This is before SSR since I started it before it came out for reference. I also shortened the age gap to like less than a year, idk why, but I just felt like it and did.

Top Floor
Zoe's Dorm
7:45 PM
Friday
September 9th

Ben's POV:
So now you know what led to us playing, and how Erica was there, let's talk about the games themselves, shall we?

Oh wait, I gotta tell you about me going to her room to pick her up first. So maybe the games will have to wait a while.

I got ready in some casual clothes and popped a mint in my mouth as I headed to go get her.

I knocked on her door.

"What do you want?"

"It's Ben."

"I know it is."

"Come on it's time to go."

"I'm not going."

"Yes you are. You promised."

"Did not."

"Erica. Open the door please, you said you'd go."

She opened the door and looked at me. She was wearing some light gray sweatpants and a tight black shirt, slightly cropped, that looked like the top of her usual attire. I also noticed I was wearing grey sweatpants and a tight muscle tank. I wondered why she wasn't wearing her usual jumpsuit though. 

"I had to do laundry genius."

"Huh?"

"My suits. I had to wash them. Not that that's any of your business."

"Okay, whatever. These are for you." I handed her a couple roses.

"This isn't a date."

"You mentioned, but, I'm still allowed to bring you flowers, aren't I?"

"I guess."

"Lovely."

She went back in to put them in some water, so I leaned against the wall with my hands in my pockets.

"You look comfortable."

"I am, thanks."

"Alright, thanks for coming I guess."

"Well come on then, let's go."

"I told you I didn't want to go."

"Why not?"

"I don't need to explain myself to you."

"Alright." I shrugged. "See you later then."

"You're just gonna go?" She said curiously.

"You just said you weren't going so yeah?" I said, raising my eyebrow. "Unless you wanna explain why you won't come with me?"

"I don't trust them."

"So you do trust me then?"

"That's not what I said."

"Sounded like what you meant."

"It wasn't."

"Suuure."

"Knock it off Ben."

"Why?"

"You're being annoying."

"So you do have emotions." I teased.

"Hey!" She exclaimed, which surprised me. "Seriously, knock it off Ben."

"Fine, but let's go then."

"Whatever." She sighed.

"Alright then, let's go.

"I said I wasn't coming with you to wherever the heck your friends are."

"You said you would. It'll be fun."

"For everyone but me. I always end up doing something I don't want to and I'm not in the mood."

"I thought your line was 'I don't do fun' Erica. Your vocabulary is coming along quite nicely. You've learned a few new sarcastic phrases to respond to simple questions with and everything."

"You're annoying me." 

"Then put some shoes on and let's go."

"Ugh fine." She grumbled as she slid on some sneakers.

"Thank you."

We finally manage to get there after her dragging her feet and complaining, which was really unlike her, but I ignored it for the mean time. But first we talked a little.

"You're awfully quiet."

"I didn't know what to say Erica." I shrugged.

"Not about the fact that when I said it wasn't a date, and yet you brought me freaking flowers?"

"Not really."

"Or about the fact that you're literally acting way overconfident around me lately?"

"Am not."

"But you are."

"How so?"

"Just in general. But one example is yesterday. I said it wasn't a date, and you said something like yeah it is, there are just other people too or something."

"I'm aware."

"A while ago you wouldn't dare say that to me."

"And? Remember what you said about bears? If you show fear, they get confident, if you show confidence, they show fear. I think you're like a bear in this situation. I just gotta be confident and I'll eventually win you over."

"Will not."

"Then how do you explain that kiss, huh?"

"That was in December. And that didn't mean anything. I've told you a hundred times. It was just to calm you down."

"Wow. Okay, fine." I said, hurt. "We're here."

"Ben, wait-"

But I was already inside and talking to the others.

After talking for a while, Zoe spoke up.

"Let's play truth or dare."

We all agreed and played for a while. It went smoothly until it was a certain someone's turn.

"No." Erica said stubbornly.

"Erica, it's your turn, stop being a baby about it and pick." Zoe rolled her eyes.

"I never said I was playing."

"It's just truth or dare Erica, what's the big deal?" Jawa asked with a small smile.

"Awww, are you too scared?" Chip asked tauntingly.

Some of them snickered, but went silent almost immediately after that.

