Bennett — Age 16
“See you tomorrow,” Carson called out his car window as I tossed my football gear into the back of the truck.
I lifted my hand. “Night.”
A group of us had stayed after practice to run the new plays before the big game Friday. My whole body ached, but if we made it to State, it would all be worth it. Though, at this moment, all I wanted was to get home and sleep for the next… forever. Right after I showered and ate my weight in food.
With the thought of the dinner that awaited me, I started my truck and quickly adjusted my rearview mirror.
A movement in the reflection caught my eye, and I whipped my head around to look out the back window.
Sure enough, Maven’s petite frame was slipping through the back entrance to the auditorium.
“What are you up to?” I muttered to myself. My stomach rumbled, as if to remind me of my priorities, but curiosity was a hard thing to override. Especially when it came to Maven and her antics.
When I neared the back door to the auditorium, it was regrettably closed.
I let out an aggravated breath but took hold of the handle on the off chance the door wasn’t locked.
It didn’t turn, but when I released it, the door moved ever so slightly.
I grabbed the handle again, but instead of turning it, I pulled.
The door opened. I glanced at the ground to find a small rock settled against the inner frame of the door, and I couldn’t stop my smile.
I slid inside, then carefully closed the door until it came to rest on the rock. At impact, the rock rolled, and the door shut. I winced, waiting to see if Maven had heard the loud click before opening it again and wedging the rock back into the frame.
The door led to the backstage area. I’d only ever been back here once—when I helped carry props inside for one of the school plays—but the thick black curtains didn’t block all the light coming from the stage, and an occasional sound of Maven moving around guided me.
I glanced around a massive curtain to find Maven standing center stage, her violin positioned beneath her chin and her bow lifted. A soft vibration stilled me. Maven moved her bow along the strings, her body swaying as she played. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t look away.
I’d never liked classical music, but standing here, listening to Maven play, I was confident it was because I’d never given it a chance.
It was mesmerizing.
And beautiful.
And there was something about it that made me feel different than I’d ever felt.
Or was it Maven that made me feel that way?
Instantly, as if in rhythm to the melody, a collection of memories with Maven flowed through my mind—fishing at the river, movie nights, playful interactions, countless pranks, and summer afternoons spent swimming together at Leeland’s Pond.
My heart sped up when I remembered the last time we’d been at the pond together.
The time Maven had all but confirmed she had a crush on me.
Did she still? Did I want her to? Was that why I’d been so irritated when Levi pursued her?
Why I’d never felt so livid in my entire life as I did when I’d heard he had brought her to The Ridge? Then left her there?
At just the thought of it, my hands fisted at my side, confirming the truth.
I had a thing for Maven Price!
“Miss Price?” The unexpected voice of Principal Stevenson pulled me from my thoughts. The sound was distant and seemed to come from the auditorium. “What are you doing here?”
I stepped further behind the curtain, deciding what to do. No one knew I was here. Maybe it would be best to leave. I didn’t need Maven thinking I was some sort of stalker, watching her without her knowing.
“I was just practicing my violin.” The slight waver in her voice kept me from leaving.
“Did you get permission to be here?”
“No.”
“Miss Price, if you don’t have permission to be here, it’s trespassing.”
“I’m so sorry, I—”
“Unfortunately, I’m worried we’re past ‘sorry’ at this point. You triggered the alarm, and being that it’s after school hours, the deputies will have received the notification.”
Deputies? That wasn’t good.
“I…” Maven’s voice trailed off. “I’m sorry,” she said again, this time in a defeated whisper.
Without permission, my feet started forward. I stepped out from behind the curtain and into the light. “I was the one who let her in.”
Maven’s gaze flew toward me, her shocked eyes locking with mine.
“Bennett?” Principal Stevenson stood near the stage. “What made you think you could break into the school?”
I glanced toward Maven. “Isn’t it obvious, sir?”
Maven’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly before she started shaking her head in rapid succession. “Ben did not let—”
“I did.” The look I sent her threatened a bed full of bullfrogs on her horizon if she didn’t go along with this. I was already in too deep. In more ways than one.
A loud bang sounded behind us, and we both turned to find Deputy Roy coming onto the stage with his hand near his holster. Why couldn’t it have been Deputy Monroe that had received the alarm?
