Matching auras

Chapter six - Talking with the new girl

Ben's POV:

The new school year has already started. As I expected, new students came. I met a nice girl. Her name is Cassie. Like everyone else, she didn't want us to talk much because of Ashley. I might be in a relationship, but it doesn't mean I can't be around girls. My girlfriend is allowed to hang out with boys. We don't have an open relationship. Also, I don't want to be around boys all the time. The thing is that I'm trying to be nice to everyone. If you ask my girlfriend or friends, they will probably tell me I don't have to do it. There is nothing wrong with that. You have to treat people the way you want them to treat you. It's not that hard. I have to say that sometimes, my friends are a bit mean. It's ok not to like someone. Well, it doesn't mean you have to treat them horribly. Also, not to make fun of them. If I tell my friends what I think, they will say I am one of them. I don't want to lose my friends, but at the same time, I don't appreciate how they treat other students. After all, the boys are not better than them. Well, the problem is not mine. It's better if I don't think about this. I should say that the new girl made a great first impression. I wonder why she came here. There are schools in town better than ours. Everyone has their secrets. I'm sure she has too, but I won't ask. It's not like she will tell me. For some reason, I feel like she is different than the rest. Maybe it's only me, but she was too nice. I have nothing against that, but it was weird. When you go to a new place, you feel nervous and awkward. Cassie didn't seem to be any of these things. Probably I imagine things. I'm sure she is an ordinary girl. Also, I have a girlfriend with who I am happy. I shouldn't be talking about other girls. After all, I try to be a good boyfriend. I hope that I'm good at this job. I don't want to break up with Ashley.

It's the first weekend after the beginning of the new school year. Ashley planned to do the party tonight, but her parents will be at home. That's why she left it for the next week. The house will be empty. We can still go out. Well, as long as she is free. My girlfriend might want to go out with her friends. She does this often during the weekend. That is the only free time we have. It's not like I don't study. Luckily, we are at the beginning of our lessons.

Currently, I am in my room. I texted Ashley, but she is busy today. I guess I will be alone. It's not like I will stay in my room the whole day. I plan to go and have breakfast outside. Maybe I will be alone, but sometimes it's needed. Everyone needs to be alone for some time. I stayed in bed for a while and later went to get ready. After that, I walked downstairs. My parents were at the table, drinking coffee. I will gladly stay with them, but I want to be outside.

- Good morning.

- Hey, kiddo. - dad said

- Will you stay with us for breakfast? - mom asked

- I want to eat outside. I hope you don't mind.

- Not at all. Ashley will be with you, won't she?

- No, she is busy today.

- To understand you will be alone.

- It's not that bad.

- Do you need money?

- Thanks, but I have. I will go now. Have a delicious breakfast.

- You too. - mom said, and I left

I walked to a small, fast-food restaurant. It was only 9:30 am, so I didn't expect to see anyone. Well, I was wrong. Cassie was here, eating her breakfast. I decided to order eggs and bacon with a cup of hot chocolate. It's not winter, but that is one of my favorite drinks. When my food was ready, I paid for it and went to sit with Cassie. As I see it, she is alone as well. We can keep each other's company. I left my tray and looked at her.

- Hey, can I sit here?

- Oh, hi. Yes, sure. You're welcome.

- Thanks. I didn't expect to see you here.

- I decided to go far away from home.

- Why? Do you have problems with your parents?

- Not at all. Sometimes I prefer to be away from everything. Being in this part of the town is like changing it. At least, I feel like that.

- How was the first week of school?

- Not bad. Honestly, it's like every other school.

- Did you find any friends?

- Not yet. I decided to focus on my lessons for now. After all, it's my last year. I want to have good grades.

- Everyone wants this.

- Well, some people want to remember the crazy days in high school.

- It depends on the person.

- Can I ask you something?

- Sure. Go on.

- Why are you so nice to people? Aren't you afraid they will use this against you?

