Confessions of a Hopeless Romantic {Zee}

[BENNY MOORE]

Tonight was the night. It was perfect. Zee's birthday. Her SEVENTEENTH birthday. It was the night that benny had been perfecting in his head for years and years. He had always thought that he would do something like this. Something special and romantic. Something so perfectly intertwined with pure beauty and kindness and sweet lovey-dovey bliss that he couldn't help but woo her over.

Really, the idea hadn't come to him until about a week or two ago, but once it had him in it's grips, he realized that it was in fact the best possible way to go about the whole thing. Taking her out to run about in some kind of rustic field was not exactly doable, but a romantic dinner in one of the snazziest joints in the City was definitely a possibility, and doing it on her Birthday would just make it all culminate on the day in which she was happiest, loosest, most likely to understand him and appreciate him for what he really was to her: a devoted servant, friend, and hopefully more than that.

He had called early in advance, just to make sure that they had this table in the classy restaurant. He wanted to make sure that everything was just perfect. So far, so good. It seemed that his luck was holding. He had certainly made a good choice in restaurant. He had never been before (it was pretty damn expensive!) but he could tell just by the way the soft lighting made everything look like it was positively glowing, and the beautiful red motif running throughout the entire restaurant that this was it. This was the place that would forever be remembered as the building in which benny confessed his undying love for Mackenzie, and some day, in the far off distant future, they would bring their grandchildren here and tell them about how old grampie and grannie had begun dating in this very place on grannie's birthday.

But....now he was getting ahead of himself. Clearing his throat, he uncomfortably straightened his tie. OH YES, he was wearing a tie. A rather gawdy shade of blue on to be exact. He felt that if this was the night that he confessed his age-old secret it was all the better that he look his best while doing it. He wasn't particularly used to wearing button down shirts and loafers and nice pants or anything like that, and he was positively sure that his hair looked idiotic all slicked back, but he didn't care. The only thing that mattered was when Mackenzie would walk in, and how long he would be able to keep it contained within him until his feelings just came rushing out like a river whose dam finally burst.

Damn, that was a bit of pathetic poetry right there. He hoped he wouldn't sound so disgustingly melodramatic when he finally told her....

[tig]

Mackenzie Blaire was a pretty girl. Mackenzie Blaire was a fun girl. Mackenzie Blaire was a hardworking girl, if the topic of work was one that she liked. Mackenzie Blaire was a passionate girl. Mackenzie Blaire was a loving girl.

Mackenzie Blaire was not a particularly smart girl.

For instance, Mackenzie did not know why the sky was blue, though she does suspect it's not to match her eyes like her Father had told her years and years ago. She did not know why we had day lights savings time every year. And she did know that her best friend since the age of five, Benji Matthew Moore, was hopelessly and utterly in love with her. Their lives had been entwined from the beginning, and it wasn't that Benji was even particularly good at hiding it.

Still she had no clue that all of those times she had hugged Benji, kissed his cheek, sat on his lap, fell asleep on his shoulder, blew on his ear to distract him in mini golf, cuddled up to him during a movie; had been putting Benji through a twisted sort of Hell that he would come to crave. It had just been always how they had been. Even while she had lived with her Mother in California, no friendship had ever touched her life like Benji's. Every night they would speak on the phone while she was away, talking about everything. The fun they had last summer, the fun they were going to have this summer, life, love interest, fashion. And when she moved to New York, the two were near inseparable.

And tonight made it official. Best friends for over a decade. Eleven years of it being Benji and Zee, partners in crime, crusaders against the crimes of fashion, and best friends til the end. Sure, she knew he was good looking. Zee might not be bright, but she had an eye for beautiful things. But Benji had NEVER shown the slightest interest. How was she POSSIBLY suppose to know that she was the grapes and water to his Tantalus? He LIKED to watch day long marathons of Project Runway and America's Next Top Model. He LIKED helping her pick out dress after dress, shoes after shoes, what cut makes her shoulders look best, what color brought out her eyes. In fact, as Benji had never had a girlfriend, Zee had been wondering what end of the sexual spectrum her Benji was on.

Walking into the restaurant, a waiter brought her to the table where Benji sat. Before he could say a word, Zee gasped and ran to embrace her friend, kissing him lightly on the cheek, her foot popping ever so slightly in her excite. "Benji! Look at you!" Zee said approvingly. She knew he wasn't fond of suits, and she was fairly sure it was strictly for her benefit. Grinning, she straightened his tie, her blue eyes glittering with approval. "Where have you been hiding this little number, huh? Oh! And you did your hair!" Her light orange painted fingernails brushed through his sleeked locks, careful not to mess up his doo.

