^^Ben's room

I woke from the pounding in my head and turned on the soft mattress below me. I squeezed my face on the soft silk pillow, which felt good on my skin, then froze.

Wait a minute... I don't have silk sheets, and neither my bed is this soft.

I peeked through my eyes and saw an unfamiliar surrounding. It was dark as the curtains covered the window, preventing the sunlight in the room. I bit my lip and tried to remember where I was when I felt a movement behind me.

My body tensed and my heart pounded as horrible scenarios flash through my brain. I peeked through the sheets and blew a breath of relief when I saw my last night's clothes on.

I slowly angled my head and relaxed when I saw Ben's sleeping form. Massaging my throbbing head, I studied the room. The room was as big as Chloe's but the total opposite. The walls were painted black, and the furniture was a wooden texture. I frowned.

How did I get here?

The last thing I remembered was helping Chloe, and we decided to go home. Then how do I end up in Ben's room?

I glanced at the side table to look for a clock, and my eyes landed on a small frame. It was a childhood picture of Ben and Brittany. My eyes widened when a memory clicked in my mind. Brittany cornered me and gave me a drink. I didn't know that beers were this effective.

"You're up." I turned my head towards Ben, who watched me lazily.

"Yeah." I cleared my throat and stared at the ceiling as a blush crept slowly up to my cheeks.

I know he's gay, but I never imagined waking up in a hot guy's bed. I was glad that it was dark and he couldn't see it, or else it would have been awkward. From the corner of my eye, I saw him plopping his elbow on his pillow as he leaned his head on his palm.

"Are you feeling anything weird?" He asked and watched me with a calculated gaze.

"My head hurts," I whispered, rubbing it.

"That's it?" He asked, surprised. I nodded my head. "Wow... the first time I got drunk, I puked my guts out."

"Maybe I have a strong immune system." I chuckled and internally thanked my mother that she fed me healthy foods. "What happened and how did I end up here?" I asked, turning my head towards him.

"You got unconscious last night and Chloe wasn't sure if it was okay to get you home." He shrugged. "I suggested you should stay here for the night."

"Oh..." I murmured. "I didn't know one beer could make you unconscious like that."

"It wasn't the beer." He grunted, closing his eyes. "Brittany spiked you."

"What?!" I shrieked.

"She wanted you drunk, so she could make you spill the beans." He rolled his eyes.

"That's why she was forcing me to drink it."

I remembered I was getting water for Chloe when she cornered me and gave me the cup. I refused to drink, saying I don't, but she forced me to make a truce and wouldn't let me go. I was in a hurry to help Chloe, so I chugged it down. The drink tasted weird but I thought it was its usual flavor since I never drunk one before.

"She doesn't the meaning of let go." Ben scoffed. "But don't worry, she won't come near you again."

"What did you do?" I asked, curiously.

"Nothing." Ben shrugged. "But we fought and I know if she wants me to forgive her then she's going to stop obsessing over you."

"I'm sorry that you fought because of me," I mumbled, feeling guilty.

"You don't have to, it wasn't your fault." He sighed. "She's just... persistent."

I nodded my head and smiled. "Thank you for everything."

"No. Thank you." He grinned. "I was able to spend time with Toby. All because of you."

"I'm glad you had fun." I smiled.

"Fun?" He chuckled and flopped his head on the pillow facing the ceiling. "We had more than just 'fun' and God! It was amazing!"

My face heated at what he was suggesting. I turned my face towards him and studied his blissful face.

It made me happy that I could help someone. Maybe becoming a doctor isn't always necessary to help people. You can always help others with different things.

"Andrew almost caught us." He said, cutting my thoughts.

"How?"

"He came to my room looking for me but I got rid of him on time."

"I'm sorry about it, Ben. I promised you to distract everyone and if Andrew would have found you, then it'll all be my fault-"

"Hey, hey." He cut me off and turned his body, facing me. "He didn't catch us."

"But if he did-"

"My dear sweet Lilly." He chuckled. "He didn't."

"I'm still sorry," I mumbled.

"Now stop with the apologies. You don't go around saying sorry to your friends."

"Friends?"

