Chance at Love

Ben looked around his room, a modest space adorned with white walls embellished with cheerful yellow patterns. While these colors weren't his top picks, they still created a pleasant atmosphere.

To the right of his bed, a desk sat a short distance away, cluttered with books and various items typical of a study area. The fan he owned was notorious for its chilly breeze, capable of giving him a cold even during the warmest summer days. With winter approaching, he knew he would need to bid farewell to it for a while.

Rising from his bed, Ben glanced at the clock-it was 6 AM. There was no chance of sleeping in today; it was Monday, and he needed to prepare for school.

He opened his eyes wide, wishing to shake off the remnants of sleep, but it lingered stubbornly.

You might wonder why he felt so drowsy. The reason was simple: Ben had spent the previous night engrossed in vlogs and fan-created YouTube videos about his favorite ship from a recently wrapped gay reality dating show.

Unapologetically aware of his truth, he yearned to immerse himself in the kind of love he had never known.

There was no hiding his sexuality; it was an open secret. His immediate family was aware, as were his extended relatives, and even his entire school. At the tender age of thirteen, just before starting at this boarding school, he had come out to his family. To his relief, they embraced him with unwavering support and protection.

This familial concern is what led them to insist that he live in the apartment not designated for students. His grandparents owned the school and had constructed a cozy two-bedroom bungalow for their visits to oversee the institution.

They preferred Ben to reside here rather than in the boys' dormitory. He wasn't entirely sure why, but he assumed it was their way of being overly cautious since he had come out at such a young age. The thought of exploring other possibilities didn't interest him.

After gathering the books he needed for the day, Ben headed to the bathroom to freshen up. He dressed in his school uniform-a crisp white long-sleeve shirt paired with black trousers-and stepped outside. Even though he lived in the apartment, he was still expected to follow the school's regulations, which included having all meals in the Food Hall.

Collins High was a co-ed boarding school for both boys and girls that had been established for many years. Because it catered to both genders, the school enforced strict rules that all students had to follow. The boys' and girls' dormitories were located far apart, but that didn't mean they were prohibited from interacting; they just had to avoid any questionable behavior.

Despite the rules, the students still found ways to break them.

Ben arrived at the Food Hall at 6:45 AM, as indicated by his watch. The hall was already buzzing with students who were quietly complaining and chatting among themselves. The food was scheduled to be served at 7 AM and would be available for an hour and a half before the school bell rang. When the food was finally delivered, Ben calmly grabbed his plate and utensils and joined the line.

He didn't join in the complaining, not because he was particularly obedient, but simply because he had no one to share his thoughts with.

Shawn, the food prefect, oversaw the serving and eating of the meals. Students in the 11th and 12th grades held various positions, including Head Boy and Girl, Punctuality Prefect, Food Prefect, Social Prefect, and Neat Prefect. The school encouraged students to help enforce the rules and regulations. While there were adult authorities present, they were mainly there to deal with punishments if the prefects' instructions were not followed.

Ben sat at a table surrounded by a few other students who barely acknowledged his presence. He quietly enjoyed his breakfast before making his way to class.

At Collins High, there was an unspoken expectation that the friend groups formed in 7th and 8th grades would last until graduation. This meant there were various cliques, consisting of both girls and boys.

It wasn't that Ben was unwilling to engage with others; he simply struggled to initiate conversations and maintain friendships. His situation was compounded by the fact that he didn't live in the dorms, which left him out of the loop during discussions about dorm life.

His first friend group emerged during 7th grade, but they eventually grew frustrated with his quiet demeanor and his frequent confusion about their conversations. Over time, he found himself increasingly isolated from their chats and outings, leading to the dissolution of that friendship.

In 8th grade, Ben tried to avoid repeating his past mistakes. He made an effort to contribute to discussions when he was hanging out with his second friend group. However, he ended up having a falling out with a girl named Bailey.

Bailey and Ben found themselves drawn to the same senior, igniting a crush that stirred the dynamics of their friendship. In their school, homophobia wasn't an issue, so the situation didn't create too much of a stir. However, when the senior began to show interest in Ben, Bailey's jealousy flared. She grew distant and successfully persuaded their peers to follow suit.

