As she continued to make-out with me, leaving various purple marks behind on my neck, I couldn't help but think how many other famous boys she was doing this to as well. Ethan just wanted a connection to Hollywood, and I just wanted a connection to someone since I could never find a spark between me with anyone. I still thoroughly believed in relationships and wouldn't be so sex-crazed with a girl I truly cared for, but I was having a hard time accepting the fact that maybe I would only ever hook up with girls and never find actual love.
Ethan's freshly manicured nails traced down my bare abs, tracing over every muscle detail until she reach the hem of my boxers, her lips still hungrily attached to my own. Right when she was about to slid my underwear off, we were interrupted by the door swinging open and a loud scream piercing our eardrums.
And now there was yet another event that was going to create even more distance and tension between Annabel and I.
Chapter 7
Annabel
"You know you're really pretty, right?"
I glimpsed up at Benjamin, tearing my eyes away from the beautiful frozen yogurt creation that I have made, who was sending me a smug smile from across the table we were sitting at. My cheeks flushed pink instantly. "Well I know now."
"You didn't before? Come on, Annabel, you definitely have to look in the mirror and be like wow I'm hot," Benjamin teased, scooping up some of his strawberry yogurt and licking it off the spoon.
I giggled, shaking my head at him. "I have never done that before, actually. But I'm getting the sense that you have. I don't blame you though, you're very attractive."
He raised his dirty blonde eyebrows that were the right mixture of bushy and thin at me, sending a wink in my direction. "Thanks, Annabel, but let's cut the compliments and get down to the important stuff. What is your opinion on this frozen yogurt?"
I smiled, showing off my front pearly teeth. Benjamin was a total goofball and I was having a hard time not swooning over him in this very instant. "Best frozen yogurt I've ever had. Excellent choice for our first date, Moore. I don't know how you'll be able to top this," I rewarded, feeling comfortable enough to call him by his last name even though we were still getting to know each other.
Benjamin's tongue glided along his lips, getting stuck on his endearing lip ring, as he got rid of the excess yogurt that lingered on his mouth. "Are you implying that we will be going on an another date?"
I shrugged, taking a bite of the chocolate sprinkles that smothered the top of my vanilla yogurt. "Well I sure hope so. I mean, you still haven't gained the rights to call me Ann yet."
"What can I do to change that?" Benjamin asked impatiently, although he was still smirking like a smitten school boy.
"Well I'm pretty sure you were supposed to tell me some embarrassing stories," I reminded him, making reference to when he helped me do those stupid dishes.
Suddenly, Benjamin dived right into his collection of funny memories he had gathered from being on tour, and the words rolled off his tongue so easily as if they happened just yesterday. He was adorable when he told stories because he would ramble and laugh before he got to the punch line and the skin surrounding his blue eyes would crinkle with happiness. I found myself laughing as well, even though I wasn't there, but just because his laughter was contagious.
I absolutely lost it when Benjamin informed me of the time that Bradley nearly crapped in a cooler when he was drunk because he had mistaken it for the toilet. "You've got to be kidding me," I exclaimed, still chuckling so hard to the point where tears would soon be trickling down my cheeks. "How much did he have to drink?"
"Too much," Benjamin responded, shaking his head at the memory. "That was like his eighteenth birthday though. He didn't really handle his alcohol too well back then."
"I guess not," I added, as I spooned the last bit of yogurt that was in the circular bowl. Our chuckles diminished, especially since the people sitting at the plastic neon table next to us were sending us annoyed glares due to our obnoxious volume. "So, Benjamin, what is your favorite movie?"
He grinned confidently. "The Lego Movie."
I wanted to snort, but I should have expected an answer like this. "You are such a dork," I teased. "But a very cute dork."
"Yours is probably something girly like The Fault in Our Stars," Benjamin assumed, rolling his eyes as he ignored my comment, probably because he was angry that I didn't share the same amount of enthusiasm for the animated film as him.