"However, you are making me feel utterly under dressed you mean thing you." She teased, the scolding having zero weight. Pulling back, Mackenzie gave a little twirl on her orange strappy heels, removing the orange scarf shell from her shoulders. Beneath she revealed a flirty, flouncy, young cocktail dress, made of denim. It was a strapless little number, that showed off her creamy peach skin, her long legs especially. An orange stone necklace offset the amount of skin the dress showed, hanging from her delicate neck prettily. Orange stone stud earrings sat in her ears, with a delicate diamond bracelet, and a ring with a diamond tiger face on her right middle finger. Hanging the shell from her seat, and setting the orange clutch on the table in front of her seat, Zee glowed with affection for her best friend.

Bleeding Hearts.

If she had been told that Benji, her Benji, would make a reservation at Bleeding Hearts, Zee would have called bullshit right then and there. And she would have been wrong. A waiter pulled her chair out, and she sat carefully, looking over at Benji over the candle light and rose centerpieces. "Benji... this is really awesome!" She gushed breathlessly, looking around at the setting. It was gorgeous.

Benji had really out done himself.

outfit.

[BENNY MOORE]

Swallowing anxiously, a whole host of thoughts began to run rampant through his mind. What if she had decided not to come? It was starting to get a bit late. Already, three minutes had passed since the time he had told her to be there. What if her father had decided to turn around and instead of being all distant and workaholic-y give her a big birthday party? What if that party had made her forget him, and he was just sitting there all night, staring at the wall across from him and laughing awkwardly every time a waiter came by to refill his glass of water, and then he was forced to just walk balefully home, all his plans ruined and his heart feeling like it had been forcefully TORN straight form his chest and and and -

Before he could delve any further into the spiral of hurt and mental anguish that he was building up, a waiter arrived at the table with what surely had to be an angel. Well, maybe not an ANGEL, because Benny was pretty positive that that sounded way to corny to actually be considered a compliment, and he was equally positive that Mackenzie wanted nothing to do with Angels and the like, since she would probably not like the idea of having rules and guidelines to go by for any heavenly duties. Regardless of what he called her, she looked, well, gorgeous. Stunning. Absolutely flawless, but then, what else was new?

He leaped to his feet in order to welcome her here. He was all for manners. He needed to make sure that she was totally happy and pleased with him tonight. There could be no reason for her to be upset or even slightly moody. He had to make sure everything went perfectly so she would finally realize that she loved him just as much as he loved her, just like it had worked out in all his daydreams and fantasies about this night.

As she kissed his cheek, he couldn't help but want more. he wanted to just grab hold of her right then and kiss her back. Kiss her lips and have it be the first of many kisses they sharedf in their relationship. he wanted them to be together as a couple right then and there, and spend the rest of the night just kissing and cuddling and being close to one another without it being just a joke, or just a teasing little game played by Mackenzie. He wanted it to be real, and he wanted it to happen right then, without any need for explanations.

Gosh, he just had to slow down. Keep it nice and calm and simple for now. No need to rush headfirst into things. If he kept calm and made sure that everything was perfect and going splendidly, then he would be able to slowly work his way into it and she would say "Yes! Yes, Benji, I love you too!" just like he had always imagined.

"Well, I'd like to think that after all these years I've found a way to keep at least a FEW secrets from you," he laughed as she questioned his attire for the evening. "Namely, the location of my fancier clothing. I can't have you going crazy with designing me some snazzier clothes than this. I'm quite fine with my suit, thank you very much."

He grinned his approval of her little bit of twirling. "I seriously doubt you could ever be considered underdressed for an occasion," was his only comment as he took his seat again. "And, I know, right? Can you BELIEVE this place? It's so perfect! It's like, the best place for an extra special birthday event."

Gosh, eh didn't know what he had been so worried about. So far it had been nothing but smooth sailing on the S.S. Confession. Of course, that was probably because he had yet to GET to the confession or really give her any reason at all to think that he liked her, but that was beside the point. He was on the right track.

[tig]

Benji had this talent of making Zee feel like she was the most important thing on the planet. If ever she felt down, he was there to cheer her up. If her Dad had forgotten to call her on a holiday, Benji was there to celebrate with her. If a boy had broken up with Zee, Benji was there to tell her that he was no good anyhow. And always his eyes would be focused on her, distracted by the going ons of those around them. He was the greatest listener, and a loving friend.

But, Mackenzie was just sure that was his way, once he got around knowing someone. "Well, I'd like to think that after all these years I've found a way to keep at least a FEW secrets from you," Mackenzie pressed her hand to her cheek in false bashfulness, giggling along with him. It was just... so easy between them. "Namely, the location of my fancier clothing. I can't have you going crazy with designing me some snazzier clothes than this. I'm quite fine with my suit, thank you very much."

