Saturday. Bethany wasn't the kind of person to sleep in on Saturdays. She had a routine. She didn't like to mess with it. Messing with the routine is what leads to forgetting to do things. So she got up, went for a run, came back, ate breakfast, showered, drank a cup of tea and was just sitting down to play her drums when she got a text from Simon.

Barfbag - you available for band practice this afternoon?
Benny - sure what time?
Barfbag - one ish
Benny - where?
Barfbag - Tali's place
Benny - 👍
Barfbag - do you know anyone in the recording business?
Benny - not exactly in the recording business but Jake has his own recording studio and I could probably convince him to help you if he has the time
Barfbag - really?
Benny - 🤪
Barfbag - Cool
Benny - what are you going to record?
Barfbag - we want to start work on an album. We've got a few songs written and we'd like to start recording.
Barfbag - you're gonna track drums for us right?
Benny - no duh
Barfbag - how do you have a boyfriend? You're so snarky.
Benny - I'm cute
Barfbag - mmhm
Benny - you wish you were this cute
Barfbag - I'll see you at one weirdo
Benny - 🤪
Barfbag - 🙄

———

"I'm here! Sorry I'm late!" Bethany said as she walked into Oscar's sister Tali's house carrying pieces of her drum kit.
"It's-" Simon started.
"It doesn't matter." Oscar sighed, "Emmett's not coming."
"What? Why?" Hal asked. Oscar shrugged.
"Dunno. He just said he can't come today."
"Are you kidding me?" Bethany groaned.
"Sorry I'm late!" Kris yelled as she opened the door and walked directly into Bethany. "Uff. Sorry, Benny."
"We're such a mess, jeez. You two come late and Emmett doesn't come at all." Simon said as he lifted his guitar strap over his head.
"Emmett's not coming?"
"Nope."
"What the fuck?" Kris said. Oscar shrugged.
"So . . ."
"Well if we aren't gonna have practice I'm gonna go home and finish my book." Hal said, standing and pushing his glasses up.
"Of course you are." Oscar said playfully.
"Shut up Oscar."
"Want a ride?" Simon asked.
"Sure." He picked up his guitar case and Simon grabbed his.
"I guess we'll see you guys later?"
"Yeah." Oscar said.
"I guess so." Bethany shrugged. She hoisted the pieces of her drum kit she was holding higher and adjusted her grip. She turned to look at Kris as Oscar walked out of the room. Kris had her hair up in a messy bun and she was wearing a t-shirt that was too big and hung off one of her shoulders. Bethany could swear she'd seen it somewhere, but not on Kris. It was so familiar.
"Have you worn that before?" She asked and Kris's face turned bright red.
"Uh, no. It's not mine."
"Then who's is it?"
"I-I-we're not-uh-" And then it clicked where Bethany had seen it.
"Oh my gosh! Is that Ashley's?! Tell me it isn't!" Kris tried to hide a smile as she nodded.
"What?!" Bethany almost shrieked. "Since when? How? What?"
"We've kind been friends with benefits since Warped." Bethany took a few seconds to process this.
"Wait. Oh my gosh. Please don't tell me you were the girl he brought back on the last night of tour."
"I could tell you that, but I'd be lying."
"Oh my gosh. How could you keep this from me?" Kris shrugged.
"We were keeping it quiet."
"Hate to break up the party, ladies, but I have to go so . . ." Oscar said as he walked back in.
"Oh. Yeah. C'mon, Kris. I'll give you a ride." Bethany led the way out the door with Kris and Oscar behind her. She put the pieces of her drum kit in the back before getting in the driver's seat.
"So? Spill." She said as she backed out of the driveway.
"I spilled most of it already. We started as friends with benefits, but yesterday he asked me to be his girlfriend. And uh, he gave me a promise ring." She twisted the ring on her middle finger. It was a simple silver band that turned into an infinite heart.
"He's a sap."
"He is, but oh gosh Benny. I think I love him. No. I know I love him." Bethany smiled.
"Well I'm happy for you. And I will be having some words with Mr. Purdy." Kris laughed.

———

💕Sebster💕 - how soon can you be ready?
Baby girl😍 - depending on what kind of ready I need to be I'm ready now.
💕Sebster💕- wear shoes you don't mind walking around in and bring your sweater. The pink one.
Baby girl😍 - oddly specific
💕Sebster💕 - you're pink one isn't as warm and it's not that cold out
Baby girl😍 - how do you know which of my sweaters is lightweight?
Baby girl😍 - also it's your not you're
💕Sebster💕- 🤷‍♂️😝
💕Sebster💕 - I'll be over in thirty
Baby girl😍 - you're not gonna tell me where we're going?
💕Sebster💕 - Nope
Baby girl😍 - party pooper. Fine. See you soon 😘
💕Sebster💕 - see you 😘

