Post by Bennett Durnham on Oct 18, 2010 17:56:56 GMT -5
Bennett so far had been doing fine blending in the background. Things at home weren't too good but at least he was still alive. And in school, he was okay with being left alone. It helped that no one really knew his background. They just knew that he was that geek who kept winning Math Decathlons and writing competitions. He did envy the subtle way his cousin worked the female population.
He was direct most of the time but he had these moments he didn't even seem to put any effort and the girl seemed to just fall at his feet. Bennett also envied his friendship with Bree Marcus and Sloane Taylor. Not only were both of them unearthly beautiful but they were smart without even trying. He found that most intriguing.
So as he sat at the bench outside of school just observing the trio, he found himself imagining he was in Tyler's position, having the ease to be near girls without even flinching. He sighed when the dream popped and he was back to being the bespectacled nerd in his hoodie and tattered jeans.
Pressing a soft kiss to the cheeks of both his companions, Tyler took his leave from Sloane and Bree, walking over to the cousin he spotted watching them more than five minutes ago. And he wasn’t surprised to see the younger guy still watching.
The family resemblance, in the looks department, was so faint it was barely noticeable, and if you looked at manner, personality, no one would think for a moment that he and Bennett were related. He couldn’t blame them, they were just about exact opposites.
Like the other male members of his family, he once took pleasure in ribbing BJ, but when he realised it was more than just harmless fun, that perhaps it could be the reason the guy was like he was, not like the other males, he put a stop to his own teasing, and did what he could to influence the others to do the same. After all, they had to do what they could to maintain the good Durnham name, and having such a black sheep would be of no help.
Moving to Bennett’s side, he took a seat, glancing around easily for a few moments. “What’s on your mind?”
Blinking in confusion at the sudden arrival of his cousin after what he thought was a subtle lookover where the girls were still standing, Bennett looked away from the smile Sloane had given him with a blush. Turning to look at his cousin, Bennett shrugged before pushing his glasses up his nose and biting into his sandwich. "Nothing important." He muttered almost inaudibly.
They had never been too close and even though Uncle Marcus had probably told him about Bennett's transfer, this was probably the first time they actually spoke. "You...don't mind sullying your reputation by talking to me?"
Laughing, Tyler playfully bumped his shoulder, amused. He was in a very good mood, and it showed. “I don’t think talking to you will do that.” Maybe for some people, but he was Tyler Durnham after all, nothing he could do would sully his rep, and the views of the girls who were devoted to him. If anything, it would help Bennett, to be seen with his cousin.
“So, Sloane or Bree? That’s why you were looking, wasn’t it, you’re keen on one of them?” He couldn’t think of why else he would have been staring otherwise. “Let me give you some advice. Bree’s very special to me, if you’re interested, tread carefully, she’s been through a lot. And if you want anything more than a one time thing with Sloane, you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
The blunt way Tyler responded made Bennett feel even worse than he started out with but he didn't show. The perks of being a Durnham. You can feel as down in the dumps as you possibly could but you would never let other people know it. The shoulder bump however had Bennett staring at his cousin. After years of torment the guy was suddenly all bumpy? It couldn't be that easy...could it?
"I'm...I'm not keen on them," Bennett stammered. But who was he kidding? He wanted both of them to look at him the way they looked at Tyler. With slight reverance and deep seated admiration. Bree more than Sloane but Bennett could sense the want in Sloane's eyes when she looked at Tyler. He was the better Durnham after all. "I can appreciate beauty..." he said in what he thought was a smooth voice but it didn't work that way. Not for him. He wasn't a proper Durnham male. Well...not yet anyway.
“No?” Tyler queried with an eyebrow raised, curious as to why Bennett was watching then. He could always have been lying, his cousin was the shy type, perhaps he didn’t want to risk Tyler letting onto his friends about the crush. “Well, they are beautiful, that’s for sure. I’ve been very blessed with the women in my life.” The whole group of them, who happily entertained him. He was a lucky man. Though, of course he knew he deserved such attention, he worked hard for it.
“So, who has caught your interest? There must be at least one, the whole school is filled with beautiful women. Or is it not the beauty of women you appreciate? It’s okay if it’s not, I’m not one to judge, I assure you. Us Durnhams have always been players after all, there must be someone you’re occupying yourself with.” he laughed.
Bennett respected women too much to let that comment slide so with all his characteristic strength, he shoved Tyler and told him to shut it. "You have no idea what the hell you're talking about come on...girls aren't objects. Jeez..." Bennett breathed uneasily after. He was just so used to being so passive that his action kind of surprised him.
