Matching auras

Chapter fourteen - Karaoke night

Ben's POV:

I spent a whole day with Cassie. The weekend was fun. At least I stopped thinking about Ashley for a while. She is still in my head, but I'm trying to ignore her. Also, my friend doesn't like it when I am upset. Well, me too. That's why I am trying to distract myself with what I can. Luckily, I see my ex-girlfriend only in school. I have to say that she has tried to make herself innocent. The thing is that I don't trust her anymore. Ashley can say whatever she wants. Once a liar, always a liar. That doesn't apply to everyone, but to her, it does. I still wonder why she did it. I told her from the beginning that I'm not of the people who put a physical touch in the first place. She could've broken up with me and done whatever she wanted. Well, someone liked using my money and me. I feel like an i***t. The fact that the whole school knows it is not helping. At least I won't see her anymore. Now she is with James. I thought we were friends. That's why I left them. In school, I spend my time with Cassie and Chelsea. Both are nice to me and don't mind me being around them. Maybe they will be better friends than my old ones. Cassie is, for sure. This girl has proven this to me many times. That's the reason why I go out with her so often. We have a great time together. Now I am looking forward to the karaoke night. None of us can sing, but we can listen to other people. The important thing is to have fun. I will try my best. Getting distracted is the only way for me to get saved from my thoughts. Honestly, I don't know why I think about this so much. Maybe because I was lied to for a year, and it's a lot of time. I fell for her trap. From now on, I will be careful. I hope that this won't repeat. I don't think I can take it.

It's Monday. I have to go to school again. It's not like I am happy, but I have no choice. At least I will go out with Cassie tonight. I don't know why I am getting excited. We are only friends. Right now, I don't feel ready for a relationship. When the time comes, I will ask a girl out. I have no idea when this will happen, but I won't rush. After all, I don't want to make another mistake. Luckily, I have my friend by my side. I'm sure she will tell me if the girl is worth it. I trust her.

I am sitting in my bed, scrolling through social media. I woke up like ten minutes ago. It's only 6:50 am. I mean, too early for school. I didn't find something interesting. Later, I got up and went to get ready. It's a bit cold, and I will take my jacket. Then, I went for breakfast. I sat at the table and took a toast. I put some butter and honey on top. That tasted so good. I wish I could eat this every day. Well, I will probably get bored. Eating different food is better.

- I see you are hungry. - mom said

- This is delicious.

- I'm glad that you like it.

- I do, but you need to make it more often.

- Well, you can wake up early and do it by yourself.

- Yeah, I'm good.

- If you say so.

- What are your plans for today, kiddo?

- For the day, I don't have any. Tonight I am going out with Cassie.

- What is going on with you and her? - mom asked

- Nothing. She is only my friend.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am. Mom, I don't want another girlfriend now.

- At least she is helping you to move on.

- Yes, she is.

After breakfast, I walked to school. Cassie wasn't here yet. I decided to wait for her in front of her locker. Soon, Ashley came to me. I don't know why she keeps trying. I cut her off already. What else does she want from me? I won't give her anything. I pulled out my phone and ignored her.

- So what now? You won't talk to me.

I didn't say anything. If we talk, I will get mad at Ashley. After all, I know she does it on purpose. I won't fall for this again. This girl will learn her lesson. She took the phone from my hands.

- Hey, give it back.

- I won't do it until you listen to me.

- No, I won't. Please, give me my phone and go away.

- I said something!

- Here you go. - Cassie said and gave me my phone back

- Hey! Go away. It's a private conversation.

- This is my locker, so the one who has to go away is you. - Cassie said, and I chuckled

- You will pay me for this.

- I would love to see how it will happen.

- Wait and see. - Ashley said and left

- Thank you. - I said

- You're welcome. Let's go to class now.

On the lunch break, I was only with Cassie. Chelsea has something to do and didn't come. Well, I don't mind being only with my friend. I looked up to see her eating peacefully. It's like she doesn't care about anything. I have never seen anyone so concentrated on their food. I chuckled to myself and started eating.

- What?

- Nothing.

- No, you're lying. Why else will you laugh?

- I'm not lying. I thought of something.

- What is it?

- You don't need to know everything.

- It's about me. Right?

- I won't say anything.

- Fine.

- The plans for tonight are still available, right?

- I don't know.

- Come on, Cassie. Don't get offended so easily.

- Why can't I?

- Because it doesn't fit with your good girl image.

- I never said I was one.

- But I know it.

- If you say so.

After school, Cassie and I walked home. She said that we would spend the day in her granny's house. I don't mind. I haven't seen the woman yet. Well, it was once from far away. Soon, we arrived, and my friend knocked on the door. The woman opened it and let us in. We went to the kitchen and received a piece of cake. That looks delicious. I might have eaten lunch, but I won't deny the cake.

- Did you make this for us?

- You don't bring a boy here every day.

- Granny!

- Eat now. We'll talk later.

- Ok, ok.

I decided to do my homework while I ate the cake. Cassie went to talk with her granny. I'm happy that they are so close. She has told me that her grandfather died. Now her granny is alone. After my homework, I decided to help Cassie with hers. Soon she came back and sat next to me.

- You don't need to write my homework. I can do it by myself.

- I know, but I wanted to help. That way, you will finish it faster.

- Well, thank you. I will pay for the drinks tonight.

- You don't have to do it.

- Maybe, but you deserve it.

- Won't you tell me who this charming boy is?

- Granny, stop it!

- Hi, I am Ben.

- Hello. I am Elizabeth, but you can call me Betty or Izzy.

- Nice name.

- Thank you. Do you want more cake?

- It's delicious, but I don't have more space.

- You can't say no to me.

- She is right. You have to agree.

- Ok, ok. Only one. It better be thin.

