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"You guys are going to die once you see my dress" Brooke pulls up the picture on her phone, "I'm gonna get rid of the straps and definitely cut it shorter" she shows her dress off and Ali is gawking but Ben isn't looking. Distracted by the sound of the loud motorcycle approaching he watches as Mackie pulls off his helmet and climbs off the bike.

The nice morning breeze blows by as their eyes meet, Ben and Mackie have never spoken a word to each other, their worlds are too different, but all of that is about to change. As he's walking Mackie fixates on Ben "what are you looking at, Creep?" Ali barks at Mackie who just smiles and keeps walking

"That guy's such a creep" Brooke comments "right... Ben?" 

Snapping out of it "huh? Yeah..."

"Anyway back to spring fling, did Jeremy ask you yet?" Ben shakes his head "what's he waiting for it's this Friday?"

"I don't know but I'm not worried I can just tag along with you guys, right?"

"What? No!" Ali answers "you have to have a date for spring fling Ben what will people think?"

"She's right, if he won't ask you then you have to ask him"

"And if he says no?" Ben asks

"Then he's not the right guy for you."

The three friends go inside heading to their first period, as he's walking Ben is joined by Jeremy "hey babe."

"Babe?" Ben questions

"Yeah, you're my babe right?"

"Am I?" He stops walking turning to Jeremy "why haven't you asked me to spring fling?"

Jeremy scoffs "because you were the one saying how pointless it was, Ben you said it wasn't interesting." Annoyed Ben walks away and Jeremy chases him "wait ok, ok fine" he stops Ben "you want to go to spring fling then we'll go to the stupid thing."

"This is why I didn't want to go, it's not special Jeremy and you're only agreeing because I'm pissed off!" Shoving him Ben walks away.

All alone he walks around school helmet in hand and book bag in the other, Mackie Denver doesn't care about anything and he's one of those bad boys who's way too cool to make friends. His friends are biker types like him and although he ignores the judgments he knows outside these school walls, none of those kids would dare step to him.

"All right before the bell rings let me tell you who your partners are for the project," the teacher picks up his notebook as Ben and Mackie sit in the class far from each other. "Dennis and Kira, Samantha and Laura, Billy and Jessica A., Ben and Mackenzie-"

"Who's that?" Ben asks cutting his teacher off, pointing to a seat in the back of the class Ben turns to see Mackie staring right at him with a smile. "Wait -" the bell rings

"If your name wasn't called yet please stay back."

Everyone else packs up and Ben waits for Mackie to leave before he approaches the teacher "Mr. Merrill can I please get a different partner?"

"Why what's wrong with Mackenzie?"

"I don't know him, it'll be hard to work with someone you don't know."

"Welcome to life Ben, just give it a chance he might surprise you."

Feeling dismissed Ben walks away leaving class, soon as he hits the hall he sees Mackie waiting outside the door "how'd it go?" His deep voice stuns Ben

"How'd what go?" Ben walks and Mackie follows

"Trying to ditch me, did he bite?"

"Look we obviously don't know each other and that can be a problem, but it doesn't have to be. Let's just get this stupid project done and never speak to each other again" Ben already feels embarrassed standing in the hallway talking to him where anyone could see.

"Benjamin Henderson" Ben hears his name and looks past Mackie to see Jeremy holding a sign and flowers. "Will you be my date to spring fling?" He asks confidently

Mackie chuckles and Ben stares at Jeremy smiling "I'd love to" he nods. Jeremy walks closer hugging him and handing him the flowers

"Thanks"

"Did I do good?"

"Yes you did great" they walk away arms around each other.

Completely forgetting Mackie "cool guess I'll go jump off a fucking bridge then."

After school, Ben huddles outside with his friends. "Took him long enough! Have you picked out your suit yet?"

"Yes you guys should come over later and check it out"

As he's leaving Mackie sees Ben and decides to walk to him "1510 Sierra street" 

"What?" Ben asks as the girls stare at Mackie with disgust

"My address for whenever you're ready to do this thing" he leaves.

"What the hell was that?" Ali asks

"Ugh I got partnered with him in science class for a project"

"Ew that's awful did you ask to switch?"

