You and Ben had just started dating, and he was terrified of dating you, afraid of messing up beyond belief, and scared of losing you before he had even fully gotten you. So he played it safe, well, he kinda just avoided you at school

he was scared you didn’t wanna be seen with him but he was your boyfriend!

Of course, you wanted to be around him, maybe he wasn’t comfortable at school yet so going out together seemed like a good start. For the first date, you went to the local mall (pretty cliche).

He stole some of his dad's shitty cologne, found his best-looking sweater, and even left his headphones at home, so he could feel a little more normal

This was the first time he’s ever really been out without his family, the first time someone actually wanted to hang out with him, and that someone was you; the person he’s had a crush on for years

A few dollars crumbled in his back pocket as he walked beside you, he was nervous, it radiated off of him and latched onto you

“Do-….do you wanna hold my hand?”

He stuttered out softly, barely louder than the sound of a pen clicking.

“Or- can I hold your hand?-“