Ben understood that none of this was his doing, but it would have felt like a different story if the senior had reciprocated his feelings. Instead, the senior had eyes for Ben's cousin and asked him to put in a good word. As a result, Ben lost his second circle of friends.

Rather than searching for a new group, Ben decided he was better off on his own. He resolved to make a friend, but this time, without the confines of a group-just him and one other person.

That was four years ago, and still, Ben found himself without a friend.

As he settled into his seat, which was meant for two, he couldn't help but notice he was all alone. With an odd number of students in the class, he was left without a partner. Whether this was mere coincidence or fate, he couldn't say, but it was his reality.

He let out a silent sigh as the teacher entered, signaling the start of another class.

«»«»«»«»«»«»«»

As Ben lay in bed, ready to drift off to sleep, a mix of happiness and sadness washed over him. He had just returned from the reading hall, where students gathered to read at night, an optional activity that he had chosen to partake in.

Ben felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he realized today was just another predictable day in his life. Wake up, have breakfast, attend class, grab lunch, scroll through his phone, enjoy dinner, read a book at night, and finally drift off to sleep.

Yet, amidst the monotony, there was a silver lining: he was one day closer to graduation. College was on the horizon, and with it, he hoped for a fresh opportunity at love.

Two years ago, his first attempt at a relationship had ended in disappointment. He had developed a liking for seniors, and it was one of them who approached him without any prior awareness on his part. He hadn't even known the boy existed until that moment.

Jay confessed his feelings to Ben, sharing that he had harbored a crush on him for quite some time. Caught off guard but delighted by the attention, Ben suggested they take things slow to see if they could make it work.

Jay was charming and kind, and gradually, Ben found himself developing feelings for him. Initially, he felt the gaze of other students upon them during their hangouts, but he chose to ignore it.

As he lay on his side in bed, memories of that day flooded back. Eager to see Jay, he made his way to the boy's dorm. Lucky for him, he encountered the dorm head, who informed him that Jay was in the garden.

When Ben arrived, he spotted Jay with a girl who was perched on his lap, wrapped in his embrace, as she listened intently to the sweet words Jay was whispering into her ear.

Ben stood there, completely still, his gaze fixed on the two of them. The moment Jay's eyes locked onto his, he quickly turned away and dashed back to his room. Later, Ben learned that Jay was in a relationship with a girl named Mabel, and they were experiencing some difficulties. Jay approached Ben to apologize, explaining that his intention was merely to provoke Mabel's jealousy.

That day, Ben recalled staring at himself in the mirror, whispering, "You really thought he liked you, didn't you?" He averted his gaze quickly, not wanting to confront the tears welling up in his eyes.

From that point on, he started paying closer attention to the dating rumors circulating throughout the school. If he had been more observant, he would have realized that Jay was already taken.

Ben rose from his seat, surveying his room. Sleep eluded him, so he opted to watch YouTube videos instead. He longed to escape into their world, feeling the weight of his own cold loneliness.

Today was just another ordinary day.

Ben's stomach was growling.

Earlier this morning at breakfast, he had asked the server for a smaller portion since he wasn't feeling particularly hungry then. But now, his appetite was ravenous to the point that he found it hard to concentrate on what Mr. Sam was explaining.

"Verbs? Reproduction? Wait, isn't Mr. Sam supposed to be the math teacher?" Ben wondered.

He found himself eagerly counting down the minutes until lunch. Unfortunately, lunch wasn't provided during the week, so students had to purchase snacks instead. As soon as the bell rang, Ben hurriedly stuffed his books into his bag, ready to dash out, when he heard Mr. Sam calling him.

"Ben, could you come here for a moment?" Mr. Sam said with a grin. Ben had mixed feelings about Mr. Sam for several reasons.

He couldn't figure out why Mr. Sam always smiled when speaking to him, a contrast to his demeanor with other students. Was it due to Ben's background?

Ben sensed the reason behind the teacher's request. He approached Mr. Sam and stood before him. "Yes, sir?"