"We are friends, aren't we?" He grinned.

"Yeah. I like the sound of that." I beamed. "That means I don't have to worry about you cutting my tongue anymore." I teased.

"Don't be so sure." He smirked.

I asked the question that was swirling in my head for a long time. "I'm curious... were you serious about it?" He raised his brows. "Cutting my tongue part?"

"You really thought I would have done that?"

"You looked determined." I shrugged.

He let out a belly laugh. "Even though I would love to do that to someone but no I wouldn't have." I sighed in relief. "But..." I glanced at him as he gave me an evil look. "I would have done something else."

"What-" Before I could finish my sentence he launched himself at me and started... tickling?

"S-top b-ben!" I burst into laughter as he got on top of me and went on.

"Nah." He answered.

"P-lease!" I giggled. "I beg you!" I gasped for breath when he finally stopped and put his hands on either side of my face.

"How was that?" He asked with a smirk.

"Torture." I coughed as I regained my breath.

He chuckled, and that's when the door burst open behind him. "Wake up, people! It's breakfast time-" I heard a loud gasp.

Ben rolled off me, and we both leaned on our elbows to see Maddie gawking at us.

"Or maybe you can come whenever you're free!" She grinned, backing away, and slammed the door.

I tilted my head in confusion. "What was that about?"

Ben shrugged his shoulders and sat up. I also got up and picked up my glasses from the side table.

"That's the bathroom." He pointed at the door in the corner. "You can freshen up. Do you want clothes to change?"

"No, I'm good." I smiled.

"There are extra toothbrushes and towels inside. You can use them." I thanked him and wore my glasses as I walked to the bathroom. I should get used to seeing everything enormous, but when I entered the bathroom, I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my mouth.

The black-and-white marble gave it a gorgeous look and the size of the shower made me want to go in it, but I restrain myself.

I washed my face and looked inside the cabinet for a toothbrush. After brushing my teeth, I did my business and cast one last glance to the bathroom and opened the door. I wondered if every bathroom in the house was as elegant as Ben's.

When I got out I saw Ben on his phone texting someone, furiously with a gigantic grin on his face.

"Toby?" I asked.

"Yeah," I observed how cheerful he looked while he talked to him.

"You should go downstairs and have breakfast with them," Ben said, putting his phone down as he got up. "I'll go freshen up."

Me?

Alone with the Clichés?

"Umm..." I shifted in my position and played with my fingers nervously. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"They will do nothing with you." He smiled and stepped into the bathroom. "And let Chloe know you're okay. She was worried about you." He said, pointing at my phone at the side table.

I nodded and picked up my phone then walked out of his room. There was a hallway on both right and left sides, and I wasn't sure which way to go.

I peeked through his room again. "Where's the kitchen?!"

"To your left!" He yelled back.

"Ok!" I wandered to my left and called Chloe, but she didn't pick up.

It was seven in the morning. She must be sleeping. I blew a breath in relief when I saw the stairs and climbed down. Passing through the familiar foyer, I walked into the living room and my eyes went to the sleeping figure on the couch.

I tilted my head and watched Andrew sleeping. He was still in his last night's clothes and his red jacket was tossed on the other sofa.

Wondering why he was sleeping there, I entered the kitchen and froze in my step when my eye landed on shirtless Nate in front of me. My breath ceased and I watched him cooking something. I gulped and averted my eyes down, not being able to look at him as heat crawled up my neck.

"Oh hi," Nate said, turning, but I kept my head down. "Didn't see you there."

"Morning," I mumbled and walked to the kitchen island. I pulled a stool out and sat on it without looking at him.

"How are you feeling now?" I heard the concern in his voice and felt giddy.

"I'm good." I smiled and finally looked up, trying my best to keep my eyes on his face. "Where's Maddie?" I asked.

"She's waking up everyone." He said turning towards the stove with his back on me. "She woke me first because I'm the only one who knows how to cook." I gulped and kept my eyes on his head, trying not to gawk at his back like a pervert.

"I never imagine her to be a morning person." I continued the conversation, struggling to keep my mind off his bareback.

He chuckled. "She isn't. She was excited about the 'morning drama' and didn't get any sleep last night."

