Benjamin Loveless

25 / Actor / Writer / Big City Dreams

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

callieanderson‌:

Callie noticed how the waitress fawned over him but decided not to comment on it. He looked uncomfortable enough, and hey, he did get her order right. She owed him a little slack. “I have absolutely no idea. Nina kind of sprung this on me so I’m still brainstorming. I can be open to suggestions, though. If your Valley brain can come up with any.” 

And just like that, she was back to making jokes at his expense.

“Okay, Fanny Brice, I get it. But my California brain isn’t all silicone valley and Hollywood signs.” Their orders arrived and the settled with their food. He thought about ideas on how to make the town more attractive to the tourists while also writing a good script that would represent the town. “Did you want to do an original play or did you want to get rights to something and put it on for the town?”

[thebenjaminloveless]

kirbychndler‌:

“Difference is, I actually have a hand in how well your business goes, should I decide to play it.” Kirby offered a devious smile. Benjamin liked to fuck around, in every sense, but Kirby just liked to fuck– especially fuck people over. She didn’t like it when things didn’t go her way and she had gone her life being put down by people, she wasn’t about to keep allowing it. “Oh, Nova, right.” The image of them two, together, being fucking perfect was nauseating for Kirby. Of course they were together. The influencer and the big shot star. Fuck them and their perfect life. Seriously. “Guess we both share a taste for the same kind of candy. She and I have more in common than I thought.”

“See, Kirby, you may think that. And sure, you have something to hold over me. But you forget you fuck me with or without money when I’m in the city. I also know some of your usual clients and your big secret at the magazine. My people keep me up to date.” He finished his drink and fixed up their bill. “I know you won’t do anything stupid.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

harrykleinnn‌:

“Sounds like you knew her more than we did.” This whole situation left Harry at a crossroads that didn’t even have a cross. He was simply standing there, watching things run past him. “Beer? I, um, don’t drink…” A second ticked and he spoke again, “Let’s go. Anything to avoid people coming up to me to say the same thing I’ve heard twenty times already.”

Benny thought for a second as they started walking towards the nearest bar. “Look, we can get you some fucking apple juice for all I care, but you look like you need to not talk about your sister for a bit.” They found their place at a booth and called for a waitress. As they waited, Benny studied the man sitting in front of him. “So, Harry, what’chu been up to since you left Wayland?”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

callieanderson‌:

Callie smiled to herself whe she heard him laugh. She knew they were order both thinking about New York and how ironic it was, after all these years, they would end up in the same booth at the Milky Way in Wayland.

“Let’s see if you still remember. I’ll let you order for me.” 

He simply smiled and tried to do his best when the waitress approached them at their booth. “One 2001: Shake Odyssey and one War of the Oreos, and an order of fries. Please, and thank you.” He smiled and the waitress stumbled as she left with their order. He was used to it, but he felt uncomfortable with it happening in front of Callie. Instead of thinking about it, he redirected himself to her. “So, what are you going to make the summer play about? I need to know so I write the script.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

harrykleinnn‌:

“Right.” All Harry could do was observe Benjamin carefully. Something was weird about the way he was carrying this conversation and while Harry wasn’t the best at picking up energies and vibes, he spent quite some time around people as a mere observer– living in someone’s shadow made you more aware of your surroundings. “You also… What?” He wasn’t going to let that go. Benjamin wanted to know things, well, now so did Harry. 

He looked up at Harry and fixed his posture. “We were close, that’s all. Or at least, I would like to believe so. Eva wasn’t much to talk about her personal life, but she was a good friend.” 

He tried to think of something else to say, but something told him this Harry dude wasn’t much for talking at the moment. He seemed... lost? “Want to grab a beer? You seem like you at least need a drink.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

callieanderson‌:

“…Fine, as long as your buying.” 

She turned around and started walking towards Milky Way Diner, swaying her hips as she did. If he thought she was gonna fall for his charms so easily, she was gonna play his game. 

Benny watched Callie for a second. Her confidence was high and she carried herself with grace. She was lightyears away from the girl he left behind in the city and he was determined to get to know this version of her.  He trailed behind her, holding the door as they walked into the place they all spent their nights at in high school. What seemed like a different lifetime still held their memories on its walls and ambiance. Filled with new kids and staff. They saw Marina working behind the counter helping her mom with their orders. New York New York by Frank Sinatra was playing on the jukebox and he couldn’t help but laugh. He let Callie pick their booth and he sat facing her.  “What’s your poison? Order whatever you like.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

callieanderson‌:

“And from what I recall, you used to have some kind of sensitivity. But I guess you left that in New York when you moved to the Valley?” She shot back at him. Who the hell did he think he was? She was here to mourn her friend, as were a lot of other people. And he has the nerve to bring up New York at home? She was never known to be a party girl and her image was not about to be changed, especially by him.

“Have some class, Benjamin. Some of us are actually grieving.”

