He couldn't help but be ecstatic about seeing her. He raised his hand slowly to the door and placed a soft knock on the wood. After a moment of silence, he decided to try the handle. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. He made his way, very quietly, into her enormous apartment. He envied Rylann…she moved out here at 17, immediately after graduating high school, supported herself entirely, worked full time, and managed to attend classes part time at NYU. He set his bag by the door and continued to search through the rooms… nothing. He made his way back to the last room in the apartment. He pushed the already slightly ajar door open further. His eyes rested on the sleeping beauty. Her comforter raising so subtly with her every breath. He wanted to watch her forever, but couldn't wait to surprise her. "Ry…Ry…Rylann" he called to her softly, but loud enough to wake a sleeping person. She had no reaction, just continued in her seemingly blissful slumber. He situated himself in the empty space on her bed…"Ahh, headphones, that explains why she can't hear me." He lifted the headphone from her ears causing her to stir a little. "Ry…Ry wake up" "Umm..Uh uh, I don't have to work today…no classes…leave me alone" "Ry, sweetie, please wake up… c'mon" "Fuck you" she grumbled with her face in the pillow. "Geez, Ry, I would love to, but in order to do that you need to wake up!" Confused by all the talking, she turned her head to see who was speaking. "Jesus Christ, Benj, what are you doing here…why are u in my bed…why are u talking to me at 9 am?!?!" Benji laughed at her confused, yet excited, expression. "Ok, so I'll take that as a hi, lemme guess, not a morning person?!" he kidded. "You could say that… god, what's with you and surprising me, 2 times now you managed to scare the piss out of me!" "Geez, I hope I didn't really scare the piss out of you," he jokingly lifted the covers to look, and grinned at the sight of her in just a tank and panties. She slapped him playfully. "So, c'mon amiga, let's go…" "What are you talking about, I thought I made this clear earlier, it's 9am, I don't do mornings….I sleep." "Yea, but you're already up…" "Not uh, c'mon, lemme sleep…just 5 minutes, pweese?" she pleaded waving 5 fingers in his face. "Alright, alright…" he pulled her into his arms, engulfing her tightly, and rested his head on her bare shoulder. "You smell good," she whispered. "You too," he smiled, " and you're warm." Benji's eyes fluttered open to Rylann's beautiful smile. "I thought you were soooooo awake!" she teased. "I was, it's not my fault you bed is so damn comfortable," he grinned. "Now you see why I never want to leave?" "Uh huh," he said, wrapping his arms around her tighter. He was so happy to have her in his arms…they were so comfortable together, best friends. They had the perfect relationship, all the comforts of a relationship with none of the hassles or awkwardness. He may have wanted more in the beginning, but he had everything he ever needed in this moment. They spent the day together, doing everything and anything, including playing like children in the park. They met the rest of the band for dinner at a very classy Manhattan restaurant. "Billy, Paul, Joel!!" Rylann exclaimed as she rushed towards the men outside the restaurant. "Hey Ry!" Joel said quickly wrapped her in a hug. They hadn't seen each other since she and Benji first met, 4 months before. They grew close fast, however, seeing just how happy she made their friend. The group, including Joel and Paul's girlfriends who toured with the band, spent several hours eating and catching up. Benji excused himself from the table, and Joel was quick to follow his brother.
"Hey Benj, wait up" Joel called after his twin as he walked into the restroom.
"Yea Joel?" Benji questioned.
"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you."
"About…?" Benji stared at Joel.
"Yo, dude, kill the death stare..I just wanted to ask you how things went today."
"Oh, they went good, great" a smile overtook his face as he reminisced on the day.
"So Benj, what's with you two?"
"Nothing…we just had a great time, like always."
"Oh, cut the shit Benj…you can't sit here and tell me you feel nothing more for that girl out there. Every time her name is mentioned, or anything about her, you grin like a 12 year old girl meeting her favorite backstreet boy!"
"What?! Joel, I just…I dunno, yea, I love Ry with all my heart…but I don't want to jinx anything, ya know? I mean, what we have is perfect…she made it clear, she wants to be friends..and I would rather have her as just a friend than not have her at all."
Joel was silent, but then began, "I know Benj, believe me, I know…I just know that it kills you leaving her, I see how you are on the road, alone, and then how happy you are here, with her. I don't know whether she see's it or not, but…you can't break yourself down just to keep her around, Benj…do you know what I am saying?"
"I guess so, but I will never stop seeing her, as a friend or anything else if that were the case…whether it broke me or not."
Joel nodded.."I understand, Bro…I just, I want you to be happy."
"Thanks Joel, I know, but tonight, I am happy…the happiest I have been in a long time." The brothers hugged quickly and then made their way back towards the table.
~*~
* Meanwhile (when the boys were still in the bathroom)*
"So Ry….how was your day with Benj?" Billy questioned, grinning.
"It was fine, William, it was great infact. Why do you ask?" she teased.
"Oh c'mon…what's going on with you and Benj…don't act like we're blind, we've seen the two of you grinning at each other all night,"
Paul jumped in. "Yea, and he keeps taking your hand in his," Joel's girlfriend, Jayde added.
"Wooow…did u guys plan to rush me with questions the second he left the table, geez…And to answer all your `burning' questions, you all know how I feel about Benj, and how he feels about me…we're best friends."
"But, don't you feel anything more…I mean, it just seems like you two, I dunno, have this connection or something…you both seem so happy when you're together." Paul's girlfriend, Zandria, said with almost a plead in her voice.
"I know, it's just…I don't know how to put this, I love Benji with my whole heart, but I told him we were going to be just friends…and now, I am scarred to take that back. He seems content with the way things are, I don't want to scare him away by telling him how I really feel. I am willing to swallow my heart, to keep him in my life."
"But Ry…" Billy began before Paul gave him a swift kick, "Shhhh" he said as he motioned his head toward the twins approaching the table.
"So, how bout we get outta here guys?" Joel said wrapping his arm around Jayde.
"Yea, I'm ready to go," Zandria said resting her head on Paul's shoulder.
The group walked out to the curb towards Rylann's car, and began their goodbyes.
"So Benj, you coming with, or…." Joel asked.
"Uh" he turned to Rylann, with a questioning look, to which she nodded. "I'll probably just see you guys later on."
"Alright Benj, Bye Ry, it was great seeing you again…don't be a stranger." Joel hugged her quickly. They all finished their goodbyes and parted for the night.