Erica sent the coldest glare at him. If looks could kill, I swear this was a glare atomic bomb. We'd have all died instantly, and the entire school, city, and surrounding states would have been reduced to ashes. And you might think this is an exaggeration, but if you know Erica, you know this is more of an under-reaction if anything.

But back to the story, because I'm sure you just can't wait to hear. And I'm gonna be honest, it really is good. Really funny too. Lot of 'Berica' drama or whatever too. Worth the wait I assure you.

"You worried we'll make you admit you're in love with Ben? Or make you kiss him?" He teased again.

"You're dead." She snarled at him from across the room, jumping up. 

"Woah Erica, calm down!" I said loudly out of desperation, trying to prevent a fight. Or more accurately, a literal murder of one of my friends, by another one of my friends. "Come on he's just messing with you. Please just sit down and ignore him."

She sat down reluctantly, but showed she was angry by her eyebrows being very furrowed, especially for her.

"You are scared, aren't you? Good thing for me that your boyfriend is here to stop you from killing me huh?" He teased yet again.

I got up and dove in between Erica and Chip, on instinct, as she lunged at him. She collided right into me and slammed me into the ground onto my side, landing on top of me. I immediately turned red, and all the others noticed too, getting some snickers again. Erica however, was strangely frozen, and staring into my eyes, and I swear I saw a small smile. 

"Erica?" I asked softly. "Are you all right?"

She blinked and realized what was happening, so she scrambled to get away from me. I stood up when Chip started again.

"Oooh! That's plain proof you l-"

She started running at him again, so I moved so I was in her way.

"Move Ben." 

"Please, just go sit down."

"You don't tell me what to do."

"Please Erica, just sit down. I'm not trying to control you. I just would like you to back away from him so you don't kill him."

She hesitated.

"Please Erica?"

She sighed and started to walk away, when she turned around and ran and almost managed to get past me. I took a huge risk and grabbed her and picked her up by the waist and spun away from Chip, taking her with me, and putting the distance between them again. 

"Benjamin Ripley." She growled.

"Erica Hale." I joked.

"Benjamin Ripley." She repeated. "Are you freaking kidding me? Who said you could lift me up?"

"You're right. No one did, and I'm sorry, I really am, but I had to do something to stop you. You looked like you were literally going to kill him."

"I am. And you're not going to pick me up or get in my way." She said, making clear she expected I listen. 

She started walking toward him, and I let her walk past. She looked at me and nodded semi-appreciatively as she did. And once she was past, I bear-hugged her from behind and she stopped in her tracks. I spun her around so she was facing me and hugged her. She froze, but didn't tell me to back off or let her go, so I just stood there hugging her, trying to calm her down.

"It's okay. Just leave him be Erica. He's being a jerk and an idiot right now, and I don't know what his deal is, but killing him isn't gonna do anything." I was aiming those accentuated words at Chip, and he knew it.

But Chip snickered. "So when's the wedding? Or are the kids already on the way? Shoot, my bad Ice Queen, I forgot about your fear of any kind of relationships and intimacy for a sec there." He sneered.

Everyone sat there quietly, looking at him like he was crazy. They knew he'd gone too far, and so did I. Erica was shaking ever so slightly in my arms, clearly upset by what he'd said, and I finally couldn't take it anymore. I cracked. I'd tried to stay calm, but him insulting her very logical fear of getting too close to people because they might betray her, like the last person she let get close to her. *koff koff Joshua Hallal* So,  I walked towards him.

"Chip are you crazy? Or just really dumb?" I shouted at him. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"

"What? Am I wrong?" He said defensively.

"Maybe not, but that doesn't make it right to say. What you just did is took her greatest fear, that is logical and practical to her since it's happened before, and mocked her for it. Huge asshole move right there man."

"Come on, I'm just joking."

"No one's laughing Chip. It wasn't funny."

"I mean I thought it wa-"

He was cut off by me punching him in the face. Hard. As hard as I could. I had tried to avoid it, but I punched him before I'd even realized I did.

He stumbled back and fell down. He groaned and rubbed his face.

"Ha! Take that Chip, I told you. Pay up bro." Mike exclaimed.

"What just happened?" I asked.

"I bet Chip $50 that you'd punch him so hard he fell if he insulted Erica for a while. I dared him first, but he was too scared so I bet $50 on it so he would." 