"Could you do me a favor and take this textbook to the head office?" Mr. Sam asked, handing him the book.

This was another reason for Ben's dislike of Mr. Sam. He always assigned him errands whenever he came to teach. Initially, Ben thought it was just a one-time favor, but it had turned into a series of tasks that had persisted since his 10th grade. Ben's stomach was growling.

"Alright, who should I hand this to?" Ben was not about to say no; after all, Mr. Sam was a teacher. He figured he'd drop it off and then head out for some snacks.

"Pass it to Miss Riley," Mr. Sam instructed, maintaining that smile. Was it wrong of Ben to find that smile a bit unsettling?

Ben nodded and walked away, realizing this was not how he envisioned his lunch break. All he wanted was to get some food down his throat, and Mr. Sam was putting a damper on that.

'But it's okay, I'll just deliver this and then eat,' Ben reassured himself as he hurried along, weaving through fellow students.

Suddenly, he collided with someone and tumbled to the floor. Looking up, he saw it was Chloe. Remarkably, she had remained upright during the bump. Ben silently cursed his empty stomach.

"I'm really sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Chloe said as she picked up her textbook and brushed it off.

Ben got to his feet and dusted off his clothes. "No worries, I wasn't exactly looking either." It was then that he noticed the guy standing next to her-Eric.

Chloe handed the textbook back to Ben. "Aren't you in our class?"

Ben's growling stomach distracted him from responding. He needed to grab something to eat before lunch ended. With a quick nod, he took off without glancing back at Chloe's confused expression. She turned to Eric, who seemed to understand her thoughts perfectly. "Maybe he's in a hurry. I bet you'll find a way to talk to him later." Chloe nodded in agreement.

Ben hadn't quite come to terms with his encounter with Chloe; instead, he found solace in the distraction of his growling stomach. After finally handing Miss Riley the textbook, he made his way to the cafeteria to grab some snacks. He felt relieved to see that the line was short, so he joined it without hesitation.

"I've never heard 'four words' say so much. Maybe I should follow him during lunch breaks to catch more of his chatter," one girl remarked from behind him.

"You might be onto something because I feel the same way. Honestly, he's popular just because of his looks. He hardly talks to anyone except for his best friend and that awful Chloe," replied her friend, and they both chuckled.

Ben recognized they were discussing the guy ahead of him, who was now walking away after paying for his snacks.

When it was finally Ben's turn to order, the lunch lady said, "Oh Ben, we're out of hotdogs. That boy just bought the last four," gesturing toward the direction the boy had gone.

Naturally, the lunch lady knew him well. Not only was the school owned by his grandparents, but she also recognized him because he always ordered the same thing: one hotdog and his beloved peach soda. That was his go-to combination.

The lunch lady handed Ben a peach soda. "Would you like a burger instead?" Burger? He wasn't a fan of burgers; it had been years since he last had one!

An idea struck him. "Sure, I'll take that," he replied and paid up. He grabbed the snacks and took a few steps before he suddenly stopped. What was he supposed to do now?

The 'idea' he had was to politely ask 'four words' if he could swap one of his hotdogs for the burger. But upon reflection, the notion seemed foolish.

After all, they were complete strangers. Why would 'four words' want to trade his hotdog for a burger from someone he didn't even know? Should he give it a shot? Or should he just eat the burger and wait for dinner to come?

His stomach growled again, urging him to make a quick decision. He decided to give it a try. What was the worst that could happen?

Looking around, he spotted 'four words' sitting by himself in the cafeteria, munching on one of the hotdogs. He had already eaten about half of it, taking a sip of his drink while glancing around. Ben walked over to him.

"Hey, um, would you be willing to swap one of your hotdogs for this burger?" Ben asked.

The boy paused mid-chew, glanced up at Ben, and continued chewing until he swallowed. "What?"

'Did I come off as rude?' Ben wondered, trying again. "Could you please trade one of your hotdogs for this burger?" He extended the burger towards him.

The boy looked back and forth between the burger and his hotdog before bursting into laughter.

Ben was taken aback. The reaction from 'four words' surprised him. What was so funny? He had merely posed a simple question-just a yes or no would suffice, not laughter directed at him!