Mackenzie snickered, remembering the outfits she had managed to get him in over the years. Bright, vivacious, colors and patterns. Un-Benji colors and patterns. Not to try and change him, oh no. Zee adored that Benji was so grounded, as he was her anchor to earth, being a self proclaimed airhead. "Oh, you know you love doing fittings with me, so don't deny it."

"I seriously doubt you could ever be considered under dressed for an occasion." Benji said, sitting down across from her. She flashed him her brightest smile, taking this as a great compliment. If there was one thing Zee could do, it was look fabulous. "And, I know, right? Can you BELIEVE this place? It's so perfect! It's like, the best place for an extra special birthday event."

Zee gave a quiet gasp of excitement. "An 'Extra special' birthday present? Last year all I got was a 'special' present!" She grinned her mischievously little smirk, as Tigger purred happily in her head. "Now what are you up too Benji Moore? Give me a hint!" Taking a sip of her water, she pretended to ponder on it. "Balloon ride over the city? No, too much smog... Ball room dancing in Yankee stadium? No, no, that's not it." She grinned, feigning suspicion, before her smile softened, and her eyes smoldered. What was the amazing thing that she had done, to have a best friend like Benji Moore?

Reaching forward, Zee put her fingers delicately over Benji's hand. The happiness gleamed from her eyes, but the joking was put aside for the moment. From her peripherals, Zee could see the candles flicker and dance, and the other diners were barely there to her. It was just him and her. "Benji, this is all so perfect. Thank you. Honestly, if you can do anything to top me spending a fabulous evening with you, while we both look so gorgeous, I'll be the most shocked person in all of New York." Her voice was quiet and earnest, as she pulled her hand back, eyes dropping to the menu. The cheeky little minxish grin returned almost instantly. "But, I am already super excited for it, so no takesbacks."

Her Father loved her, she knew. But he had very little time to offer. And her Mother was so busy doing this or that, it was basically the same situation. No Aunts or Uncles, and only a Grandfather she had never met... But Benji. Benji always knew how to get her.

[BENNY MOORE]

Alright. He was doing fine. So far there had yet to be a meltdown from either one of them, and there had yet to be a single tear shed. Benny was doing well! He had planned this thing out so many times and accounted for so many variables that he was SURE he could handle the evening no matter what happened. The waiter brought the wrong meal? He had that figured out. The waiter took too long in preparing their food? Had that figured out too: he would just talk to her about it and confess his feelings earlier than he had originally planned so that they could spend the time eating in romantic bliss and sharing their feelings instead of going over what it was about her birthday that was so awesome.

At the prospect of becoming more than just friends with Mackenzie, and never having the opportunity to go back to what they had before, part of Benny was slightly terrified. No, MORE than terrified. This was a secret that he had been keeping inside of him for all of his life. It was an IMPORTANT secret. It was a secret that would change literally everything about his life the moment he let it out in the open. After he told Zee that he had felt like this all his life, then there would never again be any ecstatic sleepovers where they just talked about school and stuff and how she was totally going to be a world famous fashion designer one day. After tonight she would know it all. She would know that he had been taking those hugs and kisses as MORE than just playful gestures of affection. She would KNOW that he had wished with all his might for her to one day look at him as something more than just the person she could turn to for advice or a fun time. She would never be able to look at him the same way she had for all those years of childhood and high school. She would see him as someone new. Someone different than the playful childhood figure of her past.

Benny could only hope that this new figure was someone that Mackenzie still liked.

He couldn't help but gulp involuntarily as she placed her hand over his. His eyes were glued to hers, as the romantic lighting of the candles flickered there, making them seem as though they glowed from within.

"Well, you know how it is," he said softly, not wanting to break the spell that seemed to be at work within Bleeding Hearts that night. "We never seemed to need ballrooms or balloons to have a great time before, did we? It was just us. We only needed each other and we could turn a boring afternoon in the office into an expedition through the jungle or a fashion show."

Taking a sip of water from his glass, he felt the strength to push on through the conversation, and keep from blurting out the secrets too soon. He could play the part of the concerned friend for at least a bit longer.

"And you'd better be super excited about it, Zee. It's your Birthday! I wouldn't have it any other way!" He glanced at hgis own menu for a moment, trying to figure out exactly what looked familiar or appetizing. "See anything you like so far? I promise, this entire thing is my treat."

