up to the house. He unlocked the door and shut it behind him and Ben, already knowing that his dad was still at work and his mom was out because there weren’t cars in the driveway. Ben softly said it was a nice place, and he smiled as Ben made himself comfortable in the couch as he went into the kitchen, pouring them each some lemonade before coming back into the living room and settling on the couch. “Oh yeah- there’s homecoming first though in November.” He said, sipping his lemonade. “Yeah, I normally go. You should go- its normally a lot of fun.”

September||young ren

“ You wanna come over for a bite to eat someday after school this week?” He asked quietly as his voice trailed off nervously at the end of the sentence. “Its just me and my brother at the moment. And the housekeeper.” He said with a smile. “So.. if you wanna come over we could have a bite to eat watch a movie or swim in the pool.” He suggested and then frowned worrying that he might sound too desperate for a friend. “so left here.” He said and drove them to the road Ridley lived on. “ok point out your place and ill pull up outside.” He said and crawled down the road. It was a nice peaceful street where the families all looked like they had dinner together and watched tv before bed. nothing like the mansion he lived in. it was too big and empty. He smiled and pulled up at the door. “So here you are.” say something..  He thought. “So.. er.. did you want me to bring you into school tomorrow?” He looked at the house wondering what it was like inside and what Ridley’s bedroom was like.

Ridley was surprised when he offered for him to comer over to his place after school- that it was just him and his brother- and the housekeeper, offering to get some food and watch a movie or go for a swim. “That sounds nice. I’d like that.” He said softly, saying yeah when he asked about taking a left, driving along slow so he could point out where he lived without having to just blow past it. “Right there the blue one with rose bushes in front.” He said, smiling when they pulled up in front. “Thank you.” He said softly, looking at Ben who asked if he wanted to bring him into school in the morning. “Sure! Why not?” He said, looking that Ben was looking at the house more than him. “Did you want to come in for something to drink or a snack?”

September||young ren

Ben smiled as he  walked along listening to ridley. He could listen to him all day. Ben imagined kissing him and stroking his face when he smiled.  He snapped back to reality when he felt Ridley squeeze his arm. Ben blushed and nodded. Once in the press room Ben was given a desk and files to look through. He found a file with Ridley’s name and saw pictures and articles of his last few performances. He read about him and smiled and then before he knew it the bell had rang and he sprinted to the nurses room to find Ridley. “Sorry I ran over come on it will only take me two minutes. “ He walked in and looked at the nurse. “Ahh Mr Windsor. Finger please.” Ben reached out a finger and she pressed a small device to it which beeped. “normal.” She said and handed him the device after she cleaned it and then wrote a note on a board. “See you tomorrow.” He said and put the device in a box in his bag. Ben walked over to the brand new audi in the parking lot and smiled. “So you may have to direct me to where you live.” He said and got in the car. He drove along to the end of the parking lot and waited for the kids to get their cars out the way. “I’m diabetic.” He said as he looked at Ridley who he was pretty sure was wondering what the hell they had just done in the medical room. He drove along and chatted about things and then decided to test the water. “So you got a girlfriend?” He asked as he got stuck in traffic.”Or you not really in to dating.. anyone.” Ben smiled at Ridley then pointed to the mansion on the hill in the distance. “You know corlten manor.. I live there.” He said as the cars moved at a slow place. 

Ben was a bit dazed and distracted, so it wasn’t a surprise to him that they nearly passed his classroom. He dropped him off and then continued on before he reached the choir room. It wasn’t lost on him that a lot of the women in the class greeted him with smiles and waves, he was polite but not overly friendly. Ever since Katherine had gone, he didn’t have as much attraction toward women as he did men. Class finished and he headed up toward the nurse’s office, greeting his friends in the halls and waiting outside of the office. The nurse seemed confused but he told her that he was meeting a friend here and soon he came around the corner looking entirely apologetic. “Its fine. No rush.” He replied, following him in, noticing the little device they used. He thought he knew what it was but before he could get a really good look at it they were heading back out to the parking lot, his eyes going a little wide when he was lead to a brand new audi. He climbed i, being careful of touching...everything, nodding when he said he would have to direct him out. “Sure thing. When we get out of here, hang a left.” He replied, and after a moment of silence, Ben told him that he was a diabetic. “Oh. I thought that that was what that was. Its good you’re taking care of yourself.” He replied and they kept up some idle chit chat until they came to a stoplight, the traffic going slow as everyone left the school. He was curious when he asked about his relationship status and he bit his lip. “No, no girlfriend- and I am into dating, I just haven’t found the right person yet.” He replied, tilting his head, about to ask about him when he pointed out the mansion on the hill, asking if he knew about it. “Yeah, been vacant for awhile.” He replied, before Ben told him that he lived there now. “Woah...must be nice in there.” He replied, wondering what in the hell his family did that they bought the mansion on the hill and their teenaged son was driving a brand new $40,000 car. 

September||young ren

“I have? “ He asked nervously. “I didnt mean too.” He bit hi bottom lip and then shrugged “I have to go to the newspaper. I’m the new entertainment reporter.”  He said with a smile. “Umm.. did you need a ride home after classes today? It would be nice to walk to the parking lot with at least one person I know.” He said with a small blush. “Its ok if your busy.” He put his book away and ran his fingers through his soft dark hair which caused his t shirt to rise a  little to show his abs. “If  you need a lift I’ll be at the medical room at the end of the day to pick up my meds before heading home.” He stopped and looked around. “I think the newspaper office is near the choir room.” He said and waited for Ridley  to get his music before walking with him. “I heard that you are in the spring musical.”