- Don't worry.

Soon Cassie's granny came back with a thick piece. It looks like a quarter of the cake. I can't eat all of this. After all, I will have dinner. Somehow, I eat half of the cake. It tastes so good, but I don't have any more space. I had to give up.

At around 5 pm, we walked out of her granny's house. Cassie wanted to leave her things at her house. Later we walked to mine for the same reason. Both of us will go for dinner before the karaoke night. It's at 9 pm, so we have enough time. I left Cassie to choose the restaurant. Since the nightclub is in my area, we'll have dinner here. We found one Italian restaurant with great pizza. I have been here two times. The food is delicious. Cassie and I sat at a table, and soon the waiter came. Of course, we ordered pizza.

- Do you like your pizza?

- It's delicious.

- I was sure you would like it.

- It's good.

Both with Cassie left the restaurant at 8:30 pm. We have enough time to go to the nightclub. When we walked in, there were a few people. I guess not everyone is a fan of karaoke. It's not like I am, but they sing modern songs. None of us can sing, but it will be fun. Cassie sat at one of the front tables. Of course, I followed her. A girl was singing "Sorry" by Justin Bieber. She has a pretty voice. I can't sing at all.

- Cassie, have you ever sung something?

- No. I can't sing.

- Me either. This girl can. - I said, looking at the girl on the stage

- Yes, she is good.

- You can go and try.

- Oh, no. I am good at other things.

- Can I know what they are?

- I have good grades.

- To understand that your skill is being a good student.

- Yes.

- That is not a talent.

- Yes, it is.

- Cassie. I have good grades as well. Everyone can do it.

- In that case, I'm not good at anything. - my friend said and rolled her eyes

- Hey, you are unique.

- With what?

- I don't know, but I feel it. Since the day I met you, I knew you were different.

- I kind of am. We won't talk about this now.

- Ok, miss. When the time comes, you will tell me.

- Right.

- Do you want a drink?

- I can drink lemonade.

- Ok, no problem. I will be back.

I walked to the bar and asked for lemonade and iced tea. Cassie was looking at the boy in front. Maybe she fell for him. I slightly put the drink in front of her, and she flinched.

- I'm sorry.

- It's ok. I was thinking about something.

- Something or someone?

- This is one of my favorite songs.

- Really?

- When I was a kid, I listened to it every day.

- Happy memories?

- A lot.

- At least you have some?

- Why?

- I don't remember much from my childhood. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. They were spoiling me.

- They always do it. You saw it today.

- I did. Your granny is generous.

- She always is.

- Can you do me a favor?

- What is it?

- I want you to sing me something.

- I already told you. I can't sing.

- But it will be fun.

- Ben, stop it. I can't sing. That's it.

- Fine, but tomorrow night we'll do something of my choice.

- Does it have to be tomorrow?

- Why?

- I have something to do.

- Is it more important than me?

- No, but I keep postponing it.

- Ok, ok. We can go out another night.

- Thanks.

We stayed in the nightclub until 11 pm. I noticed that Cassie was tired. It's better if we go home. I offered to take her home, but she wanted a little walk. Who am I to deny it? We passed by a park, and she went to sit on a swing. I don't know how she managed to fit in there. Usually, only little kids can do it.

- I'm impressed.

- From what?

- You fit here.

- Well, I am slim.

- I see. I wonder what will happen if I do it.

- Do it and find out.

- It's better if I don't try.

- Ok, then. You can swing me.

- What?

- What you heard.

- No problem.

I pushed Cassie a couple of times. She was like a happy little kid. I grabbed the swing to stop it when she wanted to get down. My eyes feel right on hers. I have never looked at her from such a close distance. Her eyes are petty. They look like a hazelnut. Both of us were staring at each other. The worst thing is that I have never looked at Ashley like that. We were together for a long time, but I didn't feel her close to me. Maybe it's because nothing of this was real. I had a fake relationship but realized it late. Soon my senses came back, and I helped Cassie to get down. She did it without breaking eye contact.

- Hey, are you ok?

- Huh?

- I asked if you were ok.

- Oh, yeah. I'm fine.

- Good. Do you want me to take you home?

- If you want to, ok. I won't mind.

- Let's go then. It's getting late.

- Did you like karaoke? - Cassie asked as we started walking

- Yes, it was good. I wish you could sing me something.

- Ben, we talked about this.

- I know, I know.

- Maybe I can do something else for you.

- Like what?

- I don't know. What about being your friend?

- You already are.

- I know, but I wanted to hear it. Said from you means a lot.

- Well, I will keep repeating it. You are the best friend I have ever had. Thank you for being with me through this. I needed someone by my side.

- Hey, I won't leave. Now you are stuck with me. - Cassie said, chuckling

- I don't mind. You are good at this.

- I won't be so sure.

- Maybe this is your talent.

- What?

- I mean, being a good friend. Not everyone can do it.

- If you say so.

- Sadly, we arrived.

- Already. - my friend said, looking at her house

- Don't be sad. We can go out tomorrow.

- I would love that, but I told you I can't.

- Oh, yeah. How about Wednesday?

- I am free.

- Great.

- Yes.

- Well, goodnight and sweet dreams.

- To you too.

- Bye, Cassie.

- Bye, Ben. - my friend said, and I left

With that, I walked home. Honestly, I didn't want to go. I love spending time with Cassie. It makes me forget about all the problems I have. It's like a magic pill. Maybe I have to focus on her. Thinking about the past won't make me feel better. It's better if I think about the future. It's my last year in high school. I want to have a good diploma. That means I have to study. It's not mission impossible. If I don't distract myself, I can do it. For now, I will stop thinking about girls. Well, except for my friend. Cassie is an exception. I hope to keep our friendship long because I don't want it to end.