Forest Point: Ben and Izzy

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and it was created solely by me as the author. All characters are over the age of 18. Any similarities to characters, businesses, places, or things are all happenstance, though my appreciation to those who have

inspired

my works is immense. YSI.

Author's Note:

This is the first part of many to come in a series I believe many of you will enjoy. It's a nice buildup into the hot and heavy scenes, but, as usual, my stories are STORIES, so many details make for fun, exciting, and interesting plot lines. Please remain calm in awaiting the next installment, but I assure you, it'll be worth it. I placed a who's who at the end of this part of the series: all eight couples and a little about each member of the group of 16 is listed.

Questions and comments are welcome. Please take the time to rate this story also. I hope everyone will be kind.

Forest Point: Ben & Izzy - pt. 01

"Oh, my gosh," Izabella groaned aloud in her dark bedroom when her alarm went off at 3:30AM. "You have

got

to be kidding me," she continued and slammed around her side table until she finally found her alarm clock. "Shuddduuuuupppp!" she grumbled and growled as she got up to turn on her light. Working overtime to get in those full dozen extra teeth cleanings (to lighten up the appointment book for the following week) so she could take the full two weeks off for her vacation would, at some point, be appreciated by Izabella Flowers, but at the ungodly hour at which she was awake, that time was not

now

, apparently.

Emma, Izzy's best friend, was driving Izzy and six other friends in her mom's minivan to the meeting point almost an hour away. Her fiancé's brother, John, was driving the other seven members of their 16-participant group to that same place. Since only two vehicles per party were allowed to stay at the meeting location, the groups had been prearranged by Emma for the trip out west to begin their journey up north.

When Izzy loaded her luggage into the back of the van, she was relieved to see that the front seat was held open for her. Emma's sister, Lisa, two colleagues, and their significant others were happy to see Izzy as she got situated in the vehicle.

"Is everyone ready?" Emma asked.

"Let's goooooooo!" Nick roared and laughed as Emma put the car in gear and drove them to the meeting spot. Some friendly chatter went on in the back seats, and Izzy and Emma enjoyed the music playing from the speakers.

"So, Iz? This is Ben," Emma explained once they'd gotten out of the vehicle and gathered in a few small groups. "Oh, give me a second, would you guys? I have to go talk with the organizer."

"Hi, I've heard a little about you," Izzy informed the guy who was standing next to her. "I'm sure you've heard that I'm Emma's best friend, and I know you're Brad's best friend. It's weird that we seem to have always missed meeting one another, right?"

"Yeah, I'm Ben," he offered and extended his hand. "It's nice..."

"Oh, my gosh!" Lisa screamed when she saw Ben and Izzy standing near each other. "How exciting, right?" she exclaimed and bounded gleefully toward the two of them awkwardly standing together. "Oh, hey! John! Come here!"

"What's up, Leese?" John asked and smiled at Ben. "Hi, Ben. How's it going?"

"John!" Lisa yelled exasperatedly. "You and I are standing up for Emma and Brad, and Izzy and Ben are the bridesmaid and groomsman who will be up there with us! Won't that be exciting? And with Aaron and Tina, we'll be spending a lot of time together getting ready for the wedding! How cool, right?"

"Well, good thing we have ten days to hang out together and to get to know each other better, right?" John announced and laughed. "Someone is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, huh? How much coffee did you have this morning?"

"None!" Lisa declared. "I've been up all night! I'm so excited!"

"Oh, boy," Izzy murmured under her breath. Ben heard her and acknowledged it. "She's going to be passed out just after breakfast if my calculations are correct. Then when she wakes up, it'll be like a hangover. Maybe I'll do her a favor and give her some ibuprofen with breakfast so that she passes out and, more importantly, wakes up gracefully once we arrive."

"That would be really nice of you," Ben shared and smiled. "Once she's out, we'll probably have a quieter ride the rest of the way, right?"

"I'll take it," Izzy answered and smiled a little. "I've had a long week and still feel like I could use a good nap, I think."

"Well, I think they're loading up," Ben noted and pointed toward the bus. "Let's go see if we can get a quieter part of the bus and get you that nap, shall we?" Izzy looked at Ben's face and noted his sincerity. Huh, that was nice.