"Yeah, but nothing happened I'm stuck with him."

"I feel so bad for you, I heard he's killed someone before."

"What?" Ben questions "that can't be true"

"I don't know but anyone who wears a dirty leather jacket like that is probably capable of anything, so be careful going into whatever neighborhood he crawls out of every morning."

"Hey ready to go?" Jeremy walks over to Ben

"Yeah. I'll see you guys later" he waves to his friends then leave with Jeremy. Unable to stop thinking about Mackie as Jeremy drives him home, Ben asks "so do you know anything about that kid Mackenzie?"

"Who?"

"You know dark hair, rides a bike"

"Oh Dirty Denver?"

"People call him that?"

"Yeah, he always looks greasy and shit... what about him?"

"Nothing" Ben drops the conversation.

It's not weird that no one knows who Mackie Denver is he actually prefers it that way, the less you know about someone like him the better.

Getting home Ben's in his room on his phone, going to the search bar on Facebook he types in Mackenzie Denver. Clicking on the first page he finds, Ben sees a motorcycle as a profile picture and assumes it's him. There isn't much to stalk on his page, he barely posts anything, and when he does they're about motorcycles.

"Hey, Benji" Ben's older sister Serena walks into his room "whatcha doing?"

"I got partnered with this weird kid for a project at school today and he wants me to go over his house to work on it, but he's kind of sketchy so I don't know if I should."

"Invite him here then"

"No, I don't want him knowing where I live."

"That bad?"

"Yeah he barely speaks and people think he's dirty"

"What do you think?" Ben shrugs "stop being judgmental then, you don't even know him"

"It's not me saying it, it's what I've heard."

"Ok and you're feeding into it without giving him a chance, this is for your grade right so suck it up and get it done."

"But-"

"No buts Ben go work on your project" 

"Fine. Can I borrow your car?"

"Yes."

Driving to Mackie's house Ben parks on the street getting the perfect view of the boy, dirty tank top outside his garage working on his bike "ugh" Ben groans.

Getting out of his car he grabs his bag and takes a breath, crossing the street he walks over standing there till Mackie sees him "he showed" Mackie continues working.

"We're partners so..."

"Are we partners?" Mackie turns to him wiping his hands, he watches as Ben looks around scared "no one's going to kill you here."

"Mackenzie can we just get started?"

"Ok" he drops everything walking away and Ben follows "and it's Mackie by the way, my friends call me Mackie."

"We're not friends," they walk into his house.

"Do you want anything? Can I get you a beer?" Ben shakes his head

"Where are your parents?"

"Work"

"Your dad owns the auto shop, right? Denver Auto"

"That's my mom, my dad owns the skeet shooting place."

"So your mom works on cars and your dad hands guns to people... fitting"

"What do your parents do?"

"My dad's a stockbroker and my mom's a defense attorney"

"So your dad steals money and your mom lies for criminals" Mackie chuckles "not so fun being judged is it?"

"Can we get started?" Ben tries to move on

They reside on Mackie's couch and as uncomfortable as Ben is he tries to make the best of his situation, but before anyone could start someone bursts in the front door "yo Mack we need you!"

"What?" Mackie stands up "what's going on?"

"Those fuckers from East Shore are down the block trying to jump Sammy come on!"

"Shit ok!" Mackie panics turning to Ben "stay here" he and his friend run out of the house.

"No, he did not just leave me here to go fight," Ben says in disbelief. He sits there in the empty house contemplating on staying but decides to leave, getting his things he walks to his car calling his sister. "Next time keep your opinions to yourself"

"What happened?" She asks as he starts the car

"Mackie just abandoned me in his house to go fight!" He pulls away "I'm getting a new partner because I can't deal with him"

"To go fight are you sure?"

"Yes Serena I'm-" as he drives he sees a group of guys with Mackie in the center "holy shit" he watches them brawl on the street in broad daylight.

"What? What's happening?"

"It- it's him he's kicking these guys asses" Ben is engaged watching Mackie and his friends beat up a bunch of guys. "Serena he's crazy"

"Ben get out of there!" She barks while he watches, but it was too late because he was out of the car standing there watching the creep he barely knew fight, he's never seen anything like this before. Ben doesn't know whether to be scared or impressed, but one thing's for sure he was frozen.