Running a hand through his hair unsteadily, he turned to look at Tyler. "I'm kind of too busy handling my brothers to have someone else in my life. Even if I didn't, I wouldn't be occupying myself with anyone like you and the others seem to have the...ease of doing. I got too much on my plate. Thanks for leaving me hanging with the boys. I appreciate it a lot." Sarcasm dripped from every letter of his last sentences.
Bennett wasn’t the only one surprised at his reaction, and Tyler stared for just a moment, before grinning. “So, you’re developing a backbone, good. I always thought there was more to you than meets the eye. Perhaps you’ll finally stand up to your brothers now, so you will free up your time from having to handle them.” he smirked.
He then draped his arm around his cousin’s shoulder, as if it was an affectionate gesture, but the strength of the grip made it otherwise. “But, really, you should know something about me, besides the fact that I prefer to be treated with respect. I show that same respect to every woman in my life. I try not to mislead them, break their hearts or whatnot, and I try to treat every woman who grants me the pleasure of her company better than any guy has ever treated her. Besides, out of the two of us, when it comes to women, who is the most likely to know what he’s talking about?”
His blatant comment infuriated Bennett but he couldn't help but agree on some level. Of course, this elusive backbone could never make an appearance when it involved his brothers and other cousins. He still didn't have enough guts for that yet so he kept quiet.
When Tyler's arms came across Bennett's shoulder, the latter physically cringed. After so many years of enduring wet swirls and hard noogies, Bennett's paranoia of guys touching him in any way at all disturbed and angered him to no end. However, the chilling calmness of Tyler's words kind of made Bennett cower a little.
He did, however, grow a semblance of a backbone for just two seconds when he shrugged the arm off his shoulder to turn again to face Tyler. "There's also something you should know about me. As much as I had envied you just seconds ago, my philosophy on respect is that you need to give some to be treated with the same thing. Respect isn't a one way street. And just because you have all the power to socially annihilate me right now, doesn't mean I'm going to just bow down and take it." His voice shook with the control he had to work up to finish that sentence without flying into a rage.
Bennett didn't like feeling so angry but after so long of making himself out to be a victim, it was just so tiring to have to hold back on his anger. "I'm sorry...I...you're kind of an ass aren't you?" He chuckled a little despite the tension he had created, letting Tyler's last comment slide.
Tyler was starting to get annoyed with his cousin, so it was a very good thing that Bennett finished on the last line, defusing the situation a little. “Well, maybe, just a little. But, better to be an ass than to be walked over. I’m sure you would agree.” he smirked slightly.
“Well, I suppose, you are right, in some way. But I also feel that it is more than just giving respect to get it back in return, you have to earn it. And I feel I’ve earned the way I’m treated here. But Bennett, come on, do you think family thinks nothing of me? I would not...what was it, socially annihilate you. If anything, I would want to help you.” He had to keep the family name worth something after all, and the boy was doing a bit of damage to it.
“Those women you saw me talking to, Sloane and Bree, do you think they talk to me, that they count me as a close friend, because I’m good looking and am rich? Hell, they could have any they want, and Bree is far more wealthy than me. Sure, that helps attract the attention of some women, but it’s about how you act, how you treat them, that counts. And I’ve mastered that. So, I can’t be too much of an ass now.”
The revelation that Tyler wanted to help him startled Bennett. And for once, it actually showed on Bennett's face. He was about to retort but Tyler continued to talk. Boy the guy could talk. He closed his mouth and listened to what the older boy had to say. He knew Tyler was one of the more influential Durnhams among his generation, as was his own father, Uncle Marcus was in his generation, but as Tyler continued, Bennett started to understand why. He may be talking bullshit but the way he delivered his words were almost prophetic. Like you couldn't do anything but hang on to every word he uttered.
This boy had Durnham blood running deep in him that's for sure.
Bennett had a feeling niggling in the back of his head that getting Tyler Durnham's help came with a price. And of course, he wasn't doing this just because he felt a bit benevolent. He had an agenda, Bennett didn't know what exactly but he would find out soon enough. It surprised him that after so long being related to each other by blood, Bennett still didn't trust the guy. Of course, he had good reason since Tyler did participate in the many wedgie hunts and swirlies back when they were younger.
After some thought, Bennett sighed inaudibly. "What's the catch?" he asked. He did a completely uncharacteristic move on his part when he looked up and kept his gaze on his cousin, not breaking eye contact.
He couldn’t blame Bennett for being suspicious, Tyler wasn’t exactly known for acts of charity in his family. That was part of the reason he was so well thought of and respected in his family, he was one of the strong ones, he didn’t let anyone push him around. Unlike his younger cousin.