"OK, yeah," she concurred and began walking with him. "So, um, Ben? I hope this isn't too awkward. You know, the two of us being the only ones

not

a couple on this trip. The rest are going to be doing all that couple-stuff. At least we get to play it off, right? It's not like we're being forced to be third wheels with any of them."

"Emma promised that I could relax and remain low-key throughout the trip," Ben shared and nodded as he kept one hand in his pocket. He extended his hand to invite Izzy to board the bus before him. "What were

your

thoughts about the trip?" Ben looked around and found a set of two seats which were in what looked like a designated part of the bus for quiet time. "How about here?"

"Oh, perfect," Izzy acknowledged and nodded. "Did you bring anything to do or read or listen to for the trip?"

"I have some apps on my phone and thought about reading, but a nap sounds really good too," Ben admitted. He smiled and sat down as Izzy put her travel bag in the large pocket on the wall ahead of them. She took off her shoes and tucked her feet under her.

"I won't ask any questions then," Izzy told him and cuddled up in her seat. "I don't want to keep you awake with anything, and I wouldn't want to offend you if my questions, or more to the point, your

answers

put me to sleep." Izzy smiled when he acted like her reasoning was offensive. "Yeah, let's start the getting to know you part of this trip at breakfast, maybe. What do you think?"

Izzy was taking in Ben's features. Naturally, she noticed his teeth almost immediately. They were white, straight, and perfect. Braces, probably Invisalign, good brushing habits, and there was a great chance he kept his six-month cleanings like they were mandatory life choices. Izzy could respect that. His hair was neat, and he was clean shaven. He'd probably gotten a haircut just before the trip. Izzy was thrilled she had remembered to shave her legs before going to bed the prior night. At least she packed her razors and gel so that she was presentable throughout the ten days.

"Izzy?"

Izzy blinked and realized she'd been totally ignoring him and whatever he was saying.

"Yeah, sorry," Izzy replied and shook her head. "I think I zoned out. I promise it wasn't anything you were saying."

"Nah, it's alright," Ben assured her and sighed when he saw Emma getting everybody's attention. "I was more worried that you slept with your eyes open. I wasn't sure how to feel about that."

"I couldn't if I tried, so you have nothing to worry about," Izzy promised and then looked up at her best friend who had begun speaking to the group.

"Hello, everyone!" Emma greeted them excitedly. "We're about to leave, but we want to make sure you guys know the situation. We'll be stopping at around 9AM for breakfast. There's a small bathroom on the bus here which should be fine until we get to the restaurant. Then we'll have an 11AM rest stop, followed by 1PM lunch. We're due to arrive at the resort by 3PM."

"Let's get this show on the road!" Nick declared and whooped to get more responses. A few of the younger people on the bus responded to him.

"If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me or Randall, our driver," Emma instructed and turned around to face the front of the bus. "Randall, let's hit the road!"

"You got it!" Randall answered and the doors could be heard being shut as the bus was put into gear and movement could be felt under their seats.

Izzy settled into her seat and returned her attention to Ben.

"Well, let's get this first time sleeping together over with, shall we?" Ben suggested. "The first time is always the most awkward, right?"

"Ben, I think you might be my best first time," Izzy declared and laughed quietly. "Maybe we just needed an audience and a little chitchat first."

"It'll be my pleasure to find out," Ben shared and reclined his seat just enough to bring him back comfortably. He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

Izzy reclined her seat to the same angle and covered herself with the small blanket she'd brought with her for the trip. She knew the A/C would make her cold. She let out her own sigh and closed her eyes. She was asleep before they had even left town.

"Izzy? Ben?" Emma inquired quietly as she touched both of their shoulders. "Guys, wake up. We're at the restaurant for breakfast," she explained.

Izzy moaned and opened her eyes. She was so comfortable and felt frustrated that she'd been forced to wake up. What was she lying on that was so soft? Just then, Ben moaned and moved under her. Oh,

huh

. Izzy sat up from where she'd been lying on Ben so that he could get up. Ben moaned again and then set his seat to the upright position.

"I guess we needed that nap more than we realized," Ben analyzed and rubbed his eyes.

"Sorry I ended up lying on you, Ben," Izzy told him and began to blush. "I guess it's a good thing we'll have separate beds at the cabin. I hope you don't feel violated."

