Page 45 of Hot n Bothered

T he bed was empty when Isobelle woke up the next morning. As was the bathroom. The tension that was in her chest grew as she showered and dressed.

Last night had been the closest thing to a discussion about what was happening between them.

Not that much was said. After she had agreed to forever Ben had fallen asleep.

Regardless of how much her anxiety was spiking, they needed to talk.

The end of the holiday was fast approaching and they needed to figure out what would happen once they got back to the real world.

She could no longer pretend this was forever, she no longer wanted to pretend.

She wanted to know how he felt about her, she wanted to know if he could ever feel everything he’d said to her family.

He'd said to her that she was strong, and she was.

She'd dealt with her anxiety for so many years, like he'd said previously, she'd beaten them before so she would beat them again.

So even if this triggered a panic attack it needed doing.

Because last night made her realise that she wanted it all.

She didn't want just friendship, she didn't want to pretend they were dating.

She wanted him, all of him, even the ridiculous corny parts.

Squaring her shoulders, she went in search of Ben. But instead she got blindsided by Nat.

“There you are. I’ve been waiting ages for you to wake up.” She grabbed Isobelle’s wrist and yanked her into her bedroom. “Honestly you two are the most frustrating people I know. Why don’t you follow Ben on Instagram?”

Isobelle blinked at her. “How… how do you know that? Did he tell you?”

“No, he didn’t have to. Because if you did he wouldn’t be downstairs beating himself up right now.”

“What? Why? What’s wrong with Ben?”

Nat held up her hands. “Calm your tits. I’ll get to that part. Because of that fucking bitch, your insecurities and the fact I’m not the most patient person, I’m doing an intervention. Because God knows you two need it. Sit.”

She pointed to the bed and Isobelle immediately sat, because honestly Nat could be a little intimidating sometimes.

“Right. Did Ben ever tell you about that bitch Alison?”

“A little. Just that she was toxic.”

“Toxic.” Nat snorted. “That’s like saying Everest is a hill. You have no idea just how toxic she was and the damage she did to him. I’m sure he’ll tell you the full story at some point. But what he really should’ve told you ages ago is how it still affects him now.”

Isobelle frowned at her confused.

“Every time Ben told her how he felt, told her that he loved her, she laughed. She ridiculed him and made him feel so fucking small and terrible. She messed with him so badly that each time he tries to tell anyone how he feels to their face, he locks up.” Nat nodded, picking up on Isobelle’s growing anger.

“Oh yeah, I wanted to maim her as well. Actually I wanted to kill her, but dad talked me out of it. It’s so bad that he can’t even tell us he loves us to our faces. ”

“Why are you telling me this? Surely it’s Ben’s story to tell.”

“Because he’s ashamed it still affects him and you need to understand why he does the things he does. Such as, he can express his feelings in texts and videos, just not to your face. Quick question, how many times has he suggested you follow him?”

Isobelle thought back, it had been a lot. “A fair few times.” She admitted.

“Honestly I could just strangle you.” Nat huffed. “Here. This is what you need to see. This is what he’s been trying to get you to see.”

She sat next to Isobelle and handed over her phone open on Ben’s Hot n Bothered feed.

The first post she had brought up was from a few years ago.

It was a video that Darren had sneakily taken from behind them while the rest of the group was passed out.

But her and Ben were still singing, really hamming it up and having fun. The text over it said –

Find someone who will stay awake and sing Disney hits with you like it’s just you two in the room.

Nat moved it to another post. It was a picture of his favourite mug filled with tea.

Find someone who makes your drink the way you like it in your favourite mug without being asked.

Again, Nat flicked through past his cooking posts to another one. This video was dark, you couldn’t see anything, but she could hear herself laughing.

Have you ever heard anything as wonderful as this laugh?

Next post. It was a montage of pictures of her with her hands in front of her face or the camera.

She hates pictures of herself. But I can’t see why. She’s perfect.

Next post. Different montage of her covering herself and blocking the camera.

Still no luck in getting a picture. I wish you could see her smile. Then you’d understand what she means to me.

Next post. This was the picture he first took of them holding hands. He'd put a sticker of a heart, with hearts for eyes before and after the text.

I never understood how just holding hands could make you feel complete before. Until her

Next post. Picture of her shoe rack, followed by a mind blown meme.

Just learnt about half-hour shoes, 1 hour shoes, 2 hour shoes, all the way up to trainers – mind blown!

Next post. This was a video taken while his phone was on the table, the shot looking up to him as he took the squid off her fork.

