19: He’s Ben 10

Derek showed up with a Chanel bag in his hands about 15 minutes later, "Ta-da."

"What is this?"

"A gift."

"For whom?"

"For me," he said rolling his eyes, "I love to pamper myself once in a while."

"I have no problem believing that."

"It's for you, you silly goose," he said giving me the bag.

"Oh really? You didn't have to do that? What's the," I said taking the top out of the bag, but I took a pause mid sentence as I saw the contents of the bag, "occasion."

It had a full sleeve purple top with grey pants, "Oh wow, that's an interesting choice."

"Right? And guess what? You get to wear it today!" He smiled from ear to ear.

"What? Have you seen the weather? Besides I like this uniform I'm wearing," I showed him the little belt and pockets it had.

"No, no, no! I don't want to hear anything, You're wearing my gift!" He said and covered his ears with his hands and ran towards the car, I laughed at him before following him to his car.

We drove to Ridge's house and parked the car. Now Derek's sports car looked like it belonged in this parking lot, his car looked like one of the high dukes sitting in their throne, while my car looked like the peasant who came to ask the rich duke for some old clothes.

We went inside the house and Blaze came to greet me.

"Go and change first," Derek said, "Use the first floor's bathroom, 3rd door to the right. No one goes there."

"Okay," I said.

"I'll be in the backyard," he said and left with Blaze.

I found my way to the first floor, which was decorated with modern art, the paintings on the walls were of aliens from Ben 10. Yeah, there was Spider-monkey, Diamond head, Humungousaur, Four Arms, Waybig, Rath, Upgrade, XLR8, Big Chill, Swampfire, Cannonbolt, Ghostfreak, Chuck, Chromastone, Goop name it, it's there. I walked to the end of the corridor and found the washroom, and guess what the last painting was?

It was a portrait of Ben, Gwen and Kevin along with Ridge in the middle. Gwen was with Ridge while Kevin made jealous eyes at him, and Ben had his arm around Ridge.

This guy can not get any crazier, even if he tries.

I quickly went inside to change and saw that Ridge had japanese bidet toilet, Yes! The crazy toilets which has bidet washing, seat warming and deodorisation as well.

At this point I won't be surprised if he has room service in here too.

I was on my way back to the party when I walked by a door and heard some noises, It sounds like a movie. I was about to walk away when suddenly the door flew open, a girl and a boy came out of the room and that's when I saw that it was a personal movie theatre.

There were a few people inside and they were watching a movie, mostly couples. I was about to walk away when my eyes fell on Carson. He was sitting there alone, watching the movie intently.

It's been a while since I saw him, so I thought I should at least say 'Hi.'

I walked to his seat and he felt someone's presence, as his eyes shot up. His eyes met mine and he smiled at me.

"Ashley! It's so good to see you," he said as I took the seat next to him.

"Yeah, it's been a while," I smiled back at him.

We talked for a while then he explained what the movie was about, now we both sat there watching the movie.

"You can't love someone unless you love yourself first," The girl said.

"What a load of crap," Carson says.

"Really? I think it's kinda true."

"Don't tell me you believe in such bullshit."

"What if I do?"

"Oh God! These movies really ruin you girls."

"Hey!" I hit him on his arm.

"No, seriously, you can't believe every stupid thing they say just because they look good saying it, it's good writing, it's good acting, even good direction, but it's still just a movie, it has no relevance to real life."

"In real life no one hates themselves, Ashley. Look around you, Ashley. This house, this place is filled with narcissists. Everyone loves themselves Ashley, whatever they do, they do for themselves. In order to love another person, you have to unlove yourself first. You're in, and you know you're about to get hurt, you know the power you're giving the other person could completely destroy you and you do it anyway, Narcissists can't do that. Your being, your existence, your life becomes about the one you love. You think about them before you drink, before you eat, before you sleep. You don't have time to look for yourself, because you look for them at every chance you get. Your body betrays you, you see them and all you can do is see them, even if you don't want to. Your throat runs dry, the air gets knocked out of you, all you want to do is look at them, even when you know it's not something you should do, you still take that chance and look at her. It looks like you have a choice, but you don't, if you have a choice then it's not her. It's not love. Love is destruction of the most fatal kind, it hurts like hell, and only love can hurt like that," He says looking straight ahead, but not at the movie, just ahead.

"Seems like you've a case of unrequited love," I say, he finally comes back to reality and looks at me.

"Maybe, I have."

"Wow! I never knew."

"She doesn't either," the screen goes white and the light falls on him, his eyes were on me and his expressions were somewhat pained.

He quickly recovers and coughs, "Was that awkward?" He asks.

"Not at all," I say and I mean it.

"Good."

"Can you tell me more?"

"Why?" He asks looking at me raising an eyebrow.

"Because I liked hearing you talk about it."

He gives me a small smile, "Maybe some other time, Of all people you should know."

"You know, you can talk to me about it, if you like." I said touching his arm lightly.

"Thanks," he says putting his other hand on my hand and squeezing it gently.

"So? Will you?" I asked impatiently, it was actually nice to hear him talk with such passion.

"Someday when I absolutely have to, I will." He smiled at me.

I know I should've left a long time ago, but I'm glad I didn't. We talked for a little while then said our goodbyes and I went downstairs.