"Hardly," Ben answered and pointed to her shoes. "Let's get in there. Wow, I haven't slept that good in a long time. I think I should be thanking you."

"Well, alright then," Izzy answered and took his hand to help her to stand up. "Thanks for waiting for me. Hopefully they haven't forgotten about us."

"Ben! Izzy!" Lisa yelled and pointed at the chairs next to her at the table set for 17. Randall had become part of the group as easily as the rest, it seemed.

Throughout their time in the restaurant, 17 breakfasts were ordered with just as many drinks. Many discussions were ongoing. Ben and Izzy observed a lot and listened to the conversations as they ate quietly and took in all which was happening around them. Finally, Izzy'd had enough of the confusion and turned to Ben.

"So, tell me about yourself," Izzy requested and laughed when Ben coughed on his orange juice. He was not expecting the question at that particular moment.

"What?"

"Well, we're going to be spending ten days together and have already had the pleasure of sleeping together," Izzy justified. "Tell me a little about you. I'll share a few things to get the ball rolling. My name is Izabella Flowers, and I'm 25." The fact that she would be turning 25 on the following Sunday, which was her

actual

birthday, didn't seem like a necessary bit of information, right? She hated that the idea of sharing and then having a big deal made of it. "I'm a dental hygienist, and I work full time. I worked overtime this past week because I was going to be gone for the next ten days, so this trip is much appreciated and will be a Godsend, I think."

"Well, nice to meet you Izzy," Ben greeted her and held out his hand to shake hers once he'd wiped his hands and mouth after finishing a bite of food. "I'm Ben Graham, and I'm also 25. I'm the CFO for Graham Industries. I'm probably always working, so this trip was a welcome interruption. In fact," he added as he reached to take Izzy's hand under the table, "let's make a deal. I have a feeling we'll be spending plenty of time together, so I'm leaving it to you. If I begin to check my phone or talk work, please remind me that I asked you today to put it away or let it go."

"You got it, boss," Izzy teased and squeezed his hand before letting it go so she could finish her meal. "OK, let's see. I went to the local public schools and then to college with Emma. I'm Catholic and attend weekly, though I guess not

this

weekend as we won't have a vehicle. Um, I have two brothers who are off doing their own thing and no sisters, though Emma is as much my sister as anyone will ever be. I was a cheerleader in high school. I love football, to watch, of course, but would love to play sometime. And I guess I play a good game of tennis. I don't like golf. I'm open to going to any professional game if asked, but rarely get those opportunities. And I'm a Star Wars girl. No Star Trek for me."

"I don't know what to say to that," Ben replied and shook his head as he pushed his plate toward Lisa who was happily piling up the finished ones.

"

Oh!

Hold that thought, or actually, think on it more. I want to give Lisa that ibuprofen." Izzy turned to Lisa and motioned for her to come closer. She took out the little pill bottle and poured out three 200mg pills and handed them to her. "You're going to want to have these in your system. Call it intuition."

"I don't have a headache," Lisa tried to argue. Izzy leaned in closer and whispered in her ear.

"You're going to come down hard from that high of excitement with your now full belly and a longer drive ahead of us," Izzy explained. "Take it from me, honey. You're going to need this in your system for when you wake up."

"Well, if you say so," Lisa responded and took them without further argument. "Thanks, I guess."

Izzy looked back at Ben who was writing something on a clean napkin. "Whatcha doing? Not work I hope."

"No, trying to make sure I got all your info correct so I can match it to mine," Ben countered. "Let's see. Private, Catholic schools for me and business school with Brad. I don't attend every week, but more often than not, I guess. Sometimes it's where I find peace, even for that hour. I'm not sure that's the best reason to attend, but I think it's better than not going." Izzy nodded. "I have an older sister who is really protective of me which is rather annoying, but she means well. I have a younger sister of whom I'm super protective which would probably really annoy

her

if it were an issue which, so far it has not been, so that's how that works, I guess."

"Who is super protective of your older sister then?" Izzy asked and tilted her head.

"Dad," Ben answered plainly. "She doesn't need protection, but he'd take on anyone in her defense before anyone else could even stand up. First child. First daughter." Ben shrugged. "What are you going to do, right?" Izzy nodded and watched him as he continued to speak.