"Don't you dare insult The Fault in Our Stars or John Green, Moore. You would actually probably love it if you watched it," I stated.
He smiled at me again, making my heart pound even harder against my chest. Benjamin was a master of direct eye contact and it was making the excited butterflies flutter inside my belly. "Okay, I'll accept the challenge. But only if you watch it with me."
I shook my head rapidly. "Oh no, there is no way in hell I'm letting you see me cry my eyes out. But why don't you watch it so you have an excuse to call me and gush about how much you loved it," I suggested in a flirtatious manner.
"I like the way you think, Annabel," Benjamin responded, winking at me again. He glanced down at his phone for the first time on our date to check the time, and I noticed that an hour had passed by. It went by so quickly, and that was probably because I was so consumed by the intriguing boy sitting in front of me. "I probably should get you home before your roommate begins to worry. This was a lot longer than the average yogurt pick up."
"Stuart doesn't care, come on, the night is still young," I pleaded, not wanting to end our date so soon.
Benjamin had his hand stuck out, which I hesitantly grasped, intertwining our fingers together so he could help me stand up from my chair like a gentleman. He also held the door open for me as we departed the little frozen yogurt parlor that smelled like fresh fruit and romance. "Well, we can always take the long way home."
I grinned, silently obliging to his request. I slid into the leather seat on the passenger side of his car as Benjamin took the adjacent spot and his hands gripped the steering wheel. He turned on the radio as we drove towards my new home and began to sing loudly and off key to the Top 40 hits that were blaring through the speakers. I joined him, while cracking up.
"I had a really fun time tonight, Benjamin," I confessed as I stepped out of the car when we pulled into my driveway. It still was so weird for me to be living here.
He nodded, leaning against the side of his car. "So did I, Annabel."
"You can call me Ann now," I said with a small stifle of a giggle.
"Okay, Ann," Benjamin responded, taking a step closer to me and cautiously placing his hands on my waist. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Someone's eager," I joked, then searched my brain to try and remember what was on my schedule. "Oh, I have a dumb press conference with Stuart. But I'm free on Friday."
"I'll pick you up at eight, then."
"Where are we going?" I questioned.
"It's a surprise, Ann," Benjamin stated confidently, making me want to melt into a puddle of giddiness just because he was so exciting. He smiled down at me, inching his way closer to me. "I really want to kiss you."
"I don't kiss on the first date," I told him stubbornly, smirking at the blonde boy. I wanted to kiss him too, actually no, I wanted to do more than just kissing, but I had my weird dating rules that I didn't want to break.
Benjamin rolled his baby blue eyes at me before cupping his hands around my cheeks. "And I don't really give a shit," He whispered before rapidly placing his lips against mine and making my heartbeat increase by one hundred. His lips were soft and smooth and the simple touch between us had caused a spark to ignite. He pulled away before it could get too heated and gingerly left a chaste kiss on my cheek. "I'll see you soon, Ann."
"Alright," I mumbled, trying to keep my cool before I dashed back inside the house, having the sudden urge to dance around and scream at the top of my lungs. I had a crush on someone again. And I loved every second of it.
>
I raced towards my bedroom, desperate to leap into my bed and squeal into a fluffy pillow like a girl in high school again. But unfortunately when I opened the door, all I could see was a naked girl on top of a shirtless Stuart on the mattress I slept on last night. I shrieked, covering my eyes with my palms and leaping back into the hallway, slamming the door shut to leave them alone.
I was already sick of this whole roommate thing.
Chapter 8
Stuart
"I'm sorry," I admitted awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck as I viewed Ethan get dressed as fast as possible, with her cheeks flushed a bright tint of red. "I didn't think she would be coming home for awhile."
Ethan shrugged, quickly twisting her messy hair into a knot on the top of her head and slinging her small purse over her shoulder. "It's fine."
