Star

*Saphira's POV*

Christmas break was almost over. It will be the best Christmas I've ever had. Mostly because Benjamin decided to stay all two weeks in Malibu. That meant I got to see him almost every day. I was getting so used to that.

He was becoming an addiction. When I wasn't with him I longed for him, like an addict needing his drug. I went from high to high. I couldn't seem to get enough of him. It made me wonder how I'd survive, when he went back to college again.

Even though, we spend a lot of time together, we weren't often alone. Benjamin didn't allow much alone time between the two of us. We hung around the beach a lot, with our common friends. Being around others usually made us be more cautious. But even then we started to slip up, more and more often now. Flirting and touching each other, when we probably shouldn't.

Boundaries started to fade.

Balancing on the thin line of friendship, started to get even more difficult, because we often fell into the depths of romance. Not that I minded much, though. I wasn't the one who came up with these stupid rules.

That was probably the reason why I slipped up the most. I think. But even Benjamin had a hard time now.

Today I was in luck. He granted me a day alone with him. How I treasured days like these. Benjamin came to spend the day at my place. Mom had to work, so we were by ourselves, laying on my families private beach together. I was wrapped up around his body, snuggling on his chest, and stroking his arms that were surrounding me.

I just couldn't help myself. I looked up at him and he sighed. I gave Ben an Eskimo kiss while rubbing our noses against each other. Then I kissed him on his cheek and whispered in his ear. "I love you," I said softly, kissing the hollow beneath his ear. Tracing his jaw line with my lips, down to his neck and went back up again. I stopped at the corner of his mouth. I knew that was forbidden.

"Evangeline, it feels like you keep pushing our limits."

I bit my lip when he said that. "You know that you're the one making these for us, though," I said looking into his eyes now.

"Yes. Well, about that. I've received a letter this week… I had applied to study abroad coming semester." I raised both my eyebrows. Where was he going with this? I kept quiet, waiting for him to start talking again.

"In Saudi Arabia actually, but the program was full. One of the students canceled so there's an open spot now. And school already agreed to it." I stared at him blankly.

"I'll leave Monday morning," he said playing with my hair. I didn't understand what he was trying to tell me and I started counting the days in my head. "Sunday it will be my birthday right?!" I still didn't grasp what he said. "Yes, and I've arranged to leave the day after." I was shocked. Was he serious?!

He was serious. Yesterday we had celebrated new year together with our friends on the beach and today was my 18th birthday. I couldn't seem to be happy about it. In fact, there wasn't much I felt at all. Mostly I've felt very numb.

These last few days went by in a daze. They all sang for me and I opened presents. Benjamin said he would give his present at the airport tomorrow. This all felt so surreal.

I didn't sleep that night. Lynn, Zachary and Sierra were at the airport too. Along with his parents and younger brothers to say our goodbyes. Before he had to check in, we sat in my car for a few minutes, so we could have some privacy.

I noticed Ben had made a fist with one hand, and with the other he pulled up my chin. He dried my tears with the back of his fist, kissed my forehead and then opened up his hand. He had a beautiful golden necklace in his hand. With a star shaped pendant that was covered in Diamonds and Safire's. I gasped when I saw it.

Benjamin traced the shape of my collarbone with his free hand and then he hung the necklace around my neck and started talking. "Do you remember the promises we've made, that night we'd spent?" He asked meaningfully.

Then he gently started kissing each inch of my face while avoiding my lips. He gave me a hard time concentrating, but I tried to remember.

'Your lips a precious to me.' I remembered him say now.. 'Don't you dare, ever giving them to someone who isn't going to be your husband.' He had said while kissing my nose. 'I promise.' I had whispered to him . 'And I'll promise you, I'll never kiss another woman again.' He had vowed to me.

"Yes, I do remember," I said staring at him. "That's the only thing I ask," he said while looking intently into my eyes.

His father was very pleased with him going overseas. Even though he liked me as a friend for Lynn, he did not approve for his son to go along with his 'infatuation' as he had called our love.