"No sports played, but I often went to football games," Ben continued. "I liked that I could just sit in the stands alone or with a group in the cold and watch how the teams decided on plays and calls. It's probably not a surprise that I have access to passes to most games at all the arenas and stadiums in the city, so sometime, maybe I'll have you join me. I use it more as a business venture, but it'd be nice to enjoy a game or two. And

duh

, most importantly. Star Wars all the way, Ms. Flowers."

"Alright, ladies and gents!" Emma announced when Brad whistled loudly to get their attention. "Let's get those last-minute bathroom visits done and make our way out to the bus. Next stop is in an hour if needed."

"I'm good," Izzy told Ben and waited to see if he was going to walk out with her or stay to use the facilities.

"Me too," he agreed and nodded. "Let's go see if we can keep our bed, I mean,

seats

, or if other people will want to use them." Izzy let out a laugh and stepped up into the bus when he motioned for her to go on ahead of him. They sat and watched the others getting onto the bus and found that they could keep their seats as most liked where they had been sitting before. Once they were back on the road, Ben and Izzy spoke about everything and nothing until they got to the rest area. Both were welcoming to the idea of using the facilities at that time.

"I don't believe you call yourself a Chicagoan and admit it, willingly at that!" Izzy exclaimed as she slipped her shoes on. "Who puts only ketchup on a hot dog? And you don't like even one item on a Chicago dog? Really?"

"I'm the black sheep of the town, I suppose, but no one will ever call me out on it, so I guess it doesn't matter," Ben declared. Izzy tilted her head and gave him an "

oh, really?

" look. "OK, no one but

you

, I guess. But you're seeing a totally different side of me. They don't serve hot dogs at black tie dinners. They don't serve hot dogs at games when you're in the corporate suites either. It's one of my few guilty pleasures, I suppose. Won't you let me have that?"

Izzy pointed at him and smiled. "I suppose." They went into their own restrooms, and when she came out, she found Ben waiting for her.

"Want anything from the vending machine?" he offered.

"No, but thanks," she replied and motioned for him to follow her out to the bus again. "We'll be eating lunch soon enough," she reminded him thoughtfully. "I think it's cool that we'll be stopping to get groceries since we'll be making our own food the whole time. Emma has this thing planned better than a master sergeant. Thankfully it's that way just for the food and arrangements and not for the itinerary. There will be full-on mutiny if she tries to give us a minute-by-minute plan for the whole time. It sounds like we have lots of options to relax or swim or do one of the many activities throughout the whole ten days. I'm excited."

When they got to the bus, they found Brad and Emma waiting for them.

"How's it going, you guys?" Emma asked and put her arm behind Izzy.

"Good, I think," Ben answered which surprised the girls. They were sure the guys would have stayed quiet. It was nice to hear Ben answer that way. Izzy was enjoying her new friend very much, but she was worried he might grow tired of her. "The sleep we got for the first leg of the trip helped a lot. Breakfast was good, and the conversation has been interesting. She's a Star Wars girl," Ben informed Brad. "Can't find a whole lot wrong with someone who tells you that in the same paragraph that began with her name."

"You told him that after you told him your name?" Emma asked incredulously. "Did you at least tell him that you have two brothers and where you went to school and that you're Catholic and what you do for a living?"

"Yes, to all that," Ben confirmed defensively in Izzy's place. "She told me all the important stuff. That's how new friendships work. You know, Emma. The ones that start out with a three-hour nap beginning the 10-day trip where the two people have to do all the couple things together even though they hadn't met before that morning." Ben rolled his eyes at Brad.

"You're a trooper," Brad assured his best friend. "And a lifesaver. I can't even begin to describe how detrimental it would have been if the numbers hadn't worked out, or if someone had cancelled, or if one of the couples decided to not make dinner one of the nights. And God forbid the resort place decides to spring a surprise on us with any of the details. I will jump in the lake if that happens."

"Very funny, Bradley," Emma admonished her fiancé with a look of contempt. "But thank you for reminding me. I have lists for everyone to pick up stuff for the shopping spree. If all eight

couples

," she said with a small smile before continuing, "will get the things on these lists, I'll pay with the card. At the end of the trip, if there is any money leftover in the account, we can refund it or keep it as a down payment for next year's trip."

"Wow, you really have thought of everything," Izzy acknowledged and motioned for them to get in the bus so they could get back on the road.