- I have thought about that, but for now, nothing has happened. I treat people the way I want them to treat me.

- That's good. In your place, I won't trust everyone.

- You might have had problems in your last high school, but I didn't. I mean, no one has used me.

- Are you sure? Sometimes, we are blind to the things right in front of us.

- What do you mean?

- I talked with a girl, and according to her, not many people like Ashley. Is it true? She seems like a nice person.

- It is, but they are not dating her. I know Ashley, and she is a good girl. I mean, she treats me well.

- Since you are happy, I don't think other people's opinions should matter to you.

- It doesn't. What are your plans for the day?

- I don't have any. I might do something at home.

- If you want, we can go somewhere.

- I know your girlfriend is not here, but won't she get mad that you go out with other girls?

- I didn't invite you on a date.

- Yeah, but still.

- It's ok.

- If you say so.

Cassie and I ate the rest of our breakfast in peace. I don't know why everyone thinks Ashley will get jealous. She is not this type of person. If she forbids me to go out with girls, she won't go out with boys. That is not something I want to happen. After all, I want to have friends. Cassie doesn't seem like a girl who will date taken boys. Neither is a person who is interested in me. I mean, not this way. I don't see a problem going out with her.

After breakfast, I walked with Cassie around this part of the town. We look like she is a tourist and I'm her guide. It's not like I mind. For some reason, our town is unofficially divided into parts. When you live somewhere, you go only around this area. I don't know who has thought of it, but it's not something I like.

- Do you like the walk?

- Yes, it's good. Thank you for coming with me.

- No problem. I like walks.

- Recently, I have been doing it as well.

- Hey, your burned spot is gone.

- Oh, yeah. I have been putting cream on for a whole week.

- I'm glad it's gone.

- Um, thanks.

- I know a good ice cream place. Do you want us to go?

- Yeah, sure.

Both with Cassie walked to Petro's ice cream shop. She ordered a banana and mint with chocolate chips. I got chocolate and blueberries. I wish I could do this with Ashley. What I mean is that we don't do many things together. Sometimes I feel like she only wants to make out with me. It's not that bad, but I'm not the person for that.

- Ben. Hello.

- What?

- You were lost.

- Sorry. I was thinking about something.

- Are you ok?

- Yes. I only wish I could do this with Ashley.

- Don't you go out with her?

- We do. I don't think she enjoys it that much.

- Can I know how you two met? If you don't want to tell me, it's ok.

- We met at my tryouts for the football team.

- You play football.

- No, I only tried for the team. It wasn't my thing, so I didn't join.

- I understand.

- We started going out together, and I liked her. It's not a lie that many people in school have told me I can do better.

- Maybe they don't like Ashley. I don't know. We don't know each other.

- She is not that bad, but sometimes can be mean.

- Now it makes sense.

- I want us to be together, but I don't know if we can last.

- I'm not a love doctor, but you two don't seem close. I mean, at least not in school. I don't know what you two are doing the other time. It's not my business.

- We do the same as what we do in school.

- Do you love her?

- Yes.

- Are you sure?

- No.

- I don't want to make you break up with her, but you should think about yourself. Also, think about the type of relationship you want to have.

- I don't know.

- I'm not hungry now, but do you want us to go for lunch later?

- Yeah, why not?

- Ok, good.

I showed Cassie a couple of places before we went to lunch. It was a bit late, but who cares? We had breakfast and ice cream. I wasn't hungry at 12 pm. I decided to eat only a salad. After a couple of hours, I will have dinner. Mom always cooks something delicious, so I want to enjoy it.

- Have you ever been to this part of the town? - Ben asked

- No, never.

- Really?

- I had nothing to do here. My life was at home. I mean, all my friends were in the area where I live.

- You should explore the town.

- I know, but I don't have much time for this.

- I might stay mostly here. Well, I have been to every part.

- Good for you.

- So, Ashley's party is next week. Will you come?

