Don't Wander

Turmoil

Ben stopped directly behind my chair and said to me, “I need to talk to you. Alone.”

“Be right back you guys.” I turned to look at Eden, who still had his arm draped over me. He narrowed his eyes at Ben, but let me go. I stood up and walked to the entrance of the cafeteria with Ben. “Before you say anything, I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry for everything from before.”

“What’s wrong with you? This guy has been here for a month or so, and you’re dating him? You don’t even know him!” He ignored my apology completely. That irritated me, so I went on the defensive.

“Oh, and you do? Just because I’m in a relationship with him doesn’t automatically make him a bad guy.”

Ben scowled and said, “You’ve barely even dated anyone, ever. I just don’t have a good feeling about him, Bek. He acts like he’s hiding something. I think you should at least get to know him better before you make any drastic decisions about having a relationship with him.”

“I like him, Ben. And he isn’t keeping anything from me.”

“How do you know?”

I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I said simply, “I just do.”

Ben made a disgusted noise and said sarcastically, “Thank God, because I was really worried that you didn’t.”

“Stop acting like this.”

“Like what? You’re being stupid Bek. He’s blinding you, and you’re letting him. Does your mom even know about the two of you?” I glanced down, playing with the toe of my shoe while trying to think of an excuse. “Well?”

“No, she doesn’t. We just got together this morning, technically. We’re going to tell her after school today when he takes me home. She’ll meet him and everything,” I blurted.

“All I can say is that I hope she’s smarter than you are. And that she isn’t as easily stupefied by good looks as you.”

“I am not!” I yelled. Now I was really upset.

“Yes, you are! You’ve never acted like this before. Suddenly, this tall, mysterious guy shows up, and every girl starts drooling over him. Then, next thing you know, one of the few girls who seemed to have any sense is his girlfriend. So please, enlighten me to the real reason for why you’re being this way.”

“I told you. I like him. I don’t feel the way I feel with him with anybody else. I know I can trust him, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” I crossed my arms as Ben shook his head slowly.

“Not even your friends? The people you’ve known and ‘trusted’ for almost your entire life? I don’t know who you are anymore Bek, and I’m not sure that I want to.” He turned and stormed away before I could respond.

“He’s wrong. I hope you know that,” Eden said from behind me.

Startled, I whirled around and said, “Were you listening?”

“Hard not to. You two started getting kind of loud. Besides, I hear better than most people,” he said.

“Oh,” I huffed. “Any other cool powers I should know about? Immortality? X-ray vision?”

“Powers? I’m not a superhero. No, I do not live forever. I wish. And x-ray vision would be awesome. I could work for airport security, or at a hospital. I could take just one look at the little kiddies and know if they had broken an ankle…or were trying to smuggle a skinning knife, whatever the case may be. All of my senses are better though. I also heal faster, and I’m stronger and more agile than most I suppose. Oh yeah, and I’m more attractive.”

“Again, with the overconfidence,” I said.

“You love it.” He smiled wickedly and stroked one of my arms with his finger, causing goosebumps to spread over my flesh. Eden then turned and exited the cafeteria, the bell ringing as he went, and I ran to catch up.

“Perfect timing. How’d you know?” I asked.

“Okay, this one is really cool. On my cell phone, there’s this thing that tells time. It’s called a watch, it’s great,” he teased. I bit my lip, feeling silly, but the fact that I didn’t see him check his phone made me suspicious. I didn’t contradict him, though.

Eden walked me to my next class, which was study period. Before he left, he gave me a short and sweet kiss on the lips, despite the fact that it was against school rules and tons of people were watching. I felt my cheeks heat up, and I hid from the many eyes that were boring holes into me by dashing into the classroom. Britt arrived shortly after, sitting at her desk next to me.

“Okay, no more excuses. Dish girl,” she told me. After swearing her to secrecy, I described how I had stopped by Eden’s house, and that he had protected me from Micah.

“What a pig. Are you gonna tell anyone?”

“No way! I’m fine, and it’s not going to happen again.” I insisted.

“If you say so…” she relented. I continued with the ride on Eden’s motorcycle and how he had told me a little bit about himself, and about his current home situation. Of course, I only told her that he was living in a foster home full of guys, not that it was actually a pack of adolescent werewolves.