I think that it was due to the fact my mom, the one he had fallen in love with so many years ago, refused him. So now he was convinced that Benjamin should have an arranged marriage, just like he had with Benjamin's mom, to find true happiness.

Benjamin held my hand the whole time. Until the very last moment. Even when the others said their goodbyes he never let go of me. Normally we would never flaunt our… whatever we had, so publicly and especially not with his father around.

I didn't really care what his father thought of it now. I wanted to hold on to him for as long as I could. When it was time to let go. He tilted his head to the side and pulled my chin up, so he could read my face. "Can you do me one more favor?" He asked. I looked up at him, to see what it was he wanted.

"Can you please send me a picture of you each morning?" I didn't get it, why did he want a picture of me, when he could have me in real life. Of course only during the weekends, but still. I nodded 'yes ' because my lips were trembling.

I promised myself I wouldn't, but I cried. Benjamin sighed and hugged me close to his body. "I love you," I whispered. "You are my star," he whispered back. "Prove it and stay with me." I said in so much earnest.

Benjamin frowned at me. "I could think of so much better things the two of us could do… " I said seductively. "Tempting," he said and smirked at me. "I can too…" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

He bit his lip playfully. "Which is the whole reason why this is for the best," he said being serious now. I sighed. There was no way I could talk him out of this. Believe me I tried.

Lynn had asked her parents if she could drive me home, because I couldn't stop crying. "My parents don't mind me driving you… They will come pick me up when I give them a call." Lynn said with a concerned voice.

"I'll be fine. Go with your parents, when I have calmed down, I will drive myself home. Don't worry." I told her with my head against my steering wheel. She didn't look convinced but her parents were leaving the airports parking lot now, so she had to go.

"Call me when you get home," Lynn commanded me. I gave her a soldiers salute like I always did and she stepped into her parents car. Everyone was gone now. Except for Zachary, he was lingering outside of his car. Maybe he had car trouble. Whatever it was I had other things to deal with now.

My heart almost stopped when he knocked on my car window.

"Can I come in for a second?" he asked me. "Fine," I snapped. Immediately I felt sorry. It wasn't his fault. He was always so nice to me. Zachary got in the passenger seat and looked at me.

"It is his worst decision ever," Zachary said while looking out his window. "I don't understand how he can claim to love you, when he just left you like this. Without even making your relationship official. He is a fool, Benjamin Al-Raji," Zachary said while shaking his head.

"What do you want to do today?" Zachary asked thoughtfully. "Why don't you jump with me off our dock again, the idea of drowning sounds quit appealing, right now." I said laughing without humor. That set him off now…

"What's WRONG with you?!" Zachary shouted very angry. "Calm down Zach, I haven't become suicidal," I said while rolling my eyes. "You should of seen your face," I said really laughing out loud now.

Zachary on the other hand, was not so amused. "Don't do that, ever again," he warned me with a serious face. Then he smiled a bit smugly. "I'm glad I got you laughing again," he said smiling very warmly. "Now seriously, what do you want to do today?" I shot him a look. "I'm not leaving you today, in case you become suicidal after all," he said smirking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him again.

He followed me to my house and we decided to just hang around and watch movies. He even watched chick flicks with me without complaining. We had a very relaxing time together. Just before mom came back from work, Zachary went home.

"How did it go today?" mom asked carefully scrutinizing my face to see if this was a safe topic. I pouted my lips at her. "That bad?" mom asked concerned. "Well, he gave me this." I held up the golden necklace with the star shaped pendant, covered in diamonds and Safire's.

"W. O. W." mom exclaimed making the word sound as three different syllabus. "That's uh… ridiculous…. That must of cost…" mom said trailing off her sentence, looking stunned. "I know. Its… something." I said agreeing.

This necklace WAS ridiculous. "I thought the two of you hadn't made anything official yet? I mean you didn't spend much time alone, did you?" mom asked sounding like a cop interrogating a valiant. "No," I said feeling accused.

"Benjamin never made anything official…." I said trying to defend myself. "Then maybe his father was right after all. Maybe the two of you will see by the end of semester, that this was all just in infatuation after all." What did she just say?