Even Sisyphus didn't reach the hilltop

[Benjamin Banks]

Ben wasn't sure what possessed him to do it. Maybe it was because they had talked in awhile and he missed her. Not that he would ever actually admit that out loud. It was pretty much unspoken that Ellen was his favorite. Even if she always seemed to disapprove of whatever he was doing. What was it that he was doing now? He couldn't even remember if he was doing anything she would deem bad. Gambling? Not recently. Sleep? Pfft was sleep even real? He was totally ignoring his dad, and Ellen and everybody. He needed to vent to someone, though he didn't actually know how to do that.


It wasn't anything big right? Lister Reynolds was pretty much the only thing on his mind and he had, had way better looking people I'm his vicinity. He was supposed to shallow, self-centered and ruthlessly efficient and yet he could not find a way to efficiently to snuff whatever small insignificant flame he was holding for the shorter boy. Was it just the thought that he couldn't have the other boy that made him so obsessed with him. Was that what this was, an obsession? What happened when it was over, when The other boy gave in? Was he completely done with this whole thing? Or was he actually feeling actually emotions for this boy. Emotions he didn't understand anymore than he did when he was fifteen. Which was why he was seeking out his sister, his sister was smart maybe she could tell him what was wrong with him.


She was the only person he trusted with any and every little secret he had. Like his gambling problem, his insomnia, is eating problems, all his problems. He wasn't even sure he was perfect anymore.


He reluctantly sat down at the table to the corner as he waited for Ellen. He was buying her lunch, and unfortunately for himself eating as well. There was no way he was going to be able to pull off not eating. Besides, he didn't want to start the beginning of the conversation with a lecture.

Ellen Banks

[Ellen Banks]

Oh, Ben. What was Ellen ever going to do with you? Ellen was somewhat amused by the fact that Ben felt the need to ask Ellen for her advice, especially considering that Ben never EVER listened to her. And did the exact opposite of whatever she told him to do, it seemed to be a hereditary thing, Pan never seemed to ever follow her advice either, In a way…..Ellen was envious, how was it that THEY were so self-assured and not in their own head, that Ellen wondered how the hell did they escape their father's scorn and Ellen was right in the heart of the storm.


Middle child syndrome at it’s finest


...and yet, so they continued to be there for Ben despite all of this, god knows why. Maybe it was because Victoria was never there for her. She knew what it was like when an older sibling wasn’t there for you....It wasn’t exactly a pleasant feeling and Ellen took comfort in the fact that she was a far better sister than she ever was….


When Ellen saw Ben for the first time she leaned forward in her chair and looked him up and down with disapproval “You haven’t been sleeping have you?”


He was very thin too

[Benjamin Banks]

Ben inwardly sighed, how could she tell by just looking at him? He was pretty sure that he wasn't giving any outward signs of tiredness, in fact he was positive he had drank enough caffeine to keep awake a whole city. Probably not a good idea but he had done it anyways. "Hello Ben, I missed you, why thank you Ellen...I missed you too" He said sarcastically but not not in a mean way. He was just hoping she wouldn't have noticed so much. How was it that she could read him so easily?

"Well...no I haven't been sleeping much but I have been sleeping" Okay it was lie but a half lie. Those didn't count as actually lies right? Or where those twice as bad as normal lie. He had no clue, he had ordered tried to order something light. He had no idea what that entitled, so just got a sand which and some soup.

"How have you been?" Yes he wanted Ellen's help but he didn't want her to know how much he was suffering. He wasn't sure how much of it was his power and how much of it was himself anymore. It didn't bother him as much as it should.