Looking over Mackie sees him standing there watching while other people come closer to watch, making his way out Mackie rushes to him

"what are you doing I told you to stay inside!"

"You..." Ben looks at his face "you're bleeding"

"I'm fine Ben you have to get out of here"

"What no" he looks at them fighting "you have to stop this, they're going to kill each other."

"Ben! This isn't your scene all right get in your car and go home!" Mackie forces but Ben doesn't move "hey!" He tries to get the boy to focus on him

"Come with me," Ben asks scared for Mackie's life

"No this is my world not yours, please go." Finally listening Ben gets in his car and Mackie watches him pull away.

—

Freaked out about what he saw yesterday Ben walks in school doing his best to avoid Mackie the gangster willing to fight anyone, people just think he's a quiet creep but no one's witnessed what Ben did and that was after knowing him for one day.

Going to science class Ben waits for Mackie to show up but he doesn't, would you after a fight like that?

School ends and Ben's in the parking lot near Jeremy's car waiting for him. As he's waiting, Ben sees Mackie walking towards him holding his helmet "no" he starts to panic "stay away from me!"

"Wait please I can explain"

"No, you're crazy!" Ben barks as Mackie tries to get closer

"Ben I'm not going to hurt you I just want to talk, come with me" he tries to hand Ben his helmet

Ben laughs "what I'm not getting on your bike you psycho"

"Then walk with me," Mackie asks "please."

Everyone in the parking lot stares at them and Ben knows if Jeremy shows up things will not end well "fine" so he agrees.

They walk side by side and Ben has his guards up afraid of the boy next to him "I'm not a violent person" Mackie starts

"Tell that to your bruised fists and the guys faces you were smashing yesterday"

"Those guys deserved it they've been terrorizing me and my friends for months, and no one fucks with us."

"You know what" Ben stops "I honestly don't care, I don't need to know this." 

"Yeah you do if we're gonna be partners"

"No we're not I spoke to Mr. Merrill and told him we both would rather work alone and he agreed. You're right, I don't need to be in your fucked up world so it's best if we just never talk to each other again." Ben walks away leaving him.

What Ben saw really frightened him and that's what Mackie was afraid of, the one chance to make a good impression in a school full of people who think he's a creep and he proves them right. Not that he cares what the others think, but for some reason he cared what Ben thought and now he knows that Ben only thinks of him as a violent person.

The next 2 days everything felt like it was back to normal, no one talks to Mackie and Ben is with his friends. He didn't tell his friends about what he saw he's staying focused on spring fling "we should get ready at my house tomorrow night and just have the guys pick us up from there." Ali suggests

"Yes definitely, you can do my hair in those curls I love" Brooke agrees. They wait for Ben to chime in but he's so lost in his thoughts he isn't even paying attention to a word they're saying "Ben?" Brooke tries to get his attention

"Hmm?" He turns to look at them as they stare at him weirdly

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah fine... I should go find Jeremy we haven't talked about his suit yet" 

"Ok see you at lunch?"

"Yeah" he walks away. Ben lies because he really just wants to be alone, he doesn't want to talk to anyone but for some weird reason was on the lookout for Mackie. Not that he has anything to say to him but if Ben saw him he'd talk to him.

Skipping lunch with his friends Ben finds a Bench behind the school to sit on and hide, his world hasn't felt the same since Monday and it's all because of- "mind if I sit?" He looks up to see Mackie standing there, Ben shakes his head and Mackie sits down 

"Skittles?" He pulls the pack of candy from his jacket pocket offering Ben "when I sit alone on benches I like to eat candy" his smile is faint but Ben sees it.

Reaching out he waits and Mackie pours some in his hand "thanks" he takes it. They sit quietly on the bench eating the candy staring at everything else but each other "does anything scare you, Mackie?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you ride a motorcycle and get into fights, you have to fear something"

Mackie thinks "hairless animals" he answers and Ben turns to him. He starts to laugh "I mean those things are so freaky looking and they're naked" Ben doesn't want to but he chuckles along. They get quiet again "you know I wouldn't have let anything happen to you, right?"