As soon as the boy noticed the displeasure etched on Ben's face, his laughter ceased. He took a bite of his hotdog and simply replied, "No."

Ben wore a deep scowl that made him appear quite sour. He wasn't upset about the hotdog itself; rather, he felt slighted by the boy's laughter.

"That laughter was unnecessary; just a straightforward 'no' would have sufficed," Ben remarked, trying to dismiss the rumbling in his stomach. Unfortunately for him, it seemed to echo his disappointment.

"I doubt your stomach cares whether it's a burger or a hotdog that it's missing out on," the boy quipped, taking another bite.

Ben's feelings of anger and embarrassment swirled within him. Why was everything going so wrong today?

At that moment, two familiar faces approached the table. "Sorry we're late..." Ben turned to see Eric and Chloe.

"What's up?" Chloe asked, noticing the persistent scowl on Ben's face.

The boy couldn't help but chuckle again. "Why don't you tell them what you asked me?" he said with a teasing laugh.

His amusement at Ben's request only deepened Ben's humiliation. Was his inquiry really that foolish?

Realizing he had made a significant error in judgment, Ben quickly excused himself and returned to class. He tossed his snacks into his bag, zipping it up with force and folding his arms tightly.

Why hadn't he just opted for the burger?

The day felt completely ruined, all because of hotdogs and burgers.

Ben stole a glance to his right, locking eyes with 'four words' and Chloe. Quickly, he shifted his gaze forward, doing his utmost to focus on the teacher's lecture.

It was only when he noticed Chloe, Eric, and 'four words' enter the classroom that he recalled they were his classmates. Chloe appeared as though she wanted to say something, but her words were cut short by the ringing bell that signaled the end of lunch.

In case you were curious, Ben still hadn't eaten; his snacks remained tucked away in his bag.

He resolved that once classes wrapped up, he would make his way back to the lunch lady, hoping whatever was still available wasn't burgers. Ben was certain he would faint if he had to wait until dinner.

As the history teacher concluded his lesson and exited the room, Ben mentally noted he needed to hit the books later that evening since he hadn't grasped much of what had been taught-his hunger was too distracting.

"Excuse me?" he heard from his right. Turning, he saw Chloe standing there, holding a hotdog. "My friend filled me in on what happened, so I wanted to apologize for him and offer to swap my hotdog for your burger, if you're interested," she said, extending the hotdog toward him.

She wore a polite smile, a stark contrast to Mr. Sam's unsettling grin. Ben felt puzzled about her kindness; apart from their brief encounter that morning, they hadn't exchanged a single word. Or perhaps she was simply a genuinely nice person?

One thing was clear: he was eager to accept her offer and trade snacks.

"I'd love to," he replied, rummaging through his bag to retrieve the burger. The way he had tossed it in there out of frustration had turned everything into a chaotic jumble.

"But it's all over the place, do you still want it?" Ben silently wished she would say yes. In his mind, he could already taste that hotdog.

"Sure, it's fine," Chloe replied, taking the burger and handing the hotdog to Ben, which made him beam with joy. Finally, he was about to eat.

"I hope you won't take offense to what my friend said. I swear he's not as bad as he seems," Chloe attempted to defend.

Ben glanced past Chloe toward 'four words,' where Eric was standing. Since Chloe was offering him the hotdog, he decided not to mention how hurt he was by 'four words' reaction.

What if she changed her mind about giving him the hotdog?

"It's all good; I've moved on," he finally replied. Chloe smiled back, "Okay, see you later." Then she walked away.

Without wasting a moment, Ben grabbed the peach soda from his bag and bit into the hotdog. He didn't care that eating in class was frowned upon; he was determined to satisfy his hunger.

As the food fueled his body, thoughts about the day flooded his mind. Even after their awkward encounter, Chloe had been kind to him. But why?

On the surface, Chloe seemed like a genuinely nice person. She joined the school just last year, which made Ben a bit envious when she was welcomed into the so-called 'popular group.' Ben was the only one who labeled it that way, given the striking attractiveness and charm of its members.

