The sun was surprisingly warm for early March, Benji thought to himself as he made his way through the streets of Manhattan. He breathed deeply, half smiling to himself, thinking about his destination. He thought back to the day he had met her….Rylann.
*Flashback *
It was about 4 months earlier, he along with his band Good Charlotte, a still considerably unknown band, were in the city for a few shows. In a desperate attempt to get away from the hectic-ness of the fans and everything, he retired to a nearly deserted coffee shop. That's where he saw her…Her 5'6 petite frame, her beautiful blonde and crimson-red waist length hair, her honey brown eyes, her deep tanned skin covered in more than a few tattoos, her everything. He said a quick prayer to god, he remembered it well, "C'mon, you're a guy, you know what it's like…bring her to me."
* Pause flashback*
He grinned as he remembered thinking those thoughts.
*Continue Flashback*
She walked over towards him so gracefully, he whispered a quick thank you towards the ceiling, and continued his intense stare on her. "I'm Rylann…" he smiled, thinking she noticed him just as much as he noticed her. As he began to introduce himself, she continued, "can I get u anything." His smile faded slightly, realizing she was his waitress…he didn't care; he was not going to let her slip away. "Uh..yea…just a coffee." Okay, so maybe he didn't exactly woo her, but he was nervous. She chuckled slightly at his response, "Ok, well.." she leaned in slightly and lower her voice "since this is a coffee shop, I am gonna need you to be a little more specific, sweetie." She straightened back up and shot him a quick smile. "Oh, right, sorry, it's just….you know, your very beautiful" he smiled sheepishly. "Aww…thankyou, you're a real sweetheart, and not too bad on the eyes" she smiled one of those million dollar smiles. "Now, let's try this again, what can I get you?" "Right, ok, I just want a regular decaf, black, please," he looked into her eyes, trying to read her. "Coming right up," she winked and made her way back to the counter. He watched her every move. 11 cups of coffee later and very little else said, he decided to make his move. "Ok…now I am more than willing to oblige, but this is your 12th cup of coffee and your teeth are so nice and white, I really don't wanna be part of turning them yellow," she laughed slightly to herself. "Right, oh and thanks, for saying I have nice teeth," he stopped, he knew he was rambling, "Ok, so I just wanted to say thanks for the great service, and uh, wondered if I could…um… have your number?" He winced slightly as he finished asking, waiting for her response. He had no idea why he was acting so shy, that wasn't like him, normally he was Benji, the confident, sometimes arrogant, blunt guy. "You're too cute to say no to, so…" she quickly scribbled her number down on a nearby napkin, "here you go." She smiled yet again, still having the same affect on him. "Thanks, I'll be sure to use it…oh and by the way, you have very nice teeth yourself." He smiled, really smiled, barely able to mask his joy, and made his way to the door. He turned once to wave a continued out the door.
*Pause Flashback*
He sighed deeply and his grin widened, as he turned the corner and came ever nearer to her apartment building.
*Continue Flashback*
He used the number, just like he promised. After two, what he thought were wonderful dates, Rylann and he talked. "I have so much fun with you, I really do, we have such a great time together," he smiled at her as she spoke directly to him, "but.." his smiled faded.. `but' he repeated to himself, "I know this sounds so cliché, I just ended a four year relationship, and think you and I would be better as friends, for now." He shifted his eyes from hers to his feet. She placed her finger under his chin and tilted it towards her. "I said `for now', not forever…" with that she placed an ever so subtle kiss on his soft lips and stood up. Still in shock, he was so to react, but as he came to, he jumped up.."Rylann…I just want you to know, friends is good for me!" She smiled and gave him a quick hug. He left NYC the next day and continued to tour with the band. They talked several times on the phone over the next 2 months… then he surprised her, for Valentines Day. He arrived at the coffee shop he knew all too well by then, with 3 dozen long stem yellow roses (her fav.) in tow. He walked in and saw her, with her back turned towards him, he approached her slowly and slipped his free arm around her waist. She jumped a little at the unknown contact, but as she turned to see the mystery grabber, she became ecstatic. "BENJI!" She screamed, gained the attention of the few customers in the shop. She lower her voice slightly, but still expressing her excitement, "I can't believe you're here, you told me you were in California…" " I needed to see my favorite gal-pal on this sickening holiday" he grinned. "Benji, I can't believe you did this…thank you" she whispered. He knew she needed him that day, her first valentines day alone in over 4 years. They spent the night laughing and catching up. He stayed the night at her apartment, strictly as friends. They had lunch together the next day, before he had to go. She thanked him over and over again, and was truly sad to see him go. She couldn't wait to see him again….
*End Flashback*