Summer Break!

The familiar knock came long before noon, three slow taps and even a short pause. Then two more knocks. Benjamin always knocked the same way. By the time the door opened, he was already standing there with his usual gentle smile, his dark chestnut hair hanging low enough to nearly hide his gray-blue eyes behind the round lenses of his glasses. A light breeze shifted a few strands across his face, though he didn't bother brushing them away this time. Instead, he balanced two large paper bags filled with takeout in one hand while an expensive-looking duffel bag rested against his leg.

"Morning." His voice was quiet as always, warm enough to feel welcoming without ever becoming loud. "I hope you haven't eaten yet."

Without waiting for much more than an invitation inside, Benjamin stepped into the house with practiced familiarity. It almost felt like he'd been there hundreds of times before—which, admittedly, he probably had. He slipped off his shoes near the entrance before making his way to the kitchen, setting the paper bags down with surprising care.

"I picked everything up on the way here."

One container after another appeared across the table, your favorite meal, your preferred drink. The side dish you always claimed wasn't worth ordering, despite finishing it every single time. Even dessert. Benjamin arranged everything neatly before giving an approving nod to himself.

"They almost forgot the extra sauce." He smiled faintly. "I noticed before I left the restaurant." His fingers adjusted the bridge of his glasses almost absentmindedly. "They seemed surprised I knew your order better than they did." A quiet chuckle escaped him as he pulled out a chair. "I suppose I've memorized it by now." Benjamin finally sat down, though only for a moment before remembering something. His expression brightened ever so slightly. "Oh." He leaned down and reached for the duffel bag resting beside his chair. "I almost forgot the important part."

From inside, he pulled out a small leather folder. Inside were two hotel keycards tucked neatly into matching sleeves. Benjamin carefully placed them on the table between the food containers before gently sliding one toward you.

"I rented us a room." He said it so casually it almost sounded like he'd mentioned the weather. "It's at one of those hotels by the beach." He hesitated for just a second before adding, "...The nice one." His smile turned a little sheepish. "I know it was expensive." He rubbed the back of his neck. "But summer only comes around once a year." Benjamin quietly folded his hands together on the table. "I thought it would be good for us. You've been busy, we've both been busy. It feels like every time we meet lately, it's because one of us has somewhere else to be." His gaze drifted toward the window. "So...I figured we could disappear for a few days. No schedules, no work and no people bothering us. Just the beach." He smiled to himself.

"I already planned everything, I checked the weather for the next week. The hotel has an ocean-view room, I made dinner reservations for tonight. I made sure the room has a balcony." He laughed softly. "And apparently there's a bookstore just down the street? I remembered you mentioning months ago that you liked little bookstores more than the big chains." His fingers idly traced the edge of one of the hotel keycards.

"I also found a café nearby, they bake everything fresh." Benjamin looked back toward you, the corners of his lips lifting into a smile so natural it was impossible to tell whether he'd rehearsed it. "I packed sunscreen And towels. Oh—and a small first-aid kit. Just in case." He paused. "I wasn't sure how much luggage you'd want to bring, so..." Another small smile. "I left room in my bag." For a moment, the room fell comfortably quiet. Benjamin rested his chin against his hand, studying you through the curtain of hair covering his eyes.

"There isn't really a catch! I just wanted to spend time with you." He gave a tiny shrug. "...Selfish reason, I know." His laugh was almost too soft to hear. "But you're my favorite person, so if I'm going to run away for the weekend..." His fingers lightly tapped the second keycard. "...I can't think of anyone else I'd rather disappear with." He reached across the table, nudging one of the warm takeout containers closer to you.

"Eat before it gets cold." Then, with the same gentle smile that had earned everyone's trust, Benjamin added, "...You don't have any other plans this weekend anyway." There was no accusation in his voice—only quiet confidence, as though he already knew the answer. And somehow...he did.

The music from the club drowned out almost everything. Conversations blurred together beneath flashing lights, laughter echoing across the room as phones buzzed with new messages and tagged photos from the night. Somewhere in the crowd, your phone vibrated once. Then again. And again.

Benjamin.

The calls stopped after the third attempt, only for another one to begin a few seconds later.

---

Miles away, Benjamin sat alone in his bedroom with only the glow of his desk lamp illuminating the room. His glasses rested low on his nose while his phone remained propped against a mug of untouched tea. The screen displayed your latest social media story—a shaky clip of flashing lights, loud music, and familiar faces crowded around you. His thumb hovered over the image for a moment.

"...Looks crowded." He spoke to the empty room before pressing the call button once more.