I nodded, biting down on my lip as I tried to think of something appropriate to say. I hardly ever had an actual conversation with Ethan. It was a mutual thing. She was chasing her fifteen minutes of fame, and I was chasing some kind of affection in this brutally lonesome lifestyle I lived in. "I'll, um, I'll call you?"
Ethan chuckled half-heartedly, placing a final kiss on my swollen lips. "Stuart, you know very well that we don't do that. But when you would like a second round without any interruptions, let me know."
"Okay. Bye, Ethan," I called, hiking my pants up my tan legs and not bothering to put my shirt back on. It was slightly chilly outside tonight though, but that could possibly be from the fact that Annabel was about to lose her chill.
I exited the bedroom after I heard Ethan disappear from my new home, coming in contact with an angry Annabel perched on our sofa. I sneaked a glimpse in the mirror hanging on the wall next to her, spotting a line of hickeys covering the surface of the skin on my neck. If I didn't cover those by tomorrow I would be in major trouble.
Annabel folded her arms across her chest expectantly, and I finally broke out of my lazy trance to meet her gaze. "You're a pig," She snapped. "You don't even care about that girl. That's disgusting. You haven't changed a bit, have you?"
"Ann," I grumbled, rubbing my palms against my eyelids as if she would vanish when I would open them. "It's none of your business. And I didn't expect you to be coming home for awhile."
"You were on my bed! How is that not any of my business?" She screamed, then visibly cringed as she thought about the two of us going at it like rabbits on her mattress. "I'm sleeping on the air mattress tonight, you can have the bed. Just change the sheets for Christ's sake."
Annabel stomped away like the little brat she was. I rolled my eyes at her childish overreaction, but still obliged to her commands. I stripped the bed of the sheets and placed them in a laundry basket, then found a different pair of sheets to hug the bed instead. Considering the fact that we had to be up early for a stupid press conference tomorrow, I slumped down into the bed and nestled my head against the pillow.
I locked my phone after mindlessly scrolling at the same time Annabel came into the bedroom, now dressed in her pajamas with the makeup she was previously wearing no longer sticking to her face. She let out a heavy groan as she flopped onto the air mattress on the floor, wrapping the blanket around her petite body.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon us. It never used to be this way when we were friends. We used to get in trouble for talking too much. Of course, I had ruined that, but in instances like these where nothing but the sounds of our exhales filled the room, I would much rather have her screeching at me over something stupid.
"How was your date with Benjamin?" I blurted out, keeping my eyes locked on the pure white ceiling above our heads.
"Short," Annabel answered vaguely.
"Just like his dick," I muttered, not being able to bite my tongue and stop myself from pouring out a dirty joke.
I expected Annabel to roll her eyes or yell at me or throw something at me with so much force that a purple bruise would appear on my face. But none of those happened. She actually let out a weak little chuckle. It was quiet, and barely lasted a second, but it was the first time I had heard her laugh in years and man, it was great.
A feeling of pride bubbled through my veins as a itty-bitty smile tugged on the corner of my lips. I was able to make Annabel McKenzie giggle even though she absolutely despised me and was still haunted by my actions that tore the two of us apart. Jesus, I must be some kind of freaking comedic genius.
"Goodnight, jerk," Annabel mumbled in a sleepy tone, shifting onto her side with her back facing me.
"Goodnight, brat."
My black skinny jeans with the hole in them rubbed against the uncomfortable chair that I was currently sitting on, looking out at the sea of reporters in front of us, eager to document every word that escaped our mouths. Lucy had given us orders before we came out here on what to say and how to act, and Annabel was doing a much better job pretending that we were friends than I was. This entire situation was so uncomfortable for me, but the way Annabel seemed so effortlessly relaxed with all eyes on her was somehow reassuring.