“Fine, you’re right. No party. Maybe a milkshake at Milky Way Diner though? My treat.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

harrykleinnn‌:

Harry wasn’t about to have this conversation with some stranger who thought knew his sister. And sure, Harry barely knew her, but this person couldn’t know her any better. “I’m not about to talk about this with you. If your last name isn’t Klein, then this isn’t any of your business,” he finished sternly. It was a weird attitude to assume, at least for Harry. Now he felt protective and like he had to defend the name that was getting caught up in so much heat. The Klein’s had to be pristine, just like Eva was. 

Benny backed off. He knew he was probably touching a nerve and he wasn’t about to cause a scene in any way. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like I did.” He composed himself and remembered that this was his friend’s family. He knew about these people growing up, and Eva never spoke about them in an ill manner; he assumed she simply didn’t want to mix business with personal matters. “Eva was my friend and my lawyer. We also-” he cut himself off. They also what? No. His feelings were always one-sided and he knew better. “I cared about her, that’s all. I’m sorry for your loss, man.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

kirbychndler‌:

“What I plan to do with my time is none of your business, Benjamin,” Kirby seethed. She didn’t understand how people didn’t see right through his fake niceness. “I’m sure you won’t. Since you wouldn’t want your precious fans knowing exactly what trash can you come from.” This last sentence was a threat. She knew exactly what to say and she hoped he understood she was not someone to fuck with. All it took was one single photo sent to TMZ. 

“Funny you mention me staying after you state whose business is who’s.” Taking a long sip of his drink, Benjamin thought carefully of the events of the last couple of days and how it led back to him being in his home town and the people he’d see. He knew it was pointless to lie about his whereabouts to the media, especially with the funeral being so public. The press would hound this town and its people until they ran it dry and the official death report was released. “But, if you must know,” he swirled his drink slowly before answering, “Nova and I are renting our own place for the summer. Community projects look good on camera for both of us.” It was easier to pretend he was only staying to do Wayland a favor and not because he was welcoming his past back into his life. 

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

stxrshne‌:

“Don’t you ever get sick of this? Two bedroom apartments, staying out of each others way? Is this what you seriously want right now?” She couldn’t help but let it out but maybe she shouldn’t of said that at all. Why rock the boat when it gets round just fine. “How domestic,” she dripped sarcastically. 

“Okay, just tell them to delete my number for the summer. If I’m doing a media blitz of this rat-ass town then I’m going to need to kill off my ads for this summer and post about us… I guess.” 

He wasn’t about to admit anything to her, especially not in public. “Nova, it is what it is. End of discussion.” He was done with the conversation and he needed to find living arrangements as soon as possible. “I’m going to start the apartment search so we can play house in peace.” He started walking away and toward his car. Nova was starting to push him again and he needed space to breathe. Eva’s death was still something he hadn’t grieved and it started to catch up to him.

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

stxrshne‌:

“Yup,” she said through a clenched jaw, bringing her palm to her forehead, this was just super. She was supposed to be in and out for the weekend but of course, this town had a vortex of it’s own. “You don’t have to if you’re gonna be annoyed with me the whole time. You nearly through a bitchfit yourself when you saw me,” she said, growing frustrated by the second. Her parents didn’t want her and neither did her fake love life and boyfriend. “Your manager is going to fucking murder you.” 

“We’ll make it a two-bedroom place. We’ll stay out of each other’s way and you won’t have to worry about me. We can’t afford scandals and ripping each other apart will not be good publicity.” Where Nova walked, drama followed. He still needed to keep a close eye on her. “We’ll be roommates in close quarters and our perfect selves outside our bubble.”

“Leave manager to me. If the team contacts you, send them to voicemail. I can’t think about any new projects right now.”

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

stxrshne‌:

Tilting her head to the side, she couldn’t help but sigh. Great, now Nina’s words sunk into her mind even more. Now she had to fucking stay in this old rickety town. If he was staying it would be a media nightmare if she didn’t stay with her ‘boyfriend’ in her old home town. “Nina offered wanted me to stay too, to reimagine the town and give it a media makeover. But if I’m staying then I’m not living out of a hotel.” 

“Nina approached you, too?” Ben wasn’t expecting this turn of events. This meant he, Nova, and Callie would all be working closely together this summer. It smelled like a disaster, but he wasn’t going to let it get to him. He’d work around it. “Let’s rent a summer place, then. The townies would have a fit if we weren’t living in the same place and word got out. Plus, this way my manager won’t throw a bitchfit when I tell everyone I won’t go back to film with them next week.” 

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

harrykleinnn‌:

Harry hadn’t even caught the fact that he said “murdered”– something he definitely was not allowed to share with the public yet. “It hasn’t,” he simply said. There was no way of fixing this. Harry once again fucking up. His specialty. “Does your party still sound like a good idea?”

“You were two seconds from reprimanding the hell out of me for wanting to throw a party... so, I’m saying no. Dude, your sister was murdered?” He was still in disbelief. He knew Eva had enemies, she told him as much in LA. But in Wayland? She was the town’s golden child. This felt unreal.