———

There was a knock on the door and Bethany shot off the couch. She opened the door to find Sebastian holding a bouquet of purple tulips. Bethany smiled and he returned it.
"For you, Bumblebee." He offered her the flowers.
"I love them! Thank you!" She took them. "I'm gonna put these in water before we go."
"Sure." He followed her into the kitchen. She dug around in the cabinet under the sink until she found a vase. She filled it and put the flowers in it then set it on the table.
"Okay. I'm ready now!"
"Wonderful." He held out his hand and she took it. As they walked out she grabbed her purse and locked the door behind them.
"So where are we going?"
"On an adventure."
"Fun! I mean, I assume, since I have no idea what we're doing."
"It's fun. I promise." He opened her door for her and she slid in. He walked around and got in the driver's seat. Music began to play when he started the car.
"Such a gentleman. Aptly named, I'll give the royal council that." She giggled. "Actually I could give them a lot more than that." She began to hum along to the music.
"So, before we get too far, you don't have any plans or anything for the rest of day?"
"Nope. I'm yours as long you want me."
"Perfect." He grabbed her hand. Her phone started vibrating in her back pocket. She pulled it out.
"It's my mom. I kinda need to answer it."
"That's fine. We've got a bit of a drive." She smiled and answered the phone.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hey, sweetie. Just checking in. Seeing how life in the big city is treating you."
"It's good."
"Well that's good. How's work?"
"Eh. Kinda boring, but the hours are good and the pays decent. I've got a decent amount saved up and I think I'm gonna start looking for an apartment soon."
"Yeah?"
"Mmhm."
"How's your band?"
"I don't know. Emmett's gotten weird lately and, oh my gosh, you'll never guess what Kris told me today!"
"Probably not."
"She and Ashley are fuck buddies!" She exclaimed. Sebastian glanced at her when she said that, "Well, they're dating now, but that's a recent development. They've been friends with benefits since last summer."
"Wow. Well it's good he's found someone. He deserves a nice girl."
"He does. And Kris is great."
"How's Andy? He hasn't answered my calls for the past couple days."
"He leaves for tour at stupid o'clock tomorrow morning and he's been busy making sure everything's ready."
"Ah. That explains it. Oh, hi, honey!" Bethany could hear her dad talking in the background. "I'm talking to Bethany."
"Hey, Bean."
"Hi, Daddy!"
"How's the big city life?"
"Very different from Delhi, but I'm loving it."
"Well that's good. How's your brother? I haven't heard from recently."
"Good. Busy. Probably tired. He leaves for tour at stupid o'clock."
"Fun."
"He probably doesn't think so."
"Your mom's telling to wrap it up. We're going out to dinner with Gavin and Mary."
"Sucks to be you."
"Don't remind me." Her mom said something and he laughed.
"What'd she say?"
"She told me not to be rude. Alright, alright." The last part was directed at his wife, "I've gotta go, kiddo."
"Okay. I'll talk to you later."
"Talk to you later. Bye, sweetie."
"Bye, Daddy. Love you."
"Love you too." She ended the call and sighed.
"Kris and Ashley?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes! How weird is that?"
"It's pretty weird." Bethany looked out the window.
"Where are we?"
"Somewhere fun." They stopped on the side of the road and Sebastian turned the car off. There was a lake surrounded by trees.
"What are you doing?" Bethany asked as he unbuckled.
"Getting out. What are you doing?"
"Getting out, I guess." She unbuckled as well. He grinned and got out. She followed suit, grabbing her sweater as she slid out. He grabbed her hand and led her down to the bank. "It's beautiful here." She closed her eyes and took in the smell of fresh, clean air and damp earth, the sounds of birds and frogs and water lapping at the bank, the breeze rustling the grass and moving through the trees. Then she opened her eyes and took in the water, the trees, the large fluffy clouds.
"What are we doing here?" She asked, finally looking at Sebastian.
"Having an adventure. This is just part one." They walked toward the water. The grass brushing their ankles. He sat down in the grass and pulled her down with him. She dropped her sweater on the ground. Then she pulled her shoes off before sliding further down the bank and dipping her toes in the cool water. She hissed at the feeling on her warm toes. He laughed before doing the same thing. She leaned back, putting hands in the grass to support herself and closed her eyes again. The sun was warm on her bare arms. She smiled.
"Having fun?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes." She breathed in deep and took in the feeling of the grass between her fingers. "Are you?"
"Yes." She laid back in the grass and he laid down beside her. She scooted closer to him and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and trailed his fingers up and down her arm.
"I love when the clouds are like that." She pointed up at the clouds. Large and fluffy, like piles of cotton balls, "they look so fluffy."
"They do." They laid there, enjoying each other's company and the warm sun. After a few minutes Sebastian sat up and Bethany did too.
"I have to get something from the car. I'll be right back." He pulled his socks and shoes back on and stood. The breeze picked up and Bethany pulled her sweater on. She wiggled her toes in the grass. Sebastian came back with a cardboard box made to look like a vintage suitcase. (Above) He sat down and offered her the box. It was held closed by a piece of twine tied in a bow.
"What-?"
"Open it." She untied the twin and lifted the lid. Inside was a collection of things. The first was a camera. An instax, sort of a modern Polaroid.
"The camera is mine, but I want you to keep it while I'm gone. Take pictures of anything and everything. Things you wish I could've seen. Things you want to remember. Things you think are beautiful."
"I could use my phone for that y'know."
"This is more fun." She smiled and set the camera aside. The next thing she pulled from the box was a notebook with a pattern of cacti on it and a package of pens.
"This is for writing down things you want to tell me when we talk in the evenings so you don't forget them. And pens to write with."
"That's a really good idea! Also this is super cute." Next out of the box was a teddy bear.
"I saw that and thought it was cute and thought you'd like it."
"I do. It's so cute. I need to come up with a name for her." She looked back at Sebastian, "You should help me." He smiled and nodded.
"If you want me to." The last things in the box were two bars of dark chocolate, one with sea salt and the other with chilies, and a cd. Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney.
"And that was because I saw it and remembered you saying you liked it, so. . ." He shrugged.
"This is really sweet. Thank you." She carefully placed everything back in the box and moved the box to the side so she could scoot closer to Sebastian and give him a kiss.
"I'm glad you like it." He smiled and she gave him another kiss.
"I do. I'm glad I brought the sweater too. It's a little cooler than I expected it to be."

