London Calling

The knock made my heart speed to an unfathomable speed, but my body froze. There was another knock. I recomposed myself and walked to the door. Slowly I grabbed the door knob and opened the door. Standing on the other side was Benjamin. I tried to work up a smile, but I don't think it hid my true feelings like I was hoping. I wasn't sure of the expression on his own face. "Hey."'

He finally met my eyes, "Hey, could I come in?" I stepped back to give him room to walk in. "Wow, the place looks really good."

"Yeah. Thanks to Thomas. He's really great." I said hoping it stung. I couldn't tell because his face was turned away from me. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well, I wanted to talk about us."

My heart sank when I heard 'us'. "What do you mean us? There is no 'us'."

"But...I don't know. You're making this difficult. Can you please come sit down. I'm nervous enough as it is."

"How am I making anything difficult? I haven't done anything wrong." I stood my ground.

Benjamin looked up at me with a sad stare, "Please?"

He broke me."Fine." I tried to at least sound strong. I moved past him and sat on the single chair so there was no way who could be too close to me.

He sat on the couch across from me, "I'm really sorry. I should have told you about her. I didn't-"

"Told me about what?" I tried to play it cool. Ugh! He made me feel like I was in middle school again. "About Tilly? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, because. I...this might sound silly. And I could be completely wrong. Which if I am I'm going to feel even more like an idiot. But..." he took a deep breath, "I thought you liked me." He said this with one breath really fast that it was almost impossible to understand. I was stunned, I didn't realize how obvious I made it and it made me feel like a fool. But before I got a chance to deny it and try to repent myself he began talking again. "And I really like you. A lot. And maybe even too much for such the short time that I've known you, but I feel like there's something different there. With us."

He was waiting for me to respond, but I couldn't find the words. All I could muster up was a lousy, "Oh." My head was spinning with thoughts. He liked me! I didn't know-...I didn't understand. "But....What about Tilly?" There was no point in denying my feelings now.

"Well, I have been planning on ending it with her. Even before I met you, but I didn't know how. I've known her for a long time, but we only started dating a bit ago. Not long at all."

I bit my lip from the nerves, not knowing what to say. I wanted to bad to ask him to take me now, but I was still hurt. "Now what? What about Tilly?"

"I just broke up with her."

My heart soared with happiness and then a sudden crash from reality. "I can't be with you."

His face fell, "I guess I can understand that. I should have taken care of the Tilly thing sooner. I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"It's not just that. It's what you said earlier. We just met. And we obviously have a lot to learn about each other. Things we don't know. And we should find some more out before this gets serious. You were right. I do like you. And it also may be too much. We need to take this slow. I don't want to get either of us hurt."

"You're right."

There was a silence. I could feel him looking at me while I looked at the floor. I wasn't sure I was able to look at him without completley melting. But I did look up, and I did melt. He was looking at me with his head tilted to the side, and his amazing smile shinging brighter than ever. His eyes also looked brighter than usual, more captvating, if that was possible. He held his hand out for me to take it and I did. Benjamin pulled me over to the couch with him and leaned me against his side. "So, what do you want to know?"

I smiled up into his face, "Before we start the questioning I want to do something. But you have to promise to go along with it. Ok?"

"Oh. This is interesting. Ok. I promise."

I got up and walked quickly to my room and returned in my pajamas and my camera.

"Oh no! Not that! Anything but that!"

"But you promised! I just want one picture! Please. You did it to me!"

"Yeah, but you fought it."

I begged with my eyes.

"Ok, but with one conidtion. You have to be in it with me." He smiled thinking he trapped me, but I wouldn't let him get away with it.

"Fine, I'll be in it with you." I placed the camera on the tripod and set it properly. Quickly I hoped on the couch with Benjamin and he wrapped his arms around me. The timer began to blink faster.

"Mallory," he called and I imediately looked at him. He quickly put his hand to my face and pulled me in for a kiss. I couldn't resist and I kissed him back. There was a flash.