My Best Friend's Ex

Taking a Hit

When the weekend finally arrived, Ben’s and my plan went perfectly, and Libby and Ben were well on their way to couplehood. Over the next few weeks, they went on several dates, spending time at the movies, mini-golfing, the park, and hanging out at each other’s houses.  I spent my time listening to all the sordid details not once but twice- first from Libby’s point of view, and then all over again from Ben’s.  He and I had become better friends over the last few weeks. We would spend hours on the phone, discussing and analyzing things that had happened between him and Libby. He was always extremely excited and happy when he talked about her. However, he worried about what would happen when school started because, on top of them both being busy with school, he would be preoccupied with football and Libby with cheerleading. As the days progressed, Ben and I talked less and less about Libby and more about other things.  We’d chat and text about what we did throughout the day; he would tell me about funny things that happened at work.  We started discussing our future plans, such as where we were going to college and what we planned to major in.  I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, and Ben was interested in business.  He wasn’t sure where he wanted to go to college, but he was accepted to Penn State and Pitt.

I was finding it more comfortable to talk with Ben. Yes, my heart still skipped a beat when he called, or when I saw a text from him. And yes, when I saw him, I still stopped breathing for a few milliseconds, but talking to Ben was beginning to feel more like I was talking to Libby than to the object of my affection.  He was starting to feel like just a friend- a very hot friend, but only a friend, nonetheless. In the past, when something notable happened during the day, I used to think, “I can’t wait to tell Libby”; now, though, I couldn’t wait to tell Ben.  He, of course, was completely obsessed with Libby, so I had no idea how much he reciprocated that thought.

On the morning of my first day as a senior, I was having difficulty picking a suitable outfit.  Everything I tried on either made me look like a cow or a slob.  I finally decided on a pair of dark blue jeans and a button-down light purple shirt over a white tank.  

“God, I hope I don’t have a muffin top in these jeans,” I whispered to myself.  

I put my hair in a loose ponytail and tried to use enough makeup to look presentable but not like a w***e.  As I was applying my lip gloss when I heard Libby honk her horn from my driveway.  I slipped the gloss into my pocket and ran out of the bathroom. I grabbed my backpack and headed out the front door.  “Bye, Mom! I’ll see you later,” I screamed.   Jogging down my sidewalk, I could hear Libby’s music booming from her speakers.  It was an Imagine Dragons song that she liked to play when she needed to be pumped up.  Hopping into the car, Libby turned the music down to comment on my outfit. “So, are we going for the preppy look this year?” she teased. 

“No, we’re going for the whatever doesn’t make me look like a fat ass look this year,” I said with a disgusted tone.

“Alex, you are not fat! Who cares if you’re not a size zero?”

“Says the girl who is a size zero!” I said, smiling.    Libby was wearing bright red lipstick, sunglasses, a skimpy skirt, and a short black tank that showed her tan midriff perfectly.  She looked like she had just stepped off the runway.  Every time I saw Libby, I understood why so many guys were obsessed with her.  I’m sure if I were a guy, I would be infatuated with her, too. 

On the way to school, we talked about our classes, some of the things that happened over the summer, and of course, Ben.  Libby told me about the date she had with Ben last night.  He took her to the local drive-in movie theater, where Libby tried to heat things up with Ben, but he wasn’t into it.  She was pissed that all he wanted to do was watch the movie and hold her hand.  They made out a little, but it was all PG, nothing compared to what Libby was used to doing. I sat in the passenger seat, listening to her complain about Ben being a gentleman, while I secretly rolled my eyes.

I never quite understood Libby and her ideas about relationships.  Here she is dating my dream guy, and she’s bitching about him being a gentleman.   Libby wasn’t embarrassed about being the way she was; she enjoyed “being free” as she put it.  She lost her virginity when she was fifteen years old to an older guy with whom she was deeply in love with.  However, soon after sleeping together, the two separated because he was leaving for college, and he couldn’t be stuck with a high school girlfriend back at home. After that, Libby didn’t think of s*x the same way she had before, and she became more promiscuous.  Libby no longer believed you needed to be in love to have s*x. All you required, according to Libby, were two willing participants, but Ben was not willing enough.  I couldn’t listen to Libby say anything else negative about Ben and about him not trying to get into her pants.

 “Libby, you don’t have to sleep with every single guy you date, and not every guy you date is looking for a blow job!” I blurted out in frustration.

“ You could get to know them first!” 

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted saying them, but it was true.  Libby stared at me, her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide. 

“You are such a fantastic person,” I continued. “You deserve someone who respects you for you.”  And with that, Libby had forgiven me. 