This time, the line connected, Benjamin let out a small sigh of relief.

"...Hey." His voice was noticeably quieter than usual, rough around the edges. "I'm... sorry for calling so late." A cough interrupted him. Or at least, it sounded convincing enough. "I didn't know who else to ask." He sniffled softly. "I think I've caught something. I've had a headache all evening, I tried sleeping...Didn't really work." He gave a weak laugh. "I remembered the pharmacy near your place stays open pretty late, I was wondering..." His voice lowered, almost embarrassed. "...Could you bring me some medicine? I know it's a lot to ask. But you're kind of the only person I'd trust to pick the right stuff." Another cough. Benjamin leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving the glowing image on his screen. One of the faces in the background caught his attention. His expression barely changed.

"...Actually...I almost asked Noah." He paused thoughtfully. "But he forgets things. And Izzy would probably spend more time talking than actually buying anything." A quiet hum. "I thought about asking..." He named the friend currently standing beside you in the video. "...But they're usually kind of a waste of time in situations like this." Benjamin laughed softly to himself. "I shouldn't say that, they mean well. I just... figured you'd be more reliable."

His thumb refreshed your social media page. Another story, still at the club, still with the same people. Benjamin smiled faintly.

"...Anyway. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important, I imagine you're probably just relaxing at home." His tone remained perfectly innocent. "If you're already getting ready for bed...Don't worry about rushing. I'll wait." Another cough escaped him. "...Unless you've gone out somewhere." He tilted his head slightly, almost as if genuinely considering the possibility for the first time. "...Though...I can't imagine you spending your night somewhere unbearably loud. You've never really liked places like that." His fingers lightly tapped against the edge of his desk. "...Still. I'd feel a lot better if I knew you were the one bringing the medicine."

A comfortable silence settled between his words. When he spoke again, his voice was warm enough to melt away any suspicion.

"...You're my best friend. I don't really know who else I'd call." His smile lingered as he glanced back toward the newest story that had just appeared on your profile. "...Take your time, I'll be here waiting."

The hotel had gone quiet hours ago. Beyond the balcony doors, the distant sound of waves rolled onto the shore, softened by the warm summer breeze drifting through the curtains. The vacation had flown by—seven days of lazy mornings, walks along the beach, quiet cafés, bookstores, sunsets over the water, and dinners that somehow always stretched late into the evening. Tomorrow, it would all be over. Benjamin stood outside your hotel room door longer than he'd ever admit. One hand rested lightly against the spare keycard he'd been given at check-in. He turned it over between his fingers, staring at it for several silent moments before letting out a slow breath.

"...Just for a minute."

The electronic lock gave a quiet click. He eased the door open with practiced care, slipping inside without making more than a whisper of sound before quietly closing it behind him. The room was dark, lit only by pale moonlight spilling through the balcony windows. Benjamin adjusted his glasses, his messy hair falling over his eyes almost immediately afterward. A small, sheepish smile tugged at his lips.

"I knew you'd forget to close the balcony door..." His voice was barely louder than the ocean outside. "You always do." He carefully slipped off his shoes and padded across the carpet until he reached the bedside. For a moment, he simply stood there. Watching, not with excitement, just quiet admiration. His expression softened in a way no one else ever got to see. "You're peaceful." Another long silence followed before Benjamin finally gave in to the temptation he'd been fighting all week.

He slowly climbed onto the edge of the mattress, moving carefully enough not to disturb the bed more than necessary. Leaving plenty of space at first, he settled beside you with his back against the headboard. "I shouldn't be doing this." He smiled faintly. "I know." His fingers hesitated before lightly pulling part of the blanket over himself. Then, almost instinctively, he leaned a little closer. Then a little more, until he was gently resting against your side. Benjamin closed his eyes. "...There." His shoulders relaxed for what felt like the first time all week. "I've been wanting to do that since the first night." A quiet laugh escaped him. "I kept telling myself to behave...Guess I wasn't very convincing."

He carefully wrapped an arm around you in a loose, gentle embrace, as though afraid even the slightest pressure might wake you. His grip remained light, protective rather than restrictive, while he rested his cheek against your shoulder.

"You know..." "I liked this trip more than I expected. I liked eating breakfast with you, watching you complain about getting sand in your shoes, walking behind you on the boardwalk..." His smile grew warmer. "...You always slowed down without realizing it. So I never had to catch up." He laughed softly through his nose. "I noticed things, you smiled differently here. You slept better, you seemed...Happy." Benjamin's thumb absentmindedly brushed against the blanket. "I wish it didn't have to end tomorrow. I wish we could stay here a little longer. No phones, no work, no people pulling you away...Just us." The words escaped before he could stop them. Another silence settled over the room. When he spoke again, it was scarcely more than a whisper.

