Ben sees a young lady standing on his front porch. She has smooth mocha colored skin and long black hair done up in a high ponytail. She was wearing a white T-shirt and hip hugging blue jeans. Behind her, parked on the street, was a white mo-ped with black accents. There was a white and black helmet balanced on the seat.
"May I help you?" Ben didn't recognize her but her scent seemed vaguely familiar.
"Hi. I'm looking for Ben Twist. Would he happen to live here?" The young lady gave him a warm smile that made his heart flutter for some reason. He opened the door further and realized that she was a few inches taller than him.
"I'm Ben Twist." Ben said slowly. He watched as her face lit up and her smile broaden. She held her hand out for him to shake.
"Hi there! My name is Kenya, Kenya Adaeze. We met the other night in the forest." She vigorously shook his hand and chuckled at the stunned expression on his face. "Sorry for dropping in on you like this." she said sheepishly.
"Oh....OH! Hi! It's nice to meet you. Um my mom has had a rough day and is resting at the moment. Is it alright if we talk in the backyard?" Kenya couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness. She said yes and Ben asked her if she wanted something to drink. She was fine with water and she watched Ben disappear into the home only to emerge a minute later with two bottles of water. He quietly closed the front door and escorted her to his backyard.
As they made their way to the back of the house, Kenya noticed a circular glass and iron table sitting on a brick work patio surrounded by four iron chairs with cushion seats. She noticed a row of trees all the way at the end of the yard that must lead to the forest beyond. What really caught her eye was the pots full of colorful flowers placed at each corner of the patio. There was even a large red rose bush planted close to the back of the house. Kenya couldn't help herself. She wandered over to the bush, reached out, and began stroking the largest red rose on the bush.
"Wow, these roses are beautiful. Your mom must have a wonderful green thumb. The petals are so soft. The color is so rich." She leans in close and inhales the heavenly scent. "Mmm, this smells so good too."
Ben blushes a little as he walks up behind Kenya. He scratches the back of his neck nervously. "Actually, I'm the one who planted this rose bush. When I was little, I loved playing in the dirt. My moms didn't like that too much." he chuckled softly. "So they got me into gardening. I planted those flowers in the pots and this rose bush a few years ago. I've been tending to the flowers and grass in the front ever since."
Kenya turned to look at Ben with a look of awe on her face. It made him blush even more. "That's so cool. I think I have a brown thumb. This bush wouldn't have lasted a few months with me. I stop trying to take care of the plants in my home. I think I killed three of them before I got the hint and left the rest alone. If they had legs, they would have run away." They couldn't help themselve and both began to laugh.
Ben gestured for them to sit at the table before handing Kenya a bottle of water. As they got comfortable in the seats, Ben couldn't believe she tracked him down. "You know, after that first night we met, I asked about at the student office at Moon Lake High. I couldn't find any information on you."
Kenya smiled. "That's funny. I went to the office at MLC to ask about you." Ben looked shocked. She was a college student? He wondered how much older she was compared to himself. It actually didn't bother him all that much.
"I got lucky in that I ran into a packmate of yours. He told me your full name. It only took me a few minutes to look your name up and get your address. I hope you don't mind." She grinned playfully. She hoped she didn't make him feel uncomfortably and hoped she didn't come across as a stalker.
Ben laughed nervously. "I don't mind. I hope you are okay with the fact that I'm still in high school." Deep down he hoped she wouldn't treat him like a child.
Kenya took a few sips from her bottled water before looking Ben in the eyes. She gave him a warm smile and said "I don't mind at all."
They both stared at each other for a few moments before a beeping sound could be heard coming from Kenya. She pulled out her phone and checked the time. Ben noticed a look of disappointment gracing her face. "Aw man. I have to go. I have a class starting in twenty minutes. I'm sorry."
"No worries. You do what you have to do." They both stand up and Ben walks her back to her mo-ped. He watched as she grabbed her helmet and mounted it. Before she could put her helmet on, Ben stopped her by calling out to her.
"Hey Kenya, I was just wondering..." he scratches behind his neck. "I'm going to take another run tonight..."
"Going to burn off some more energy? " Kenya gave him a playful smirk.
"Well, more like giving my moms a little privacy tonight." Ben smiles sheepishly. "I was wondering if I might see you out there tonight?"
"If you come to my favorite spot in the woods, I might just be there." She watched as Ben's face lit up. She pointed at him and had a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Just remember to look up!"
Ben remembers their first encounter and chuckled. "I'll remember this time."
Kenya nods to him before placing her helmet on her head. She waved to him with a promise to see him later before starting up her mo-ped and headed off to college.