[tig]

Benji was.. just unreal. Honestly. Most guy friends find out it's your birthday in first hour, then make you a shitty card on note book paper in second, then give it to you in third with a 'coupon' for a 'full body message' and an eyebrow waggle. But Benji. Damn. Why didn't he have a girlfriend? Here he was, taking Zee, who was merely his best friend, to one of the most snazziest restaurants in New York, dressed in cloths he hated. And why? Because, he just liked to make people happy. Not that Zee had ever really seen him display any affection on anyone else. And, honestly, even if he had, Zee would probably find something to dislike about the person. Though, that wasn't really fair, was it? Besides, he got on quite well with that Bunny girl with the pretty accent. They'd make... a cute couple, Zee supposed. And they certainly seemed to have quite a bit in common.

But that didn't matter right now! Right now, at this very moment, she had the entirety of her greatest, dearests, most beloved, best friend. "Well, you know how it is," She smiled, leaning forward, knowing that Benji was about to get nostalgic. He was a nostalgic fellow. With a dreamy way of speaking about the past, like a cherished child. "We never seemed to need ballrooms or balloons to have a great time before, did we? It was just us. We only needed each other and we could turn a boring afternoon in the office into an expedition through the jungle or a fashion show."

"Mmhmm. Or jungle themed fashion shows." She giggled. "Do you remember? Daddy and your Mom were in that dreadfully boring meeting, so we gathered all the ficus's on the floor and lined them in the hallway. And then we took that expensive painted china silk, and wrapped it around me." She continued to laugh, remembering the look on Benji's Mother Bianca's face. "And you stepped on it, and a huge tear went right down the middle, so we tried putting it down the paper shredder, but it got jammed and all that smoke starting coming out of it. I swear, I think that was the only time Daddy ever spanked me." Her face, which exuded mirth and memories, got a glow to it. "Even though you kept insisting that I had nothing to do with it, and that it was all you." Yes. Benji had always had her back, had always wanted to protect her. They had one of those lasting friendships, that nothing in the entire world could ruin.

Taking a delicate sip of water, she watched him closely as he drank his water. Benji was way too cool to be single. This lighting, that suit, the way his eyes caught the warm lighting... Were his eyes always so- very. Very blue, very sweet, with very long eye lashes. Sometimes she would forget, with his glasses getting in the way all the time. "Benji Button, you should wear contacts more often." She said thoughtfully, before her eyes finally looked down at the menu.

Not that she had long to look, as Benji jostled her anticipation for this extra special gift he had in store for her. "And you'd better be super excited about it, Zee. It's your Birthday! I wouldn't have it any other way!" What could it be? Another drawing? Last year, Benji had done the most beautiful full scale portrait of her, from memory. It had turned out so beautiful, even vain Zee thought he was exaggerated some details. She remembered his face, as she had started to cry, looking crushed by the idea that she could hate it. Quickly, Zee had rectified his thinking, showing him with hugs and random kisses on his cheeks, despite the warmth growing from them. Interrupting her stroll on memory lane, Benji spoke up again. "See anything you like so far? I promise, this entire thing is my treat."

Biting her lip, she considered. 'Well... It does all look good. Well, what I can understand." She frowned, trying to remember the little bit of french she knew to decipher the menu, which might as well have been in Atlantian. "Umm... let's see-" Closing her eyes, Zee twirled her finger around the dinner items, landing on the fancy aged paper menu. "Looks like I'm having Pansette de Gerzat." Grinning, Zee looked back up to Benny's pretty blue eyes. "What about you? See anything you like?"

[BENNY MOORE]

Benny felt like as the dinner went on he was losing more and more of the nerve that he had built up for this night. The scared little kid that lived inside him wanted to get out. It wanted to run and hide and live solely off trips down memory lane, where he could reminisce about childhood and happier times with Zee before he'd had to worry about dating and relationships and being together. He wanted to just call this entire thing off now, while there was still time, before he made any reference to the feelings that were dying to get out.

God, she just KNEW how to play his heart strings like a harp. She plucked away at them with those short little anecdotes about childhood. Really, Benny should have known better than to have brought them up in the first place. The memories of them playing together in the office as little tykes was breaking him down with the possibility that after tonight she would never want anything to do with him again. It made him sick just to think about it.

But no. He had to soldier on. Zee knew him. She LOVED him. True, at the moment she loved him like a brother in an utterly platonic fashion, but hopefully by the end of the night he will have opened her eyes to see that there was more to Benny than what met the eye. There was more to the lifelong playmate than what she'd previously thought.

He chuckled to himself as she mentioned that he needed to keep wearing contacts. "God, Zee, I thought you knew me better than that! I just lost my glasses... again. Sorry to disappoint you or anything."

Shrugging it off he did his best to look at the menu. Much to his horror, he barely recognized any of the listed foods. Well, he ASSUMED they were foods. With names like that they could be the titles of some exotic royal family for all he knew. Biting his lip nervously he realized that he hardly knew how to PRONOUNCE these things, much less order them from a waiter who would most certainly look at him like he was crazy.