"Really Mike?" Zoe giggled. "You're crazy."

"Maybe so," He laughed. "But I knew Ben would do it, and now I'm up 50 bucks."

"Ohhh, you knew Ben would defend Erica." Jawa realized with a smirk.

I realized what that meant and blushed. 

I glance over at Erica and saw she was looking at me curiously.

"I uh- I was just trying to be nice geniuses. And he was being a jerk. And also, if any of you pull that ever again, you'll get the same punch to the jaw he did." 

"We're aware Romeo." Mike smirked again.

 "Shut up."

"Come on Ben tell her to just pick truth or dare." Mike smirked at me. "We all know she'll listen to you. I mean, that is how we got her to show up in the first place. Just have lover-boy ask her."

My eyes widened and I looked away from everyone to hide the fact that my face was severely red. Everyone, including Erica, was looking at me now.

"Ben."

"Yeah?"

"What are you gonna say about that?"

 "I don't know." I answered honestly.

"Are you gonna tell me to play, or leave it alone?" She asked curiously.

"I don't know."

"Are you going to say anything besides 'I don't know?'" She asked annoyedly.

"I don't know."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes with her jaw clenched.

"Simple yes/no question, should I pick one and play?"

"I don't... know really. I mean-"

"Ben it's a simple question, can you please just answer it?"

"Could you ever answer the question 'do you like me?' without saying 'it's complicated?' I mean it's a simple yes or no question too." I said without thinking.

Everyone went silent.

Erica looked at me with wide eyes.

"What? Tell me I'm wrong Erica. Honestly tell me I'm wrong."

"Can we talk a sec?"

"Uh... what?"

"Can we talk, in private?"

"Uh- sure?"

"Alright, let's go for a walk."

"Oookay... see you guys in a bit."

Mike smirked and mouthed 'have fun' at me.

I rolled my eyes at him and followed Erica outside.

"Let's go somewhere no one will hear us." She said casually.

"Ohhh, gotta be quiet, huh? Don't want anyone around to hear anything? Gotcha." I smirked at her jokingly.

"Ew! Ben!" I saw her turn bright red.

"What? I thought you didn't want anyone to hear our conversation. What did you think I meant?" I grinned slyly.

"You and I both know what you just said wasn't just meant to be we have to be quiet so no one would hear our conversation."

"I mean I think it was just miscommunication from an entirely innocent dude and a dirty minded Erica."

"Or you said it on purpose just to annoy me."

"That is a possibility."

"Why would you make a joke like that then?"

"Why not?"

"Because you're 16 and it's a weird thing to say."

"16 and a half, and you're like 18."

"17 and 1/4." She jokingly mocked. "And so?"

"So, you can handle me joking around with you." I said, bumping my shoulder into her.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah really. Why are you so focused on that though? I thought you wanted to talk to me."

"I am, aren't I?"

"I thought there was some specific topic, seeing as you couldn't talk to me in there. I mean, you didn't even play any games with us besides Uno and Monopoly, and we didn't finish Monopoly because Chip flipped the board when Jawa bankrupted him in 10 minutes."

"Not really. I just don't want to play anything that might end up with me having to do or say something I don't want to. Like I end up doing every time."

"Okay. Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course."

"You were smart to not play."

"I already knew that." Realization dawned on her face. "How do you know that?"

"It's... a long story."

"Did you set me up?"

"Depends on what you consider... setting someone up." I said slowly.

"Benjamin Carson Ripley explain yourself immediately." She demanded. (Idk his real one ofc and this is what it is in my mind until his real middle name is revealed.)

"Okay, okay, I- wait. How do you know my middle name? I haven't told anyone, but Mike, and he only knows because we're practically brothers and he's heard my mom yell it at me since we always got into trouble together. Same reason why I know his. So again, how do you know my middle name Daisy?"

"Ugh I hate that you know my middle name. If you ever say it again I'll kill you. And that's classified. I'm a spy-"

"It's your job to know things, yes I know. But this isn't anything special or mission/school related. This is just my middle name, so how'd you find out what it was, or why?"

"So I can yell at you with more effect."

"Oh come on, I don't buy that for a second. How'd you find out, and why'd you really find out?"

"I was curious so I hacked into your file."