Ben turns to him "how would I have known that? We don't know each other"

"Yeah we do, you're Ben, you have terrible friends and your boyfriend's kind of a dick."

"And you're Mackie, you get into fights, and go about the world alone"

"See" he smiles, "I told you we knew each other."

"Can I ask you something?" Mackie nods "what the heck kind of name is Mackie Denver?" They both laugh "it sounds like the name of a used car salesman"

"Who says I'm not one?"

"You sell cars?"

"It's my dream, owning my own dealership and everything"

"Are you joking?"

Mackie shakes his head "you've got me all figured out"

As they're smiling at each other Ben's phone rings "hey?" He answers Ali's call 

"Where the hell are you?"

"Um" he looks over at Mackie "I'm still looking for Jeremy"

"Well he's looking for you too"

"Why what's wrong?"

"You haven't seen it?"

"Seen what?"

"Jenny Field's IG check it now!"

Hanging up Ben goes on the app typing Jenny's name, the first thing to pop up on her page is a picture of her and Jeremy in bed together while Jeremy sleeps on her chest, with a caption that reads he's still mine bitch.

Ben stares at the picture shocked as tears form in his eyes "you ok?" Mackie asks noticing 

"Uh" He stands up "I have to go."

"Wait" Mackie goes after him as he rushes away "Ben what's wrong?" He tries to stop him 

"Nothing" Ben lies ditching the worried boy.

Skipping school Ben goes home and ignores everyone.

—

It's spring fling day and everyone knows what happened "what did he expect would happen Jeremy's not gay and he's way too hot for Ben" Mackie hears as he's walking. As someone who's always out of the loop, he isn't sure what happened but he knows it involves Ben.

As he's walking to his locker with his head down because people are staring "Ben!" He hears Jeremy behind him and speeds away, running to catch up Jeremy stops him "Ben wait let me explain" he stands in front of him.

"I don't care Jeremy" Ben tries to keep his cool "Jenny's lying nothing happened!"

"You laying on top of her is nothing happening? Do I look dumb to you?!" Everyone stops walking watching them "God why was I stupid enough to fall for your shit!"

"I want to be with you Ben"

"I do not care! Get that through your thick skull! Go be with Jenny you two deserve each other"

"What about us and spring fling?"

"WE'RE DONE JEREMY!" He yells

Turning the hall Mackie sees them arguing and stops to watch "you can't believe a stupid post over me Ben come on that's not fair! I don't want to be with her"

"Liar! You're a cheating liar!" Ben shoves him about to walk away

"Listen to me!" Jeremy grabs him

"Get off me!" Ben pulls away and keeps walking

"DON'T WALK AWAY WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!" He yells shoving Ben against the locker holding him there.

Everyone gasps and that's all it took for Mackie, dropping his things he rushes closer pushing Jeremy off "touch him again and I'll kill you" he stands in front of Ben.

"Mind your business Denver this is between me and him"

"Well now it's between me and you so if you want to put your hands on someone, why don't you try me?"

"I'm supposed to be afraid of you?" Jeremy scoffs moving closer to hit Mackie

But Ben rushes between them "Jeremy don't!" He pushes him away, Ben fears for Jeremy because he knows what Mackie can do.

"Get off me this asshole needs a lesson!"

"You're gonna teach it to me, tough guy?" Mackie laughs provoking Jeremy

Holding Jeremy back Ben turns to Mackie begging, "Mackie please stop" Mackie's furious eyes focus on Jeremy wanting to hit him more than anything. "Mackie look at me" His eyes move to Ben's "don't do this."

"Leave with me," Mackie asks

"As if he'd ever go anywhere with you freak!" 

"Okay" Ben agrees to leave with Mackie.

"What are you doing?" Jeremy questions as they turn to walk away together "Ben if you leave with that freak that's it."

Turning around "go fuck yourself, Jeremy."

Leaving school they walk to Mackie's bike and he lifts the seat getting a second helmet for Ben, getting on Ben hesitates to wrap his arms around Mackie "don't be scared" Mackie reassures him "I won't let anything happen to you."