“There has to be a catch?” he asked, before grinning widely, nodding. “Well, I wouldn’t say it’s so much of a catch, but, people think a certain way about us Durnhams, place expectations on us because of our name. And so, we have to live up to that reputation, maintain it. Which involves effort.” He gave a once over of Bennett, no, the guy just wasn’t up to standards.
“I’m just offering you some help to live up to what’s expected of you. To stop letting people walk over you, and for once be the one in control. But if you don’t need my help, you like how things are, that’s fine by me.” He smiled at this, seeming kind, and stood up. “Give my regards to your parents, and your brothers.”
It wasn't a catch as far as Bennett was concerned but it certainly was something. He knew he was a major disappointment as far as Durnhams go. Completely true that Durnhams had a certain repertoire and Bennett just wasn't up to par and he knew it. He even liked the fact that he was so different but that also meant he was the easiest target for his cousins and brothers.
God, even his younger brother was a better Durnham than he could ever hope to be. And that was a sad fact he just couldn't live with. Not because he was jealous of his younger brother for being accepted by the others but more along the lines of Bennett never being good enough in the eyes of his family. Sometimes he even wondered if his father thought he should be more like his twin brothers.
Bennett grabbed his cousin's forearm before he could go any further and sighed, knowing he was going to regret his decision at some point in this little transaction. He wished he didn't need help so bad. He wished he hadn't let his brothers and cousins get the best of him. Mostly, he just wished his mother wasn't dead. At least then he wouldn't feel like a complete and utter failure in her eyes.
"You can give them that yourself this weekend." He dropped his hand to his side and pushed his glasses up his nose before looking up. "Durnhams don't need help. They expect it of people...don't they?" The words seemed so foreign on Bennett's tongue and a part of him urged him to take it back but he just bit back that part of his thought and gave a little sideway smile to his cousin, a little preview of what was to come from him.
“Now you’re getting it.” he smiled encouragingly, squeezing the guy’s shoulder. “That’s the way you should be thinking. Though, to be honest, you do need some help.” he smirked. “Let’s see, well, to start with, I’ll have to take you out shopping. You seriously need some better clothes. Dressing well is the first part of changing how people think of you. If you don’t even respect your own appearance, how can you expect people to respect you?”
“Also, you need to start working out, daily. There’s a gym I go to from time to time, when I don’t use the school’s one during training. I’ll take you there sometime, get you fixed up with a trainer.” His family should really thank him for this, helping the black sheep. By the time he was done, Bennett would truly make the family proud. There was a lot of work to be done though, but, he always enjoyed a challenge. “And do you have anything against contacts?”
Appearance was one thing, changing the apparently weak willed pushover into something more than that wouldn’t be easy. “Once that’s all done, we can start getting you onto girls.” he grinned.
He still couldn't help but cringe when Tyler moved to touch his shoulder. He really should try and get over it. What was he supposed to do? Wear a sign that says "Durnhams Not Allowed to Touch"? Giving Tyler an almost reassuring smile, the smirk Tyler wore gave Bennett a weird vibe. This guy seriously was scary. No man had ever said those words without flinching. Shopping? Really?
"What is wrong with what I'm wearing?" He immediately regretted his words because he gave Tyler an opportunity to mock him openly. Stupid Bennett. Who does that? And working out? Bennett suddenly felt really self-conscious of his body. He didn't look half bad without his clothes on. Not that he checks himself out.
Though now being forced to look at himself, Bennett turned his attention to his covered upper body before lifting his shirt up to reveal the beginning of a somewhat polished six pack. He immediately dropped his hoodie and shirt to look back up at Tyler. "I don't look half...bad..." he muttered more to himself as Tyler continued his monologue.
The question about contacts threw him off. He had always thought his glasses kind of made him look like Christopher Reeves as Superman's mild-mannered alter ego but obviously it didn't in Tyler's opinion. He took them off and blinked the blurriness away. "I'm...not averse to it?" he didn't even feel self-assured saying it. Oh he definitely needed work.
"Girls? I need to get on to girls? Why can't I just prove myself to the boys and that's it?" He was now getting a bit more scared. His history with girls were only with his cousins but technically they were biologically programmed to be non-seducable in his opinion and that just meant no awkwardness to Bennett. Now Tyler was talking about girls who were not related by blood? Can't be done. Just impossible.
