Ben devolved into a little chuckle when Charlie commented on China’s victory if geography wasn’t more well-known. “I suppose that’s true. Weather patterns are equally important,” he pointed out, peering out the window at the early morning dead look of winter. Okay, so maybe looking out the window wasn’t the best idea. “Your weakness for chocolate chip pancakes knows no bounds, Charlotte,” he joked. “And too long ago, to answer your question. I think that needs to change.”
When Charlie mentioned work, it made Ben think of the fact that he hadn’t gotten a paycheck that week, because he’d asked Calvin to cover his two shifts the week prior. His ‘get a car’ fund was hurting for it, but he’d honestly needed it. “Yeah,” he spoke softly in reference to Calvin. He wished that he could figure out something to do for his friend, something to make him feel somewhat better. When Charlie changed the subject, Ben went with it, smiling a little when she mentioned auditioning for her music major. “You should. You’ve always been amazing with your cello,” he nodded. Ben had always gone to her recitals when they were younger. “If you do, let me know. I’ll come along to cheer you on.”
All his classes. Ben shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m patient. I’m okay,” he lied. It wasn’t so much the classes that stressed him out. His own stresses he could deal with by micromanaging and making schedules. But everyone else? His own stresses and everyone else’s stresses were doing more than their fair share to weigh him down. “A little stressed out, but that’s natural.”