Chapter 29
Any concerns about my social life being in danger have been washed away. To Ben’s dismay, I’ve developed a full-blown friendship with Kate, Bella, and Lisa. He isn’t upset I have friends, just that he has to share my time.
Kate did tell her mom, and as expected, it blew up her household. Apparently, her dad tried to blame her, and her mom kicked him out. According to Kate, her mom suspected it for a while and was relieved she had proof. She also said that her dad is pissed because in her parents’ prenup, it stated her mom would get everything if he cheated. Now her dad is in a tiny little apartment near his office with not a single leg to stand on.
Bella took it better than Kate expected. From what I have gathered, their dad is kind of an ass. Okay, not kind of. He is an ass that has been making the three of them miserable for years. The rumor mill at school was the worst of it, but it died down after a few weeks. Lisa’s ability to scare anyone who mentioned it came in handy. It’s how we all got to be surprisingly close.
Now it’s close to the end of term, and Lisa and I are gearing up to go to Atlanta for the Young Writers of America Conference. Our packet was not only accepted but chosen to represent the school over all the senior submissions. I thought the paper’s senior editor was going to block us both from getting any more articles published when Bannerman announced it, but he was actually impressed. It helps that he got early acceptance to Yale. We are small potatoes at this point.
Kate, Lisa, Ben, and I are sitting at a table in the back of the Journalism room, waiting for the bell to ring. The sound of printers behind us.
“Let’s talk plans for next weekend. I know you two are going to be honed into the conference all this weekend, so we need to celebrate your success next weekend” Kate says.
“Don’t you think planning to celebrate could jinx us?” I ask as Ben sits next to me and plays with a loose curl. I love December. It’s the best time of the year, less humidity, which means my hair will hold curls.
“Nonsense” Kate waves me off. “The hard work is done. All you have to do now is present.”
“Yeah, just talk in front of hundreds of people. No big deal.” I roll my eyes.
Lisa chimes in, “I can do the bulk of the talking if you’re nervous.” Of course, she would love that.
“No, I can do it.” I narrow my eyes at her.
“Don’t start.” Ben interjects. “I cannot sit through another argument. I thought you two being friends would chill you both out, but if you renegotiate the breakdown of the presentation, I’m gone.” We all laugh. It’s true to mine and Lisa’s relationship. We do argue a lot.
“Fine, but we aren’t planning to celebrate early either” I conclude glaring at Kate.
Kate throws her hands up exasperated. “Fine, we won’t plan to ‘celebrate,’ but what are you guys doing next weekend?”
“We have plans.” Ben says, lacing his fingers through mine and giving them a squeeze. I turn to him smiling.
“What plans do we have?” I giggle a little.
“Plans that don’t involve the three musketeers. I already have to miss hanging out with you this weekend, and I have to share you with them in class. I get you to myself next weekend. Besides, it’s our 3-month anniversary.”
“It is?” Kate and I say in unison. Then Kate finishes her sentence. “How disgusting.”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s 3 months from the fall festival.” He shrugs. I feel silly for not knowing that. How did I miss we have been dating for three months? I look up into Ben’s eyes. The way he looks at me is like he’s telling me a secret. Like I get a part of him that no one else does.
“Well, how are we celebrating?” I ask.
“Hold on, hold on, hold on,” Kate rants. “I thought planning to celebrate in advance jinxes things?”
I sigh. “You are exhausting.”
She smiles. “No, I’m right.”
The ringing of the bell prevents me from having to debate with her. Kate’s a lot, in a good way. I keep wanting to get her and Sarah Mae together, but with my school schedule and Sarah Mae going to the gallery almost every weekend now, it’s hard to meet up. While I make new friends at Briarwood, my old life slips away.
Ben breaks me from my thoughts by pulling me into one of the study alcoves to the side.
“I’m going to meet my mom and Brody at the treatment center. Are you good on your own for lunch?” he asks, and I’m confused. Ben’s mom normally only has treatment on Mondays.
“Yeah, but is everything okay?” I search his face for any tell that something is amiss. He doesn’t look upset.
“No, no, it’s good news. Mom got into a trial for a new drug, and we are meeting with her doctor for her first dose.”
“Wait. Ben that’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just found out before class. I didn’t want to bring it up in front of Kate and Lisa.” Realization hits me. Not everyone knows about Ben’s mom. He has been private about it.
“I understand.” I lean up and give him a quick kiss. “Go ahead, I’ll go grab something from the cafeteria. Will you be back for Anatomy?”
“Probably not, but I’ll come back by before the end of the day. I want to say a proper goodbye before you leave for the weekend.” I know what Ben means by a proper goodbye. He has never pushed the physical aspect of our relationship, but that doesn’t stop us from making out in my car.
I smile up at him. “Can’t wait. Good sir.” I curtsy.
“My lady” he bows then turns heel and walks off.
Three months. I’ve been dating Ben for three months. It feels short and longer at the same time. When I think back to how I made myself all those rules starting out here I laugh. I didn’t really need them. My grades are up. I have friends. I have a boyfriend. Maybe just maybe I can have the whole high school experience.