Billy's POV
       "What's a matter?" I asked, emerging from the shadows of the kitchen doorway.
       "Billy...I know what happened.  Benji told me. I'm sorry.  If I would have known...."
       "If you would have known....Paul knew, and he couldn't do anything to stop it" I spat at him.
       "I'm sorry Billy, I just have mixed feelings."
       "Mixed feelings? You feel bad for Benji?  After what he did to me? Why? How?"
       "Billy, he really loved you.  He didn't know how to express it. He's really feeling bad about what he did, he's feeling like our father.  I feel bad for you though too, all the pain you had to go through" he explained.     
       "How can you feel bad for him?" I yelled. I pulled up my shirt to show him a mess of purplish and yellow bruises that was my back.  "You see those bruises, Joel?  See that? It hasn't healed yet, and how long have we been split up?"  A look of horror settled on Joel's face.  I pulled my shirt down and turned around to find myself face to face with Benji.
       "H-h-hey B-b-b-benji" I stammered.  I cursed myself for not being able to talk.  What's he going to do to me? I wondered.  I slowly backed away, tripping over a chair leg.  He took a step toward me, and I backed up against the wall.  Tears sprang to his eyes and he looked to the floor.  Joel walked over to him and embraced him in a hug.  I stood there, openmouthed, watching as Joel consoled his older brother.
       "I loved you, Billy. I really did love you" I heard him mumble into Joel's shoulder.  At hearing that, I looked at JOel.  HIs arms let go of his brother and he left the kitchen.
       "If you loved me so much, why did you hurt me like that? Huh Benji?" I was so mad I couldn't stutter. Tears silently left tracks on my pale face as he looked up at me.
       "Billy, I didn't know any other way to love. Can you teach me?" (a/n I know I stole that from A Walk in the Clouds a/n) He asked, crying, not trying to hold back the tears.
       "I don't know....I mean you really hurt me Benji.  Not just physically, emotionally and mentally as well.  I know you loved me at first, but after awhile, I wasn't sure." His face fell and he looked crushed as I said this.
       "I always loved you, but by the end, I knew you didn't love me, so I hurt you more because I knew you didn't love me anymore.  I teased you after the breakup because I was still trying to hurt you, Billy.  I'm sorry for everything I've done."  He sat on the floor, and pulled his knees up to his chest, crying silently.
       I went over and sat down next to him.  I put my arm around him, and pulled his head to my shoulder.  Seeing him like this made me unafraid, fearless.  We sat there for what seemed hours, me just consoling him.  After a while, we heard snoring coming from the living room couch.
       "Where did Paul go?"
       " He went home, he had something to do." I said, turning my head to his.  I quickly pecked him on the lips, hoping to spark something.
Benji's POV
       He kissed me.  What does that mean? Does he still love me? I kissed him back, hoping for something in return.  He looks shocked, and backs away.  I stand up and stare at the floor, fresh tears welling up in my eyes.  I start to walk away.  I stop when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
       "For real Benji? For real this time?"

~The End of Chapter 5~

OOOO amy cliff hanger