“Alex, what else are guys good for?  Why should I even be in a relationship if I’m just going to sit there and talk?  That’s what I have you for.  If I wanted just another friend, I would find one.” 

I sighed. “Libby, just give Ben a chance; he really likes you and respects you.  Maybe what you need is someone like Ben to show you how special you are. He can finally show you what a relationship is supposed to be like.” 

Libby batted her open mouth with her hand, pretending to yawn.  “Fine, Alex, I’ll give him a chance.”

My first few classes went off without a hitch until I walked into my honors, creative writing class.  I was assigned to Mr. Covey’s class, and he was always such a d**k, so I was planning on trying to switch to Mrs. Landgraf’s class.  I sat down and decided I could deal with Mr. Covey for at least one day until I had my schedule changed.  I chose a seat in the back row and quietly sulked because most of my friends were in Landgraf’s class.   As I got my notebook and pencil out to prepare for Covey’s landslide of notes, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Hey!” It was Ben. “I didn’t know you were in Covey’s creative writing class, too.  Almost everyone I know is in Landgraf’s class.  I’m glad that I know at least one person in this class,” he said, smiling and taking the seat in front of me. 

“I was just sitting here thinking about trying to change my schedule to get into Landgraf’s class,” I said with a frown.  “I can’t stand Covey.  He’s such a pompous ass, and he’s so full of himself. I swear he hates me.  I had him last year for College Prep English, and I barely passed with an A, and that was after completing all the extra credit I could get my hands on.” 

Ben smiled. “I already checked into getting moved to Landgraf’s class, and her class is full.  The guidance counselor said it’s either this or study hall, and I really want the credits for college.  So, it looks like we’re stuck here.”

“Oh f**k” I laid my head down on my desk and groaned in response. 

As we waited for class to start, we compared our schedules for the rest of the day.  Ben, Libby, and I all had the same lunch period, and Ben and I had physical education together the last period of the day. 

At lunch, everyone took their usual places, except now Ben and Libby sat next to each other with me on the other side of Libby.  Ben and I complained about getting assigned to Covey’s class instead of Landgraf’s.  Libby was not happy about her new locker’s location.  Dean and Mandi were already fighting because Dean hadn’t called her the night before.  So overall, it was your typical school day.  My last period of the day was gym, and I hoped the teacher would give us a break and not make us change into our gym clothes on the first day of school.  I was wrong. This blows.

Like always, I traveled to the bathroom stall to change into my black shorts and red-and-black Warriors t-shirt. The Warriors were our school mascot, so at least I was showing my school spirit.  Yay! Go team.  Once out of the bathroom, I ambled up the steps to the gym. I always dreaded gym.  Athletics were not my strong suit. 

I entered the gym and saw the bin of basketballs.

Oh, super fanfuckingtastic it’s basketball.

“Okay, everyone, I want you to break up into partners and practice dribbling and blocking.” I swear Mr. Tatum’s job was to humiliate all the nonathletic kids in the world.

I scanned the gym for Laurel, but she already partnered with Jake. 

“Alex, it looks like you’re with me!”  Ben said from behind me. 

“Oh God, no,” I said, turning around “You don’t want me as a partner.  I am a complete klutz.” 

“You’re stuck with me now, so suck it up and get over here,” he said.

In my mind, I was dying.  Why me? Why did Ben have to be in my gym class? I was going to look like a complete i***t.  Grudgingly I walked toward him while imagining a bugle playing taps in the background.  “Ben, you really don’t understand.”

“Oh, stop your whining. It’s your shot. Ladies first,” Ben said, smiling that beautiful smile and throwing me the ball.  He looked so handsome today with his chocolate hair fixed flawlessly to look like he hadn’t fixed it at all.  It was that cute bedhead style. 

Frowning, I dribbled the ball towards the net.

Yes, I know, surprising I can dribble a ball. 

But of course, Ben wasn’t going to make this easy for me. He actually intended to take this activity seriously. I never took gym class seriously. Ben stepped in front of me to block my shot, but I turned my back to keep him away from the ball and kept dribbling, slowly moving backward toward the hoop.  I pushed my ass into Ben, forcing him to move closer to the net because this is what real basketball players did on TV. 

I have no freakin idea what the hell I’m doing. Am I traveling right now? Traveling is a term in basketball right?

Ben’s body surrounded me, his arms reaching for the ball, and that was all it took for me to be completely distracted.  We hadn’t been this close since the night of my birthday.

“Come on, Alex, take the shot. What are you waiting for?” he taunted playfully.

