Ben couldn't decide whether to laugh, be disgusted, confused, or some other emotion he couldn't pin point. One factor was for sure though, and that was he feared Tiana's sanity.

Ben sat on the edge of his bed, staring at Tiana who seemed to be getting uncomfortable. "What? I'm just being honest. Your new neighbor has a sick body, and if I had to choose between smash or pass, I would definitely choose-"

"Ew, please don't finish that sentence, ever. You do realize looks aren't everything. And is that really why you came over? To tell me you think my neighbor is hot?" Ben shook his head lightly back and fourth, eyebrows furrowed to the thought that Tiana would even think that way about him.

Tiana seemed piqued, most likely from his assumption. She put her pale skinned, small hands on her hips and pursed her lips. Her blue eyes challenged Ben's, ready to challenge his accusation.

"Oh, really Ben? You think I came just to see some hot neighbor abs? Well, that's not all. Your Mom called me this morning, she asked me to check on you since she's at work. Said you needed, "to get out of the house" or something like that." Tiana's eyes softened, remembering why she came over in the first place; to check on Ben.

Silence hovered over the two of them for awhile, both of them not wanting to confront the reasoning of the other. Ben glanced out the window, noticing that Josh's curtains were closed, but the light in his bedroom was on. Then suddenly his curtains opened, and Josh was standing in front of the window. The two boys looked at each other, but before any of them could acknowledge the other, Tiana broke the silence.

"Hey, Ben? Your Mom kinda told me about, Josh's his name? Anyway, I think you should probably apologize, I mean, you are going to start High School in a week. Might as well make a friend?"

Ben, startled, turned his attention to Tiana again. He bit his lip, pondering on what she said. After a little bit, he shook his head in agreement, and got off his bed. He took a deep breath before saying, "Yeah, I probably should. I still think he shouldn't have said what he did, but I guess, I'll . . . apologize." Ben mumbled the last part under his breath, looking at the ground in embarrassment. He hated confrontation more than anything else.

Tiana then clapped her hands in contentment. "Great! And besides, if things don't go so hot for you, at least you still got me!"

He gave Tiana an incredulous look, not in the least bit impressed by her rather "confident" statement.
"You make it sound like I already failed. Didn't you want me to, I don't know, succeed in making a . . . friend?" Tiana laughed at that. "I'm just putting it out there! Either way, let's get you ready, we need to make a good impression on his parents!!!"

Tiana's eyes twinkled as she searched through Ben's closet to find an "impressing" outfit, suitable enough to wear outside his home, yet casual. "I really don't see the big deal in all this, Tiana. I mean, I'm just gonna give his parents the damn box if anything. Does it really matter-"

"Of course it does! You may be making an impression on my future husband's parents here! I need them to accept you as the best man too!"

Ben stared at Tiana, mouth agape, his blue eyes looking at her infatuated, dazed face. He made a motion to say something, but gave up. "There's no point, she's already too far gone," he thought.

He grumbled a few coherent words, then went to the closet and stood next to Tiana. He grabbed a plain white t-shirt and went to his dresser. There, he grabbed a pair of dark, red basketball shorts, along with a fresh pair of boxers. Ben then walked into the hallway and into the bathroom. Once he was finished changing, he went back into his bedroom and sat next to Tiana, who was now sitting on the bed.

Both of them sat on the bed for awhile, silence enveloping them into deep thought. Tiana was first to break the silence, which became awkward over time. She drew in a deep breath, and exhaled when she said, "I'm sorry about making you uncomfortable earlier. I didn't mean it, I was just messing around. Also, if you don't want to-"

"It's fine." Ben interrupted Tiana, not liking where the conversation was going. He continued despite catching Tiana off guard. "Honestly, I'm probably just over-reacting anyway. I'll still apologize. Come on, let's go. I don't like this awkwardness anyway."

Ben sat up from the bed and walked out of his room. He turned around. "Well, are you coming to greet your in-laws or what?" He chuckled at his own remark. Tiana got out of her jumble of thoughts and shook her head "yes" vigorously. She then ran and caught up with Ben, who was already walking off, a box in his hand.

