Ben
Bryce was a nervous wreck when we arrived at the clinic. He was so jittery and paranoid he complained about everything.
"Ben," he said, "Why the hell are you coming in with me? What are people going to think if they saw us at this place together?"
I forgot how cute he gets when he's fussy, "They would think one of us is getting tested and the other is here for moral support." I answered him.
"Use your brain, Ben," he said to me, "They'll know we had sex."
"Would you calm your wild imagination," I said to him, "If anyone asks, the story is I had a hook up with a guy who was sketchy and I wanna make sure I didn't catch anything from it, while you're here as my moral support."
"Ok, ok," he said, "Don't I have to wait like three weeks or something?"
"You really need to catch up on medical advancements."
We both filled out our forms and filled out all pertinent information. I had unlocked my phone and started to write down some lyrics to a song I was hoping to perform once we have a band ready. I glanced over at Bryce, who was chewing on his thumb nervously, and I started to write down the words as I recall everything since we started fighting.
I got called in and was met with a nurse who was asking the preliminary questions regarding sexual history. I mentioned last night was my last time having any sexual contact and what had happened. The nurse drew two vials of blood and asked me to go to the washroom to swab my urethra to test for the usual infections.
After I was done, I came back to the waiting area and saw that Bryce was gone. After a few minutes he was escorted back to the waiting area.
"The results will be out in a couple minutes. We'll call you back when ready." said the nurse.
Bryce appeared to be quite annoyed after he came out to the waiting area.
"So," I asked him, "How did it go?"
"It would've been better if they just ran the damn test and not asked too many questions. The guy had the balls to ask if I had sex with a man. Like why does he need to know who I sleep with?"
"Have you never taken an STD test before," I asked him, "These are pretty standard questions and they were just doing their job."
"Whatever, man," he answered back, "I just want this to be over."
Our names were called and we went into our own separate rooms for our results. After we had left the clinic, we shared our results and Bryce was relieved. "See," I told him, "I'm clean. Nothing to worry about. How about you?"
Bryce looked like he was caught stealing someone's cellphone for a second, "Well…"
"What?" I was genuinely worried for fifteen seconds when he snickered and laughed.
"Man, the look on your face was priceless," he said, "I'm clean as well."
"So now that we're both free of any diseases. Where does this leave us?"
"If you want to know so badly," he said out right, "We're friends with benefits, ok?"
"Works for me," I replied, "Hungry?"
"Starving."
"Ok then," I started the car and pulled out of the parking space, "Let's grab some lunch." I put the car in drive and I hold his hand.
Bryce
I pull my hand away and glare at Ben, "Dude, what the fuck?"
"Sorry," he said as he put his hand back on the wheel, "Didn't think you'd mind."
I knew he was going to pull this shit on me. "Look, I'm not your boyfriend, ok?"
Before anything could be said further, my phone rang. I look at the caller ID and it's Techno.
"Sup, bitch?" I answered.
"Don't sup bitch me," he was pretty mad, "Where the hell were you?"
"I wasn't feeling well," I lied to him, "I was sick yesterday."
"Sure," he said as if he didn't believe me, "Did you thank Ben?"
"What for?" I asked Techno.
"For taking care of your dumb ass," he answered, "I swear, the things he does for you and you're still ungrateful."
I couldn't tell Techno that I already paid my debt to him by using my body. "What would you like me to do, No? Get on my knees and thank him?" I glanced over at Ben and I could tell he was thinking of having me on my knees already. But thanking him was not what he was thinking about.
"Treat him to a meal," He answered, "And while you're at it, treat us."
This bastard, always gunning for a free meal. "Why should I treat you?"
"Cause you missed our game, asshole."
"Hey," Champ said, "Bryce doesn't need to pay for me."
"Dude," Techno said to Champ, "You wanna eat or not?"
"I can eat," Champ answered, "But, I'm paying for myself."
"Fine," Techno caved, "So, where are we eating?"
"Let's go to the Roadhouse," Ben answered, "I'm craving steak."
"Bet," Techno said, "Champ and I will meet you there."
"Really?" I asked Ben, as I hung up the call.
"Yeah," he replied, "Haven't been there for a long time."
"You and Techno are going to bleed me dry." I didn't think I would have any money after this grand feast my roommate and best friend were planning.
"Relax," Ben said, "Techno doesn't need to know that we settled the debt. You can just cover Techno. I'll cover you."
"Ben," I told him, "Don't treat me like I'm your boyfriend. You don't need to cover me like some kept woman."
"I know we're not boyfriends," he replied, "Just look at it like I'm taking care of my friend with benefits. And speaking of which, do I need to perform my duty tonight?"
"Yes," I answered, "And if the condom breaks again, I don't have to worry about it."
"Wanna try without one?"
I didn't know what to respond with. But I can't say that I wasn't curious on how that would feel like.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Techno and Champ were already waiting for us. Good thing Ben said he would cover me because Techno ordered so many things, almost more than half of the total bill was his. Champ paid for his part of the order and Ben paid both of ours.
However, during the meal, Ben was getting pretty annoying, he would pass me ketchup, steak sauce or even the salt and he would pour them on to my food, Techno started to get suspicious over little things, like how I was being civil considering that he was sitting next to me, he picked up my plate, and while he was away, I ordered his drink which was a Dr Pepper. I tried to act like nothing has changed between us but Techno can tell that something has changed.
"What's up with you two?" he asked when it was just me and him.
"Nothing," I answered, trying to sound convincing, "I'm just not wanting to cause a scene and end up on the internet again."
"Sure Jan," he said like Marsha from the Brady Bunch, "I know you too well, buddy."
"I'm trying your advice," I told him, "I'm trying to give him a chance."
"Good," he replied, "I'm glad you decided to do that."
If he only knew what we did the past couple nights. I don't think he would ever let me live it down.
Once Ben and I got to the dorm, I didn't wait. Once he closed and locked the door, I pinned him against the wall and we spent the rest of the day in bed.
After four rounds, we decided to call it a night. "Damn," I said, "How do you have so much endurance?"
"Impressed?"
"Very." I answered, "I never see you work out or anything."
"I work out," Ben replied, "I just go in between classes. By the way, are you free this coming weekend?"
"To have sex again? Yeah." I was hoping I didn't have to wait that long for it.
Ben laughed at my answer, "No, silly. I was going to go shopping and wanted to see if you could come with me."
"Oh, umm…" I really didn't know what to say, but it got me thinking. We're friends with benefits now, so we can hang out and do things together. No matter how we look at it, with or without the benefits, we are friends. "Yeah, I'm free."
"Great," Ben replied, "Goodnight." He kissed me and held me close in his arms. All I could think about while falling asleep was that we had our friendship back and then some.