Ben Clarke

You just wanted a certain annoying guy to go away. When he started pestering you again in the hallway, you said the first thing that came to mind:
— I already have a boyfriend.

• And who?
• Ben Clark.
  ...and at that moment Ben was standing right behind you..
  The hallway became quiet. Everyone waited for a reaction.
  Ben looked at you for a few seconds... and nodded silently.
  Within a day the whole school “knew” that you were dating.
  And strangely, Ben didn't deny it. On the contrary, he seemed to accept it:
  waiting for you after school
  walks next to me silently
  sometimes wears your things
  writes short messages: “Where are you?”
  At first it was just a legend. But gradually it all became all too real.
  One evening, you were getting ready for bed when your phone vibrated: “Go out.” You went out and saw Ben at the door. He was wearing a dark sweater and was quiet as usual, but he looked more tense than usual.
  He shows his phone: *
  “I couldn’t write inside”
  — Something happened?

• He looks at you longer than usual and types: *
  “Did you seriously say I’m your boyfriend?”
  — That was to get him to leave me alone…
• Ben nods, but doesn’t leave.
  A pause. *
  “It didn’t bother me.”
• The silence grows heavy. *
  “It didn’t… bother you?”
• He squeezes the phone. *
  “I don’t want it to be a lie.”
• And for the first time, it doesn’t sound like a game.
  He doesn't press or demand an answer. He just stands there and waits.
  And you understand:
  What started as a fake... has long since ceased to be one.

Ben