“Yeah right, I am clearly at a height disadvantage here.”

“Excuses, Excuses.” He laughed.

Spinning around, I attempted a layup, but as soon as the ball left my hands, Ben smacked the ball down to the floor.  “Ugh. You’re like a foot taller than me.  This has to be against the rules,“ I said, laughing. 

Ben took the ball and dribbled it between his legs and made some crazy-ass spin move, and literally ran circles around me.  He was shooting shot after shot and quickly had a seven basket lead on me. 

“Alright, no more playing around,”  I said, trying to sound intimidating.

“Oh no, are you going to show me how it’s done?” Ben feigned fear with a cocky smirk on his face.

“No mercy, I’m not taking it easy on you anymore,” I said, giving him a smug smile. Ben laughed.

“Are you laughing at me, Flynn?”

“Flynn, that can’t be good if you’re using my last name. Should I be scared?” he said, winking at me.

Ben dribbled toward the hoop; I stepped in front of him to stop him like I had seen so many NBA players do before on TV; however, I didn’t think about what usually happens when one steps in front of someone that is driving toward the hoop.  When I made my move, Ben was already off of his feet and beginning to take the shot, and before I realized what was going to happen, he was bounding into me.  His elbow cracked into my face as his body hit me with such force that I flew backward onto my ass, smacking my head on the floor.  Ben flew into the padded wall and landed on the floor next to me.   “Alex, oh my God! I am so sorry.  I didn’t mean to do that.  Are you okay?”  I sat up with his help, gripping my head in my hands. Mr. Tatum rushed towards us, promptly ordering Ben to take me to the nurse’s office in case I had a concussion.   Taking my hands, Ben gently helped me up, wrapping a strong arm around my waist to steady me.

“Alex, I am so sorry.  Your eye looks so bad.  It looks like I punched you right in the face.  I feel terrible. Does it hurt a lot?” Ben asked worry in his voice. 

“Ben, it was my fault. I’m the one who stepped in front of you. Remember, the whole no mercy thing. Plus, I’m a badass. You missed the shot, right?”

“Yep, quite the badass. Such a badass that now you’re going to have a black eye for the first week of school. My elbow must have caught you in the face.  Are you sure you’re okay, Alex?”

“I’m fine. I’ll just tell people I got into a fistfight. It will up my street cred.” I smiled at him.

Ben’s eyes were full of concern as he helped me onto the nurse’s table.   The nurse shined a light in my eyes and must have liked what she saw because she was almost certain I didn’t have a concussion.  She gave me an ice pack and called my house, but no one answered. 

“Alex, did you drive to school today?”

“No, I got a ride with a friend.”

“Okay, good because you shouldn’t be driving just in case you do have a concussion.  I am going to continue to call home until I get ahold of your parents so I can update them on what happened.  They may want to take you to the ER just to be sure.” The mention of the word hospital made Ben’s face go completely white.

“Ms. Kern, I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital. It’s just a black eye.”

Waving a hand in front of me, Ms. Kern cut me off. “It’s always better to be on the safe side. You will have to wait here until school gets out so your friend can drive you home.”

I sighed and laid back on the table.

Upon hearing this, Ben quickly volunteered to drive me home. “I don’t have to be at football practice until 4:30 today,” he said.  “Plus, I think I owe her a ride home, especially since I’m the one that gave her the black eye.” 

“Alright, Benjamin, you may drive her home. Please go get Alex’s things from the gym, and I will write you both a pass to leave early.”

After Ben returned to the nurse’s office with my things, he led me to his truck, holding my backpack in one hand and my elbow in the other. I, on the other hand, focused on keeping the ice pack on my eye, because every time I took it off, Ben scolded me. He opened the passenger-side door and helped me into the truck.  “Ben, you do realize it’s just a black eye.  My arms and legs still work,” I said. 

“Would you please let me do this?  I feel bad enough.  You haven’t seen it yet.  It looks terrible,” Ben said as he closed the door and ran to the other side of the truck.  He was still wearing his black nylon shorts and white T-shirt from class.  Even with an ice pack over one eye, I still found myself using my good eye to admire Ben’s physique, which was very visible under the tight shirt that clung to him in all the right places.  Focus. . .  focus! I thought as he got into the truck. This is Libby’s boyfriend.  I should not be thinking of him like this.  Plus, look at me. I can’t even get through gym class without being injured.  He must think I’m such a loser. 

Ben started the engine, but before he put it in gear, he pulled down the passenger-side visor and said. “Look at your eye, and you’ll understand why I’m freaking out.” 

