Matching auras

Chapter eight - Doubts

Ben's POV:

It has been two weeks since Ashley's party, but I can't stop thinking about what Cassie told me. For some reason, everyone keeps telling me I am blind. I have no idea what is going on. Of course, I talked with my girlfriend. She told me that the girls were jealous and wanted to date me. Maybe they do, but one of them is not here for that. It's the new girl. I can stalk Ashley and see what she is doing, but it's wrong. Also, I don't want her to get mad at me for this. Our relations are good, and I want them to be this way. Probably she is right that some people are just jealous. I have to talk with Cassie. It's visible that she knows something. The question is if she wants to tell me. Let's hope she is not scared of my girlfriend. When she is mad, it's better if you're not around. Usually, she is a nice person. Well, at least with me. Something is going on, but I don't know who to ask. The boys won't tell me anything. I can ask the girls. Well, because of Ashley, they won't tell me anything. Maybe I am worrying too much. All of these might be rumors to make us break up. I won't let this happen. I love Ashley, and I want to be with her. Honestly, I don't understand why people hate her so much. She can be mean sometimes, but it's not a crime. Probably it's because I am too nice. Whatever it is, I won't let it ruin my relationship. I like having a girlfriend. That's why I don't want to lose her. It's better if I stop thinking about this. Otherwise, my thoughts will get filled with nonsense. Well, I have to do one more thing. Cassie can help me. The question is how to do it. Ashley doesn't like her. That means I should talk with Cassie somewhere my girlfriend won't see us. Maybe we can go to her part of the town. I will think about this. I hope that she will tell me the truth.

I woke up in a weird mood. I planned to talk with Cassie today. Luckily, she goes to school every day. The problem is that I don't have her phone number. Well, I can leave her a note in her locker. Honestly, I have no problem talking with her, but if Ashley sees her, things will get messy. I don't want drama. That has to be a secret. Somehow, I will find a way to do it. After all, it's not mission impossible. Let's hope that Cassie will agree to do it.

Finally, I decided to get out of bed and walk to school. I wrote the note at home. That way, no one in school will see me. All I have to do is put it in Cassie's locker. It sounds easier than it is. When I was ready, I walked downstairs for breakfast. My parents were already at the table eating. I sat down and took a waffle. I'm not even hungry, but I have to eat. My mind is busy with other things. Can someone tell me why all of this is happening? Maybe it's better if I don't know.

- Hello. Ben.

- Honey, are you ok?

- What?

- We were calling you. Is everything ok? - dad asked

- Yes, I was thinking.

- Will you share it with us?

- It's nothing important. Don't worry. Everything is fine.

- That's what you say all the time. Then it turns out it's the complete opposite.

- Mom, I'm fine.

- If you say so.

One thing about my parents is that they worry too much about me. Mostly mom. I'm still a teenager, but I can take care of myself. Also, I am a good boy. I mean, I haven't done anything wrong.

After breakfast, I walked to school. Luckily, not many people were in the hall. I carefully walked to Cassie's locker and put the note inside. Let's hope she won't throw it away. Soon, she came with Chelsea. Cassie checked it and looked around. I gave her a sign to follow me. We have twenty minutes until the first class. I found an empty classroom, and we walked in.

- Ben, what is going on?

- I want to talk with you, but not here.

- What do you want?

- Let's say that I have some questions.

- Look, this is not a good idea.

- Relax. Ashley won't see us. We can talk in your area.

- That is another bad idea. If you want to ask something, do it now.

- I can't. Someone might hear. Please, Cassie. Talk to me. I need some answers.

- Answers for what?

- I can't stop thinking about what you said since the party. I need the truth. Please.

- If you want the truth, talk with your girlfriend. Not to me.

- I can't. Ashley will think I doubt her.

- Don't you?

- It's a bit complicated. Please. I don't know who else to ask. It looks like people in the school know something. I will do anything.

- Ben, you are playing a dangerous game. You have to stop.

- Why?

- Because you will get hurt.

- Please, Cassie. I'm begging you. - I said and grabbed her hand

Cassie was quick to pull away. I guess she was cooking again. There was another burned spot on her palm. I carefully took her hand and looked at it. That is weird. It looks unusual. They don't look like that. Cassie quickly pulled away.

- I'm sorry. Does it hurt?

- I have to go.

- Will you talk with me?

- I can't do it.

- You know something, don't you?

- Look, the person who has to tell you this is not me.

- Tell me what?

- Go to class. - Cassie said and left

Maybe Chelsea will know something. During the lunch break, I went to search for her. She was eating with Cassie. Great. Also, Ashley was there with the girls and my friends. Soon Chelsea looked up, and I waved. She returned it. I made her a sign to come. Luckily, she did it. Now is my chance.

- Hey, Ben. What do you want?

- To talk with you. I tried with Cassie, but she rejected me.

- She told me about that. I know what you will ask. She didn't tell me anything. Cassie said that she didn't want to talk about this.

- Will someone tell me what is going on? Why is everyone against Ashley?

- I don't like her because she is mean and has told me not very nice things. I have no idea if she is doing something else. If you want to know the truth so much, make her spill it out.

- If I do that, she will think I doubt her.

- Since so many people warn you, they probably know something. So, about Cassie. She knows something, but I don't know what.

- What do I have to do?

- I don't know. You can try to talk with Cassie again.

- Thanks.

- No problem. I will go to eat.

- I'm sorry for interrupting you.

- It's ok. - Chelsea said and left

After my last class, I waited for Cassie to go out. I know she will go home. Well, what this girl doesn't know is that I will walk after her. As I see it, it has to be the hard way. Soon we walked out of my area and walked into hers. Cassie turned around, but I hid behind a tree. When she continued walking, I went after her and grabbed her hand. What I noticed was that the burned spot was gone. That is impossible. It can't disappear that fast.