"Curious about me? What'd you want to know that I couldn't just tell you? If you'd asked I'd have just told you and woah. Wait, doesn't that have literally all the information the CIA has on me?" I asked worriedly. "Like all of it?"

"Everything." She giggled.

"What does everything entail? And did you actually just... giggle?"

"Yes I did, and you can get over it. Everything entails everything Ben. There's height, weight, birthday, hair color, eye color, age. There's also family members, friends, embarrassing childhood stories, stuff like that. There's a list of previous missions; who was on them, what happened, what they involved, who the targets were, etc. But what I found to be the most amusing were the relationship status, current and previous possible romantic interests."

"I see, and why these topics in particular? You checking out the competition over there?"

"Overconfidence." She said in a singsong voice.

"Your theory." I mimicked.

"Whatever, and no, they were just very amusing, even to me. The 'currently single but considerably pining after Erica Hale' in the relationship status one was fun. Or the highest romantic interest being me, again. Oh and Ashley Sparks, being on the ex-romantic interest list along with Jessica Shang. Never liked them much."

"Because they liked me?" I asked faux-suavely.

"Because they were threats to-"

"You?"

"National security." She corrected.

"Keep telling yourself that." I teased.

"Again, overconfidence."

"Again, your own theory."

"Anyone else besides you in the current romantic interests section?"

I saw her eyes narrow ever so slightly and I smiled at the thought.

"There were."

"Who?"

"Elizabeth Pasternak, Chloe Appel, Katie Grant, and Zoe."

"So 3 girls from my old school, 2 of best friends?"

"Yep."

"5? And two previously?"

"... uh huh?"

"That's 7 girls they think I could possibly end up with?"

"... yeah, I mean, I guess so?"

"7?" I asked incredulously.

"That is what 5+2 is."

We'd made it all the way around the school and to my dorm. I leaned against the wall, and slid down it so I was sitting with my back to the wall. She realized I'd stopped walking and turned back around. She sat next to me.

"What?" Erica asked. "What's wrong?"

"Before I came here I couldn't get the one girl I liked, and now they think I might've gotten 7 to like me?" I laughed.

"Sounds like it."

"How?" I laughed again. "They think I got 7 different girls to like me, and I don't even know what I did to make them like me? What good is getting them to like me, if I don't even know what I did, or how?"

"My question is, how many of them are you actually interested in?"

"Why do you wanna know?" I smirked.

"Just answer the question and I'll think about telling you."

"2."

"Who?"

"Zoe and Ashley."

"Ashley is an enemy agent Ben." She punched me in the shoulder. "And Zoe is- well... Zoe's... Zoe." 

"Ow! I was kidding, calm down, no need to be so feisty!"

"Then answer for real this time, Mr. Comedian."

"Fine party pooper, no need to get jealous."

"Shut up or I'll punch you again. How many girls are you interested in?"

"1."

"Who?"

"Answer my previous question and I'll think about telling you." I mimicked her voice.

"Who is the one girl?" She asked curiously.

"I'm not answering that."

"Why not?"

"You didn't answer my question." I smiled. "Or tell me what was so urgent that you needed to bring me outside away from my friends and our games."

"I just wanted to get out of there."

"Oh."  

"I didn't mean it like that you big baby. Note how I didn't just leave, I also asked you to come with."

"I'm not a baby Grandma Daisy." She glared at me. "I'm like a year and a half younger. And, yeah, that's a fair point."

"I know it is."

"Why did you ask me to come with you?"

"I don't know."

"Wanna talk?"

"Weren't we already?"

"We were, but I meant about... us."

"Weren't we already?"

"Alright." I grinned.

"What?"

"You didn't say 'there is no us', or 'no'. I'm making progress."

"Of course I didn't, we're a couple."

"Huh? I- I- uh... what? Not that I'm not happy, but I'm really confused. Since when were we a couple? And we are?"

"Uh huh, a couple of besties."

"Okay, uh, owch? That was rude, even for you Erica."

She didn't say anything so I stood up and started to head inside.

"Goodnight Erica."

She still didn't say anything, so I closed and locked the door behind me and sat against it.

"Good gods." I sighed. "Drives me crazy."

"What does?"

I jumped. Erica was suddenly sitting next to me.

"Not what, who."

"Who then?"

"Who do you think?"

"Guess that means me."

"Yes it does."

"You never explained yourself."

"Huh?"