I pulled the ice pack off of my face and looked at my swollen right eye.  It was a mixture of blue and green and swollen three times the size it should have been. I could barely see because of how swollen it was.  He was right- it did look bad. 

“Okay, okay, I see what you’re saying, but I still think it makes me look like a badass.”

“Yeah, Alexandra Thompson, the five-foot badass that takes on people twice her size,” Ben said, half smiling. 

Minutes later, we arrived at my house.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said, grabbing my backpack. “I  appreciate it.  But Ms. Kern is crazy. I’m fine, and she’s making a huge deal out of nothing.” 

Ben didn’t look convinced. His eyes filled with concern. 

“Ben, seriously, I’m okay. It wasn’t’ your fault.” 

“Where are your parents?” he said. 

“They must still be at work.  Why?” 

“I’m not sure if I should leave you alone just in case you do have a concussion,”  Ben said, opening his door and getting out of the vehicle. 

“Oh, come on,” I said, half whining.  “My pride has been damaged enough. Do I really need a babysitter, too?”

“Alex, I’m serious,” he said, coming over to my side of the truck. “What if you do have a concussion, and no one is here with you? You could die.” 

“Wow, dramatic much. You are such an optimistic thinker, Flynn,” I said and then threw my hands up in surrender. “Fine, come on. But if they aren’t home in a few minutes, you are leaving to go to football practice.  You are not missing practice over my fake possible concussion,” I said sternly. 

Ben helped me out of the truck, taking my backpack from my hand and walking me to the front door.  “Welcome to my humble abode,” I said as I opened the door to let him in. We walked up the stairs of my split-level.

“You can just drop the bag on the floor, and now that I’m safely inside my home, you no longer have to worry.  Thank you again for the ride home. Now go to football practice.”  I gently nudged Ben toward the front door.

Ben shook his head. “Nope not getting rid of me that easily. And would you stop thanking me for the ride it’s the least I can do since I’m the one who gave you the black eye.”  

“Well, would you like the grand tour?” I said sarcastically and began showing Ben around the house.  We walked from room to room until we came to my bedroom.  “We don’t need to go in there.  That’s just my room.  Nothing to see there.” 

Ben smiled “This is your room?” he asked, moving toward the door and reaching for the doorknob. 

I playfully stepped in front of him. “A girl’s room is very personal to her.  I could have things in there that I don’t want anyone to see,” I said, laughing. 

Ben gently moved past me and opened the door.  He walked in and stood looking around, not saying anything. 

“I know, I know it's a lot of purple, and stuffed animals,” I said quickly. “But these aren’t your typical stuffed animals. These are very special. See this guy?” I said, holding up a stuffed penguin. “This is from our third-grade field trip to the zoo.  Who could throw away a third-grade field trip purchase?  It’s practically an antique,” I said, laughing and shoving the penguin into Ben’s chest. 

He smiled, “Does the penguin have a name?  Or is it just Penguin?”  “Actually, it’s Mr. Penguin. Thank you for asking.” I sat down on my bed while Ben examined my room.  “You know, you’re the first boy that has been in my room other than Dean.” 

“Dean?” Ben asked, raising his eyebrows. “Why was Dean in your room?” 

“Don’t you remember I told you that Dean and I used to be best friends before he decided to make my life a living hell?  He used to come over here and play Barbies with me. So it was, like, ten years ago.” I was about to go on, but I heard the garage door open. I shot up from my bed and suggested that we move to the living room because it might not be wise to allow my mother to catch us in my room with a black eye. 

My mother never met Ben at my birthday party because she tried to stay out of the way and let us “cool” teenagers have our fun, so I introduced my mother to Ben, but she was more focused on my eye than on meeting any friends of mine. I explained to my mother how I received the black eye, and Ben apologized another hundred times before it was time for him to head to football practice.

“Hey, I’ve gotta go, but I’ll call you tonight to see how the eye is. Maybe we can facetime so I can see if it’s any worse.”

“Okay, I’ll walk you out.” We made it as far as the front porch before Ben stopped and placed his hands on my shoulders.

“Alex, I’m sorry that I wasn’t more careful today. I hope you know I would never intentionally hurt you.” touching the bottom of my chin, he tilted my face up so he could better examine my black eye.  

“Ben, we are good. Stop worrying about me. Now get your ass to practice; we need to make it to playoffs this year.” Finally, a smile spread on his face.

“Yes, mam. Your wish is my command.”

I waved goodbye as my overprotective mother called the family doctor.  

Well, this certainly was an eventful first day.