That Girl

I stared at the wall, refused to turn around and face the being behind me.

"Lily," Ben whispered by me right ear. With eyes closed I slowly turned my head. Ben's hazel eyes were staring at me three inches away from my face. His smile was brightening by his white teeth. "So... how was summer?" he finally said to break the awkward silence. Why? Why would he talk to me now? Seven to eight years later after that incident. I was dumfounded by his attempt to converse with me, so I kept on staring at him as he waits for an answer.

"Not gonna talk to me?" he sounded hurt.

"Um... I um... summer was fine...er... thanks." I looked around to see other students staring at us; many were stabbing Ben with their glares.

Ben however looked as happy as a fat kid with cake in front of his face. He leaned over and crushed me with a hug. HUG! What the heck?! I was shocked in my seat. His strong arms were wrapped tight around my shoulders, he also tilt my head against his neck with big hand. I slowly took it all it. Ben Hudgins was hugging me in front of the whole class. Was he really looking for more people to abhor him? I sat there waiting for his release.

"I've missed you so much." He whispered. His warm breath on my neck made me flinched. He slowly let go, looked at me, then said "Let's be third graders again." He said.

"What... What do you mean?" the words stumbled off my tongue.

He smiled softly then said. "Let's be friends again." I looked at him dumfounded, friends? We were never friends, were we? I mean sure he was always nice and was there for me but friends? I didn't think he was a friend. Perhaps I was too scared to consider him a friend. I didn't want to hurt him, yet he still got hurt by just being nice to me. Seems like I'm the bad luck charm of society: those who are close to me seems to be hospitalized or ... dead... around me. I tried pushing back the painful memories of my...

"I don't think that's a very good idea Ben." My voice was finally controlled and firm again. The death glares we were receiving didn't cease. "I don't want you hurt, again," I told him. My eyes on my hands; I couldn't look at him. The shame was too hard to endure. I couldn't and wouldn't have him get hurt once more because of me.

"Lily, frankly, I don't care what others' opinions are. Plus I can defend myself now you know." He chuckled lightly. Its true he does seems very toned with the muscles that pokes through his t-shirt. I also heard from my parents that he's the two time regional kick boxing champion. But so what? What if someone ran him over with a car, or take a shot at him?

I sighed.

"Ben, I don't think we should continue this conversation. At least not here anyways." I said, eyeing the class at the same time. I got a glimpse at Nathan; he looked like he was trying to kill me with his gaze. Typical Nathan.

My attention was back on Ben, he had a huge grin on his face. What now? I thought.

"Okay, so I'll be over for dinner tonight. Six or seven?" excitement was obvious in his voice. I gave him my The Fuck face. He chuckled then leaned against the desk behind him. "Six it is, I'll help with the dishes." Before I said could reject his self invitation to dinner the bell rang. He rushed off with his binder without waiting for my reply.

Ben at dinner, that's just freaking great. (Note the sarcasm).I took a deep breath and gathered my stuff. As I walked out Nathan purposely bumped my shoulder with all his strength. "Get your eyes checked Nathan, apparently you're having trouble seeing where you're going."

"YOU should move out of his way you piece of dirt." Said Kelly icily.

"Wow, imagine if how intelligent you must be if even a piece of dirt beat you in an essay contest." I smiled sweetly at her before leaving the room.

The rest of the day went by with a blur I was too focused on the fact that Ben was coming over for dinner. You'd think that a CEO's son would have enough pride to not invite himself to someone's dinner.

~~

"Hey hon! How was your first day of school?" my mother beamed.

" It's dreadful as always." I told her.

"Awe, you'll d great like always sweetheart. You know why?"

"Because I have the best parents in the world," I said hugging her.

She laughed out loud, "Yes you do, but also because you're the smartest child I've ever known."

"Well, I hope you are done flattering me because I should help you make dinner. Ben's coming over for dinner."