Benny and Harry were never close. Their social circles weren’t the same and they were in different classes all through high school. Even now that they’re both rich and on top of the world, they weren’t even remotely on the same plane of social existence. Whenever Ben tried bringing up the Klein topic to Eva, she dismissed him, like something she wanted to keep to herself.  “Do they have any leads?” Maybe now he was pushing. 

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

stxrshne‌:

Her eyes sent daggers to him and her lips dripped with venom. She knew he hated her parents, everyone in this town did but being compared to them? That was the standing insult from hell. “What? Did I strike a nerve?” 

She couldn’t help but sigh. He was right, sometimes she hated how right he was. No matter how many times they lurch for one another’s throat, they needed each other and she couldn’t deny the safety she felt when he was around. She might be a terrible person but at least he was good enough to take care of her. “Fine,” she huffed, looking up at him, her blue eyes admitting defeat. “We’ll ask for privacy and respect for her family and we can take time off from pretending,” she nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Right.. an image.” 

He dismissed her venom and let her come to terms with the reality of their situation at her own pace. Getting a breather from media coverage was something that they both needed. “Thank you. Now look, it looks like I’ll be sticking around Wayland for the summer. What are you going to do?” 

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

harrykleinnn‌:

“Someone was murdered and all you’re thinking about is throwing a party?”

Benny was taken aback by the statement. “Wait, murdered? I thought the reason for her death wasn’t released yet.” The news rocked him and suddenly he felt much less cheery. 

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

stxrshne‌:

Pulling away from her media lover, she couldn’t help but grow irritated. She was one for known for keeping her cool and partying as long as she got her way but Ben often times made that difficult for her. He knew how to get under her skin and making their relationship look picture perfect was just as challenging as their bickering. “I’m here cause my friend died, you don’t get a monopoly on grief.” 

Crossing her arms over her chest, the girl couldn’t help but narrow her eyes at him. “You think of me like gum on the bottom of your shoe and frankly, I’m sick of it, so while we’re at home. Smile and say nice thing and we can get back to LA as soon as we’re done burying our friend.” It was like a toxic relationship that she just couldn’t blow, something she couldn’t help but put in her blood stream, she just had to fight him on absolutely everything. “Between you and my parents, I would’ve thought you’d be the better welcome home. Guess I was wrong.” 

The comparison to her parents hurt him. He knew how much she loathed them and he grew hatred for them as well. They were shit people and she got the bitter end of that stick. He may tease and piss her off 24/7, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt her anymore. 

“Okay, Nova. Let’s white-flag it while we’re here for Eva. We’ll grief in our own way and not give each other shit about it. But we won’t stay at your dad’s place. Don’t give him that satisfaction. We’ll stay at a hotel or something. Let’s keep our skeletons buried.” This was them. Kicking and screaming one moment, then protective and caring the next. They’ve never found a true balance, but it worked for now and that’s how they liked it. “And... we can even release an official statement on your social media about this whole event. We don’t want the fans speculating about our media blackout. We still have an image to protect.” He hated putting out the image card, but they needed each other to keep them on top. 

[thebenjaminloveless]

Small Town Blues

[thebenjaminloveless]

stxrshne‌:

And just like that, her high was ruined and her mood had turned upside down. Her nights shared with him were ones of memories and drunk bookmarks that she’d want to remember forever but god –– she’d never admit that. Especially not to him when he was acting all pissy. “Don’t be a fucking dick,” she said, dropping her hand, her smile fading by every word she spat at him. “Eva was my friend,” she said, wondering if anything had stuck with him or if he viewed her as the dumb influencer that she was marketed as. “And this isn’t about what you want. You’re not the dead girl about to be buried six feet under okay? So cut the shit.” 

Of course, even her fake boyfriend had been against her and didn’t recognize her talent from beneath the cookie-cutter bullshit. “You’re such an asshole, you know that? I lost a friend, I’m not here for you or an instagram update, but thanks for thinking highly of me,” she trailed off, killing the joint on her denim jacket, before placing it back in her pocket. While she was smart and caring underneath her bold surface, the girl was manipulative. Pulling herself close to him, the girl pressed her lips to his ear, a vindictive smile falling on her plump lips. “You’re not getting rid of me.” 

Dammit. “Oh, cut the shit, Nova. You don’t really care what I think, or anyone for that matter.” He was frustrated and she knew it. Realistically, he knew they could have ended their media relationship long ago, whether it was beneficial for their social status or not. Warm bodies were everywhere and anywhere. But for some reason, he and Nova gravitated towards each other. A toxic addiction that consumed them at their worst, when they felt lonely and lost. They needed each other just as much as they hated one another. 

“But,” he sighed in defeat. “...I’m sorry. Eva was my friend, too. She did way more than clean up after our messes and we owe her some respect.” He straightened up. He knew how much the townies liked to talk and gossip. Eventually, wind of them in Wayland would catch up to the presses. The Klein’s alone would have half of the world watching their family, so Nova and he needed to be on their best behavior. Too much was at stake, and the last thing Nova needed was more bullshit on her plate.