There, leaning against the outside door of Grandma's building, was a tall recognizable, black-hooded figure I wished I'd never see again.

From a short distance, he seem to be texting on his phone, withholding any eye contact whatsoever. My eyes enlarged in absolute shock and I focused my steps as I quickly flew past him, pretending not to notice his existence.

"Y/N. Stop."

Although, I wanted to, my feet thought otherwise when they planted in my tracks by the glass door.

"Why are you here, Ben?" I muttered through gritted teeth.

"In case you're wondering, I'm waiting for my girlfriend."

"Huh. Good luck with that." I rolled my eyes and stepped forwards.

"Y/N," he blurted, and I freeze, again. "Can I ask you something?"

I hesitated before giving out a sigh of defeat. "Make it quick."

Without hesitation he abruptly questioned, "I saw you walking with another guy today. Who is he?"

I furrowed my brows, aggravated from the fact that Ben was around this area when I was walking with Kaneki to his apartment. I can't believe I've never noticed him.

"He's my boyfriend," I stated. "and I'm not telling you anything more."

That's when his foot blocked the entrance, preventing me from moving any further.

"Y/N, I miss you. Ever since the break-up, I've been constantly thinking about you and what I've done that made you upset."

I made eye contact with his cold, grey ones, glaring daggers at the boy. "What are you saying?"

"Can't we at least stay friends?" he pleaded. "I promise nothing will get in our way. I've matured lately, and would like your company, even if you're still angry at me."

Are you kidding? I thought to myself. Is he really asking me to come back when I have already passed on our previous relationship a long time ago? And to think all the dishonest and stupid decisions he created too? I don't think so, Buddy.

"Thanks, but, no thanks, Ben," I answered flatly. "I'm sorry but, I already have other things on my hands. Maybe in your dreams." And with that I shoved his foot away and the door slammed behind me.

I sighed to myself when I waited for the elevator to take me up to the eighth floor.

Once I found Grandma's apartment number, I unlocked the door and discovered the lights were still on.

"I'm home," I called where I caught the T.V playing the news in the living room. My mind seemed to be captivated of the report of another ghoul sighting near the 7th ward until I realized...

"Ahhhh!!" I leaped in alarm, finding Grandma sneaking up behind me in her usual white pajamas, headband and slippers.

"Y/N, you're home early," she said.

"Home early, Grandma?" I asked in bizarre. "I thought you'd be worried sick if I wasn't home after midnight. And why are you still awake?"

"Thought my granddaughter would like a nice cup of hot tea when she gets back," she smiled, pouring a cup for me when I sat down in our tiny table.

"Thank-you," I acknowledged, accepting the cup and taking a small sip.

"So... How's Kaneki doing?" Grandma asked suddenly, sitting across from me. "Did you two have a good time?"

I placed my drink down and smiled. "He's great."

"I assumed you would stay at his place until morning, Dear. It was a shame that you left him so early."

I bit my lip. "I know," I sighed. "It's too late now."

"In that case, try asking him over to our apartment tomorrow. It would be wonderful if I get to know more about him," she said, suddenly standing from her seat.

I gleamed. "Really? Thanks, Grandma!"

"Your welcome, Dear." She smiled and cleans up our dishes, placing them in the sink.

But that's when the thought came to me. "Grandma?"

"Yes, Dear?"

"Along the way here, I discovered Ben waiting by the front door downstairs. He said he's matured, and has been reflecting about all the decisions he made back then. He's trying to get me back, Grandma, thinking we should just be friends."

"...Ben, you say?" she asked, sitting down at the table, again. "Wasn't he your boyfriend?"

"Yes. Not anymore though, that's for sure."

"If matured is what he said he is, he may be right, Y/N. People can change over time."

"I know," I sighed once more, propping my elbow upon the table. "I just don't want myself falling for him, again."

"We all want something, Dear, and it won't always be rewarding."

"What do you mean?"

"Take the weather for example. In the summer, we want it nice and chilly to cool us down during those dreadful heat waves. However, when we do get what we wanted for, it may not always be rewarding since those cold days aren't very good for us most of the time. However, we find ways to survive the chilly weather and to deal with it until spring comes, rather until it blooms next season."

"So, basically you're saying that I should give Ben a chance then?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid so," she sighed. "Well, Y/N, I think it's best if we go to bed. You have school tomorrow."

"Right," I yawned from exhaustion. "Night, Grandma."