"I know I'm selfish, I always want more time. More conversations, more memories and more of you." He lowered his head, hiding behind the curtain of hair that covered his eyes. "I keep telling myself that being your best friend should be enough...It should." His fingers tightened ever so slightly around the blanket. "But every time you smile at someone else...I wish it were me." Another quiet breath. "I tell little lies, I make excuses. I convince myself it's because I'm looking out for you. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm just scared." His voice faltered into an almost inaudible murmur. "I'm scared someone will make you happier than I ever could."

Benjamin let out a tiny, embarrassed laugh. "...You'll never hear any of this anyway. So...I love you." The confession slipped out so softly it was nearly swallowed by the sound of the waves. "I've loved you for a long time." "Long enough that I don't remember when it started." He closed his eyes, allowing himself one brief moment to simply exist there beside you. "...Goodnight. I'll be gone before you wake up, so I don't scare you."

Benjamin's gentle smile lingered in the darkness as he held you just a little closer, convincing himself that this single quiet moment would be enough to carry him home—even though, deep down, he already knew it never would be.

Benjamin had been around almost every day this week and if he wasn't calling, he was texting. If he wasn't texting, he was somehow already at your front door with coffee, lunch, or another excuse to spend time together.

"You looked tired yesterday."

"I figured you forgot breakfast."

"I was in the neighborhood."

His reasons always sounded perfectly reasonable. By the end of the week, it had become almost routine for him to linger long after the evening grew late. He'd offer to help clean up, insist on locking every window, double-check every door, and casually mention that he'd feel better staying the night "just in case." Benjamin always framed it as concern.

"There have been a lot of weird stories online lately."

"I'd rather know you're safe."

"I don't mind sleeping on the floor."

Of course, he somehow always ended up in your room anyway. Tonight was no different. A stack of blankets sat on the floor beside him while a bowl overflowing with popcorn rested between the two of you. The room lights were off, save for the warm glow of a small bedside lamp that cast long shadows across the walls. Benjamin adjusted his glasses before opening a notebook he'd brought with him.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "I was looking for movies earlier, they were all terrible." He let out a quiet laugh. "So I thought...Ghost stories." He looked almost embarrassed by the suggestion. "Unless that's too childish." Without waiting long, he reached into his backpack and produced a small flashlight. "I even came prepared."

Click.

The light illuminated his face from below, making his usually gentle features appear just eerie enough to earn an amused smile from himself. "...Too much?" He chuckled before lowering it slightly. "I'll start with something simple." Benjamin's voice naturally settled into a calm, almost hypnotic rhythm. "There was supposedly an old house built near the woods..."

As he spoke, he watched the room far more than the story, every creak from the house. Every subtle shift in the silence, he never raised his voice. He didn't need to. His quiet delivery somehow made every detail feel more believable.

"...People said they could hear footsteps upstairs, even though no one lived there. Just slow footsteps."

"...One..."

"...Two..."

"...Three..."

Benjamin lightly tapped three fingers against the wooden floor beside him.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Then smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I couldn't resist." He reached for a handful of popcorn, looking almost innocent again. "I promise the next one isn't as creepy. Actually...I lied." His smile widened just enough to reveal the joke before he continued. "I found one that's much worse." He leaned back against the bedframe, resting one knee against his chest. "The funny thing about scary stories...They're never really frightening while you're hearing them. It's afterward. When the lights are off, when the house settles. And you hear something outside your window." His gaze drifted toward the curtains as though he'd heard something himself. Benjamin remained perfectly still for several seconds before quietly laughing.

"...It's probably just the wind." He reached over and casually nudged the bowl of popcorn a little closer. "I always liked spooky stories. They make people appreciate good company." His fingers absentmindedly adjusted his glasses again. "...Besides if either of us gets scared..." His smile softened into the warm, dependable expression you knew so well. "...We won't have to deal with it alone." He picked up the flashlight once more, angling it beneath his chin with exaggerated seriousness.

"So..." He flipped a page in his notebook. "...Have you ever heard the story about the person who kept hearing knocking outside their bedroom window..." Benjamin paused just long enough for the silence to settle around the room and then he grinned. "...Relax, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you." His voice was reassuring, almost protective.

Exactly as he'd intended. After all...It was much easier to become someone's safe place if they first believed they had something to fear.