The Barefoot Violinist

Discoveries

Monday morning, Cory almost skipped into the school building. He still hasn't convinced Bennett to drive with him to school, but he's not complaining at all. Thinking back to their time together, Cory grinned even wider. Bennett, his Bennett. Getting to Bennett's locker he waited 15 minutes, but there was still no sign of him. Starting to get worried, he called Bennett's phone. No answer, just voicemail. Where could he be? Is he okay?

Cory looked down at his phone again and quickly started typing;

Cory: Hey Bennett

Cory: Aren't you coming to school today?

Cory: Bennett?

Cory: Are you angry with me? Did I do something wrong?

Cory: Bennett?

Cory snapped his phone off in frustration, taking off to find Blue or his other friends.

"Do you know where Bennett is?" he asked worriedly when he caught sight of them sitting at their lunch table. He'd been worried all morning and willed the time to move faster.

"Yeah, he's away for the week. Only due back on Friday night, I think?" Victor frowned up at Blue.

"Yep, Friday night. Do you need the flight details dickhead?" she asked looking expectantly up at him.

"Su-sure." was all he could get out. Why didn't Bennett tell him he was going away for a week? Especially after the amazing time they'd shared together. Cory just couldn't make sense of it. Feeling his phone vibrate, he flipped it open but was disappointed to see it was only Blue texting him Bennett's flight details. "So why did he go?" he asked trying to sound nonchalant.

"You must be the dumbest boyfriend ever. He's gone to see an old flame who used to fiddle with his flute, if you know what I mean?" She retorted drily. "Why do you think he would be gone for a week?" Blue's sarcasm was barely hidden.

Cory frowned at her and decided to skip school for the rest of the day. School wasn't any fun without Bennett, so he might as well mope at home. Why did he just go off without telling him anything? Did their time together not mean the same to Bennett as it did to him? Cory was going out of his mind asking questions, wracking his brain thinking about anything he could have done or said. Frustrated, he groaned and jumped up off the bed.

"Hi Chrissie!" Cory greeted uncomfortably. What am I doing here? he thought to himself. Not realising where he was until he'd pulled up in Bennett's driveway. He rang the doorbell and waited nervously. 

"Hey Cory, come inside." She turned toward the kitchen as he closed the door behind him. "Bennett isn't here this week, you know that, don't you?" she asked looking up with a slight frown on her face.

"Eh... yeah, Blue told me." he was embarrassed, but still curious to know what Bennett was doing? "Eh... but they didn't give me the details." He looked down at the toe of his shoe, as if something interesting was lodged there.

"Come on, what's your poison of choice?" she smiled grabbing his arm and leading him to the kitchen.

"Where's Bennett?" he blurted out as soon as he sat down at the kitchen table. Chrissie stopped taking cups out of the cupboard to turn to him.

"He didn't tell you?" she seemed surprised at that. Seeing the look on Cory's face, she put the cups away and turned to the fridge. "I think we're going to need something else." Setting down a massive slice of chocolate cake and a glass of milk in front of him, she sat down with her own. "This always cheers Bennett up if he's upset with me." She laughed, sitting down. "Now, tell me what's up?"