Never Lost, Always Found

Chapter Thirteen

        The weekend flashes before my eyes before I can really grasp what happens. I don't mind.

When I go back to school on Monday, people talk to me. Congratulate me, almost. They want to open up to me, and they're more...willing. I smile at anyone who says it. When I find Russell, I see him with a girl. Instantly, I see the revulsion form on her face when she sees me, and I'm no doubt making a similar face.

"Russell, who's that?" I ask, pointing to the girl. "It's my new girlfriend, Cassidy. Remember Cassidy Moore-Sanchez? From writing?" I nod. "I know her from personal experiences," I say disdainfully. "She's my girlfriend! She's super nice and willing to love me for who I am," Russell says. I force a grin onto my face and say through my teeth, "Yeah. Absolutely."

Great.

Russell and Cassidy walk away, but before her gaze shifts from me back to him, I see a wicked glint of something in her eyes. I don't trust her with my best friend. Especially because she was the girl that tripped me on the bus that day.

I find Benji near the lockers, and before I can even say anything about my sour mood, he grabs my waist and pulls me into a breathless kiss. Nobody notices us kissing, but I do.

It's a sensation I've never felt before, something tingling that is making me shudder. It's the reality of it all that makes it more shocking. he keeps kissing until he pulls away for a breath. "I love you, Paige," he says before grabbing his books from his locker. "So, what's up?" I explain the situation to Benji as we walk through the hallways.

"Cassidy." He says the name like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. "Cassidy. Moore. Sanchez. That girl stole my art project and used it as her own. That girl manipulated Daniel Murphy. She lied to Bailey's face. Now she's going to use Russell and then break up with him." I shrug, "You could be right."

"Kiss me again."

The words come out of my mouth like a blurting rocket. Benji stops in surprise. "Really?" he asks. I nod vigorously. My body can't help it. It loves Benji just as much as I do. Benji, books in hand, kisses me again. He pulls away slowly, making the fumbling, joyous feeling I felt earlier last what feels like forever.

Bailey bounds up to us, screaming, "Oh my god, Paige! You did beautifully at the talent show!" "You weren't even there," I say, slightly bemused. "How do you know?"

"It's online. It's blowing up everywhere!" she cries, bouncing up and down. I'm afraid if she jumps anymore she'll break through the floor, so I say, "Please calm down. Who posted it?" She pulls up the video on her phone. Indeed, there is a video of me, in my dazzling dress, singing like a queen on the stage. Bailey smiles, "Look at the likes. The followers. The hearts! People love your voice, Paige!"

Benji grins. "Where's Daniel?" he asks. "Daniel's in the bathroom. Should I get him?" Bailey asks. "I'd love that, thank you," Benji replies. Bailey nods and hurries off. Benji turns to face me. "You need to tell her to chill the heck out."

"Me?" I ask. I'm amused by this comment. "Chilling out is one thing. She needs like, something where she can be half sedated or something. She can't just chill out." "True," Benji says, walking on the path Bailey has just taken. "I'll let you meet Daniel."

"Meet him? I used to know him before..." I say, trailing off. "He wasn't the nicest person back in like, sixth grade. To me or my friends. Mom doesn't let me have any outside communication with him." Benji shakes his head, "Your mom's weird, you know that? Also, is she out of the hospital? I overheard that she was drunk."