Hope you guys enjoy this next chapter and let me know your thoughts!!😊💓
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August 7th, 2017

Samantha stood at her post in the McDonalds building. She was in a gloomy mood, replaying last nights events with her and Dylan.

He was so distant.

He was fine earlier that day...

What did she do?

What did she say?

Ding.

Sam glanced down and pulled out her cell phone. It was a notification from Dylan;

~~~

Dill Pickle🥒😍💓

D: Hey I'm taking a sick day from work. I'll talk to you later💕

~~~

The young woman questioned this message. He seemed just fine last night, health wise at least.

She sighed to herself, "Oh Dylan."

Ding Ding.

A sudden chime rung from the entrance of the workplace.

Sam looked up and met eyes with someone familiar.

"Hey Sammy," It was Ben with his signature charming grin.

She smiled as he came towards the table, "Hey, Ben. How's everything?"

"It's been alright, lots of work."

"I can relate.."

"How are you doing?"

Sam gave her best realistic happy expression, "I am good...good and tired."

He just continued to stare at her, "Well, it's really great to see you."

Ben leaned his elbow on the counter and stroke  back his hair with a smile.

She was scent with a moment of peace, "It's great to see you too."

Samantha stood there and analyzed the tall man.

Benjamin wore a sleeveless gray shirt with ripped jeans. He had bracelets from his college worn on his wrists. His hair was its natural waviness and looked silky and thick. Her eyes shifted towards his arms. They had a bit of muscle to them. More so than usual...

"So, are you going to take my order?" Ben asked after a long silence.

Startled, Sam came out of her daze, "Ah, sorry! I was just thinking.."

"Hmm, I don't think I've ever seen you do that," He said with a wink.

The girl rolled her eyes and nudged the man on the other side of the counter, "Oh shush!"

"Hey hey I was just kidding!"

"Whatever, what would you like to order?"

"Cheeseburger and fries is fine."

She typed the order into the cash register.

"Alright, I'll call you up when your food is ready."

Ben handed her the money and gave a casual salute, "I'll be waiting."

He headed to a seat as she watched him go.

...

When Ben said he'd be waiting at a table, Sam never thought he would stay for 4 hours.

But he did.

He sat at the small table near the front counter. The young man was seated there calmly, staring down at his cell phone.

Sam was confused.

He had already gotten his meal.

Why was he still here?

Soon the girl's shift was over and she gathered all her belongings from the back room.

She hurried herself to grab all of her things, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.

Today felt way longer than normal.

Maybe it was because Dylan wasn't there..

Why did they have to fight?

She missed him.

Sam zippered up her book bag and as she went to leave through the back door, someone came next to her.

"I see your shift is done," it was Ben.

He followed her out the door, his hands shoved into his pockets.

Samantha glanced at him and smiled a little, "Yeah, finally.."

"I didn't seem very long."

"Are you kidding?! I was bored out of my mind."

"Don't you have so much to do?"

"Not really, mostly just taking people's orders. Sometimes I do have to deal with terrors."

"I bet...," he continued to stare at her, analyzing her complexion.

Sam looked down, forcing away the eye contact, "So..when are you heading back to Texas? Aren't you heading up there in a few days?"

Benjamin stopped in his place in the parking lot, causing the other to do the same.

He had a slight smile, "Actually, I'm not going back there until a while longer."

"Oh," she was confused yet curious, "then what are you going to do?"

"I'm staying with a group here for a program!"

Sam was very surprised, "Wow...that's crazy."

"I know right!"

"Why did you decide to stay with them?"

He began walking again, the girl right beside him, "Things weren't great in the area I was at. The environment wasn't the place for me. I'm hoping for some better change, ya know?"

"Yeah...I'm really happy for you, Ben."

"Anndd...maybe now we can hang out more often, like old times," Ben said with a hopeful look in his eye.

Their eyes met and Sam could see he was expressing himself.

"Y-Yeah that'd be great. I miss spending time together."

"Me too."

Ben and Sam stopped at the bus stop in half silence.

"Would you like me to give you a ride to your apartment?"

"No, it's fine. My place isn't too far from here.."

"Well, I guess I'll be on my way...," the young man gave a kind expression, "have a good night. Rest up because you worked hard today."

"Thanks, I'm gonna hit the sack.."

Ben suddenly lifted his hand, "Hold on, you have some hair in your face."

He leaned towards her head, squinting his creamy blue eyes. Sam felt his breath tickle her skin as he pulled the strands of her hair from her eyes and behind her ear.

Ben stayed in that spot a while longer than he needed to, staring into her eyes.

This eye contact caused the young woman to feel her cheeks flush.

She didn't like this situation.

She had to get out of it.

"Ah, th-thank you, Ben..I think I got it now," Sam said, feeling her friend beginning to move closer.

He was unsure for a moment but then understood, "Alright, I'll see you around."

"Yes you will," Samantha replied with a plastered smile.

"See ya, Sammy," Benjamin voiced, giving a wink and wave, leaving the scene as he came.

The young girl watched him walk off and concluded with a exhale of air.

What even was that?

She didn't want to think about it anymore as the bus pulled up at the stop.