Sammie woke up to find Ben laying next to her, naked, watching her face and playing with her hair.
“Morning gorgeous,” he whispered like he always did, smiling. Sammie smiled back.
“Morning! How long have you been awake?”
Ben looked away momentarily, then pulled himself closer to her, whispering still.
“Strange as it may seem, I didn’t get to sleep last night. I remembered how this is our last proper day together for a while, and I just had to watch you.” He kissed her tenderly, and carried on whispering. “I really don’t want to let you go, especially after last night. I wish you could come with us you know, so I don’t feel like I’m losing you. I know that’s too much to ask though, so I wanna say right now-I’m going to phone you everyday, and every weekend or holiday either of us has, I’m going to make sure we’re together, even if it’s just for five minutes. Okay?”
Sammie nodded, and cuddled into him, relishing the feel of his body against hers, and realising that this was the last time in a while that she’d even feel him next to her. She pulled him into a kiss, and he responded hungrily. All too soon, however, it was over and they had to get ready for their final time on the show.
As Sammie got changed, she wondered how much Ben had said that he actually meant. Already, their relationship seemed too good to be true, and Ben’s speech had made it seem perfect. Something was supposed to have gone wrong by now, surely? She wondered what Ben was thinking, and giggled. Probably wondering where his hair gel was. In actual fact, he was wishing that he could have Sammie for longer. The thought that she’d be gone tomorrow was doing his head in. He was trying to think of ways to see her more, or convince her to be with him full time, but he knew deep down that she’d never agree. She may want to be with him but she wouldn’t stop her life for him, and truth be told, he didn’t want her to give anything up, not for him. He sighed and went to look for her, and found her in the living room, looking around.
“Are you okay babe?”
“Yeah, just trying to make a memory. It could be months before I’m back in here”
“I know, it’ll be months before I am. I wish it wasn’t like that”
“You’re not going to drop out of a1 too, are you?”
“NO! What makes you say that? I love being in the group way too much, the thought’s never crossed my mind”
“Oh right. But you said earlier that you felt like you were losing me”
“I do, but I wouldn’t give up a1, like you wouldn’t give up your life for me. We’ll just have to hope that there’s a way to see each other at least once a month. Oh god”
“What?”
“Once a month? You’re so going to find someone else to be with, and you can easily be with him. I don’t think I could cope with that”
“Ben! Stop spouting crap! Even if someone started trying to ask me out, they still wouldn’t come close to comparing to you! I’ve got loads more to worry about, groupies and other fans throwing themselves at you-and don’t say you don’t get tempted, you’re a guy, of course you do. I’m still going to trust you though, I just hope you can trust me too”
Ben started laughing, and wrapped his arms tight around her.
“God, what are we like? Look, I promise you that I won’t get tempted. Those girls, they’re only after the celebrity, but I know you’re not, which already makes you about a thousand times more irresistible. But promise me, if you get hit on, and you think something might happen, get on the phone and tell me so I can convince you that I’m better than whoever it is”
Sammie giggled.
“I’m already convinced”
They stood and hugged for a while, then made their way slowly back to Granada studios.
As they approached the building, they saw Keith and Alicia talking on the steps. Ben and Sammie exchanged a look, and were about to look for another entrance when Keith called them over.
“Hey you two! How’s it going?”
“Good”
“Great”
“Oh, right. Um, this is Alicia, and she was my date. Alicia, this is Ben and Sammie”
“I know who he is,” Alicia snapped at him, then turned and smiled. “Hi. Sammie, you’re so lucky, I would have loved to pick between one of a1. I would’ve chosen Christian though, he’s so sweet!”
Ben and Sammie exchanged another look, and then looked at Keith, who seemed a little annoyed.
“Um, thank you, I think” Sammie said quietly.
“Yeah. If Christian was here right now, I’d-” Alicia carried on, regardless of Keith.
“You wouldn’t” Ben interrupted, saving Keith from utter humiliation. “Christian’s not in the mood”
“He’d be in the mood once he saw me”
“How would you know? You know sod all about Christian” Ben snapped, and stalked off into the building. Recognising a pattern, Sammie raced after him, dragging Keith behind her. She saw him in the corridor.
“Ben! Don’t do this again, she’s just a bitch, and it’s not like she knows what was going on with Christian, Kaz and Paul!” Sammie blurted out when she caught up with him.
“She couldn’t leave well enough alone, could she? Had to act like Chris is some piece of meat or a trophy or something! Didn’t you see Keith’s face as she went on? Man I’d love to smack her one! She’s bloody lucky I’ve been brought up not to hit women”
“Ben, come on, after today you won’t have to put up with her, not like you have much before today. And we can still chat with Keith, can’t we? By the way, I think it’s sweet the way you’re so protective of Chris”
Ben finally turned to face her, and spotted Keith hanging around awkwardly. He only spoke to Sammie though.
“You’re right. Man, you’re always right. I’m sorry I got mad again, I just hate people being like that about us!”
“I know sweetie. But at least you’re not like that” Sammie pulled him into another hug, and Ben looked Keith right in the eye.
“Um, Keith? I’m really sorry”
“Think nothing of it, she deserved it. I’ve been wanting to give her a mouthful all week!”
Ben smiled.
“You said something about calling you?”
“Oh yeah” Keith pulled out a business card. “If either of you wants to chat, then call this number” he smiled. “I reckon you two want some time alone. I’ll see you around” he walked off, and Ben looked at Sammie, who was pulling out of their hug.
“Hey, did I say we stop hugging?”
She smiled, and kissed him, and then pulled him off into hair and make up.