Mesmerized

*Saphira's POV*

"I'm Benjamin Al-Radji. You can call me Ben." He said looking up from under his lashes, meeting my eyes. He smiled at me again, while his cologne lingered in my nose. It smelled like… no it was… I had to gasp for air.

"And you must be Evangeline., he said with twinkles is his eyes. That made me snap out of it though.

"No, my name is Saphira actually," I corrected him.

"Too bad," he said with pouted lips. "Although, Saphira is a beautiful name, don't get me wrong, but from now on.... You're my Evangeline," he said playfully, sounding a bit priggish.

Our eyes stayed locked for a while. I couldn't seem to look away. I must of looked like a total idiot, I thought.

Then we heard a loud voice calling from behind us and our eyes unlocked. We both gazed at the girl who was making all that noise.

It was Sierra. She yelled even louder now. BENJAMIN!" She shouted again, as she was almost running towards us. He held up his hand in response.

When Sierra reached us, I greeted her "Hi," I said, but she ignored me and headed straight for Lynn's older brother. Then she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a peck on his cheek.

I had a strange feeling in my stomach while watching that. "I've missed you so much," she said. This whole situation felt more than awkward. Since Benjamin was looking straight into my eyes again, the whole time Sierra was around his neck.

I didn't know what kind of emotions he saw playing out across my face. Because I didn't even understand what it was, that I was feeling myself.

Finally there was Lynn, my rescuer in need. My personal hero of the day, along with the other guys. Lynn bought me a chocolate ice cream. "I hope you like chocolate." she said. I made a face. "Do you know a girl that doesn't?!" We both giggled.

"Let's take a walk," she said. while looking at Thomas who was getting his surfboard, to head back into the waters. The other guys stayed and sat on our plaid taking food out of the picknick basket we brought.

"Right," I said, and got up. I knew what she wanted, some girl time to talk about their ice cream trip. I was even more eager to get away from all the awkwardness I just witnessed. I still didn't understand any of it. 

Lynn filled me in with all that had happened. How Thomas had touched her arm accidentally and how she longed for him to really hold her. When she said that, I saw Sierra around Ben's neck as a mental picture and it made me shiver.

"Where is Zachary?" Lynn asked when we came to sit down with the others again, after Lynn had finished her story. I tried to concentrate on the conversation that was going on, but I couldn't. Because each time the wind blew in my direction I was stunned again, by his cologne. My head was turning into scrambled eggs today.

Even though I tried my hardest, not to look at him, I occasionally slipped, though. Each time I slipped, he met my eyes and I had to remember how to breath, all over again.

Sierra was all about him. She tried to get his attention as much as she could. She kept ignoring me. It was almost rude. No, the way she did this now, was rude. There was no doubt about that. But why would she?! I think it was even obvious now, because Ben seemed to notice as well.

"How foolish of me." He said to Sierra. I haven't even Introduced the two of you. He waved his hand making it clear he meant Sierra and I. "Sierra." He said, gesturing at her, while looking at me. "And this is Evangeline....." He said, with that teasing playful tone again.

He kept looking at me while talking. Even though he was talking to Sierra now. "I mean Saphira," Benjamin corrected himself as he saw me frown. The corners of his mouth lit up and he actually winked at me.

After that I had to reassemble my thoughts again. "I know who she is," Sierra said icy. "She's the daughter of my long lost aunt."

"Really?!" Benjamin said, with obvious false surprise. "The two of you look nothing alike," Ben added, still looking right into my eyes.

After that, Sierra tried even harder to keep his attention. I didn't understand why she was so worked up. Clearly he wanted to stay. Now all the other guys were surfing and he still sat here with us, for some reason.

I tried to keep as much in conversation with Lynn, as I possibly could to get some kind of distraction. The whole time I played with my hair to keep my fingers busy. He made me a nervous wreck.

Lynn's brother came up with the idea for a pool party and he would host the barbecue. Everyone seemed to join in. Honestly, I would be really happy to go home right now.

We were all walking towards the boulevard parking lot. Sierra and Lynn were walking upfront, chatting. Behind them, were the three guys. I walked a few feet behind them because I wanted to enjoy his scent without having to look at his face.

I was out of luck because Benjamin slowed down his pace until he was beside me. "Are you coming?" he asked. I looked at the ground while walking. Afraid to look into his eyes again.

"Nope," I snapped a little. "Why not!?" Benjamin prompted, like he had a legitimate right to know.

"Well, I…" Actually I couldn't come up with a reason that sounded logical. Not even to me… Why did I feel the need to explain anyway, I thought.

"It would be great if you joined," he said, sounding incredibly persuasive now. When I accidently looked up, his eyes were smoldering mine.

"Tonight, I'm heading back to campus, I don't know when I will be back," he said as if that would convince me otherwise.

Was he always this pushy. I thought? "Sure," was the only word I managed to get through my lips.