"Good-night, Dear," was her last words before shutting the light off and escaping into her bedroom.

I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and hopped into bed, a visible frown sitting across my lips.

I grabbed my phone from my bedside table and immediately texted the first person who was on my mind the entire night.

Me- James. I have some bad news.

*buzz!

James- Tell me, gurl!! The deets!!

James- Now!!

Me- Guess who I bumped into earlier tonight?

James- ...

James- Don't tell me...

Me- Yep.

Me- We're thinking the same person, right?

James- yeah.

James- What'd he say?

Me- He said he's been doing some thinking ever since the break-up and even stated he had a girlfriend and "matured"

Me- he's wanting me back but, more like friends

James- and what'd you say?

Me- I immediately answered no, maybe in your dreams, and ended the conversation by walking away from there

James- Oh Y/N, you need to step up your game

Me- Huh?

James- Be your own bawse! Just ignore him completely

Me- I did.

Me- I tried.

Me- It's just not easy when he's breathing down my neck, that's for sure

James- Well, I'll text Bree the bad news

James- If Ben does anything bad to you, we got your back remember that

Me- I know

Me- Thanks, James

James- Anytime

James- Good-niiiight!!

Me- Night.

~***~

The next morning, I only had a few hours sleep, since my brain woke up too early. I washed up, got dress into a much warmer outfit, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Bye, Grandma," I muttered, opening the front door.

"Remember to ask Kaneki to visit, Y/N," she smiled, and offered my lunch bag which I gratefully accepted from her frail hands.

"Don't worry! I'll remember!" I laughed, and shut the door behind me.

As soon as I waited for the elevator's arrival, I began thinking when I could ask Kaneki today since I didn't have any work after-school. I still couldn't believe the fact he confessed to me the previous night. I've always knew the innocent darling he was but, never experienced that side of him before. It was somehow interesting and attractive in a way, that made me strangely crave for him bit by bit. Everything was just happening too fast.

*Ding!

The elevator doors opened wide, revealing what I thought was to be gone for the whole week. Or maybe even the year.

I lowered my head, withholding any sort of eye contact, and stepped inside the elevator as I stood as far away towards the empty corner as possible.

It was silent for a moment until he spoke up.

"So, Y/N," From the tone of his voice he seemed to enjoy my presence, especially since we were in a small, secluded area. "Have you change you're mind yet?"

My back stiffened, recognizing he was addressing only towards me. I clenched my fists as I mentally repeated to myself,

Ignore him ignore him ignore him ignore him ignore him ig-- Godammit.

"... No. Not at the moment," I mumbled, and the elevator came to a complete stop.

I exited first and unfortunately, he follows behind.
"Y/N, listen," he said, and we left the building, feeling the cold instantly dominate our warm temperature. "I'm not asking you back. I'm only asking if we can stay cool as friends."

"No."

"C'mon! What happened to that smile, huh?"

I halted in my tracks and made eye contact with his. "It's crushed deep in a hole because your stupidity shoved it down there, creating it to shrivel up and die," I stated, where I almost gave out a snicker for being so clever.

He sighed to himself. "You're never gonna learn, are you."

"Learn what?" I gaped in alarm, my eyes large. "Tell me, Ben. What is it that I can't learn or are you too stupid to answer?"

That's when he immediately grabbed my wrist, pulling me close to his chest. My face collided against his jacket and I frowned when he muttered,

"Don't think you have to the right to call me stupid, stupid. You're just too immature to even understand the fact that I've grown up from our previous relationship. I know you'll change your mind eventually, Miss Y/LN."

I pushed his body away from me and crossed my arms. "I can't believe you addressed me by my last name," I muttered. "It doesn't sound right, especially coming from you."

He oddly gave me a small chuckle. "I like it though. It's cute."

"Speaking of cute, shouldn't you be with your cute girlfriend by now?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uhh, she said she'll meet me by the front here," he stammered, shooing me along. "She'll be here any second."

A weird smirk played across my lips as I snorted, "Ohhhh, okay. Well, you better show me who this lucky chick is the next time we meet, kay?"

"So, you changed your mind then?" he asked, beaming.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Ben. I'm still mad at you."

"I know," he responded, rolling his eyes. I took that as a cue to begin my walk to school.

"Bye, Y/N!" I heard him call back. "Until the next time I see you!"

"Whatever," I responded, raising a hand where I continued marching forwards from plain sight.