———

They stayed by the lake until Bethany announced she was getting hungry.
"Perfect because it's time for phase two." Sebastian replied and stood. He offered her his hand and she let him pull her to her feet.
"What's phase two?"
"It's a surprise." She rolled her eyes playfully.
"Fine. Be cryptic."
"I will." When they reached the car he opened her door for her. She got in and he closed the door before going around to his side and getting in.
"Turn on some music?" He asked as they they left the lake behind.
"Sure. Just a sec." She pulled her phone out and snapped a picture of the lake. Then she opened her Spotify and turned on Lewis Capaldi. "I've become mildly obsessed with Lewis Capaldi since he came up on my daily mix." She said as Grace began to play. She began to sing along.

———

bennyharris

❤️liked by remingtonleith, 4stephanierachel, andyblack and 1,212 others
bennyharris DARLING, LET'S BE ADVENTURERS sebastiandanzig

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user1 I don't know where you are but it's beautiful
user2 nice pic
sebastiandanzig ALWAYS 💕
user3 that's a really nice picture Benny
remingtonleith Excuse you answer me
user4 wow
bennyharris YAY! 😊 sebastiandanzig IM BUSY SPENDING TIME WITH MY BOYFRIEND! remingtonleith
user5 😱 so pretty!
remingtonleith it's important bennyharris
user6 I live for their interactions 😂

———

Phase two was an early dinner at Applebee's. Then it was on to phase three.
"Where are we going now?" Bethany asked. Sebastian just smiled. "Right I forgot. It's a surprise."
"Yup. But have there been any bad surprises today?"
"No."
"Stop pouting, baby girl. You're going to love it. I promise."
"I'm not pouting."
"Yes you are." She stuck her tongue at him then smiled. He smiled too. "That was very mature." She shrugged. Then she turned her gaze back to the window and gasped. She looked back at Sebastian excitement evident in her eyes.
"Mini golf?!" He smiled and nodded. They pulled into the parking lot and got out. Bethany was bouncing on the balls of her feet. He grabbed her hand and led her up the stairs and into the building.
"Hi! Welcome to Mulligan Family fun center. What are we doing to day?" The girl behind the desk asked when they walked in.
"Mini golf." Sebastian said.
"Alright. Just the two of you?"
"Yeah."
"That'll be $24.50. Pick a ball from the basket, putters are outside that door," she pointed at a door opposite the one they'd come in, "then you'll go down the stairs and you'll be at the first hole. Here's a score sheet and a pencil. Have fun!"
"Thank you." Sebastian grabbed a blue golfball and Bethany grabbed one that looked like an eight ball. Then they went outside and grabbed putters. The putters came in a variety of sizes. Sebastian grabbed the longest one there was and Bethany grabbed one two sizes shorter.
"You're so short." He said, trying not to laugh.
"It's not my fault." She pouted.
"I didn't say it was a bad thing." He assured her. "I'll let you go first. Stop pouting. You're cuter when you smile." He kissed her before leading the way down the stairs.
"And you're a cheese ball."
"You love it."
"Mm. Whatever helps you sleep at night, honey." Bethany dropped her golf ball and pushed it into place with her foot. "Prepare to be amazed!" She said imitating Goob from Meet the Robinsons. She hit the ball with her putter and watched it roll to the hole coming to a stop an inch away. "Or not. You're turn." She moved and Sebastian took his turn. He hit the ball a lot harder than he should've.
"Are you sure you understand the concept of a putter?" She asked, trying to hide her laughter behind her hand.
"Shut up." He said playfully. She laughed. They finished hole one and got through hole six pretty quickly, but then had to wait as there was a family of six, ahead of them. The youngest of the four kids was about four and having a hard time hitting the ball when he swung. The dad was trying to help him while the mom tried to keep their other son, who looked to be six or so, from wandering off. She looked up and spotted Sebastian and Bethany, who were keeping a respectful distance and talking, not at all bothered by the family playing ahead of them.
"You can go ahead of us, if you'd like. We're going pretty slow."
"Are you sure?" Sebastian asked. The mom smiled and nodded.
"Yeah. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you." Bethany said as they walked past. "So I've been trying to keep score and I just
realized I'm doing it wrong." She said as she examined the score card. "You don't want points in golf, right?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah. I didn't realize that till just now. So I think we'll just be done with this now." She folded the paper and shoved it in the pocket of her jeans.
"Bumblebee."
"Hmm?" She looked up and he snapped a picture of her. "What are you doing?"
"Putting you on Instagram because you're cute. I've been doing it all day." He said as he typed something out and posted the picture.
"Fine. Smile." She held up her phone and smiled for her. She put it on her Instagram then they kept going playing. They played through the entire course laughing and talking the entire time. When they were done they walked back up the stairs, put their putters away, gave back their golf balls and left.