"No, we obviously don't hate each other. Yes at the premiere we had got in into a bit of an argument, but I might have over-exaggerated a bit to try and keep people from making wrongful assumptions about us living together. It was still unprofessional and I do deeply regret the scene I caused that night, but Stuart and I both moved on from our predicament rather quickly, and I would hope all of you will as well," Annabel spoke into the microphone propped in front of her, speaking with such confidence that she didn't even stutter. Her scholarly tone was highly intimidating and it seemed to persuade the reporters greatly.
Some man in a stupid suit that was baggy around his waist received the microphone that was being passed around to ask us questions. "So, what led you two to move in together?"
Our irritating managers.
I cleared my throat before leaning forward to the mic, letting my lips hover right above the metal like I have grown accustomed to from being on stage. "Annabel and I have been neighbors since we were born. Our families have always been friends, and so have we. Since we both had the majority of the summer off we decided to move in together to get back to our roots. It's nice to surround yourself with people who you have grown up with to keep you grounded."
The crowd all scribbled things down on their tiny pads of paper. Another question was pressed upon us before I even had time to reflect on what I had just said. "Well I would ask if you two were dating but after viewing the pictures of Miss McKenzie and other 5 Seconds of Summer member, Benjamin Moore, yesterday it is clear that you are not. Annabel, what is going on between you and Stuart's band mate?"
"How do you guys find things out so quickly?" Annabel asked in amusement, a small smile tugging on her plump lips to insure that she wasn't being bitter about this and that she found it entertaining with how rapidly gossip is spread. "Benjamin and I only casually went to get frozen yogurt together one time. It's no big deal."
I stole a glance at Annabel, and her cheeks were starting to flush in embarrassment. She was making it so obvious that she had a crush on my best friend, and I was dreading that this interview would turn into her gushing about him.
However, I was thoroughly surprised when our next question had to do with the release of our second album. "Yeah, I'm stoked for our fans to finally here it. It's slightly more rock this time and we're trying to shy away from the pop sound, but it's still nothing that will scare away some of our younger audience. I hope people love it because I do."
"Annabel, have you heard any songs from the upcoming album? If so, what is your favorite song?" One of the correspondents asked and I nearly gulped. She probably hasn't even listened to anything from the first album let alone hearing any songs before they have been released.
She grinned over at me, patting my back gently. Even if it was fake, it was still so weird for her not to have a glare plastered over her sculpted face. "Yes I have heard it, and I am so incredibly proud of these boys for all of their hard wor
k and for making their dreams come true. I simply can't pick a favorite because I love them all and I'm positive when it is released everyone will feel the same way too."
I smiled back, not even sure if it was fake or not. She handled the question perfectly and in a sweet manner, and it amazed me at how easy this was for Ann.
"Annabel, I loved your performance in your latest movie and I agree with the speculations about a future Oscar nomination-"
"Thank you so much!" Annabel interrupted with a new level of bubbling excitement and sincerity. She seemed to be jittery whenever the Academy Awards were even mentioned and it was extremely annoying. Annabel realized that the man was not finished speaking, and she tucked a piece of her golden hair behind her ear. "Oh, sorry. Please continue."
The man who worked for some magazine nodded before proceeding. "As I was saying, although I enjoyed your performance, I highly doubt you will win if you do get nominated because the film itself was so horridly produced. The story-line was very predictable and the script was over-dramatic. Not to mention, the special effects were very cheesy and obviously low budget."
Annabel swallowed a lump in her throat, letting her tongue glide against her lips. She seemed to be frozen in place and unable to speak, whereas I was about ready to pounce on the rude man and rip his head off for having the audacity to say that to her.
I sighed heavily to compose myself, glimpsing over at Annabel one more time to see if she was going to respond, but she still looked speechless. "Sir," I began to say, gaining the attention from the journalist. "None of your statements have anything to do with Annabel's amazing acting or her as a person. She is not the director, writer, or producer, therefore that was completely irrelevant to both Annabel and the original intention of this press conference about us being roommates. I would love to continue this but unfortunately I would not like to be in a room where either me, or my best friend, will be disrespected by someone as rude as you. Thank you for your time. No further questions."
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