Tyler gave a grin, nodding approvingly. “Yes, not bad. So why do you have to wear all that...” he gestured at Bennett’s outfit with one hand. “We have to get you better dressed. Throw that hoodie out when you get home. And the same with those jeans. You have to market yourself as respectable, someone worth knowing and admiring. Torn jeans don’t present that kind of image. Trust me.” He motioned towards his own clothes as an example, his neatly pressed shirt, flawless jeans.
“Good, we’ll take you to an optometrist as soon as possible, get you fitted out with some proper contact lenses. You’ll look much better wearing them. Besides, I always figured glasses to be more trouble than they were worth,” he admitted. After all, if you were about to get intimate with a woman, you couldn’t very well do it with glasses on, and why would you want to have blurry vision for that?
“Bennett, you have a lot to learn.” Tyler thoughtfully reminded his cousin. “If you are confident and successful with women, guys will look up to you for that. Besides, why wouldn’t you want to get onto our fairer sex? Trust me, it’s not that hard to be charming, they’ll eat it up.”
"Because I have no reason to show them off." He simply reasoned with his sort of unreasonable cousin. He was a writer. And a Mathlete. Who cares about a six pack on an academically inclined guy? He wasn't going to be a hot librarian who has historic adventures all around the world.
"Throw away my hoodie?" He asked incredulously, his fingers grazing the black leather band around his wrist. "Come on, don't you think that's a little bit extreme? What if I got caught in the rain?" This was getting a bit ridiculous. And what was wrong with his jeans? He's had them for more than two years, they're bound to be tattered anyhow. And who goes to school looking like they stepped out of Abercrombie and Fitch ads anyway?
The whole business with glasses made Bennett shrug. "I guess. But I kinda like my glasses." Bennett put them on again and the world became clear again. A little smile lit up his face, reminding people around him just how young Bennett really was despite his serious persona.
"It's easy when you have the natural Durnham look, Tyler. In case you haven't noticed, it skipped me and went straight on to my little brother and baby sister." Bennett chuckled easily. "Are you really sure this is going to work? I mean...I just want those jerks to get off my back, not become Michael Jackson with his nose job and facial reconstruction whatever." His hands moved about in a frantic gesture in front of his face.
He couldn't imagine looking like somebody else and knowing Tyler and what he had already proposed, Bennett was kind of worried about what he was going to have to do just to get back at his brothers and cousins. Was it all really worth it?
“If it rains, we’ll just get you an umbrella.” Tyler sighed, thinking this was going to be even more trouble than he realised, and he already assumed that Bennett’s ‘makeover’ wasn’t going to be easy. But, he didn’t have an investment in seeing his cousin’s image improve, so he wasn’t going to give up easily. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you something more suitable.”
He didn’t understand why anyone would be so attached to glasses, the way Bennett seemed to be to his pair. He looked much better without them on. “Trust me, I’m not about to turn you into Michael Jackson.” he grinned. “Nothing that extreme. I’m just talking about little things, getting some new clothes to change people’s impression of you, presenting yourself more confidently.”
“If you tell anyone I said this I will deny it,” he smirked, “But you’re not bad looking. And it’s not so much about looks after all, as long as you can charm a woman, you will colour her view of you. It’s all about how you act.”
He wasn’t going to do this, even keeping in mind the family’s reputation, if the beneficiary wasn’t going to be grateful for all his hard work. “But, if you’ve changed your mind, no harm, no foul.”
Bennett was sold. There was nothing flawed about the plan and he knew if he hesitated any longer, Tyler was going to give up on him. Bennett didn't want that. He had basically threatened to leave once already. This counts as twice. "Okay, okay I'm not backing down. Just checking...I don't wanna start acting like all those self-centered bastards who think they're all that." Bennett shrugged without realising he might have implied that Tyler was one of those self-centered bastards.
"But...really shopping?"
“Yes, shopping.” Tyler laughed, thoroughly amused at his cousin’s hesitation about it. He supposed he could understand, but Bennett had yet to have the pleasure of buying good clothes, as his outfit made apparent. It could be actually quite fun, if you knew what you were doing.
The self-centred bastards comment didn’t escape his notice, but far from minding, he took it as a compliment. Better that then to be a pushover, like his cousin. “For starters. Don’t worry Bennett, you won’t be a different person when I’m done with you. Just a...more improved version.” he smirked.
Throwing a shrug at his cousin, Bennett gave up trying to reason with his very unreasonable cousin. "If you say so man." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Just...don't make me wear tucked in polo shirts or cardigans alright?"
Bennett tucked his books back into his bag and slung it over his shoulder before getting off the bench he had been sitting on. "I know you're doing this to uphold the Durnham name and all and you don't really much care for me in this circumstance but thanks." The younger Durnham gave his cousin a genuine smile.
