I - Amazed

"Ben! Hurry up! We have to go, can you wait outside instead? Your father and I will be late! It's nearly sunset!" Sandra, his mother, told him as she and Carl are getting ready for their own vacation. "For the last time mom, I don't want to spend my own vacation break with them anymore!" Ben complained, even though he already got his suitcases ready. "Come on now, son. You're about to be 18 in a few months! Be more mature." His father told him. "I can be mature!" Ben exclaimed. Ben's parents paused for a moment, gazing at each other before sighing. "Here's the deal, if you won't fight your cousin for the whole summer, we'll let you decide on what you're going to do next year's vacation break." His father told him. I bet they have been planning this for a long time. Ben thought.

"Also, we've been worried about you. You've been distant towards us and your friends, and I hope this year's summer can fix that." Added his mother. Ben stopped moving for a second. And he actually started to think logically for the first time in ages. This can be hard. I can't survive a day being nice to her. Ben sighed. "Well?" Both of his parents were waiting for an answer. "Deal." He agreed, instantly regretting it. "I'll let your grandfather know about this, and also, don't tell Gwen about this or you won't have your freedom." His father warned him. Ben nodded, giving an annoyed sigh beforehand.

After locking the door, his parents quickly gave him a hug before getting inside their car. "Take care! And don't forget our agreement." His father warned him. They closed the car window, and started to drive away. I hate life. Ben started to mentally talk to himself. I don't even want to strive! Giving out my efforts—specially to her?! Ben started to glare on the ground. I just want my own freedom, I have a car and everything so why don't they trust me? Is it because of what happened at school?

A few minutes has passed by, there was still no sign of the RV. Ben started to get impatient, but he didn't want to show it. He felt like his parents are stalking him secretly. Actually, if the RV doesn't come, no summer with them! Ha! I love myself. Ben smiled mischievously. I don't think I can do that aswell. Maybe I should just stop acting like a kid. As Ben started to keep thinking, he didn't realized the RV has arrived. "Hey Ben!" Max waved, but he noticed Ben didn't move. He was only staring at the grass. "Ben?" Max went out and walked a little closer.

"Oh hey grandpa Max! It's so good to see you. I apologize for my behavior back there, I was starting to like thinking." Ben said a little too quickly, sweat coming down his forehead. "I already know about the agreement, Ben. That's why I took long, I was answering your father's call." Max smirked. Ben stood there, humiliated. "I'm sorry, I just want my own privacy for once. Like staying at home, playing video games all day long." Ben started to be honest. "I understand kiddo, but that's not healthy for you." Max said as he helped Ben carry his heavy suitcase. "Also, let's make another agreement." Max started to get Ben's attention. Seriously? I don't want another deal.

"What is it?"

"Can you throw away these books for me tomorrow when we arrived at my friend's hotel?" Max showed him a box filled with old dusty books. "Sure? But what's the agreement in this?" Ben asked going inside the RV alone, dropping the suitcases and carefully hid the books under the dining table. Max smiled, "I want you to impress their granddaughter by atleast reading one book." Ben sighed sadly once again."That's it? But what's in it for me?" "You get to choose the next destination." Max said, getting inside the RV aswell.

"Deal." Both of them smiled.

"And by the way, I like the idea of your parents' agreement." Max teased as he started to drive. "Oh come on!" Ben whined, he realized what he did and he facepalmed himself.

They have finally arrived at Gwen's house. Since no one was outside, Ben decided to get out of the RV, walked slowly till he reached the door and knocked loud, but not hard. after a few seconds, he heard footsteps from the other side. As it opened Ben wanted to be 'mature' and decided to greet both his uncle and aunt. "Good evening Aun-" As he was going to show the world what he can do, he saw a girl with a red long sleeve and a polo inside it, black skirt just right above the knees, dark translucent leggings matching with black heels. He stared at the girl whom was grinning, Gwen. She, herself, was looking forward to go around many places this summer, and right now, it just started. Gwen noticed him standing there like some statue but ignored it anyways.

