Falling

3.

The next week goes by pretty quick. I got a lot closer to my friends. Cayman would pick me up in the morning, along with Addy, Syd, and Benji, and we would hangout everyday after school. It's nice. I've had friends before, back in Spain, but I've never had a group of friends that were so close before. I've only known them for a few days but I feel like I could tell them anything and be myself around them.

Today was Friday, so it was going to be my first sleepover with them. I'm excited, but also weirdly nervous. I've never slept over at a friends house before.

"Are you excited for tonight?" Benji asks when our seventh period teacher turns around. Benji's been really sweet. I feel like I'm closer to him than I am with the others. It's funny though, I don't talk to him as much as everyone else.

"Yes," I smile at him. "I've never been to a sleepover before."

Benji laughs. "It'll be fun! I think we're setting up a projector outside, when it gets dark enough, for a movie."

When school is over, we meet at Cayman's car. Addy runs up to me and wraps her arms around me. "I'm so excited you're coming tonight!" She laughs.

"Me too," I smile at her and pull away. I climb into the backseat and sit in between Benji and Syd.

"Can we get food?" Benji asks. "I'm starving. I might die if I don't eat something soon."

Cayman laughs as he pulls out of the parking lot. "You say that everyday."

"Yeah, and you know what? I'm not dead yet because you're gracious enough to take me to get something to eat," Benji bats his eyelashes at Cayman making everyone laugh.

"Fine," Cayman laughs. "We can go through Taco Bell if you want? It's on the way."

"Yes! Thank you!" Benji throws his hands up in victory.

When we get to Taco Bell, Cayman orders for himself and Addy and Syd and Benji order for themselves.

"Are you getting anything?" Syd asks.

"No, I left my wallet at my house this morning."

"Oh, I'll get you," Benji smiles at me.

"Are you sure? I don't-"

"I promise it's okay," Benji smiles. I thank him and order my food. When we get to Addy's house, we all go straight to her room. Everyone sits down and starts eating their food. Everyone sits in the same seats as the first day I was here, almost like they're assigned to us.

"Thank you, again, Benji," I say taking a bit into my taco.

He smiles at me, "You're welcome."

"Can you guys help me set up the projector?" Addy asks.

"I can help. I have one at my house," Syd chimes in.

"Okay, perfect. Oh! And there's a few mattresses in the garage that we can move outside," Addy smiles. Cayman kisses her forehead.

"Benji and I can move them," Cayman throws away his Taco Bell wrappers. Benji nods and smiles.

"Thank you guys. Jorge and I can make popcorn and other snacks!" Addy hops up off the bed and grabs my hand pulling me into the kitchen. Syd, Cayman, and Benji follow behind us. Syd goes to the backyard to set up the projector and Cayman and Benji go through a door that I'm assuming is the garage.

"We just finished eating," I laugh as Addy pulls out the popcorn. I open a bag and put it in the microwave.

"I know, I just wanted to talk to you about something," She smiles at me.

"What?" I ask nervously. With Addy it could be anything.

"Benji."

"What about him?"

Addy leans in closer and gives me a 'you know what' look. "What do you think about him?"

"He's nice?" I'm confused what she's hinting at.

"No, like, he's pretty cute, right?" Addy wiggles her eyebrows. Oh.

"Um, I-" Just then the garage door opens and Cayman and Benji walk in carrying a mattress. Both of them are holding one end. Cayman smiles at Addy and Benji looks at me.

"Should we get all three?" Benji asks.

"Yeah, that's perfect," Addy smiles. When they carry the mattress out the back door she turns to me raising an eyebrow.

"Why are you asking?" I don't know what to say. I mean Benji's cute and super sweet, but he's just being nice to me because I'm new and we're friends now.

"Because he's super into you," Addy laughs like it's obvious. Benji and Cayman walk back inside to get the other mattresses out of the garage. On the way there they stop in front of us. Cayman leans over the counter and kisses Addy lightly. Benji looks at me and I look at the ground.

As if the universe is trying to save me, the microwave goes off, signaling the first bag of popcorn is done. I turn away to open the microwave. I must have left it in for too long because when I open it, a large, black cloud of smoke pours out and I burn my hand on the bag.

"¡Mierda! ¡Los hijo de puta!" I drop the bag of popcorn on the floor and hold my hand. Benji rushes to my side.

"Are you okay?" He grabs my hand and looks at it. He pulls me to the sink and turns on the cold water to put my hand under.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I shut my eyes trying not to think about my throbbing hand or that Benji's holding my other hand.

"You have a small blister on you thumb, but it isn't too bad," He says walking to the freezer and pulling out an ice cube. "Here."

"Thank you," I turn off the water and turn around to take the ice. Addy's standing next to Cayman. They're both smirking at me.

"There's some burn cream and a bandage in the bathroom," Addy says. "Benji can you help him and I'll help Cayman with the rest of the mattresses?"

"Yeah, of course," Benji holds my hand and walks me to the bathroom. When I look over my shoulder to glare at Addy, she's already staring at me. Cayman gives me a subtle wink and I roll my eyes.