"This doesn't mean we're...friends right?" Bennett looked at Tyler with a light smirk.
He was direct most of the time but he had these moments he didn't even seem to put any effort and the girl seemed to just fall at his feet. Bennett also envied his friendship with Bree Marcus and Sloane Taylor. Not only were both of them unearthly beautiful but they were smart without even trying. He found that most intriguing.
So as he sat at the bench outside of school just observing the trio, he found himself imagining he was in Tyler's position, having the ease to be near girls without even flinching. He sighed when the dream popped and he was back to being the bespectacled nerd in his hoodie and tattered jeans.
Pressing a soft kiss to the cheeks of both his companions, Tyler took his leave from Sloane and Bree, walking over to the cousin he spotted watching them more than five minutes ago. And he wasn’t surprised to see the younger guy still watching.
The family resemblance, in the looks department, was so faint it was barely noticeable, and if you looked at manner, personality, no one would think for a moment that he and Bennett were related. He couldn’t blame them, they were just about exact opposites.
Like the other male members of his family, he once took pleasure in ribbing BJ, but when he realised it was more than just harmless fun, that perhaps it could be the reason the guy was like he was, not like the other males, he put a stop to his own teasing, and did what he could to influence the others to do the same. After all, they had to do what they could to maintain the good Durnham name, and having such a black sheep would be of no help.
Moving to Bennett’s side, he took a seat, glancing around easily for a few moments. “What’s on your mind?”
Blinking in confusion at the sudden arrival of his cousin after what he thought was a subtle lookover where the girls were still standing, Bennett looked away from the smile Sloane had given him with a blush. Turning to look at his cousin, Bennett shrugged before pushing his glasses up his nose and biting into his sandwich. "Nothing important." He muttered almost inaudibly.
They had never been too close and even though Uncle Marcus had probably told him about Bennett's transfer, this was probably the first time they actually spoke. "You...don't mind sullying your reputation by talking to me?"
Laughing, Tyler playfully bumped his shoulder, amused. He was in a very good mood, and it showed. “I don’t think talking to you will do that.” Maybe for some people, but he was Tyler Durnham after all, nothing he could do would sully his rep, and the views of the girls who were devoted to him. If anything, it would help Bennett, to be seen with his cousin.
“So, Sloane or Bree? That’s why you were looking, wasn’t it, you’re keen on one of them?” He couldn’t think of why else he would have been staring otherwise. “Let me give you some advice. Bree’s very special to me, if you’re interested, tread carefully, she’s been through a lot. And if you want anything more than a one time thing with Sloane, you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
The blunt way Tyler responded made Bennett feel even worse than he started out with but he didn't show. The perks of being a Durnham. You can feel as down in the dumps as you possibly could but you would never let other people know it. The shoulder bump however had Bennett staring at his cousin. After years of torment the guy was suddenly all bumpy? It couldn't be that easy...could it?
"I'm...I'm not keen on them," Bennett stammered. But who was he kidding? He wanted both of them to look at him the way they looked at Tyler. With slight reverance and deep seated admiration. Bree more than Sloane but Bennett could sense the want in Sloane's eyes when she looked at Tyler. He was the better Durnham after all. "I can appreciate beauty..." he said in what he thought was a smooth voice but it didn't work that way. Not for him. He wasn't a proper Durnham male. Well...not yet anyway.
“No?” Tyler queried with an eyebrow raised, curious as to why Bennett was watching then. He could always have been lying, his cousin was the shy type, perhaps he didn’t want to risk Tyler letting onto his friends about the crush. “Well, they are beautiful, that’s for sure. I’ve been very blessed with the women in my life.” The whole group of them, who happily entertained him. He was a lucky man. Though, of course he knew he deserved such attention, he worked hard for it.
“So, who has caught your interest? There must be at least one, the whole school is filled with beautiful women. Or is it not the beauty of women you appreciate? It’s okay if it’s not, I’m not one to judge, I assure you. Us Durnhams have always been players after all, there must be someone you’re occupying yourself with.” he laughed.
Bennett respected women too much to let that comment slide so with all his characteristic strength, he shoved Tyler and told him to shut it. "You have no idea what the hell you're talking about come on...girls aren't objects. Jeez..." Bennett breathed uneasily after. He was just so used to being so passive that his action kind of surprised him.