When she shares her NEVER SHARE food because she thinks you’ll like it.

Next post. Video of him in her kitchen.

“Hi guys. Sorry, there’s no episode tonight.

My Belle needs me and she’s the most important thing in my life.

I do have some time though, so let me explain what I mean by never share food.

So, you know that one thing that is your ultimate favourite?

That one thing that when someone asks if they can try it and your hackles instantly raise?

That’s never share food. That item that you will wrap your arms around and growl if anyone even dares to try and take it from you.

For my Belle it’s seafood, squid especially.

So when she offered me a piece of her treasured never share squid, just because she thought I would like it.

I melted. I mean you have no idea how much this meant to me.

Seriously, I’m not lying about the growling, she’s done that before.

” He winked, grinning widely. “Why don’t you let me know what your never share food is in the comments, and if there is someone you would share it with.

Don’t forget no new episodes for a few weeks, but I’ll still be posting. See you later guys.”

Next post. Video of the camera moving over the pictures taken in the photo booth, starting with her laughing down at him, then her head thrown back laughing as his mouth is on her neck, then him looking up at her lovingly as she smiled down at him and finally them kissing.

He was speaking as the camera panned across them, the filter had stars and hearts bursting like fireworks.

“Yeah, so this is my Belle. Finally got pictures. I’ll let you in on a little secret. She thinks I call her that because her favourite film is Beauty and the Beast. But it’s really because to me she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I mean just look at her, at that smile.”

Next post. This was the video she took of him finally winning the beast toy and her laughing. “How much did you spend?”

￡78!!!

It cut to a picture of her smiling down at the toys. He'd given it a sparkling filter around her.

But totally worth every penny for that smile

Next post. Picture of her writing on the plane. The filter had little hearts dancing around her.

Can’t wait for you guys to discover what goes on in that amazing mind of hers. I am in awe of the worlds she creates and the stories she weaves.

Next post. This was a video of him.

“Alright guys, I need your help. My Belle needs some serious cheering up. We’re in Athens, where are the best quiet bookshops and cafés we can go to so she can write?

Next post. Edited video of her cooking the quinoa.

The best bit about this video is not the food she made (believe me it was GOOD) But the way she crinkles her nose so adorably and that smile. There is nothing more perfect than that smile

Next post. Video of him looking very angry.

“I don’t care if you buy everything I produce. I don’t care if you are my sponsor or if you could destroy my brand. You say one bad thing about my Belle and you’re blocked.”

Next post. Video of him walking up to her as she was sat on the swing.

“What can’t you live without?”

“For you? 100% your phone.” The video pauses at her laughing up at him. Love hearts were floating up the screen.

No. It’s her.

Next post. This was a selfie. He was holding the camera up high as she’s fast asleep on him and he’s looking down at her with such love on his face. Once again there were floating hearts around them.

Heaven

Next post. Video of him again.

“Any of you guys in Athens? We’ll be at the park in the below text.

There’ll be buckets of roses for you to give out to anyone you want to with a genuine compliment.

I’d love for you to do this for my Belle.

She’s had so many disparaging remarks from her fucking toxic family and she no longer believes me when I tell her how perfect she is. Maybe she’ll believe you?”

Next post. Picture of the big bunch of roses in a vase. This time the filter was fireworks.

You guys are the best! You got her smile back. Thank you all so much.

Next post. Video of him looking madder than ever.

“I just don’t get it. Her family is so fucking toxic.

They drag her down at every chance they get.

They try to rip apart her hopes, her dreams. Hell, they try to rip apart who she is and everything that makes her so wonderful.

And worse they say they do it out of love because they’re her family and know what’s best for her.

” He angrily scoffs and tugs his hand through his hair.

“They are completely blind to how truly amazing and how wonderful she is. But they are no longer blind to how strong she actually is. Because she is. She stood up to them today and has walked away from them and their toxicity. I have never been prouder. I still cannot believe that for all these years she’s had to deal with such poison and cruelty.

And not a single drop has she allowed to infect her.

She is so sweet and loving and kind. She’s so generous and will be the first person there to pull you up if you need it.

They tried to destroy that and they failed. Now they’ve lost her and I’m glad.”

Next post. Montage of all the pictures of them holding hands. Back to the stars and hearts bursting like fireworks.

Holding hands shenanigans

Next post. Montage of him waiting at the bottom of the stairs looking at his watch.

When she’s always late – but worth the wait

Cut to the video of his reaction to her coming down the stairs. This time the floating hearts were around him.

Just then, an alert popped up to say that Ben had started a live feed.