- I don't know. Being surrounded by drunk people is not something I want.

- I don't get drunk.

- Seriously?

- Yes. I'm afraid that if I do it, I will cheat on her. I'm not this guy.

- I don't know you well, but you don't seem like a boy who will do it. I mean, even if you are drunk.

- I'm trying to be a good boyfriend.

- Honestly, you are perfect at this.

- Why do you say it?

- I came a week ago. You don't know me, but you have been nice to me. It's your personality. That's why I said it.

- Do you think it?

- Yes, I do.

- Oh, um, thanks. I appreciate it.

- I'm honest.

After lunch, Cassie and I continued with our walk. Finally, I can enjoy this. I can spend a lot of time outside with Ashley, but she will start complaining. Also, my girlfriend will get bored. I was thinking about what Cassie said. I think I love Ashley, but I'm not sure. Lately, I feel like we have been distant. Maybe we need to spend more time together. I will call her later or tomorrow. She is busy today. I turned around, but Cassie wasn't next to me. Where did she go? I don't think she will get lost, but it's better if I find her. I looked up to see her in front of a street singer. She gave him ten dollars. I didn't know she was interested in things like that.

- Hey.

- Oh, hi.

- I thought I had lost you.

- I'm sorry, but I had to stop here. Can you sing something else?

- Sure. Choose a song.

- How about something slow?

- You got it. - the boy said and started singing

- He is good. - I said

- Right? Can I know why you are on the street and not throwing a concert?

- Dad said music is not a career. So I want to prove him wrong. Thanks for the help.

- Here, I will give you more money.

- Thanks, but no. You already did enough.

- I think you need a manager.

- Probably, but I don't have the money to pay him.

- Money comes with fame.

- True.

Cassie talked with the boy for a while. Later, she wanted to go home. I offered to send her, but she didn't let me. Well, we spent together a lot of time today. I will see her in school. Since I have nothing to do, I will go home. I walked by my parents and straight into my room. I will call Ashley.

- Hello, this is Ashley's voicemail. If you are cute, leave a message. If you are not, leave. Bye.

- Hey, Ashley. It's me, Ben. Where are you? If you want, we can go out. I know you are busy today, but we can do it tomorrow. Call or text me back. I love you.

I don't think she will call me. Who knows where she is? Maybe it's better if I don't know. Soon, there was a knock on the door, and mom came in. She was in her usual good mood.

- Hey, honey. How are you today? You don't look much in the mood.

- No, I'm fine.

- How was breakfast? It should've been long since you were gone the whole day. - mom said, chuckling

- I met a friend, and we hung out.

- You can share it with me. What's wrong?

- I don't know.

- How am I supposed to know, then?

- A new girl came to school last week. Her name is Cassie. I saw her at breakfast today. She is not from this part of the town. So, I spent the day with her. It was nice. We were only walking around, but it made me feel better.

- Then why are you sad? Is it because she left?

- I'm not sad. Mostly I'm confused.

- About what?

- Cassie asked me if I loved Ashley. I said yes, but then she asked if I was sure.

- Well?

- I wasn't. I enjoyed the walk with the new girl more than with my girlfriend. That is wrong, but Ashley always complains. Walks are not her thing.

- Can I know why you two are dating?

- I don't know.

- I don't want to say anything but think before you do something.

- Ok, I will.

- Let's go for dinner now.

The rest of the day, I was at home. Ashley didn't respond to my message. I guess she is outside with her friends. Well, at least she is having fun. I need to talk with her. Maybe it's only me. I feel like we don't spend much time together. She is always doing something. It's not wrong, but I wish she could have time for me. I am always available for her. I guess that is part of dating someone. Probably I am doing something wrong. It's not a lie that Cassie's question got stuck in my head. She only wanted to know the truth. I guess I didn't. Sometimes I am blindfolded from the obvious or don't want to believe it. I hope that Ashley and I will have a great relationship and that our distancing is temporary.