Then I made up a story about how Eden had forgotten his cell phone in my pocket because I had been holding it for him, and he had to get it from me at my place.

“Did your mom know he was there?” Britt’s eyes lit up with the question.

“No.” I tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Whoa, Bek. What did you guys do? Wait, I already know. Tell me every detail,” she gushed.

As usual, the teacher asked if any of us wished to study in the library. Since we weren’t allowed to talk in class, but we were in the library, most people raised their hands. Lucky for Britt, both she and I were chosen to go. Without hesitation, we gathered our books and left the room.

On the way, Britt prodded, “So how did it happen? Did he kiss you or did you kiss him? How good is he? How far did things go? Spill.”

“Well, we were both on my bed talking when I told him that his record had made me curious.” I began.

“Totally,” Britt interjected.

“Do you want to know this stuff or not?” I asked.

“I do, sorry. I’ll shut up,” she said quickly.

I continued, “Then he got really close to me and asked if I was curious about anything else, while he touched my arm.”

“Oh, he’s so seductive,” Britt admired. I gave her a warning look and she said, “Oops, sorry! And I know he’s yours, so don’t worry. I’m really shutting up now.”

“Anyways, then he leaned in and kissed me. It felt amazing, like I was being zapped with electricity, but in a good way. Then I kinda lost control and I pulled him on top of me.”

“It’s about time!” Britt congratulated. “You never have any fun. I was beginning to wonder if you were a prude or something.”

“You had better be kidding.”

“I am…mostly.” Then she changed the subject. “So, what did you and Ben talk about at lunch? He didn’t seem happy.” I sighed deeply.

“He wasn’t. He really believes that Eden is bad, and he’s worried about me. I know it’s because he cares, but he makes me so mad. He doesn’t know Eden, and he shouldn’t be making assumptions about him.”

“Ben will come to his senses eventually. You just need to be patient and try not to get too angry with him.”

“You’re right. I sure hope he comes to his senses soon, though.”

“Me too. So, did you find out anything else about Eden? Like about his real family, or why he’s been all over the U.S.?”

“No, but I was planning on asking him about that stuff after school today when he takes me home and meets my mom.”

“Good luck with that by the way,” Britt bumped me with her hip, laughing.

I laughed nervously and said, “Thanks, I’ll probably need it.”

My next class was Spanish, and Eden walked me there too. I had that class with Ben, and I wasn’t sure how he would act so soon after our little argument. The biggest problem we had ever had before was whose turn it was to pick a movie when we hung out together. This was completely different, and I wasn’t positive about the best way to handle it, so I asked Eden for advice.

"Truthfully, I think you should leave him alone. He isn’t thinking clearly, and you’ll probably only make it worse by trying to talk to him. The only thing he will agree with right now is what he wants, and what he wants isn’t gonna happen.”

“Is that really what you think, or are you just saying that to keep me from being around him?” I looked up into his gorgeous green eyes.

“Yeah right. I’m not threatened by him, so what reason would I have to keep you away? It’s the smart thing to do, but it’s not like you have to listen to me.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” I tried turning away, but Eden wouldn’t let go of my hand. He pulled me firmly to his chest and kissed me again, this time stroking my cheek with his thumb. Butterflies and fireworks erupted within my core, each battling for dominance. “One of these times we’re gonna get caught by a teacher,” I said, smiling blissfully.

“News flash babe. I don’t think you mind,” he murmured.

“But I’m sure other people do,” an annoyed voice said.

Without turning around, Eden said, “That’s just too bad kid. See you around R.” Then he turned and paused to give Ben a hard stare before walking away. I started to apologize, but then I thought about what Eden had said, so instead I turned on my heel and entered the classroom.

Ben followed me to my desk and said, “I hope you don’t continue to subject innocent bystanders to that crap.”

“Whatever Ben. You and I both know that every girl is just pasting her face over mine, and you’re the only guy who cares.”

“You’re being pretty selfish.”

I released an aggravated sigh and said, “And you’re being pretty annoying. Please leave me alone if you plan on just getting on my nerves.”

Ben glared at me and said, “Fine Rebekah, do whatever you want. I don’t care. Our friendship is over as of now.”