Chapter Text
He should be at home, why isn't he at home?
Maybe it has something to do with the drunk father waiting for him, maybe it has something to do with the constant lectures of, 'You're a Mitchell son, act like it." Whatever the reason, it is good enough to justify the situation he's found himself in? Because Ben suddenly doesn't find the idea of being at home that bad right now, although maybe that has something to do with the hand he has wrapped around his neck.
He almost smirks to himself at the situation he has found himself, sorry, placed himself into. He might as well be at home now, if he would have known he was going to get a beating even out of the house he could have saved this guy the trouble and just left it to his old man. But that's a lie. Ben came out tonight looking for this, looking to be kicked, because maybe it's some sort of way of.... Ben mentally shakes his head. Because he doesn't know. He doesn't know why he's out here at 12.43 (well that's what it was last time he checked his phone) taking blows of some guy who he knew was bigger, stronger than him. At this point he can't even remember why he's getting punched, but maybe that's the beer? Or maybe, just maybe its because he hasn't done anything wrong. He's just being himself.
"Ya know, I like 'em a little rough but this is a bit much" Ben gasped as the taller mans grip tightened around his neck, "Don't ya think?" The stranger shook his head with a scoff, there was disgust there in his eyes. He's seen it before, it was painfully similar. His dad looked at him the exact same way, like Ben wasn't normal.
Tomorrow is his last first day at school, and he's going to turn up with a split lip and black eye, again.
The weight of the mans fist connecting with his face hurt less than he had expected, it's possible that Ben really is getting used to it now. The pain. The disappointment. The constant reminder that he isn't who he is supposed to be. He must have been hit harder than he thought as he hadn't even heard the entrance of another man to the scene, although his voice was more boyish, familiar.
"....Off of him! What the hell are you doing?" Ben opened his eyes, straining to get them to adjust to the darkness. The man who had just had Ben pinned up against the cold wall dropped his arms, turning around. Ben crumpled down onto the floor, not having realized just how much of his weight he wasn't carrying. Ben rubbed his head and looked up, his attacker blocking the view of the second guy. But all he had to do was speak again before Ben's eyes were widening despite his headache. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" oh my god. That's Callum Highway. Next thing, said Callum was pulling the man away before landing his fist right on his nose, and had Ben been in a better state, and had he even remotely liked Callum, he might have whistled. Because that was some punch.
The other guy scarpered pretty fast after that. Ben couldn't blame him, Callum was tall and intimidating (not to ben, obviously) and as he had just demonstrated, had a pretty tidy right hook.
Then it was just them.
Ben could do without a lecture, if he's being honest. Yes, he's being a knob. Callum did just save him from getting his ass royally kicked. But right now, his egos hurt and having Callum out of all people to be the one to help him out bugs him more than it should. And why? well, he's never been able to answer that one. He'd done it again, got lost in his head, he knows this because above him, Callum Highway standing at six foot plus is looking down at him expectantly, hand outstretched. He sighs, fuck, it had to be him. Ben stretches, taking Callum's offer, noticing for the first time how big this mans hands are. They completely envelope his own and he finds himself staring at there intertwined fingers. Suddenly, he's being pulled up with ease and he lands on his feet just that little bit to close to the other boy, the sort of proximity that makes Ben nervous.
"Er, thanks, But I had that under control, Callum." Ben stares now, his mask slipping back into place again, just the way he likes it. And he doesn't like the way Callum scoffs in a way that is just so infuriatingly Callum.
"Yeah, looked like ya really had it covered, Ben." He doesn't miss Callum's subtle eyeroll that really isn't so subtle. Then his eyes drop, a smirk forming on his face, Ben looks down quickly to search for whatever Callum is finding so amusing, and then he get's it. "You can let go of my hand now, Ben." Ben untangles his digits from Callum's before raising a hand to his shoulder giving him a shove. It could have been anyone, why, oh why did it have to be him. Ugh.
"Fuck off." Ben scowled up at his classmate. Well, he's not his mate, fellow pupil fits better. Anddd he's doing it again, getting lost in his head. What is he even doing out here at this time of night? Why isn't perfect Callum all tucked up in ben, nice and warm? Hair flat against his forehead, lips parted, oversized t-shirt on- WHAT is he doing? Oh my god he needs to stop drinking beer. Ben physically shakes himself from his unnecessarily detailed thoughts which are completely not appropriate. This is Callum.
"You've been drinking, ain't ya?" Ben can't help but resent how well he knows him when he doesn't really know him at all. Because really, Callum has no right to come and save the day, not when they don't even get along. Not when Ben treats him like shit for a hobby and Callum makes every effort to make him feel just as crap in return. That's all they are. People who just quite simply don't get along. They haven't since they met in year 7, the resentment starting straight away when Ben was moved to sit next to Mr. Perfect (Callum Highway in case you didn't guess) instead of sitting with his mates at the back. when in his defense, he hadn't even been talking. Not like that stopped Callum and his smug little smirk.
"I don't need a lecture right now, so please-"
"That's not what I was going to do, look it's late and this ain't no where near where ya live," Callum's eyes dance around the smaller boys face until he wraps his arms around his wide chest, "Crash at mine, empty house, you can take the sofa." Callum backs away now, inviting Ben to follow. But Ben doesn't. Sensing that the smaller man hasn't shifted from the spot. He sighs, exasperatedly stuffing his hands in his front jean pockets, "Well?"
"We have school tomorrow, I need clothes and shit." It's a valid reason not too follow Callum, and he finds himself being disappointed that he has a genuine reason for going back to his own house. Weird. But Callum gives off a shrug, kicking an energy drink can with his sneaker clad foot.
"Ask me nicely and I'll drop you off in the morning, bright and early." Of course Callum had thought of that, of course. "Or, I guess I could just leave ya out here to fend for yourself.... although it doesn't look like you're too good at that." He gives him a grin, a glint in his eyes he doesn't recognize.
Ben simply pushes himself off the wall, rubbing a hand along his face, smudging the drying blood. Callum takes that as his answer, satisfied. He does know Ben after all. As much as they both hate to admit it. Ben straightens up, still significantly smaller than Callum, him and his stupid long legs that he doesn't know what to do with yet. "Sounds like we're having a sleepover then, Callum." Ben glances sideways at Callum, feeling suddenly more sober as they walk side by side down the empty street.
"Not a sleepover." Callum slows, unlocking his car that looks ready to fall apart any minute now, it's dark blue paint starting to bubble in places. Ben walks round to the passenger side, stretching to see over the roof of the car in order to meet Callum's gaze again.
"Mmkay." he throws him a wink, to which the taller boy roles his eyes with exhaustion.
"Remind me why I'm helping out a knobhead who wouldn't do the same for me?" There is a gap in conversation as both men climb into the car, Callum folding himself awkwardly while trying his best not to hit his head.
"Because you are the nice one out of the two of us, Callum Highway." Ben lazily buckles his seatbelt, eyes forward as Callum pulls out of his spot. It's true, Callum is the nice one. And that's why they don't get along.
And that is why Callum is driving some bloke he doesn't even like back to his place so said bloke doesn't have to confront his father in his current state.
And this is why Callum must always be kept at arms length.