Brewed to Perfection

"Do you have any bug spray on now?" Benjamin asked, looking down at my bare legs.

I wanted to grab a blanket and wrap it around my body. "Nope. but I did actually bring some bug spray. It's just probably the same age as us." I joked.

"Just make sure to reapply often and don't wear any of the nice perfumes you normally do." He warned, whilst opening the boot of the van and grabbing his bag.

"I don't wear perfume anyways" I admitted.

Benjamin grunted as he pulled his bag out from underneath everyone else's.

"Huh?" his head tilted slightly whilst unzipping the front of his backpack.

I spoke louder in case he didn't hear me. "I don't wear perfume."

Benjamin pulled out a large bottle of bug spray and tossed it over to me. "Yeah you do."

Trying not to look like an idiot I tried extra hard to catch the spray. My catching skills were on par with my level of athleticism- near non-existent.

God was on my side as I caught the spray without my usual juggling.

"And I definitely don't wear perfume. Gives me a headache wearing something pungent for any amount of time."

I shaked the bottle lightly. "You're probably confusing me with Twyla or Bev."

Benjamin pursed his lips. "But you always smell like vanilla and cherries." Benjamin stated factually.

I felt heat rush to my face. Was that a sort of compliment? I was taking it as one either way.

I just laughed awkwardly as a reply hoping Benjamin didn't notice me blushing.

"Either way, you're going to smell like Citronella now." Benjamin pointed to the spray in my hands.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Could be worse."

Benjamin tossed his bag back in the van as I sprayed directly on my arms and rubbed it in slightly to make it dry faster.

I was aiming the spray on my legs when Benjamin grabbed it from my hands.

"Stand still. I'll make sure you're covered." he ordered and for some odd reason I did what he said.

It felt like the cliche moment where some girl on spring break asks a dude to rub lotion on her back. However this version was less romantic and much more down to earth.

Despite all that, it still felt intimate. After spraying the front, Benjamin walked behind me and sprayed the backs of my legs. "There you are. Sorted."

"Uh- thanks."

"Could you spray the back of my neck? Bev tried earlier but couldn't reach and ended up spraying the middle of my back." Benjamin laughed, before extending the bottle back to me.

"Er sure. Yeah no problem." I agreed, taking the spray. Benjamin moved and bent his knees slightly.

I heard giggling from behind me and Benjamin.

"Told you" Mandy whispered to Jerry, who was holding what looked like hundreds of poles and balls of string.

Jerry sighed before raising his chin to the sky. "I thought I told everyone to head to the campsite?"

Mandy giggled "I told Jerry that you two would hover back here together. Didn't I Babe?" she asked Jerry, nudging the side of his hip.

Benjamin screwed his face up. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Yeah-?" i asked in agreement with Benjamin. I didn't understand her implication.

Jerry scoffed. "Right stop it both of you. Mandy didn't mean anything from her comment, right?" He looked over quickly to Mandy.

She smiled sweetly with her eyes narrowed slightly. "Of course not."

I tried not to grunt in reply to her obviously fake response.

Benjamin scowled. "Keep your thoughts to yourself Mandy." He warned and I nearly choked on my saliva.

Nobody could talk to Mandy like that, Jerry would kill anyone who even gave her an ambiguous glance. But the longer I stood there, the more I realised Jerry wasn't going to do anything.

Mandy grabbed the van keys and walked towards it. "Come on Benny. Place nice. We're family after all." She winked, opening the van doors.

I stood confused. What the f-

"Family?" I asked out loud, not sure who I wanted to explain further.

I turned to Benjamin. "You're related to Mandy?" I asked.

Benjamin looked angry, still facing Mandy's direction with anger in his stare.

Mandy turned to face me. "Blood related. No. But being that Jerry is his Uncle it makes me his Auntie. I used to change his nappies, I'll have you know." Mandy hummed, oblivious to the bomb she just dropped.

I faced jerry. His fingers were pinching the bridge of his nose. "Benjamin is your nephew?" The words came out pitchy.

How did I not know this? Jerry just stared back with a blank expression.

"Jerry is your uncle?" I asked Benjamin, my voice louder than previously.

Benjamin gave a soft sigh. "Yeah. He is."