"Hey Ben!" She gave him a warm hug. "H-Hey. . . Gwen." He stammered. What is wrong with me? Quick! Do something mature! "Let me carry your suitcases for you." He broke the hug and smiled at her as he carried her suitcases. This seems working, and it's pretty light. Ben was starting to like the deal, it's easy, very well-controlled of him to do. "Woah! are you alright?" Gwen joked. "Very funny."He rolled his eyes. "Where are your parents?" Ben questioned, looking behind Gwen. "Oh! They aren't here, they have to go elsewhere." She said as she locked the door and placed the key inside her right pocket.

"Oh? Well then let's-" Ben was cut of as Max was behind him, waving at Gwen. "How is my lovely granddaughter?" Max hugged her tight. Ben decided to go inside to put down the suitcases. "Well, I see you've changed." Gwen said behind him. "Well, not really, life's been plain and dry for the past couple of months." Ben stepped aside to let his grandfather to go in and drive. "Really?" Gwen was astounded. "Yeah, I guess you could say life's been horrible." He sat down at the dining area, looking at the window as the sun was starting to fade away.

Gwen was astounded. She never saw Ben this sad. Usually he could care less about the world and only think of himself, but this time, he was just. . . different to her. She kept staring at her until Ben accidentally kicked something underneath the table. It's those books that grandpa told me to read! Ben carefully took it out again and open it. "Let's see. . . Something to smile about. . . Kokology. . . Light Novels. . . Connect the Stars. . ." Ben read the titles but one caught his attention. "Connect the Stars? Sounds like a good book." Ben started to talk to himself again, before reading the book, of course. Gwen just stood there, wondering what the world did to Ben. Ben noticed her reaction and decided to be nice enough to say something. "You should go at sit there or here, besides you need rest." Ben said pointing to the opposite chair but then patted the space next to him afterwards. "S-Sure." Gwen stammered. What happened to him? She thought as she sat beside him.

10 pm

"Ben, go hit the shower and sleep." Max told Ben as he parked on the side of the somewhat endless road. "Sure, but I'm not going to sleep." Ben said as he stood up to get some clothes and a towel. "What? Why?" Max asked. "Because I don't want to." Ben admitted. Max just sighed and nodded, afterwards, Max went out the RV to call Ben's Parents.

While Max was busy with that, Ben removed his shirt as he opened the bathroom that made a loud creak noise. To his surprise, he sees a silhouette of a naked girl behind the blinds. Gwen passed the other side of the curtain with just a towel covering her body. Ben just stood there as the two cousins eyes' met. Ben finally moved, blushing beforehand and loudly shut the door close. "I'm so sorry!" He exclaimed, sitting at the table again, pretending not to notice her go outside the bathroom. Gwen was just as red as he was, this time she was in a bathrobe. "I'm so sorry, you can kill me now! I just thought you were asleep and-" He was cut off. "I-It's fine." Gwen told him. "You don't have to panic, I thought the. . . door was l-locked anyways." She stammered. It was then silent for 10 minutes."I'll have to admit, I'm still uncomfortable about this." Ben broke the dead atmosphere. "You should go change now." He told her as he walked pass by her, but one thing caught her eye. She didn't know why she never noticed it earlier, but it was just there, suddenly popping out infront of her face.

"Ben, what's that huge bandage sticking around your chest?" Gwen asked. Ben just froze. He know he couldn't respond so he just ignored her forced her to go outside the bathroom. Just as Gwen was going to ask Ben properly, Max went inside. "Ben your parents told me- Oh Hey, Gwen." Max smiled. "You should go and properly dress up." Max added. She just nodded and went to her and her cousin's room to were a night gown. Once she was done, she went to go and talk to Max. "Grandpa, I just saw Ben's back, with a huge bandage." Gwen was deeply concerned. "I haven't seen it yet, he said he was going to stay up all night so you can either talk to him now or tomorrow." Max smiled. "Tomorrow it is then." Gwen smiled back as she went back to their room. "Night grandpa!" Gwen exclaimed and Max also said it afterwards.