Running a hand through his hair unsteadily, he turned to look at Tyler. "I'm kind of too busy handling my brothers to have someone else in my life. Even if I didn't, I wouldn't be occupying myself with anyone like you and the others seem to have the...ease of doing. I got too much on my plate. Thanks for leaving me hanging with the boys. I appreciate it a lot." Sarcasm dripped from every letter of his last sentences.
Bennett wasn’t the only one surprised at his reaction, and Tyler stared for just a moment, before grinning. “So, you’re developing a backbone, good. I always thought there was more to you than meets the eye. Perhaps you’ll finally stand up to your brothers now, so you will free up your time from having to handle them.” he smirked.
He then draped his arm around his cousin’s shoulder, as if it was an affectionate gesture, but the strength of the grip made it otherwise. “But, really, you should know something about me, besides the fact that I prefer to be treated with respect. I show that same respect to every woman in my life. I try not to mislead them, break their hearts or whatnot, and I try to treat every woman who grants me the pleasure of her company better than any guy has ever treated her. Besides, out of the two of us, when it comes to women, who is the most likely to know what he’s talking about?”
His blatant comment infuriated Bennett but he couldn't help but agree on some level. Of course, this elusive backbone could never make an appearance when it involved his brothers and other cousins. He still didn't have enough guts for that yet so he kept quiet.
When Tyler's arms came across Bennett's shoulder, the latter physically cringed. After so many years of enduring wet swirls and hard noogies, Bennett's paranoia of guys touching him in any way at all disturbed and angered him to no end. However, the chilling calmness of Tyler's words kind of made Bennett cower a little.
He did, however, grow a semblance of a backbone for just two seconds when he shrugged the arm off his shoulder to turn again to face Tyler. "There's also something you should know about me. As much as I had envied you just seconds ago, my philosophy on respect is that you need to give some to be treated with the same thing. Respect isn't a one way street. And just because you have all the power to socially annihilate me right now, doesn't mean I'm going to just bow down and take it." His voice shook with the control he had to work up to finish that sentence without flying into a rage.
Bennett didn't like feeling so angry but after so long of making himself out to be a victim, it was just so tiring to have to hold back on his anger. "I'm sorry...I...you're kind of an ass aren't you?" He chuckled a little despite the tension he had created, letting Tyler's last comment slide.
Tyler was starting to get annoyed with his cousin, so it was a very good thing that Bennett finished on the last line, defusing the situation a little. “Well, maybe, just a little. But, better to be an ass than to be walked over. I’m sure you would agree.” he smirked slightly.
“Well, I suppose, you are right, in some way. But I also feel that it is more than just giving respect to get it back in return, you have to earn it. And I feel I’ve earned the way I’m treated here. But Bennett, come on, do you think family thinks nothing of me? I would not...what was it, socially annihilate you. If anything, I would want to help you.” He had to keep the family name worth something after all, and the boy was doing a bit of damage to it.
“Those women you saw me talking to, Sloane and Bree, do you think they talk to me, that they count me as a close friend, because I’m good looking and am rich? Hell, they could have any they want, and Bree is far more wealthy than me. Sure, that helps attract the attention of some women, but it’s about how you act, how you treat them, that counts. And I’ve mastered that. So, I can’t be too much of an ass now.”
The revelation that Tyler wanted to help him startled Bennett. And for once, it actually showed on Bennett's face. He was about to retort but Tyler continued to talk. Boy the guy could talk. He closed his mouth and listened to what the older boy had to say. He knew Tyler was one of the more influential Durnhams among his generation, as was his own father, Uncle Marcus was in his generation, but as Tyler continued, Bennett started to understand why. He may be talking bullshit but the way he delivered his words were almost prophetic. Like you couldn't do anything but hang on to every word he uttered.
This boy had Durnham blood running deep in him that's for sure.
Bennett had a feeling niggling in the back of his head that getting Tyler Durnham's help came with a price. And of course, he wasn't doing this just because he felt a bit benevolent. He had an agenda, Bennett didn't know what exactly but he would find out soon enough. It surprised him that after so long being related to each other by blood, Bennett still didn't trust the guy. Of course, he had good reason since Tyler did participate in the many wedgie hunts and swirlies back when they were younger.
After some thought, Bennett sighed inaudibly. "What's the catch?" he asked. He did a completely uncharacteristic move on his part when he looked up and kept his gaze on his cousin, not breaking eye contact.
He couldn’t blame Bennett for being suspicious, Tyler wasn’t exactly known for acts of charity in his family. That was part of the reason he was so well thought of and respected in his family, he was one of the strong ones, he didn’t let anyone push him around. Unlike his younger cousin.
