Because of Haven Beach

13 | morosis

morosis (n.)

the stupidest of stupidities

* * *

FIVE minutes later, Ben abruptly pulled the car over to the side of the road. The boys unbuckled their seat belts and jumped out. I stayed in my seat, absolutely confused.

What could there possibly be to see on a back road that was inundated with trees?

"You coming?" Ben asked.

I slowly nodded. I unbuckled my seat belt and followed them straight into the woods. "Uh, where are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there," they turned around and said in unison.

I groaned and walked faster to catch up. "You know this is creepy, right? You're taking me to God knows where in the middle of a forest. For all I know, you guys could be in some cult and trying to kill me."

They laughed as if it was the most ridiculous thing ever.

"What? It's a valid fear."

Ben slung his arm around my shoulder and pinched my cheek. "Gorgeous, we're not going to kill you. Just be patient."

I slapped him jokingly, but accidentally applied too much force.

"Oww," Ben hissed. "What the fuck was that for?" He gingerly rubbed his palm over his reddening cheek.

My face grew red, but in mortification rather than injury. "Shit, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hit you that hard. I'm really sorry. You can hit me if you want some revenge. I won't be mad. Go ahead." I turned my cheek to face Ben.

Ben raised his hand, about to strike me. At the last second, Eli stepped in, snatching Ben's wrist. "Ben, what the fuck is wrong with you? You don't hit girls."

Trying to push Eli out of the way, he whined, "She said I could."

Eli was like a brick wall, stopping Ben from getting to me.

I stepped to the side. "Yeah, Eli, it's totally fine. You can let him."

What was wrong with me? Why was I asking to be slapped?

"You know what?" Ben's placid expression turned menacing as he looked into my hazel eyes, "I'm going to let you go, just this once. But next time? Next time, you'll get it."

I laughed, unable to take him seriously.

His signature smirk replaced his glare. "C'mon, how was that not scary?"

"I'm sorry," I wheezed. "It's just... The handprint on your cheek. It's hard to take you seriously with that."

He furrowed his eyebrows and opened Snapchat. Flipping the camera, he leaned in to examine his face. "Shit. Hanson, you hit hard for a girl."

"For a girl?" I asked incredulously.

He was about to earn a matching handprint on his other cheek. I wouldn't feel any remorse this time around.

"No, no I didn't mean it like that," he rushed out. "It's just you're so quiet, but apparently feisty, too. I didn't expect it. Women are amazing. The superior sex, in fact. Please, please, please don't hit me again." He made a shield with his hands.

Eli and I snickered.

"Mhmm. We could call it even. You won't hit me, and I won't hit you."

"Deal." He turned to look at Eli. "And you? You are not going to breathe a word of this to anyone. People would have a field day if they found out I let a girl hit me. I have a reputation to maintain."