Matching auras

Chapter ten - Mystery

Ben's POV:

I tried to talk with Cassie again. It looks like she won't tell me anything. Maybe it's better if I stop asking. There is a chance that I won't like the truth. Honestly, I don't know who else to ask. The only person who I am afraid of is Ashley. She might think I am assaulting her. It won't be true. Well, I understand her. In her place, I would react the same way. Since so many people don't like my girlfriend, maybe she has done something. The surprising thing was Cassie's burnt spot. I didn't ask her about it because I saw she was uncomfortable. The thing is that I don't understand how it disappeared so quickly. I have burned my hand before. It took me a week and a half to get rid of the spot. There is something weird about this girl. Maybe it's only me. I feel like she is different from the rest. I think she is hiding something. I can find out what it is, but it's not my business. Also, I have other things to worry about right now. That's why I thought I would have a great year. It looks like I was wrong. Ashley invited me to one of the games. I didn't plan to go, but maybe I should do it. That will be a good distraction. Lately, too many things have happened. Well, I know one thing. I have to keep an eye on Cassie. She knows something, and I believe she has told Chelsea. None of them will talk to me, so I need to find out what is happening by myself. It won't be easy. I don't want to say it, but I will become a stalker for a day. Usually, I don't do anything without thinking. Well, this will change. If this girl knows something about my girlfriend, I will understand it. The only thing I don't understand is why she doesn't want to tell me. Maybe she feels guilty. I have no idea. I hope that soon I will get to the bottom of this.

I woke up at 6 am. Lately, I haven't been sleeping much. Let's say that I have many things in my head. Today I will see what Cassie hides in her sleeve. What I will do is not polite, but I don't have a choice. Chelsea won't help me. Since she and the girl are friends, I don't expect her to tell me whatever it is. Probably Cassie made her keep it a secret. I don't know what to do anymore. No one can help me. The last thing I will do is talk with Ashley and ask her if she is cheating on me. Let's hope that I don't have to do it.

I got out of bed and went to get ready. It was too early for school. My parents are probably still sleeping. In that case, I can walk around. I will go to Cassie's area. I don't know her address, but I saw where she was going after school. I took my backpack and walked out. After half an hour, I was there. I don't know where to search for her. Soon, I saw her with an old lady. That might be her grandmother. They seem very close. Cassie noticed me, and I only smiled.

- Ben? What are you doing here?

- I woke up early and decided to walk around.

- And you came here? Boy, I'm not stupid.

- Ok, I was searching for you.

- Ben, I won't tell you anything. You are obsessed.

- Why?

- Because you won't believe me. Also, I don't want to cause drama. I have had enough of this.

- Please. I will do anything.

- Don't insist.

- Then we'll talk with Ashley.

- We? I won't mess with this. That is your problem, not mine.

- You made a great first impression, but I might have to change my mind.

- I never aimed for that.

- What do I have to do to get some information from you?

- Nothing.

- Why are you like that?

- Like what?

- Stubborn.

- Sometimes, people want more than they deserve.

- What do you mean?

- If you want it to hurt less, talk with Ashley.

- I don't understand.

- Because you are blind. - Cassie said and left

I quickly ran after her, but we walked to school. It's better if Ashley doesn't see us together. I don't want Cassie to have problems with her. It's enough that they don't like each other. I walked to my locker and took my books. Soon my girlfriend came. She was in her usual good mood. I noticed something. Cassie pulled out her phone and waved it at my girlfriend. Something is going on here.

- Um, babe. What is going on?

- Nothing. She is a b*tch. Please, stay away from her.

- Why? Did something happen?

- Except for the fact she is in love with you.

- What? That is not true.

- Are you sure?

- Hey, everyone knows that I am dating you.

- So? That won't stop them.

- You are crazy

- Yes, I am crazy for you. - Ashley said and kissed me

- Let's go to class. I will send you.

- Thank you.

I sent Ashley to her class and walked to mine. Cassie was sitting alone. Without saying anything, I put my books next to hers. She looked at me and turned her head to the other side. That will be awkward. Since she doesn't want to talk to me, I will write her a note. Let's hope she will read it.

Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset you. All I want is the truth.

I folded the note and carefully left it in her notebook. Cassie read it, but nothing. It looks like she doesn't want to talk with me at all. Maybe it's for good. Surprisingly, I received an answer.

You didn't upset me. I don't want to tell you anything because I'm not the one who has to do it. Please, try to understand me. I don't want to be between you and Ashley.

It's ok. I understand. Thank you :)

That was. We didn't talk until the end of the class. On the lunch break, I went to check for my girlfriend. I walked by the boy's locker room. James was making out with a girl. Some people never learn. I wonder when he will have a real girlfriend. Well, that is not my business. I have a girlfriend.

- Hey, Nate. Have you seen Ashley?

- I'm sorry. I have no idea where your girl is.

- Ok, thanks.

I walked to the cafeteria and saw Cassie and Chelsea eating. Maybe I can have my lunch with them. I took a tray and went to their table. Let's hope that I am welcome.

- Hey, can I eat with you?

- As long as you don't pick up the topic, yes. - Cassie said

- Don't worry. All I want is to eat.

- Where is Ashley? - Chelsea asked

- I don't know. I searched for her, but without result. Then I saw Nate. He couldn't help me.

- Maybe she has a meeting with her team. - Cassie said

- Cass, they are right there.

- Girls, calm down. Let's have a nice lunch.

- Ok, mister Ben. - both of them said, chuckling

- Very funny.