"Why did you set me up?"

"You need to be able to make friends for long term missions. We all knew that, so we were gonna dare you to sit with us at lunch for a while and to get you to hang out with us sometime."

"Like I buy that."

"You asked me to explain, and I did; now you don't believe my explanation? You think it was all about me and you romantically?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I'm not as obsessed with you as you think. I like you, a lot, but I do things besides try to get you to like me. This wasn't even my idea. Those people you refuse to trust? They convinced me to kiss my best friend's girlfriend, which made me extremely uncomfortable, because their idea or not, it's not right to me. They convinced me to manipulate you into coming, so they could get you to get better at making friends, to help you with the one area you need help with for your career that you care so much about. Those people who consider you their friend, and went to all that trouble to help you, they're the ones you don't want to trust. When they should be the ones you do trust. And me? I don't even know. I- I really don't know."

"You don't know what?"

"I... don't know."

"I heard you. What don't you know?"

"Why you always think I'm just trying to get you to go out with me. I understand you're not ready or you don't like me and that's fine, but why do you bring it up repeatedly, and friend-zone me every time? It's like starting a convo with someone and then leaving them on read. Like what's the point?"

"I bring it up because I don't want to lose you." I heard her whisper faintly.

I hugged her and she looked up with a small smile, and suddenly had an interest in my shoes.

"Lose me E? We're best friends. We've spent a ton time together, especially for you, even if it's just all missions and occasionally some other times."

She looked up at me.

"Unless you do like me?" I furrowed my eyebrows inquisitively.

She looked away.

"Erica?"

Wouldn't respond.

"Erica, what are you thinking?"

"That I talk too much."

"You barely ever talk."

"And when I do, it backfires."

"Not every time, Erica, when you talk to me, I can help you. I can be there for you."

"You can't."

"Try me."

She hesitated.

"Since you're not gonna give up, fine."

"So you're learning, good. Now what's up? Ask me anything."

"You like me right?"

"Um... yeah." I couldn't help but blush a little. "Yeah I do."

"So you just flirted with Zoe because they convinced you to?"

"Yeah. She and Mike are dating." (Again, before SSR, so he still liked her lol)

"Who was the one you were interested in?"

"Don't you know?"

"I wanna hear you say it so I know for sure."

"I just said I liked you."

"But that doesn't necessarily mean you're interested in me?"

"Doesn't it though?"

"Can you just answer me please?"

"Alright." I shrugged, trying to not blush. Luckily since I had just barely gotten into my room, I'd just opened and closed the door and sat down. "Well... it's um- you."

"Really?"

"I thought that was kind obvious but... yeah."

She nodded and stood up, leading me up by my hand.

"Any other questions?" I asked her.

"No."

"Then I answered all of yours, can I ask you one?"

"That seems fair enough."

"Do you like me?"

She hesitated. 

"Yeah." She said quietly. "I don't want to, but I do."

"One more?"

"What?"

"Are you ready? It's totally cool if you don't, but I figure, can't hurt to ask."

"I... don't know right now. Can... I think about it?"

"Of... course you can Erica. Why wouldn't you be able to?" I smiled. "But it shows you're getting soft. You actually asked if you could for some reason, instead of totally ignoring the question and ghosting me."

"I can if you want smarta-" She started to snap at me.

"I wasn't saying I missed you doing it, I really love that you're starting to trust me enough to actually open up, and a lot more recently. I'm sorry I teased you about getting soft. I was just joking around, but it's not funny unless everyone's laughing."

I looked at her with a half smile and an apologetic look.

"Do you forgive me?"

I thought she wasn't gonna answer when she quickly leaned forward and slipped her hands around my neck, slamming me against the door. My eyes went wide as our lips crashed together. I didn't fight it, and not that I have to justify it, but I really liked her. 

I mean, tell me you wouldn't do the same if the person you really liked, borderline loved, kissed you. Bet you can't. 

When she pulled away, she kept her face close to mine.

"Do you?" I asked. "Do you forgive me?"

"Yeah." She said with a small smile, before she kissed me again. I didn't fight it then either, and put my hands on the sides of her waist.

Okay, for example this is 4,320 words, the longest I think I've ever written lol. Don't judge the errors too harshly, it's 3:32 AM and I've barely slept lately. Hope you enjoyed :)