“There has to be a catch?” he asked, before grinning widely, nodding. “Well, I wouldn’t say it’s so much of a catch, but, people think a certain way about us Durnhams, place expectations on us because of our name. And so, we have to live up to that reputation, maintain it. Which involves effort.” He gave a once over of Bennett, no, the guy just wasn’t up to standards.
“I’m just offering you some help to live up to what’s expected of you. To stop letting people walk over you, and for once be the one in control. But if you don’t need my help, you like how things are, that’s fine by me.” He smiled at this, seeming kind, and stood up. “Give my regards to your parents, and your brothers.”
It wasn't a catch as far as Bennett was concerned but it certainly was something. He knew he was a major disappointment as far as Durnhams go. Completely true that Durnhams had a certain repertoire and Bennett just wasn't up to par and he knew it. He even liked the fact that he was so different but that also meant he was the easiest target for his cousins and brothers.
God, even his younger brother was a better Durnham than he could ever hope to be. And that was a sad fact he just couldn't live with. Not because he was jealous of his younger brother for being accepted by the others but more along the lines of Bennett never being good enough in the eyes of his family. Sometimes he even wondered if his father thought he should be more like his twin brothers.
Bennett grabbed his cousin's forearm before he could go any further and sighed, knowing he was going to regret his decision at some point in this little transaction. He wished he didn't need help so bad. He wished he hadn't let his brothers and cousins get the best of him. Mostly, he just wished his mother wasn't dead. At least then he wouldn't feel like a complete and utter failure in her eyes.
"You can give them that yourself this weekend." He dropped his hand to his side and pushed his glasses up his nose before looking up. "Durnhams don't need help. They expect it of people...don't they?" The words seemed so foreign on Bennett's tongue and a part of him urged him to take it back but he just bit back that part of his thought and gave a little sideway smile to his cousin, a little preview of what was to come from him.
“Now you’re getting it.” he smiled encouragingly, squeezing the guy’s shoulder. “That’s the way you should be thinking. Though, to be honest, you do need some help.” he smirked. “Let’s see, well, to start with, I’ll have to take you out shopping. You seriously need some better clothes. Dressing well is the first part of changing how people think of you. If you don’t even respect your own appearance, how can you expect people to respect you?”
“Also, you need to start working out, daily. There’s a gym I go to from time to time, when I don’t use the school’s one during training. I’ll take you there sometime, get you fixed up with a trainer.” His family should really thank him for this, helping the black sheep. By the time he was done, Bennett would truly make the family proud. There was a lot of work to be done though, but, he always enjoyed a challenge. “And do you have anything against contacts?”
Appearance was one thing, changing the apparently weak willed pushover into something more than that wouldn’t be easy. “Once that’s all done, we can start getting you onto girls.” he grinned.
He still couldn't help but cringe when Tyler moved to touch his shoulder. He really should try and get over it. What was he supposed to do? Wear a sign that says "Durnhams Not Allowed to Touch"? Giving Tyler an almost reassuring smile, the smirk Tyler wore gave Bennett a weird vibe. This guy seriously was scary. No man had ever said those words without flinching. Shopping? Really?
"What is wrong with what I'm wearing?" He immediately regretted his words because he gave Tyler an opportunity to mock him openly. Stupid Bennett. Who does that? And working out? Bennett suddenly felt really self-conscious of his body. He didn't look half bad without his clothes on. Not that he checks himself out.
Though now being forced to look at himself, Bennett turned his attention to his covered upper body before lifting his shirt up to reveal the beginning of a somewhat polished six pack. He immediately dropped his hoodie and shirt to look back up at Tyler. "I don't look half...bad..." he muttered more to himself as Tyler continued his monologue.
The question about contacts threw him off. He had always thought his glasses kind of made him look like Christopher Reeves as Superman's mild-mannered alter ego but obviously it didn't in Tyler's opinion. He took them off and blinked the blurriness away. "I'm...not averse to it?" he didn't even feel self-assured saying it. Oh he definitely needed work.
"Girls? I need to get on to girls? Why can't I just prove myself to the boys and that's it?" He was now getting a bit more scared. His history with girls were only with his cousins but technically they were biologically programmed to be non-seducable in his opinion and that just meant no awkwardness to Bennett. Now Tyler was talking about girls who were not related by blood? Can't be done. Just impossible.
Tyler gave a grin, nodding approvingly. “Yes, not bad. So why do you have to wear all that...” he gestured at Bennett’s outfit with one hand. “We have to get you better dressed. Throw that hoodie out when you get home. And the same with those jeans. You have to market yourself as respectable, someone worth knowing and admiring. Torn jeans don’t present that kind of image. Trust me.” He motioned towards his own clothes as an example, his neatly pressed shirt, flawless jeans.