He paused when he saw us, then straightened, dropping his hands to his side. “What are you two doing?” He approached, an unsettling twinkle in his blue eyes. “Trespassing is a criminal offense. A fact I know you are both aware of.”
Maven and I shared a glance. We had evaded Deputy Roy a handful of times throughout the years, but a few months back, he had caught a group of us while we were toilet papering.
Thankfully, the owner of the house had seemed more upset that he’d knocked on the door in the middle of the night than at the fine job we’d done covering his trees.
When Maven assured the man we’d gladly return and pick it up in the morning, he was pacified. Deputy Roy was not.
“Perhaps I should bring you both to the station and—”
“Deputy Roy,” Principal Stevenson said, coming up the stairs on the side of the stage. “Thank you for coming. And so quickly. But I’m afraid this is all just a misunderstanding.”
“I’m not sure it is.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “There was a rock wedged in the doorframe to keep the door open. Clearly, it was a pre-meditated entry.”
Principal Stevenson gave a slow nod. “Yes. Well, considering that no harm was done and we are on school grounds, I think it’s best if I handle the discipline.”
Deputy Roy tucked his thumbs through his belt loops and leaned back, his analyzing gaze shifting from Maven to me. “I guess, if that’s what you’d prefer.”
“It is.”
Deputy Roy’s black mustache twitched, his gaze returning to Principal Stevenson. “Just make sure you don’t go too easy on them. These two need to learn their actions have consequences.”
“I wholeheartedly agree, Deputy Roy.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I guess I’ll be off.” He took a backward step. “I’ll remove the rock from the doorway on my way out.”
“Thank you.” When the retreating footsteps faded and we heard the door close, Principal Stevenson returned his attention to us.
“Deputy Roy is correct. If you were charged with trespassing, you’d have a misdemeanor following you around for…
the rest of your life. Not that juvenile indiscretions are given as much weight, but you’d certainly have to disclose it on college applications. ”
Maven shifted uneasily. Unlike me, that would definitely affect her.
“So, to ensure you learn from this, Maven, you’ll be spending the next three lunches in detention.”
My shoulders relaxed. That was hardly a punishment.
Principal Stevenson’s gaze set on me. “And considering this was your idea, Bennett, you’ll bear the more severe consequence.”
I could feel Maven’s gaze on me, and she released a small huff, but I didn’t look at her. “Yes, sir.”
“I’ll be setting up a meeting with your parents to let them know what has occurred. You’ll also have a three-day in-school suspension, which means…” He paused. “You won’t be playing in the game Friday.”
My jaw slackened and my chest felt heavy, like I’d just taken a shoulder to the sternum.
“But it’s the playoffs,” Maven said. “They need Ben.”
Principal Stevenson gave a sad nod, like he was as disappointed as we both were. “I know.”
“Ben didn’t let me in here,” Maven said. “He’s just taking the blame so I don’t get in trouble. I deserve the suspension. Not him.”
Principal Stevenson’s gaze settled on me, and I knew a part of him wanted me to confirm what she was saying.
But I’d already made my decision. Even if I had to miss the playoff game. “I’ll let Coach know I won’t be playing.”
“I can’t believe you said this was your fault,” Maven hissed when we were in the parking lot and out of earshot of Principal Stevenson. “What if the football team loses the playoffs now?”
I shrugged like it didn’t wreck me to miss the game, then opened my truck door for her. “Then they lose.”
Her mouth parted, but I handed her the violin case, made sure she was clear of the door, and shut it.
Honestly, as flattering as Maven’s assumption was, I was confident my not playing wouldn’t change the fate of the game.
Was the team going to be upset when they discovered I was benched?
Absolutely. Was Coach going to be livid?
One hundred ten percent. But every single one of them had likely done something stupid for a girl they liked at some point. Guaranteed.
“What are you going to tell everyone?” she asked the minute I’d opened the driver’s side door.
I climbed inside and started the truck. My pulse increased tenfold having Maven in my cab, just the two of us. “I think I’ll stick with the same story I hinted at to Principal Stevenson.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That you did it because you like me?”
My mouth grew dry. How did you tell someone you’ve known half your life that your feelings for them seemed to be changing? Especially considering that since homecoming, my relationship with Maven had seemed different. Strained somehow. “Why not?”
“Because you don’t. I mean, you like me, but not like that.”