"Well, it sounds like Pansette de Gerza-whatever is good enough for me!" He grinned at her, his eyes again getting drawn to hers. They really just shone that night. They were partially what made him decide, in that split fraction of a second, in the time it took for one neuron in his brain to fire into another, that it was time. He would tell her, right then. He wouldn't wait another second, because if he put it off any longer then he would surely convince himself that it wasn't worth it.

"So, uh, I've been meaning to tell you something...." It was all he was able to eek out before he was interrupted by their waiter arriving at the table, ready to take orders. "Had enough time to look over the menus? What can I get you two tonight?" Benny personally wanted to punch the guy in the face for interrupting his grand confession, but he would let it go. It wasn't that guy's fault, and besides, he looked hardly any older than Benny or Mackenzie. "Uh, Mackenzie's the one who knows what we'll be getting. I'll probably just butcher the pronunciation." Benny forced a laugh. Really, right now he didn't want to have to deal with food. He wanted to talk to Mackenzie privately, without this bozo butting in.

[tig]

Benji's mind seemed elsewhere. Which, honestly, was not that unthinkable. He was often elsewhere, in the realm of thinking. Maybe he was thinking about another doodle. Oh! If that was the case, she did hope he'd ask her to model for him. That was, quite possibly, the only time she was actually still. Even now, her fingers fidgeted, and her heel bounced over her crossed ankles. Not because she was bored, not by any means! She was just a mover. A restless soul, which her Mother attributed to her Father, and her Father attributed to her Mother. Whoever she got it from was moot, as in any case, she had it. But when Benji drew her, Zee could calm her dancing nerves, because his art was like her cloths. They were important to him. And just like Zee's cloths were important to Benji, Benji's art was important to Zee.

They were utterly symbiotic, when it came to the each others passions. Benji drew out every minute detail of an outfit that came to Zee's mind, and Zee would spend hours posing in whatever awkward position that Benji wanted. If one lost the other, it would make the passion incomplete. And thus Benji or Zee would be incomplete.

He chuckled at her, shrugging a little. "God, Zee, I thought you knew me better than that! I just lost my glasses... again. Sorry to disappoint you or anything." Zee looked horrified at the assumption that he thought she didn't know him. Zee was quite proud of the fact that she knew Benji better than any other breathing thing on the face of the planet.

Though, he was right. Him losing his glasses should have been her very first assumption. Her brows knitted thoughtfully, as she tried to remedy this, index finger pressed against her lips. What would Benji have done today...? "Didn't you have gym today?" Zee ask, eyes round with realization. "I bet you left your glasses on the the personal shower separator again!" Zee only knew the boys locker rooms layout so well, because Benji had a habit of forgetting where he set down his glasses. She had found them on the separators more than once, where Benji set them so they wouldn't get soap residue from his shampoo on them. "You know, if you got contacts, you wouldn't lose those." She grinned, then put on a face of play concern, covering the little o her mouth had made with her hand. "I shouldn't be encouraging you to get contacts though! If you didn't need me to find your glasses all the time, you'd have no use for me at all." Zee giggled, her bangs falling a little into her eyes as she looked down.

Pushing the lock off to the side, her eyes went back to the menu, confirming her order. "Well, it sounds like Pansette de Gerza-whatever is good enough for me!"

In an overly exasperated face, Zee huffed at him, though the smile never vanished. "My Benji, how am I going to steal bites from your plate, if you get the exact same thing?" Her eyes went over the menu again, trying to find herself a new dish. "You get the Pansette de Gerzat, and I'll get... the Ratatouille. And we'll share." She loved sharing food with Benji. Of course, she loved doing most things with Benji. Talking, wrestling, shopping, homework, exercising, making cloths, modeling for him while he drew, watching him draw, playing popcorn basket ball during the commercials of Project Runway. Hell, if it had been a long day, she was content just to fall asleep with him as a pillow, to the sound of whatever he was watching on the television.

"So, uh, I've been meaning to tell you something...." Zee looked up, eyebrows raised at the new, serious, tone. Was everything okay?

Before Benji could continue, the waiter approached, a good looking kid near the pairs age. "Had enough time to look over the menus? What can I get you two tonight?" Mr. Waiters wide grin was directed at Zee, as her face went from quizzically surprised at the interruption, to sheepishly understanding. Duh, they were in a restaurant.

"Uh, Mackenzie's the one who knows what we'll be getting. I'll probably just butcher the pronunciation." Benji said, his tone back to the usual level of shyness it carried around people he didn't know. She touched the toe of her shoe on to the tip of his, pressing gently to comfort him.

"Alright then." The waiter said, having never seemed to look at Benji anyways. "What will it be, Mackenzie?"