———

"So what did you think? Was it a good day?" He asked a they drove back to the apartment.
"It was amazing! Thank you! It's been so much fun!"
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." She pulled the camera out of the box and messed around with it for a few minutes to figure out how it worked. Then she snapped a picture of Sebastian. "What are you doing?"
"Taking a picture of something beautiful I don't want to forget." He laughed and went pink in the face. Bethany took another picture of him.
"Stoooooooop."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"But you're so cute!" He shook his head.
"You're ridiculous."
"What're you gonna do?" She shrugged.

———

"I'm so glad to get rid of my shoes. My feet have been overheated all afternoon, but it was totally worth it. I don't know how you do it." Bethany said as she kicked her shoes off by the door.
"Do what?" Sebastian asked as he pulled his jacket off and laid it on the back of the couch.
"Wear suits all summer long. I'm pretty sure I'd die."
"That would be tragic."
"It would. I'm gonna put my pjs on. I'll be right."
"Okay." She went and changed into her pajamas, the same elephant shorts and blue top that were in desperate need of replacement, then she washed her make up off and threw her hair up into a bun. When she came out Sebastian was standing in the kitchen. "So this is the last phase of the adventures today." He said and held up a pint of cookie dough ice cream and two movie cases. Leap Year and Spirited Away. "I was told these were two of your favorite movies. Go ahead pick which one you'd like to watch first. I'm gonna go put on a more comfortable pair of pants. I'll be right back." While he was gone Bethany put The Leap Year in and sat down with her ice cream. Sebastian came back and sat down beside her. She pressed herself into his side and pulled her feet up onto the couch.
"Wanna bite?" She asked, holding up the spoon to him.
"Sure." He opened his mouth. She rolled her eyes, but stuck the spoon in his mouth.
"I meant for you to take the spoon." He shrugged. "Did I tell you I chose a name for the teddy bear?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna call her Dani."
"Why?"
"Guess."
"The only thing I'm coming up with is Curcio, but I'm assuming that's probably not why you called her Dani."
"Nope."
"Are you gonna tell me?"
"No. You have to figure it out."
"I'm coming up blank."
"Well I'm not telling so-" she blew a raspberry at him.
"Real mature, Bumblebee." Bethany shrugged and laughed. Then she sighed contentedly.
"Thank you." She said. "For everything. I've been very spoiled today and it's been kinda fun.  I don't deserve you." She looked up at him.
"You deserve the world, baby girl, and I'm gonna do my best to give it to you." She smiled, "Can I have a kiss?" Instead of replying she leaned up and kissed him. A soft peck on the lips, "No, I meant a real kiss."
"Oh excuse me. My bad." She put her ice cream on the coffee table and moved so she was kneeling beside him on the couch. She grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him.
    It was a perfect end to a perfect day. A day she would remember for years to come. Which was exactly Sebastian's plan even though Bethany didn't know that.

I'm going to a week long summer camp starting tomorrow so there won't be any updates this week. Sorry. But I managed to finish this one and get it up tonight for you.

Enjoy the fluff while it lasts.

Avery L.