This friend group was unique, comprising the most sought-after seniors and juniors, effectively making it the ultimate social circle.

Chloe's inclusion wasn't due to her popularity-after all, she was a newcomer-but rather because Eric, one of the most admired boys in school, had taken a liking to her.

Remember when Ben began to pay more attention to the school's dating scene after that moment? That's how he became aware of all these details.

Eric and his best friend, known simply as 'Four Words,' had been inseparable since the beginning. Their presence in the 'popular group' was justified by three key factors.

First, they were undeniably good-looking. Even if you weren't a fan, it would be hard to argue against their appeal.

Second, they came from wealthy backgrounds. Their stylish accessories and lavish purchases made that quite clear.

Third, they excelled academically. While Ben boasted the highest grades in his class, Eric and Four Words still achieved impressive results.

With those three essential criteria for popularity in check, their membership in the group was never questioned.

Chloe and Eric's budding romance was sweet and endearing. Eric often trailed after her, seizing every opportunity to strike up a conversation. However, the other girls weren't fond of this; they resented Chloe for stealing Eric's attention.

Ben didn't share those feelings because none of the guys around him were gay, leaving him with no opportunities from the start.

He was well aware of all the LGBTQ+ students at his school-eight in total, himself included. However, none of them sparked his interest, so he didn't give them much thought. The only one who came close to fitting his type was already in a relationship.

In terms of romance, Ben felt hopeless.

He had a good understanding of Eric and Chloe's dating dynamics. He wasn't a creep; he simply knew what others knew. That's why he could easily identify who the girls were talking about when they mentioned 'four words.'

He had no clue what his actual name was. By the time Ben began to notice him, everyone was already referring to him as 'four words.' Rumor had it that he earned this nickname because he rarely spoke, and when he did, his responses were brief.

You know, like a classic 'I'm fine, and you?' kind of exchange.

Ben typically didn't give this guy much thought since he wasn't in a relationship. He mostly conversed with Eric and Chloe, occasionally mingling with the popular crowd but only on specific occasions.

Though he didn't admit it often, Ben secretly yearned for a friendship as strong as that between Eric and 'four words,' as well as a romance as delightful as Eric and Chloe's.

Shaking his head, Ben decided to push aside all these gloomy thoughts. Although he had eaten a hotdog, he was aware it wouldn't suffice to satisfy him. He was eagerly anticipating dinner.

The classes had finally wrapped up. Ben began organizing his belongings, zipping up his bag just as he noticed Chloe approaching him.

"Hey, I realized I didn't introduce myself earlier-I'm Chloe," she said, extending her hand.

Ben shook it, confusion evident on his face. "Uh, I'm Ben."

"I know. I'd like you to join us for dinner... as a way to apologize for earlier," Chloe offered.

Join them? The 'popular group'? The thought made him uneasy. What would he even say? How should he act? He didn't talk to any of them in class, let alone the upperclassmen in that group. He felt he would be a complete outsider. What would their reaction be to him dining with them? The idea did not appeal to him at all.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. Honestly, I'm over how he reacted; there's no need for you to go out of your way to apologize," Ben replied, feeling the urge to clarify. Dinner with them seemed unnecessary, and he was convinced it would only lead to an embarrassing situation for him.

"Please, let me make it up to you. Just have dinner with us," Chloe insisted, genuinely wanting him to join.

By now, the classroom was empty except for two remaining students: Eric and the boy he referred to as 'four words.' "I still don't think it's a great idea, but I'll think about it," Ben said reluctantly.

He was lying; he had no intention of considering it.

"Alright, see you later," she said, heading off to rejoin her friends.

Ben decided to act as if the day had never happened and headed off for a shower. He wouldn't dwell on why Chloe was making such an effort to apologize; after all, she wasn't even the one he had an issue with.

The individual referred to as "Four words," with whom he had some conflicts, hardly cast a glance in his direction and appeared to have completely erased the lunchtime incident from his mind.

But it didn't matter; he decided not to dwell on it. He was quite confident that Chloe would let the invitation slip from her memory.

He was very certain that by dinner, Chloe would've forgotten about the invitation.