The Barefoot Violinist

Headway

Bennett: Cory?

Cory: Hey! ; )

Bennett: What did you mean earlier?

Cory: What do you mean?

Bennett: When you said I meant the world to you...

Bennett: Cory?

Cory: I meant what I said. You mean the world to me.

Bennett: Thank you. Good night Cory.

Cory: Good night Bennett.

Cory couldn't be a happier man. Things with Bennett has been a lot better. He wasn't as distant all the time and sometimes returned Cory's waves and smiles. Even though his waves were halfhearted and his smiles a bit uncertain, it was enough to keep Cory on cloud nine.

Today was the big day. The big test to see how things were really going. He just had to play it cool and be himself... Cory tried to psych himself up as he waited for Bennett at his locker. Seeing Bennett's shy smile, almost set Cory's heart alight. 

"Do..." he took a deep breath. "Do you mind if I sit with you guys at lunch today?" he watched Bennett's expression closely.

"Why?"

"Because friends sit together sometimes." Cory explained. 

I'm not your friend just yet. At best, we're study buddies." he pointed out to Cory.

"Okay, whatever you say buddy! Shall we go for lunch then?" he jerked his head toward the cafeteria and waited for Bennett to move.

As they walked, Cory lazily put his arm around Bennett's shoulders, pretending to be casual, while sweating bullets on the inside. 'Man, this is worse than trying to get a first kiss!' he thought settling his arm on Bennett's slim shoulders, waiting for him to be shrugged off. Bennett's whole body tensed initially, but he kept walking, seeming to relax a little. 'Another good sign!' 

They walked like that until he spotted his friends in the cafeteria, then he shrugged Cory's arm off him. Not going to let this stop him, he purposefully followed Bennett to their table. He waved to Victor and Ellie and nodded at Blue, sitting down.

"Red."

"Dickhead."

And for the rest of the time Blue and Cory completely ignored each other. Cory had Victor in stitches the whole time. It felt to Bennett like they had known each other before. Even Ellie seemed really comfortable with him and he would have thought that Blue would have thrown at least five snarky comments or dickheads around by now. 'Why does this seem so familiar?' he thought, sensing that something just out of reach was still lurking in the shadows.

"See you later Bennett!" Cory called after him, as he left their table. He could see the flush on Bennett's cheeks before he dropped his head and moved on. He chuckled to himself, today was a very special day. As he was thinking this, he turned his head and his gaze was locked in Blue's narrowed eyes. He almost jumped back at the intensity of her gaze.

"Whoa, you almost scared the life out of me Red."

"Good." she said nodding. "But I've got one thing to say to you." Cory raised an eyebrow at her, knowing what kind of threats were coming. The scary thing about Blue was that she could actually make good on those threats.

"Good going so far. I'm rooting for you dickhead!" Getting up, she slapped him on the head and walked away. Cory was sure his mouth was open for at least half an hour from shock. That did not just happen? Man, this day couldn't get any better.