Smiling back at the waiter, she recognized the flirtatiously suave tone in his voice. After all, she was a pretty girl, and she had witnessed guys flirting with her often. And, while her attention was on Benji for the night, she couldn't deny that she didn't like when random fellows would pay her mind. Still, her tone was friendly and casual, as if unaware. "Um, we would like the... Pansette de Gerza, medium rare please, and the Ratatouille Crêpe." She reached up, holding out the menu for the waiter to take, finding it not leaving her hands. Looking up, she gave the waiter a curious stare. "Um, are you still there?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry. I was distracted by your..." He pointed at her chest area, finger swiveling around so as to not directly point at her breast, his grin wide like he thought himself clever. "Necklace. Taking the menu from her, Zee raised her eyebrow skeptically.

"Thank you. It's a three row lucite choker." She replied coolly, pretty certain that was not what he was referring too.

"Is it?" He asked, feigning interest. "Well, you wear it well." Zee stared at him, her smile in place, her eyes saying: Yeah. I know. That's why I'm wearing it. "So, I'll just go get those orders in." He said, nodding after he got his last look for the moment in. "Pansette de Gerza and Ratatouille Crêpe?" Zee nodded, and he took his leave.

Rolling her eyes, though a bit pleased deep down, she grinned at Benji. "Some guys just never heard of subtly, huh Benj." Shaking her head in amused incredulousness, Zee sipped her water, before her eyes widened. "You were telling me something?"

[BENNY MOORE]

Never before had Benny felt so impatient. Normally he could wait things out and he could just quietly accept when other people were talking and leaving him out of the conversation. For the vast majority of his life he had just put up with whatever anyone asked of him or did while he was around because he could hardly stand complications or confrontations. He thought that if he just went along with it then he could avoid having people think he was annoying or unlikeable, and he could avoid having to get yelled at or having to try and explain why on earth he would ever disagree with anything anyone said. The only person he ever felt comfortable having an argument with was Mackenzie, and even then it was mostly just composed of debates over whether Project Runway or America's Next Top Model had the best hostess. He mostly favored Project Runway because he found the way Heidi said "You're Out" to be irresistable, and he wasn't afraid to argue with Mackenzie over that for hours while they shared popcorn in front of the TV watching reruns of both shows.

Right now, however, Benny was tempted to pipe up and tell this bozo of a waiter to step right the hell off, because he was sticking his nose where it most certainly didn't belong. Really? Was he flirting with Mackenzie? Who the hell did that?! Really, benny had it in his mind to go find the manager or the owner or whoever it was that he could complain to and tell them just what a royal prick this waiter was being. Wasn't it obvious that they were here together? Last time Benny checked it was kind of considered rude to attempt to hit on someone's date. And it WAS obvious that this was a date. He had made sre of it. The romantic lighting, the beautiful scenery, the fancy outfits they both wore, it was ALL supposed to give off the signs of a romantic evening together. He was supposed to be able to laugh it of! He was supposed to be able to just smile and say "Gosh, it kind of seems like we're already on a date. How's that for a romantic dinner in honor of your birthday?" It was supposed to be a beautiful moment that they both shared and this ASSHOLE was completely killing it with his comments about her breasts!

Of course, though, Benny couldn't do anything. If he got to defensive then really he would have no way to back it up. For the moment this was still just an evening shared between two friends. For now Mackenzie was as single as it got, and it was killing Benny. All he could do was clench his hand into a fist on the table and try to do his best to smile and nod at Zee.

"Well... he seemed nice," he muttered after the gy had left, voice dripping with sarcasm. "The service here certainly seems to be first rate." Really, it shouldn't have gotten to him this much, but for some reason he coldn't get over the fact that someone had chosen tonight - TONIGHT - when he had finally decided to let all his emotions spill out, as the night when they would hit on Miss Mackenzie Blaire. He was jealous, and he was sure that his sarcastic little outburst would ruin the mood, but he couldn't care less about that right now. As far as he was concerned, that twat had already killed whatever mood Benny had going for him.

Shit, and now she was asking him to continue. He couldn't tell her NOW...could he? No! She would just be preoccupied with that horrible display of sexual harassment and wouldn't understand what Benny was trying to explain to her; to CONFESS to her.

"Well, I mean, y'know.... Happy Birthday! It's not every day someone turns seventeen!" It was a pathetic lie, and he knew that she wold call him on it, but hopefully by the time she actually forced the truth out of him she would be in a more accepting, understand, lovey dovey mood.

