The Barefoot Violinist

Crush

Hanging out with Cory wasn't as arduous as Bennett had expected. He actually enjoyed their time together. He had to learn how to deal with Cory's habit of jumping head first into something and his general impatience. They looked at the world differently, but somehow, the world as Cory saw it, didn't seem so strange anymore.

In English class, Bennett took his usual seat, getting himself ready for another session of mind numbing boredom. Seeing movement to his side, Cory came to stand at the desk next to his.

"Move." he told the kid who had just started taking out his books. Looking at Cory in apprehension, he immediately grabbed his books and left red faced. Cory on the other hand, jauntily sat down leaning back in the desk, throwing a grin Bennett's way.

"You're being a bully. What are you doing?" Bennett frowned over at him, watching as  students turned around to watch Cory. "People are staring!"

"I'm just sitting with my study buddy." he lazily smiled over at Bennett with a wink. "I'm here to learn you know, I don't know what you were thinking." he said with a twinkle in his eyes, shifting in his seat so that he was closer to Bennett.

Sure that he had turned a bright shade of red, Bennett resolutely stared down at his desk. When he chanced a look up, Cory was still smiling at him. He quickly looked down again, blushing even  harder, if that was possible. Cory's presence these days seemed to have him on edge. He was immediately drawn to Cory whenever he was around and they would always make their way to each other somehow, without thinking.

 Throughout the lesson he was overly aware of Cory next to him. Every movement seemed to draw his attention. He looked over at Cory again, his heart skipping a beat. Well, that was uncomfortable, he thought as his heartbeat returned to normal. Wasn't it supposed to feel better? Why was his heart skipping a beat anyway?

"Because of a crush?" he surprised himself. Where did that thought come from? That couldn't be right, could it?

"Mr Cane?" The sub brought him back to earth. "You were saying something about a crush?" he looked confusedly at Bennett, who felt like he wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole.

Realising that he'd just said that out loud, he groaned, sliding down further into his seat. "Nothing, sir. I read the line wrong." he immediately dropped his head as a few students laughed.

"You finally get it, huh?" Cory leaned over, whispering to him. A wide grin on his face. Bennett didn't really know what he was on about, but decided to leave it be for now. He still had to get over his own realisation, before he could be concerned about anything that Cory says.

Keeping his head down, he rushed toward the music room. He needed some quiet to think things through. Opening his violin case, he gently took out the instrument. He was just about to start playing when Cory briefly knocked and entered.

"I er, I just thought maybe I could sit and listen to you, if you don't mind." he said, a flush creeping over his handsome face. He also thought that Bennett may have more to say after what happened in the English class.

"Just be quiet and don't move." was all he said, raising the instrument to his shoulder. Cory didn't need any reminding from Bennett. He was just happy to sit there and listen to him play, while the music swelled around him.

He could just sigh as peace descended and it felt like he could properly breathe again. The music seemed to quiet all the turmoil and just looking at Bennett made him feel like he had won the lottery. They may only be friends at the moment, but he hoped with his whole being that he could get through to Bennett.

Leaving the music room together, they walked down the passage, with Cory staying as close to him as possible. At times Bennett would feel his hand on his back, steering him through the crowds of students. His ears were burning, seeing the curious looks on students' faces.

"Am I seeing you this evening?" Cory asked, as he was leaning against the lockers, watching as Bennett put his books away.

"Ehm, I have to practice tonight. I've got a recital coming up." he mumbled. Students had started to stop and stare at the two of them, slow to move on.

"You can come over and play in the music room or I can come over." he said hopefully. He didn't feel like going home alone. He's become so used to spending time with Bennett that it was going to be strange not to see him after school. The more time they spent at his place, the more bearable the house had become. No matter what he was doing, as long as Cory heard the sound of his music playing in the house, then he was happy. He was content.

"I can come over to your place." he smiled shyly at Cory.

"Okay, meet me at the parking lot this afternoon." Not waiting for Bennett to respond, he loped off humming to himself.

--

"You two still studying together?" Tyler asked as Cory caught up with him.

"Yip, still studying together." He unconsciously grinned even wider.

"Is that grin because you're going to pass your exam?" Tyler teased him.

"If I don't ace this, then I may as well give up." He was talking about his relationship with Bennett, when he noticed Tyler's curious gaze. "What?!" he snapped, hoping Tyler didn't catch anything.

"Nothing, nothing. I'm just glad that you've made peace that's all." he grinned while walking with Cory to the changing rooms.

--

"Hey, Ben!" He heard Blue calling him, as he closed his locker door.

"Hey," he smiled at her, seeing Ellie and Hector following close behind.

They haven't seen that much of each other, since he'd been hanging out with Cory. In fact, the two of them spent so much of their time together, that he only had time for his music. Thankfully he didn't have to worry about studying or grades, because that would have been another nightmare.

"Shall we hang out this afternoon?" she looked at Bennett while the others nodded in agreement.

"I can't. I have to practice for the recital and still work with Cory." he mumbled, not looking them in the eyes, sure that his face would give him away.

"What? Still? Should I have a talk with that dipshit?" she asked sharply.

"No. It's fine, it's fine." he said absent-mindedly.

"If today is out, then we should definitely do something tomorrow." Hector chipped in.

In the end, he agreed to meet up with them. He felt guilty for just deserting them and he also needed to spend some time away from Cory. He still needed to process his feelings for him. The more time he spent around Cory, the less intimidating he seemed. Now, if only he could get them all to see eye to eye, then his life would be so much easier.