- Ben. What the heck are you doing here?

- We need to talk.

- I told you that I wouldn't tell you anything. Now leave me alone.

- Please.

- No!

- Then explain to me where your burned spot is.

- What?

- What happened to it?

- It's on the other hand.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Go home.

- What don't you want to tell me? Did Ashley do something to you? What happened at the party?

- I don't want to talk about this.

- Why? When I ask, people keep rejecting me. With what is she holding you?

- Ben, please. Stop asking questions.

- How can I when people keep warning me about her?

- My advice is simple. Check what she is doing when you are not together.

- Ashley is not a cheater!

- I didn't say it.

- Not directly. You know what? Forget it. Ashley is a great girlfriend, and I will keep dating her.

- That's your choice. Will you go now?

- Yes, I will. Bye.

- Bye, Ben. - Cassie said, and I left

Why do people think my girlfriend is cheating on me? That is impossible. I know her. Ashley will never do such a thing. It's ridiculous. Maybe I need to stop asking. People are talking nonsense. From now on, I will spend more time with her. I sent my girlfriend a message that I had to meet her. Ashley said she was busy but made an excuse for me. After all, I am her boyfriend. She should have some time for me. After an hour, I was at her house.

- Hey.

- Hello. What is so important?

- I wanted to see you. Lately, we don't spend much time together. I missed you.

- I'm sorry. I have a lot of things in my head.

- It's ok. What do you want us to do?

- Let's say that I have an idea.

- Ok, I won't complain.

- Really?

- Yes. I'll do whatever you say.

- Great. Let's go upstairs. I have a surprise.

- What?

- Don't worry. It's not what you think. I went shopping yesterday.

- Oh, great. Will you pull out a fashion show?

- For you always.

- That's what I want to hear.

Usually, I am not this type of guy, but I want to keep my relationship. Even if this means I have to do things I have never done before. After the small fashion show, we did something else. It turned out that making out is not that bad. I won't lie that it was a bit weird. Probably it's because I don't do it often. Well, I have to satisfy my girlfriend. After all, I will do anything for her. I don't care what other people say about her.

- That was something else. We need to do it more often.

- I'll do whatever you want.

- What is wrong with you today? You are very kind.

- Let's say that I realized some things.

- Can I know what these things are?

- We need to spend more time together.

- I agree with that. If you want, you can stay here for the night.

- Slow down. I'm not ready for you know what.

- I don't mean that we have to do something. It will be only sleeping.

- Can we do it another day?

- Of course. After all, I don't want to pressure you.

- Thank you for your understanding.

- You're welcome. What do you want us to do now? We can go out or stay here.

- I'll leave you to decide.

- Then, we'll go out. I want to show everyone how great my boyfriend is.

- I'm far from that, but I appreciate it.

- Hey, you always have been. Other people don't see it.

- They don't like you.

- Maybe, but I don't care. I know you do.

- Yes, I do. I like you a lot.

- See. That's what matters.

- Let's go now.

I took my things, and both with Ashley walked out. We went to her favorite ice cream shop. Later, she wanted a drink. I wanted to know the truth, but now I'm scared. I don't want people to talk badly about my girlfriend. The thing is that I want to believe she is innocent. More and more, I think it's not true. I don't know what to do. Things quickly got messed up.

- Ben. Hello. Earth to my boyfriend.

- What?

- I was calling you. Lately, you have been distracted. Did something happen?

- No, everything is fine.

- Are you sure?

- Positive. Why don't we go to the cinema? We can watch your favorite movie.

- I don't know if it's in the cinemas anymore, but ok.

- Ok, good.

Ashley and I walked to the cinema. I paid for the tickets and she for the food. I will try to ignore the comments and focus on my relationship. Let's hope it won't be that hard. Ashley and I watched our movie peacefully. The whole time she was snuggling. That is something I will never replace. Having someone by your side is a great feeling. Honestly, I don't care who hates her. Maybe that is why our relationship is doing well.

After the movie, I took Ashley home. I would love to spend more time with her. Maybe that will be tomorrow. I walked around the neighborhood and later went home. My parents were having dinner. I took a plate and sat at the table. The food looks good.

- Hey, how was your day? - dad asked

- Good.

- Something has happened. I know you. - mom said

- I don't want to talk about it.

- Is it bad?

- I don't know. No one wants to tell me.

- What do you mean?

- Something is going on with Ashley. I asked Cassie, but she didn't want to talk. She thinks Ashley is cheating on me. I don't see why she would do that. The bad thing is that she is not the only one who thinks about it.

- Did you talk with Ashley?

- Of course not. I don't have any proof. How should I ask my girlfriend if she is cheating on me?

- Ok, why do people think she is doing it? I mean, do they have proof? - dad asked

- I don't know. I asked two girls, and none of them told me the truth.

- Why don't you find it on your own? - mom asked

- What do you mean?

- Check if what people say is true.

- Mom, I won't spy on my girlfriend. That is not polite.

- What if they are right? Will you like it?

- No, but I don't want to do it.

- I understand, but sometimes you should do what's necessary.

- You are not helping me. Why is everyone against Ashley?

- No one is against her. - dad said

- It doesn't look like that. - I said and left

I walked into my room and spent the rest of the night there. Honestly, I don't know what is going on with everyone. Ashley is not the bad one. They are. Somehow, I will prove it. The question is how. I can ask my girlfriend for help, but it will be worse. It's better if she doesn't know about it. Otherwise, I don't know how she will react. Well, I will try to save my relationship. I don't want to accept the truth. Ashley is not a cheater. I don't believe it. There is no way she will do this to me. It's impossible. People can talk about whatever they want. I won't trust them. I hope that things will calm down and people will forget about this.