After school, I decided to see what Cassie was doing. I don't need to stalk her. I feel like she won't want me with her. Soon, Cassie walked into the local library. I didn't know she was coming here. Well, it looks like she knows the woman who works here. The girl went to a section and grabbed a book. Usually, in this section, there are myths, legends, and mysteries. It's more about books describing non-existent things. Now I wonder what she took from here.

- Excuse me.

- Yes. How can I help you?

- Can you give me the book which this girl took?

- I'm sorry, but there is only one copy. You can ask her to give it to you.

- Ok, can you at least tell me the name?

- Yes, sure. It was about auras.

- What?

- Cassie is working on a project. She likes to do things on her own. According to her, this develops her writing skills.

- I understand. Thank you.

- You're welcome. I believe she will change her topic soon.

- Why?

- Because she will finish it. Cassie likes to work on different topics.

- I get it. Thanks.

- No problem.

I want to believe it, but part of me tells me that the woman lied. I can go further, but I won't do it. That is enough information for me. When I walked home, I checked on the internet for auras. All I found were myths and legends. Why is Cassie interested in this? It's not even real. Maybe that's why she chose this topic. It's better if I don't ask many questions. I might not like the answers.

After the library, Cassie went to a street. I have no idea where I am. Soon, I lost her. Great. That was a bad idea from the beginning. It's not polite, and I shouldn't be doing this. I walked for a while and found Cassie in a park. She had a flower in her head. The moment I stepped closer, she disappeared. What the heck is going on? I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see her.

- Hey.

- Hey to you too. Do you have to tell me something?

- Um, no.

- Maybe the fact that you are stalking me.

- What? That's so not true.

- Ben, I saw you in the library. That girl with the flower was not me. So now, you have to tell me what you want from me.

- Ok, fine. I wanted to know what you are doing. There is something wrong with you.

- Like what?

- I don't know. Let's take the burned spot on your hand. You said it was on the other one. That was a lie. How did it disappear so fast? It's impossible. What are you hiding?

- I will give you all the answers when the right time comes. Now you have to focus on your problems. I am not that important.

- To understand that you won't tell me anything.

- Not now.

- When?

- Little by little, you will understand everything. Now I have to go. The homework is waiting for me.

- Do you need help with it?

- Thanks, but I will do it on my own.

- If you say so.

- Hey, don't think much. Live your life.

- How? I have so many questions and zero answers.

- I promise you that soon you will understand everything. Right now, you have to focus on your things.

- Ok, ok. Let's say that I believe you.

- Thank you. I will go now.

- Um, is there a way how I can text you?

- Why?

- Because I know you will listen to me. Sometimes, that's all I need. I mean, a good listener.

- If you want to talk with me, give me a note in school. I don't want Ashley to see that you are texting me.

- Ok, understood.

- I will go now. Bye, Ben.

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

I walked around and later went home. For some reason, I decided to trust Cassie. She is not that bad. Maybe I was wrong about her. I went into my room and did my homework. It's not like I could concentrate. Something is going on between Cassie and Ashley. It looks like they know something. Probably it's better if I don't mess with this.

For dinner, I was with my parents. As usual, they were talking about work. I pretended to listen to them. Let's say that I have other things in my head.

- Ben, are you ok?

- What?

- Your dad asked if you were ok.

- Yes, I am.

- Are you sure? - dad asked

- No. I have many things in my head.

- Will you share? - mom asked

- The thing is that I have many questions and zero answers. I asked a girl, but she didn't want to tell me anything. According to her, I have to talk with my girlfriend.

- Will you do it? - dad asked

- I want to do it, but she might think I am accusing her of something. It's not easy.

- If you want the truth, you have to face every obstacle.

- I know, but I'm scared.

- Why?

- What if the truth hurts?

- Things won't always be easy, but we should be strong.

- Mom, you are not helping me.

- Honey, I can't resolve your problems.

- I wish Cassie was here. She might not tell me everything. Well, I know she will help me.

- Don't you have her number?

- No, she didn't want to give it to me. For now, we'll text through notes in school.

- I hope you know what you are doing, kiddo. - dad said

- I do, or I think I do.

- Do what you think is right.

- I will.

After dinner, I walked outside. One walk won't do any harm. Also, I needed to clear my head. As I was walking, I saw Cassie. I guess she decided to come here again. I walked up to her but noticed she was with a boy. It's better if I don't disturb her. I was about to walk away when someone grabbed my hand. It was Cassie.

- Hey. Where are you going?

- Home.

- Why? If you want, you can sit with us.

- I don't want to disturb your date.

- What? I'm not on a date. He is my ex-best friend's boyfriend. They have broken up. She cheated on him.

- That hurts.

- Well, things like that happen.

- To understand you are here for support.

- Something like that. He wanted to tell me the news.

- You don't sound surprised.

- Well, she used me. I shouldn't be surprised if she did the same with him.

- Why do people like that exist?

- I don't know.

- I'm glad we are not one of them.

- For sure. Come on. Let's go.

- Where?

- To my friend. It might be good for you to listen to his story.

- Why are you saying it?

- Many things are in your head. Hearing about someone else's problems might make you forget about yours.

- Let's test that theory, shall we?

- With pleasure.

I spent some time with Cassie and her friend. The boy has been cheated on and used. I don't want to imagine how he feels. Now my problems seem like nothing. It turned out she was right. I forgot about them even for a while. I wonder where Cassie was all this time. She is a good listener and knows how to make someone's day better. I'm sure Cassie has her secrets. I will gladly ask her about them, but she probably won't tell me anything. It's not my business anyways. I have other things to worry about right now. It's not a lie that this girl is the key for them. Maybe it's time to stop thinking about her and focus on me. I hope the truth won't hurt much. Otherwise, I don't know if I can take it.