[tig]

"Well... he seemed nice. The service here certainly seems to be first rate." Benji's bitter mutter peaked Zee's ears, as her lip twitched into a small frown. The two had always been protective of each other, definitely. But it had to be doubly hard on Benji, as he had so much he felt he had to protect Zee from. Her bubbly personality and not being to hard on the guys had always attracted attention, mostly male. Benji generally didn't comment, but he was her best friend. It wasn't like when she couldn't tell something was amiss. The way his gray blue eyes averted away, and the small snarl that perked on between his top lip and left nostril, or how his shoulders slumped a little, and his knuckles tightened. Just like right now. The eyes, the snarl, the shoulders, the knuckles. Until she mentioned for him to continue.

Then his expression was the same as when his Mom would come home early, and their home was in less than pristine condition, as he was a boy. Like he was caught. "Well, I mean, y'know.... Happy Birthday! It's not every day someone turns seventeen!"

Zee only stared at him, blue eyes slowly narrowing as he did not continue. He was lying. Now, Zee was the sort who was incredibly forgiving of most things. You could call her a bitch, then be her best friend in nine and a half minutes. But lying...

Perhaps it was because her parents lied to her so much growing up. 'Mack, I'll be there on your birthday, I promise.' or 'Kitten, I swear, we'll spend all Saturday together.' Constantly. And, truly, she had come to expect it from them at this point. That was just who they were. Career minded, above all things, even their daughter. She loved them still, and her bouts of bitterness were taken out on her Father's Platinum card about once a month.

But she didn't expect it from Benji.

Benji was the exception.

"Why are you lying?" She asked, bluntly. Zee had never had a qualm about stating what was on her mind. Unfortunately this was mixed with a quick temper, sometimes carrying on with a very short lived tantrum. Again, it was probably her raising. She had leaned early on that her Father hated a scene, and the rare times he said no, were almost instantly recanted to a yes, if she started to prickle. Her face would gain little red spots, her usually full lips would thin, her normally warm blue eyes would turn icy.

Her Father said that Zee possessed two stares. Her 'love-me-forever-glow' stare and her 'serial-killer-the-fuck-out-of-you' stare, he was not known for his eloquence. But he had a point. Though he had never seen the 'can't-you-see-my-heart-is-breaking' stare. She was always careful to hide that from Daddy. But of the two that Mr. Blaire was aware of, Benji was currently receiving a mixture of the two, though it was gradually slipping to the latter. "Benji, did I do something to... to offend? Why are you lying? You were going to say something, and now you won't." Her voice wasn't exactly a whine. More like a plea, mixed with an attempt not to jump to anger. Benji never did anything malicious, especially to Zee.

Reaching out, she grasped his hand, staring at his eyes earnestly. "Benji, tell me..." Gently, Zee squeezed his hand, eyes softening, mouth forming a soft little pout. "Please."

[BENNY MOORE]

Benny was getting all emotional and flustered and upset and it was thoroughly ruining all his plans. Why couldn't things go the way HE wanted them to, just for once? He had wanted this to be the perfect night, one where all they talked about were romantic things, and at the climax of the evening he would finally share his feelings, and maybe, just maybe, she would whisper back that she'd always felt the same way about him and they would share a passionate yet tentative kiss that would bind them together forever in pure and perfect love. Now that entire situation was pretty much out the window, and he was far too concerned with coming up with a way for them to get a different waiter without causing a scene to focus on how to proclaim his love. Why did it all have to spiral out of control so quickly?

God, this was meant to be a present for Mackenzie. It was supposed to be his gift to her. This entire dinner, this entire plan, it was all for her! Well, her and Benny together. He wouldn't try and pretend that he got absolutely no satisfaction from the idea that this dinner could have brought them together. Still could, he supposed, but the chances were dropping by the minute.

"Why are you lying?"

Benny was dragged out of his self-deprecating internal monologue by Mackenzie's blunt question. God, was it really that easy to tell? Why was she suddenly picking up on everything? If she could make it 17 years without figuring out that he wasn't giving her the full truth about his feelings for her, why did she have to pick tonight, right at that moment to suddenly develop detective skills and ask about it? This was wrong, all wrong! It was supposed to be so much nicer!

"Benji, did I do something to... to offend? Why are you lying? You were going to say something, and now you won't."

God, was it getting hot in there? He was definitely starting to get uncomfortable. He just wished they could go back to the conversation before that waiter had ever barged in. Then he could have the whole thing back on track and back according to plan, instead of trying to dodge the questions Mackenzie seemed hellbent on asking.

"Benji, tell me... Please."

Oh, God. She was clutching his hand. And giving him the formidable pout. Why the pout?! The pout just made everything so much worse!

"Mackenzie, it's nothing!" he explained with a nervous peal of laughter. "I promise! Gosh, I don't even remember what I was going to say now! I just... I just want you to be happy tonight! It's your birthday, you deserve to be totally, one hundred percent happy, and that creep of a waiter just bothered me, that's all. Okay?"