They pull away and Mackie drives till they're far enough, stopping at the top of a mountain they both get off taking off their helmets.

"Where are we?" Ben asks looking out at the city lights while on the hill

"Mclaren Point" Mackie answers "I like to ride up here sometimes to clear my head." Mackie watches Ben's sad face as he looks out at the city "I'm sorry your boyfriend's a dickhead"

"No, you're not"

"You're right I'm not but I am sorry you dated that asshole, you deserve better."

"You know you're nice for a violent psycho" they both chuckle, "and thank you for standing up for me."

"Should've let me hit him"

"Violence isn't always the answer Mackie"

"Even though he put his hands on you first?"

The question hits Ben he didn't expect Jeremy to do that, but when you're desperate you'll do anything. "He's not usually like that"

"Only when he's caught with his pants down?"

"You don't know him all right!" Ben hisses and Mackie backs off, Ben sighs "what a shitty week"

"Hasn't been that bad, I made a friend"

Ben looks at him sadly and Mackie smiles "you're weird" he smiles too.

"I know." They stand there for a little bit longer then Mackie says "I should take you home before it gets dark out"

"Ok" Ben agrees.

 —

Stopping when they get to Ben's house they climb off the bike, walking up to the door they turn to each other "I can't believe I'm missing spring fling."

"You still want to go?"

"Who would take me? You?" 

"Why not?"

Ben smiles "I don't care about that anymore." Feeling like the moment could use it, Ben reaches out and hugs Mackie who wasn't expecting it but places his hands on the boy's back tightening their hug. "I'm sorry I judged you" Ben apologizes over Mackie's shoulder. As they let go their faces graze each other's and Mackie decides to try and seize the opportunity, he moves his lips closer to Ben's. "Um," Ben steps away "we shouldn't-"

"No, I'm sorry that was dumb. Night" Mackie walks away 

"Good night."

Walking into his house Ben heads to his bed dropping on his stomach when he finally reaches his room. Tired and confused he takes a deep breath thinking about everything that just happened. "Where were you?" His sister walks into his room after a while "your friends came by looking for you before they went to that dance"

Sighing "I think I'm falling for Mackie Denver" Ben admits out loud.

"Your sketchy science partner?" He nods "ok is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know but he's not normal"

"And you think you are? You pour your milk before your cereal"

"It's to control my portions!" He argues

"It's lunacy!" Serena responds. "Benji it's ok to like someone who isn't your ideal type, as long as he's good to you and always has your back that's all you need really."

He sits up "I think I made a mistake, can I borrow your car?" 

"Yeah" she nods.

Jumping out of bed he leaves his room taking the keys, getting in the car Ben drives. He's not sure what he's doing and he's nervous but it's the only thing that feels right, right now. Stopping when he reaches Mackie's house, Ben takes long deep breaths preparing himself with no idea of what he's going to say. Knocking he waits anxiously for a response "Ben?" Mackie opens the door

"We wouldn't make any sense" Ben starts fidgeting with the car keys, Mackie steps out shutting the door standing in front of the nervous boy. "I mean what would people think?"

"I don't care what people think, Ben"

"I get that but the things they say about you, the gossip I don't think I can handle it."

"Gossip is just a way for people to make sense of things they don't understand, I like being misunderstood."

"Then fine" he smirks "you win." Moving closer Ben plants his lips on Mackie's then immediately pulls away waiting for a reaction, taking his head Mackie pulls him back and slowly kisses him. Mackie's lips surprised him they're better than he was expecting, the feel of Mackie's hands holding him and how delicate someone so dangerous is being all made Ben feel something he's never felt before.

Monday morning after spending their entire weekend on the phone and texting, Ben and Mackie lean against his bike kissing before class.

Mackie's arms are around his waist and Ben's are around his neck, "don't look now but your friends are giving us death glares" he says seeing them

"Oh god, how am I going to explain this?"

"Easy... go to them and say you're dating the freak"

"Stop it" Ben kisses him "you're not a freak, and they'll get over it. I promise they're not that bad." 

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

"Shush" he shuts Mackie up with another kiss "find me at lunch?"

"Ok" they kiss one last time before letting go.

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