Dear Mr. Pessimist,

Did you see that shooting star last night? Did you wish on it? I know exactly what I'd wish for, but what about you? I'd be happy to hear your wish.

With Love,

Syd

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I stood outside the bakery for almost an hour before Bennett and Tristan showed up late, sunglasses over their eyes.

"You're kidding me, right? You got drunk on a Sunday night when you knew you had work the next morning?" I said, shaking my head in disappointment.

"No, Sydney. We're the new blues brother." Tristan grumbled. I didn't respond, instead I watched Bennett grab the keys out of his pocket and unlock the door.

"I've been standing here for an hour waiting, you know?" I pointed out as we walked in. I heard Bennett snort but Tristan pulled his glasses off and put them in his jacket pocket with a sympathetic look.

"Sorry. I'll see if Mr. and Mrs. Banks can get you a spare key." I nodded, moving to stand behind the counter.

"I doubt we'll be getting much business today." Bennett spoke up, "There's supposed to be a Monsoon." I leaned over the counter, nodding slowly.

"Heard about that on the news this morning. Vegas and Californium have already been hit." I replied.

"Then wake me up when someone actually gets here." Tristan walked over to the nearest booth and laid down, draping his arm over his eyes. I looked away from him and at Bennett as he flipped the closed sign over with a heavy sigh.

"You okay?" I asked as he walked by, my eyes following him as he walked around to join me behind the counter.

"I've had better days." He mumbled, shrugging. I nodded, not knowing how to continue the conversation. And in all honesty, I was totally okay not talking at all.

The day dragged on with very few costumers, since it was pouring outside by twelve, it wasn't really that surprising. Tristan had fallen asleep, Bennett was on his phone, and I was just letting my thoughts run around wildly in my head.

My dad, who had been gone for my entire life, was now deciding he wanted to try and be part of it. One part of me wanted to forgive him, to try and work things out and make amends. But the stronger half of me didn't want anything to do with him. I'd be a few states away in about a month for college anyway, why should I let him be in my life now?

And the way my stomach had felt when Bennett hugged me last night had been. . . different. I hadn't felt anything close to that when I was with Tristan, or Zey for that matter.

Maybe I had felt some sort of connection between us. I was starting to get to know Bennett better then I knew most people. Even Jess had thought we were getting a little too close for comfort.

"Especially for not being in a relationship." She had added.

But I don't have any romantic feelings for Bennett, right? Even if I did, he really wasn't exactly. . . ready to be in a relationship, I'm sure. He had just had his whole world crumble to the ground a year ago, no one could recover from something like that so soon.

"You're face is red." Bennett said, glancing up from his phone and at me, "You thinking about sex or something?"

"Yeah, I definitely am." I responded sarcastically. He looked back down at the Iphone in his hands and sighed.

"My parents want me to go to another CEO thing." He spoke up again, turning his phone over and setting it down on the counter.

"And you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend again? Because that turned out great last time." I joked. He didn't seem too amused by my comment.

"You don't have to do it, Syd. If you-"

"Why don't you just take the job my dad offered you, Bennett? He's offering you a huge job, he won't fire you, and your parents will be satisfied." I said, avoiding his eyes. He stayed quiet for a few minutes, as if he were taking what I said into consideration.

"I won't do that." He said, "I'm not going to hurt you like that, Syd. I-"

"What does it have to do with me? You're the one that needs a job, Bennett. You're the one that wants to do everything in your power to make your parents happy. I. . ." I just want to see you happy.

"You need to stop." He said, turning his body to face me, "You're too good of a person, Sydney. For this world especially." I looked down at the marble counter top, gulping.

"I'm not this perfect person you believe I am, Bennett. I've made mistakes-"

"Stop being modest, dammit. I like that you're honest, that you're blunt, Sydney. I like that you speak your mind no matter how hard or hurtful it might be. Don't let anyone take who you are away from you, Syd." And without another word, he walked back into the kitchen, making sure to grab a hairnet on his way in.

*

"This is the best muffin I've eaten in my entire life." Tristan said, his mouth still full. I scrunched my face up in disgust and picked another piece off my muffin.

"It's like heaven." I said, "Bennett sure knows how to cook." He nodded in agreement, shoving the last bit of muffin into his mouth.

"It's good practice, you know. For when you two get married." He gave me a crooked smile. I slapped his hand playfully, laughing.

"What? You look at me like it's not even a possibility!" Tristan held his hands up in surrender, "But I see how Ben is around you, and I'd be surprised if you guys aren't together by the end of the year, or even the end of the summer." I was about to deny what he said when Bennett stopped at our table and set another half dozen muffins in front of us.

"I'm good, thanks." I held my hand up, already full from the two I had.

"Chocolate chip muffins on a rainy day." Tristan said, peeling the muffin cup from around it and shoving a piece in his mouth.

"Ben!" Tristan patted the spot next to him, "I feel so damn energized. That nap was amazing." Bennett laughed and sat down beside his best friend, reaching for one of his own muffins.

I smiled at him, happy that he was eating.

"Stop looking at me." He said, shaking his head as his eyes flickered back and forth between Tristan and me. Tristan punched his shoulder and started talking, earning a smile out of me and a hint of one out of Mr. Pessimist himself.

*

Getting home was disastrous, my heart was racing the entire time. When I finally got home, I sent a message to the boys to let them know I had gotten home safely. I walked into the house to find my mom and her boyfriend sitting on the edge of the couch.

"Sydney, honey! Oh, we were so worried you'd get stuck out in the storm." She pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breath.

"I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry." I patted her shoulder and sat on the couch, wrapping the fleece blanket beside me around my cold body

"We have some news." She said, squeezing Micheal, her new boyfriend's, hand.

"Am I getting a little brother or sister?" I perked up, excited by the thought. The sheepish smile that my mom gave me caused my smile to fall immediately.

"Sort of. Sydney, honey, Mike and I have decided to get married. I think I told you he has a couple kids, right? Well, we're going to get married in a few weeks, before the end of the summer so Mike can help pay for you school and everything. That's wonderful, right? And the kids are dying to meet you!" I forced myself to smile, though my stomach was twisting and turning.

I knew my mom well enough to know that she had purposely waited this long to tell me so I didn't have a chance to say anything.

"That's great, Mom. I'm happy for you." I replied. I really was happy for her, I just wasn't sure I was ready to have a family again. 

***AN***

Hope you guys enjoyed! 

Sorry about the filler chapter, I promise the next will be better.

Let me know what you thought!

~ChasingMadness24