They both walked out of the 17 year-old single-family detached house and walked onto the sidewalk. Since Josh was next door, the walk was very short, less than a minute away. Ben then walked up to Josh's door step and rang the door bell. Before anyone came and answered it, he asked Tiana a question. "Hey Tiana, how come you like Josh anyway? I mean, he's a year younger than you, I think. With you being 15 and half and all, wouldn't you, I dunno, like older guys?" Tiana smirked at Ben's question. "Why? Does it bother you? Don't worry, I'm not serious about him at all. Just curious with him being the new kid on the block and all. Besides, are you even sure or his age?"

Ben shook his head no, and before he could say more, the door swung open.

Suddenly someone began to sputter words, all of them coming out rushed and apologetic.

"Ahh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to take so long! My parents aren't home, and I was in the shower, so yeah. How can I- . . ." Josh suddenly stopped talking and looked at me. I stared at his messy brown locks and fair, tan skin. His hair was dripping wet and his clothes had wet spots on them from the water dripping off his hair. His blue and white t-shirt looked as if it was rushed on, the shirt looking wrinkled and bunched up in places. His knee-length jean shorts hung low on his body, is lighter toned torso showing slightly. Josh wasn't wearing any shoes. His chocolate brown eyes began to glare at Ben. Tiana cleared her throat loudly, signaling Ben that he's been staring for too long.

Ben awkwardly cleared his throat and shook his head, trying to concentrate at the task at hand. Before he could say a word Josh spoke up. "Oh, it's just you. Tsk, why are you here anyway? And, is that my box?" Josh pointed to the box in Ben's hands. Ben nodded his head yes, then snapped out of his stupor. "Yeah, you left it over at my house yesterday when you barged in my room. I came to give it back to you, so yeah. Here you go." Ben handed the box to Josh, who was still glaring at Ben. "That's hardly an apology. At least try to not make it obvious you're half-assing it."

Before Josh could shut the door Ben grabbed it and forced it to say open. "Don't get too cocky, I wasn't apologizing. My Mom wanted me to return the damn box, not me. And if anyone should apologize, it should be you." Ben crossed his arms over his chest. Josh snarled at Ben and said, "Well, aren't you a Mama's Boy? How cute. I'm not the one who should apologize, and quite frankly, you're ticking me off. You gave me my box, now what else do you want?"

Ben started to step forward and snarled. "Why you-"

"Okay boy's! That's enough! Ben, stop being such a jack ass and apologize already. And Josh, shut up and listen!"

Josh turned and looked at Tiana. "Are you his girlfriend or something? Why do you even care?" Tiana stood up straighter. "I'm Tiana, Tiana Reed, Ben's best friend. His problems are my problem's, so you best not get on my bad side, Josh."

Josh looked at both of them, then back at Ben. "Well, if you got something to say, spit it out, no use in beating around the bush at this point. You got 3 minutes, I got company coming over soon."

Ben looked to Tiana, who shook her head to urge him on. Ben took in a deep breath, but before he could get a word out, a car rolled into Josh's driveway. A short, middle-aged woman stepped out of her vehicle and shouted, "Josh, obtener fuera aquí y saludar tu tía! Ella tiene no visto tú en asi que largo!"

Ben cursed under his breath, irritated he's been interrupted for the millionth time it seems. He looked at Josh who shouted, "Sólo un momento mamá! Yo será ser ahí en sólo un segundo!" He then looked at Tiana and Ben again. "Bother me some other time, I'm kinda busy right now. I'm sure you can find your own way home, unless you're as disabled as you are rude."

Josh then jostled his way off his doorstep and left Ben and Tiana where they were. With Ben aggravated and Tiana puzzled, there was no doubt that both of them were confused and piqued by the behavior of the new kid next door.

Ben grumbled and began to grumpily walk back to his house, leaving Tiana staring at him with worry and amusement from Josh's door step.