Saturdays were supposed to be my escape. No school, no Ben Carter, no drama just me, my friends, and an unhealthy amount of snacks while we screamed at each other over video games.
"Why are you hoarding all the health potions, Rachel?" I shouted, mashing buttons on the controller as my character barely survived another wave of enemies.
"Because I need them!" Rachel said, laughing as she sprinted past me in the game.
"You're full health!" Brooke cut in, her character standing beside mine as we both glared at Rachel's avatar. "This is why we always die in co-op."
"I'm a strategist," Rachel said smugly.
"No, you're selfish!" I yelled, but we were all laughing as the next level loaded.
This was my happy place sweatpants, greasy chips, and friendly competition. Nothing could ruin it.
Until Brooke, of course, decided to bring up the one person I couldn't escape.
"You know," she said casually, munching on a handful of pretzels, "I still can't believe you live in the same neighborhood as Ben Carter."
My fingers froze on the controller.
Rachel immediately perked up, pausing the game. "Oh my God, right? Maddie, you are so lucky. You could, like, casually run into him anytime."
"Yeah," Brooke added, leaning forward with a grin. "You probably see him all the time. What's he like in real life? Is he as gorgeous as he looks?"
I wanted to melt into the couch and disappear. "He's just… a guy," I said quickly, focusing on the screen as if the game was the most important thing in the universe. "Can we not talk about him?"
Rachel and Brooke gasped in unison, like I'd committed some unspeakable crime.
"Not talk about him?" Brooke said, eyes wide. "Maddie, he's Ben Carter. Ben Carter."
"Seriously," Rachel added, nudging me with her elbow. "You've got front-row seats to all that hotness, and you don't even appreciate it?"
"There's nothing to appreciate," I muttered, trying to unpause the game.
But they weren't letting it go.
"Okay, but, like, do you know him?" Brooke asked, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Have you ever talked to him?"
"Nope," I said quickly. "Barely know he exists."
Rachel tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "You're acting weird."
"I'm not acting weird," I said, forcing a laugh. "I just don't get the hype. He's… fine. Whatever. Can we get back to the game?"
"Fine?" Rachel said, looking at Brooke like I'd just insulted their religion. "Did she just say he's fine?"
Brooke nodded solemnly. "She did. I heard it."
I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. "He's just a guy, okay? Can we drop it?"
Rachel sighed dramatically. "If I lived in your neighborhood, I'd be stalking him every day."
"Same," Brooke said. "I'd 'accidentally' bump into him while walking my dog. Or, you know, while casually jogging. Do you think he likes joggers?"
"I think he likes girls who don't make fools of themselves," I muttered under my breath.
"What was that?" Rachel asked.
"Nothing!" I said quickly, shooting them both a forced smile. "Can we just focus on the game? Please?"
They exchanged a look, but thankfully, they let it go.
For now.
As the game resumed, I let out a silent sigh of relief. If they ever found out the truth that I not only knew Ben Carter but had spent my entire childhood fighting with him,I'd never hear the end of it.
And if they found out about the dinner incident? I'd be dead.
No, it was better this way. Let them have their illusions about Ben Carter, the untouchable dream boy. I wasn't about to shatter them with the reality that he was an infuriating, reckless menace who happened to live two doors down.
Even if he still sometimes invaded my thoughts when I least expected it.