I tilted my head in confusion and before I could ask him what he meant by that, Louis lumbered inside complaining about Madeleine.

"Why do we have to wake up early on Sunday?!" He groaned and slammed on the seat beside me.

I giggled, and he turned his head towards me. "Morning."

"Good morning." He answered lazily, putting his arms on the table and plopped his head on it. After a second, he jerked up his head and looked at me with wide eyes. "I totally forgot about you." Louis rubbed his eyes. "How are you feeling now?"

"Good." I nodded my head and smiled.

"Dude put a shirt on!" Louis scrunched his face in disgust at Nate. "We know you have an impressive body. You don't have to go around showing it."

Nate rolled his eyes. "It's a habit of mine." He said but still wore his shirt that was on the other stool and it was like I could breathe again.

"Hey, Lilly." I glanced at Louis, who leaned in and whispered to make sure Nate doesn't hear, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Does..." He gulped and averted his gaze to the counter. "... Chloe thinks I'm ugly or something?"

"What?" I tilted my head.

"Well, last night when the bottle landed on her... She kind of freaked out and... You know... Puked." He said with a flushed face.

"No!" I hurried, shaking my head. "She doesn't think that, Louis. She just drank too much, that's why she puked."

"Oh." His face suddenly lit up. "So she doesn't think I'm ugly or bald?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Your haircut isn't bald, Louis. It's hot."

He gave me a toothy grin and nodded. "I knew it." I giggled, and we both stopped when Nate turned.

"Where's Jordan?" Nate asked him.

"He's waking Drew." He yawned.

As of cue, Jordan entered the kitchen. We both looked at each other then he gave me a smile, which I gladly returned.

I was grateful that he trusted me enough with his secret to not threaten me like Ben.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

"Wake up dude!" Jordan's voice came to my ears, disturbing my slumber.

"F**k off." I groaned and turned on the couch.

"WAKE UP DREW!"

"GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES!" I screamed.

Before him, Maddie came to wake me up too. It's Sunday why do I have to wake early!

"You said that ten minutes ago now wake up!" He shook my shoulders.

"Fine!" I jolted up and glared at him. "Happy?!"

"Very." He rolled his eyes.

"What's up with everyone waking me up!"

"Maddie is waking everyone because she was getting bored waiting for us."

I scoffed. "And you're what? Her assistant?"

He shrugged his shoulders and I watched as he walked into the kitchen. I got up and stretched my limbs, last night I was so exhausted that I fall asleep here. I went to the bathroom downstairs and freshen up.

When I walk outside, I saw Ben descending the stairs.

"Morning," I mumbled and nodded his head as we strolled into the kitchen.

I side glance at him and wondered how long will it take for him to forgive us. I mean, I didn't even do anything!

I saw Lillian talking with Louis, who sat in her right seat. Ben took the seat to her left. I sat in front of her, beside Jordan.

"And the last one is up!" Maddie entered, with Brittany behind her.

Brittany scoffed and paused when her eyes landed on Lillian. She gave her a once over, then went to the fridge without saying anything. Ben eyed her as she walked and stayed quiet while Maddie bounced and sat beside Jordan with her signature grin.

"How are you two?" She asked Ben and Lillian in an awfully sweet voice.

They glance at each other in confusion. "Fine." Ben mumbled.

"Why are you grinning like that?" Brittany asked Maddie as she sat on the front stool.

"Like what?" She asked, still beaming at Lillian and Ben.

"You are giving the 'I know something you don't' grin, Maddie," Jordan said.

"Here's breakfast for everyone," Nate announced and served everyone.

"Thank you, Nate." She patted his shoulder, and Nate rolled his eyes. "And I don't have that kind of grin." She denied.

"Yes, you do." I agreed with Jordan, eating the bacon. She always smiled like a Cheshire cat whenever she knew something we didn't. I watched as Nate served Lillian and Ben and how Lillian's face discreetly scrunched at the sight of bacon.

"I don't have any 'grin'-" she air-quoted, "-but I know something." She gave a sly smirk.

"Will you spill it already," Louis whined.

