Dear Cheyanne

A Clue

It was Monday morning; the start of a new week and hopefully a better one at that. Last week was a horrible week. With Vada and her situation, thoughts of Cheyanne's case and even my encounter with Ezra. It was like one thing happening after another. It was also like living an adult life.

It was 1st period, and I was sitting in Math class listening to my Algebra 3 teacher talk about Parabolas. I was not sure why we were even learning about those, I thought those were in geometry. Then again, I am not the smartest at math like a teacher would be. Today was tiring, draining like any other Monday. For some reason, I was having some trouble sleeping last night. I kept having dreams about Vada getting hurt by Ezra. I mean, really hurt to where he almost kills her. That is my worst nightmare is not only having my best friend gone, but hearing my other best friend let a man dictate her life so badly, he beat her to death. This conversation gave me massive chills all throughout my body.

Ben was sitting next to me listening intently to our teacher. He seemed to be enjoying learning about Parabolas. Maybe he can teach me since I was not paying the slightest bit of attention. It wasn't because I didn't understand, it was because I was daydreaming about Ben. I could not help but daydream every day in Math. There were so many kind words I could use to describe Ben as we would be here for days. He has been such an amazing friend. But also understanding of my background of why I am the way I am. Ben was a huge part of my life that let me see the good in.

I truly think I am starting to fall for a boy I am not ready to even date. Not to mention I don't even know how he feels about me. The two of us kept glancing at each other, giving the biggest smiles throughout math class. His smile gave me butterflies in my stomach.

Before I knew it, class was over. I was gathering my book while Ben waited for me. It was a constant thing we did was wait for each other and walk to our next class. I meet up with Tia at my locker for my next class and we walk together. It is nice to have friends like them, It almost makes me feel so much better about the past. I stood up from my chair with my books and Ben was at my side.

"So— what did you think of the math lesson today?" Ben engaged in conversation. It was not something I was dying to talk about, but I went with it. Any conversation with Ben is better than none.

"Erm— confusing. I hate parabolas." I replied, organizing my books in my arms.

"Well maybe I could help you understand it better." My stomach churned at his words. It was like he was trying to make a move.

"You may have to. God. I hate math." I said quite harshly, but in a joking manner.

"It is not so bad once you truly understand it." Ben and I squeezed through the tiny classroom door together, our shoulders nudging from the small space we had just encountered.

"Well maybe you may just have to teach me." I joked, but also wasn't joking. I was asking for help with math. I was really sucking today with comebacks.

"It's a date." Ben said, causing me to stop in my tracks.

"What?" I blurted out.

"Nothing. Sorry, that was a bit overblown. What I meant to say was— are you doing anything Friday?" Ben's words really caught me off guard this time. But I could not tell if it was in a good way or in a bad way. I didn't answer for a moment, we just stood in the hallway looking at each other. Ben's face became worrisome when I did not answer him directly.

"Um— I'm sorry I blacked out for a moment. But I'm not doing anything. I have a clear schedule." I said, giving him a reassuring smile. It was a buildup of him trying to ask me out on a date Friday night. He smiled back, feeling much better about his question.