“You have. In a good way, I promise.” Ridley replied, noticing that he looked a little nervous about it. He smiled when he said he had the newspaper- that he was the new entertainment reporter. “That’s pretty cool- I’m off to choir.” He replied, blushing since he couldn’t remember if he told him that yet. He smiled softly when he offered him a lift after school. Normally, he would turn it down since he lived close enough to walk, but it seemed he needed to make some connecting. “No, its okay. Not busy today.” He replied, trying to keep his eyes off of the patch of skin (his abs really), barely looking away before he got caught. He was curious when he mentioned to meet him at the nurse’s because he had to pick up his meds, but he didn’t ask figuring that was too personal. “Sure. I’ll meet you there then.” He said, trying not to think about him and Ben alone in a car together. He settled his music into his bag, nodding when he mentioned newspaper being close to choir. “It is. The printing press makes a lot of noise, as does music so they stick us on like the edge of the building.” He replied, as they headed down the hall together, blushing when he said he was in the spring musical. “Not just yet. Rehearsals aren’t until October- but since I’ve been in it the other years, unless I totally blow my audition, I should be in it too.” He answered, curious who had given him the info about the musical. “Its a hard balance to strike, since I’m involved with sports as well but I love it so its worth pulling double duty for a few overlapping months.” He said, stopping as they reached the newspaper room. “So, I’ll meet you by the nurse’s after class let’s out.” He said, giving his arm a squeeze. “See you in a bit.”

September||young ren

Ben went to class and kept thinking of Ridley and contemplating taking a slow drive home around the three block radius. when it came to lunch, Ben cringed and walked into the cafeteria with his own lunch. he looked around at the tables and felt nervous. He couldn’t just go up to people to ask to sit with them. So after he grabbed a soda he headed out to the tree out side the window of the cafeteria and sat down and pulled out a book on art history and began to eat. At least with a book he wasn’t lonely. He wondered where Ridley was and then his mind went into overdrive. Was Ridley single? according to the girl who sat next to him in class, he was the most sought after boy in all the school rumours were rife about girls in the choir he had supposedly slept with but each rumour had a element of fantasy to them and ben could see right through it. Once he had finished his lunch he got up and put his book in his bag as was walking along when he bumped into Ridley, this time he touched him. Ben felt a spark as he steadied himself. “Wow, im sorry. I wasnt looking where I was going.” He said with embarrassed grin 

After a point, Ridley gave up looking for Ben, figuring that if he had lunch at the same time then he would’ve seen him by now. He and his friends chatted a bit, one of his buddies girlfriend talking about the hot new exchange student. “Billy or Brian-” She said, and Ridley murmured. “Ben.” Looking up to see them all looking at him. “We have home room across from each other, we bumped into each other.” He said with a little shrug, the other women of the table starting to grill him- but he didn’t have much to say because he didn’t know much. He was grateful that the day were almost over, and he left lunch a little early to head down to the choir room, bumping into someone since he was too busy looking in his bag for his music. He looked up and it was Ben, his heart beating a little faster not that they were kind of pressed in close- “Its okay. I wasn’t looking either.” He said, blushing lightly. "You’ve created quite the stir- you’d think they’ve never seen a new person.” He said, even though he’d been practically drooling as well. “Where are you off to next?”

September||young ren

“Bad day already?” Ben asked as he walked out the stall  doing up his flies. When he got closer to the sink it was the guy he had seen earlier. “ You’re a great singer by the way… I heard you in the music room before homeroom it was amazing how you hit those notes.” He said with a smile. “I’m Ben the kid from London, just in case you havent been told about me.” He said and rolled his eyes with a small smile. “Seems im the shiny new toy for the cheerleading team. Only problem with that is that I’m more intrested in watching the players then the girls on the team.” he said as he washed his hands and then grinned. “Anyway I have chemistry now yay.” He said in a sarcastic voice and then patted him on the back. “Nice meeting you and keep up the singing.” He said and walked away. Ben couldn’t believe how calm he sounded when really he wanted to run as he was so nervous talking to the hot guy with the nice voice. 

Ridley jumped when he heard a voice from behind him. He didn’t realize there was someone else in here. “Just long. Had to get to school early.” He murmured, trying to ignore the fact that the men next to him was gorgeous- and not American. His eyes went a little wide when he said he was a great singer, before blushing when he realized he had left the door to the music room open. He didn’t think anyone would be there at that time but he guess he’d been wrong. “Thank you.” He said softly, his heart skipping a beat when he smiled at him. He yelled at himself to pay attention. “I haven’t been told yet- nice to meet you Ben the kid from london, I’m Ridley the kid from three block away.” He said with a soft laugh, blushing as his poor attempt at...was he actually flirting? He tried to keep his heart in his chest when he admitted he was more interested in the players than the cheerleader. “Is that so?” He said, giving him a grin, keeping it to himself that he was on the baseball team. It’s be a nice surprise. He excused him, having to go to chemistry- “Nice meeting you as well. I will.” He said, watching him leave, gripping the sink. Well, that’s one to wake up, the thought, his heart pounding adrenaline through his system at meeting the new kid. He spent the rest of the morning, trying to pay attention to classes but really all he could think about was the hot new British guy. As he went to the lunchroom, and settled with his friends, he hoped that maybe Ben would have the same lunch period.