"Okay..." She took a deep breath and shouted. "I CAUGHT BEN AND LILLIAN DOING THE DEED!"

Ben choked on his egg while Lillian stared at her, bug-eyed.

"What?!" Brittany growled while Nate, Louis, Jordan, and I watched Ben and Lillian.

"We didn't!" Ben uttered.

"Don't lie!" Maddie stood, pointing at him. "I saw you on top of her!"

I coughed and eyed Ben and Lillian. Lillian opened and closed her mouth like a fish, and her face turned red.

"We weren't doing anything," Ben growled.

"I believe in what I see." She huffed.

"Dude seriously?" Nate eyed Ben in disgust.

"She was drunk. You took advantage of her!" Louis pointed at him.

"Shut up!" Ben whacked his hand. "We did nothing!" He glared at Maddie. "She's just babbling."

"I know what I saw." She smirked.

"Well, you saw wrong." They narrowed their eyes at each other while Lillian awkwardly shifted in her seat.

"Nothing happened Maddie." She confirmed with a flushed face.

"But-but I saw-" Maddie gaped.

"I told you." Ben rolled his eyes. Maddie darted her eyes between them, then huffed.

We stared at each other in silence when Lillian's phone blared. I glanced at it and saw Chloe's name on it.

"Excuse me." She murmured as she picked up her phone and got out of the kitchen.

"Way to make it awkward Maddie." Nate snorted.

"Don't blame me." Maddie crossed her arm. "He was on top of her-"

"Will you please stop assuming?!" Ben grunted.

"Fine!" She threw her hands in surrender. "But I'm going to win it." She mumbled.

Ben frowned at her but ignored and Lillian walked in. "Chloe is coming to pick me up." She said, shifting in her position.

"How about we play some video games while we wait," Louis suggested.

After breakfast, Nate left, saying he needed some things to do while the others sat in the living room.

"Let's play street fighters!" Louis set in on the PlayStation. "Who's playing?" he asked. Maddie and Jordan raised their hand. "Drew? Ben?"

"Not in the mood." Ben and I said simultaneously.

"But we need another player?" He whined.

"I can play..." Lillian offered.

"Yes! Girl vs boys!" Maddie fist-pumped. "I'm going to kick your a**es!" She pointed at Jordan and Louis.

Lillian fulfilled Maddie's dream to play girls vs boys because she was the only girl in the group that played games. Neither Tiana nor Brittany do.

I sat on the couch and watched as the girls sat on the right while the boys on the left.

Brittany sat beside me and opened the gifts everyone gave last night and Ben was on the other couch, texting on his phone.

I watched Maddie cursed and jumped in her seat as she played while Lillian, like an expert, moved her fingers on the controller.

"Yes!" Maddie hopped when they won. "In your faces, s**kers! Girl Power!" She high-fived Lillian, who giggled.

"It's all your fault." Jordan smacked Louis's head.

"What did I do?!" Louis whined, rubbing his head. I rolled my eyes at them.

Why am I friends with them again?

"Everyone gives the same thing to me!" Brittany complained as she threw another perfume into the pile. "Like I don't have money to buy my own!" She grumbled.

Maddie, Louis, and Jordan ducked their head, and I chuckled. Of course, they also gave her that.

I glanced at the gift and saw a small box. I grabbed it and read the name. It was from Lillian. I glanced at her and saw her eyes on the gift.

"Give me that." Brittany snatched it from me and raised her brows at the name. "Let's see what's in this."

She unwrapped the box and saw two identical key chains with a boy and girl charm and a heart in the middle with twins written on it. My lips stretched into a smile at that.

That's a thoughtful gift.

"Seriously?" Brittany dangled it in front of Lillian. "That's childish."

"You got this?" Ben asked Lillian and yanked one out of Brittany's hand. Lillian nodded her head. "It's so cute. Thank you. I'm going to keep it with me from now on." Ben grinned, making Lillian blush.

Brittany scoffed and picked another gift to open. We heard a car honk outside and Lillian got up.

"That's Chloe."

"I'll see you out." Ben got up with her.

"Bye Lillian!" Maddie, Louis, and Jordan waved to her.

"Bye." She smiled and left with Ben.