“Good, we’ll take you to an optometrist as soon as possible, get you fitted out with some proper contact lenses. You’ll look much better wearing them. Besides, I always figured glasses to be more trouble than they were worth,” he admitted. After all, if you were about to get intimate with a woman, you couldn’t very well do it with glasses on, and why would you want to have blurry vision for that?
“Bennett, you have a lot to learn.” Tyler thoughtfully reminded his cousin. “If you are confident and successful with women, guys will look up to you for that. Besides, why wouldn’t you want to get onto our fairer sex? Trust me, it’s not that hard to be charming, they’ll eat it up.”
"Because I have no reason to show them off." He simply reasoned with his sort of unreasonable cousin. He was a writer. And a Mathlete. Who cares about a six pack on an academically inclined guy? He wasn't going to be a hot librarian who has historic adventures all around the world.
"Throw away my hoodie?" He asked incredulously, his fingers grazing the black leather band around his wrist. "Come on, don't you think that's a little bit extreme? What if I got caught in the rain?" This was getting a bit ridiculous. And what was wrong with his jeans? He's had them for more than two years, they're bound to be tattered anyhow. And who goes to school looking like they stepped out of Abercrombie and Fitch ads anyway?
The whole business with glasses made Bennett shrug. "I guess. But I kinda like my glasses." Bennett put them on again and the world became clear again. A little smile lit up his face, reminding people around him just how young Bennett really was despite his serious persona.
"It's easy when you have the natural Durnham look, Tyler. In case you haven't noticed, it skipped me and went straight on to my little brother and baby sister." Bennett chuckled easily. "Are you really sure this is going to work? I mean...I just want those jerks to get off my back, not become Michael Jackson with his nose job and facial reconstruction whatever." His hands moved about in a frantic gesture in front of his face.
He couldn't imagine looking like somebody else and knowing Tyler and what he had already proposed, Bennett was kind of worried about what he was going to have to do just to get back at his brothers and cousins. Was it all really worth it?
“If it rains, we’ll just get you an umbrella.” Tyler sighed, thinking this was going to be even more trouble than he realised, and he already assumed that Bennett’s ‘makeover’ wasn’t going to be easy. But, he didn’t have an investment in seeing his cousin’s image improve, so he wasn’t going to give up easily. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you something more suitable.”
He didn’t understand why anyone would be so attached to glasses, the way Bennett seemed to be to his pair. He looked much better without them on. “Trust me, I’m not about to turn you into Michael Jackson.” he grinned. “Nothing that extreme. I’m just talking about little things, getting some new clothes to change people’s impression of you, presenting yourself more confidently.”
“If you tell anyone I said this I will deny it,” he smirked, “But you’re not bad looking. And it’s not so much about looks after all, as long as you can charm a woman, you will colour her view of you. It’s all about how you act.”
He wasn’t going to do this, even keeping in mind the family’s reputation, if the beneficiary wasn’t going to be grateful for all his hard work. “But, if you’ve changed your mind, no harm, no foul.”
Bennett was sold. There was nothing flawed about the plan and he knew if he hesitated any longer, Tyler was going to give up on him. Bennett didn't want that. He had basically threatened to leave once already. This counts as twice. "Okay, okay I'm not backing down. Just checking...I don't wanna start acting like all those self-centered bastards who think they're all that." Bennett shrugged without realising he might have implied that Tyler was one of those self-centered bastards.
"But...really shopping?"
“Yes, shopping.” Tyler laughed, thoroughly amused at his cousin’s hesitation about it. He supposed he could understand, but Bennett had yet to have the pleasure of buying good clothes, as his outfit made apparent. It could be actually quite fun, if you knew what you were doing.
The self-centred bastards comment didn’t escape his notice, but far from minding, he took it as a compliment. Better that then to be a pushover, like his cousin. “For starters. Don’t worry Bennett, you won’t be a different person when I’m done with you. Just a...more improved version.” he smirked.
Throwing a shrug at his cousin, Bennett gave up trying to reason with his very unreasonable cousin. "If you say so man." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Just...don't make me wear tucked in polo shirts or cardigans alright?"
Bennett tucked his books back into his bag and slung it over his shoulder before getting off the bench he had been sitting on. "I know you're doing this to uphold the Durnham name and all and you don't really much care for me in this circumstance but thanks." The younger Durnham gave his cousin a genuine smile.
"This doesn't mean we're...friends right?" Bennett looked at Tyler with a light smirk.