[tig]

"Mackenzie, it's nothing! I promise! Gosh, I don't even remember what I was going to say now! I just... I just want you to be happy tonight! It's your birthday, you deserve to be totally, one hundred percent happy, and that creep of a waiter just bothered me, that's all. Okay?" Benji explained with his usual sense of nervousness.

Zee's eyes remained narrowed for thirty four seconds exactly, before her bright smile took her face back over. Just as she had supposed. Benji was just being over protective. Rising from her seat, Zee crossed over to his side, wrapping him in a tight hug. Her face nuzzled into his neck like a puzzle piece, and her well toned butt landed right on his leg. He was such a beautiful friend! Getting so upset because some derk got a little ballsy and decided to make goo goo eyes. But Benji knew better! He knew that's not how you treat a lady, not at all!

"Oh Benj, you're so perfect! I wish I could find a guy like you." She murmured, before pulling her face back. Zee didn't merely smile with her lips, but with her whole face. Her mouth, her cheeks, the three dimples on her face (one on each cheek, and one on the corner of her mouth on the left side), her eyes. "Never mind that creep. He wouldn't have a chance, even if he had the guts to be forthright. Which he didn't, I mean how lame. I'm, like, the least scary person on the face of the planet. You'd think if a guy had something to say to me, he'd just be out with it. But, yeah. He had a faux hawk. And you know what I say about guys with faux hawks. Never ever EVER ever again." She had learned that lesson the hard way. Faux hawk was hair language for epic douche, and Zee had made it a rule to avoid dating epic douches anymore. True to her words, she knew she needed a nice boy.

Like Benji.

Tousling his curls lightly- as she did not want to ruin the hair do- she rose from his lap with heavy feet, and sat back into her own seat. Oddly, it was not nearly as comfortable.

"But don't let him ruin our perfect night. Never fear, Benji my dear, I have only eyes for you. Cheers." Lifting her glass, she held it up to him, posed to toast. "To being the most greatest, fabulous, people in the history of the world."

(is she not the most infuriating person on the face of the planet? Also, sorry it's so short. NEXT ONE WILL BE BETTR, I SWEAR!)

[BENNY MOORE]

Benny had to be strong. he had to just pwoer through this. It was going to be hard. he'd known that right from the beginning, but he wanted to do it. He wanted to tell her more than anything. It was just... now he was having second thoughts. he didn't know if he wanted her to find out like this. Right here, on her birthday and all. What if she took it the wrong way? What if he ruined her birthday for her and she never wanted to speak to him again? Benny just wished that he could have a bit of confidence for once. Just so that he could be brave enough to say it to her face without any fear of repercussions or how she would take it or whether or not he'd be alone for the rest of his life without a friend in the world and without the one person he cared about more than anything and anyone else in the whole wide universe.

But now, as she sat on his lap like always and snuggled close to him, he couldn't help but balk at the thought of losing it all. Sure, the promise of having something even greater was amazing, and it was the one thing he'd been hoping for since... since he met her, really, but if the price to pay was potentially losing her as a friend and never being able to share this again, well, could he really take that risk? If everything went according to plan then this cuddling would take on a whole new meaning, one that he'd wanted for years, but if it all blew up and everything was ruined, well, this would never happen again. It would be too awkward. She would think twice before going up to give him a friendly hug. There would never be any more sleepovers at her apartment to watch a corny movie and have her fall asleep on his shoulder. He would lose all that, and he just couldn't bear the thought of it.

"Well, if you'd listened to me you would have known to never ever ever at all date a guy with a faux hawk, but I guess you had to learn it the hard way!" Benny laughed at her, tickling her side a bit to buy himself some time. He had to suck it up. He had to be a man. His mom had always blamed his whimpishness on the fact that he didn't have a strong male role model in the family, or at least that's what he'd overheard on her phone calls when he'd been littler. He had to make up for that. He had to just tell her, and just get it over with. Everything he'd ever read or heard or watched said that the best thing in this situation was to just confess it. Just get it off his chest and then he would be happy.

God, he hoped that was true.

He was just working himself up to talking to her about it (though perhaps saying it while she was on his lap wasn't the best of places, but if he had the courage then he had the courage) when she demanded a toast. Eagerly, he grabbed his glass, holding it p to her and clinking it with hers.

"Well, you know that really only applies to you. You're the birthday girl, after all, and there never was a more beautiful, amazing birthday girl!"

Benny swallowed a bit heavily, trying to think of how to segue into the topic he wanted discussed. "So, Miss Birthday Girl, if you aren't interested in Mr. Faux Hawk here, does that mean that you've lost your heart to some other boy already? Or are you now an 'adult' and can't be bother to waste your time on silly stuff like guys?"