Dear Cheyanne

Apologies

Last period came quicker than I'd imagined. Ben and I have not spoken. We were sitting next to each other in math class, and we didn't share a peep. I felt bad for everything I have put him through already. Should I even try to fix this mess?

"Okay class don't forget to do your homework tonight. It is worth 40 points just for completing it. Please get it done." I quickly shuffled out from the room, my teacher's voice shouting through my ears. I had to meet Ben at the park. I'd rather discuss things there instead of in school where everyone can hear. As I was packing my bag, I felt someone come up behind me. Oh man I hope it is not Ben. As I turned around, I saw Tia standing there.

"Are you okay?" She asked softly. I nodded, retracting my arm from her grip.

"I'm fine. I just need to talk to Ben and fix things." I replied to her before making my way towards the exit of the school. I quickly made my way out to the student parking lot, quickly arranging myself to head to the park. I hope I get there before Ben does so I have time to think.

But luckily, he had already arrived and was waiting for me. I sighed at the anxiety that was coming through me. I was never good with confrontation. All I need to do is let him explain what happened and who this girl was. But also act like Tia didn't already tell me. I walked up to where Ben was sitting, giving him a small smile. Ben smiled back to my surprise. He looked almost happy to see me.

"Hey." I mumbled, sitting down next to him. He gave me a nod as a response. We sat in silence for a moment. I was chewing hard on the inside of my cheek, anxious for his response.

"So—I want to explain to you—what you saw that day. It was not what you think." Ben began to explain. I sat in silence, my eyes locked to the ground.

"Who was she?" I asked softly.

"Her name is Marissa. She was my best friend for a long time, before I moved here. We never had a love connection with one another, it was just a friendship kind of thing. She wanted to come visits me the weekend we had our date but I could not blow both of you off. So, she flew in the morning after so we could have Saturday together and Sunday together before she came home. What you saw was her going back to her hotel for the night." I let Ben talk and explain the girl.

"So—you two never--?" I stammered to speak to him. I didn't want to say anything that could upset him or make him feel like I can't trust him. But he responded by shaking his head.

"No never. She's like another sister to me. But not as annoying as Tia." Ben replied with a small smile. I sighed, rubbing my fingers along my face in exhaustion. Ben then started laughing out loud, rubbing his face. "I am just going to come out with it, Marissa has a thing for—women." Ben added, my eyes widened,

"Oh—" I grumbled. "So, she--?" I stammered with my words, wanting to be more respectful with his friend considering I already messed up.

"Yes. She always has been since we were in sixth grade." Ben replied, confident in his answer. I groaned at my embarrassing judgment.

"I'm sorry I misunderstood. I really should have let you explain." I apologized sincerely. Luckily for me, Ben's heart was kind enough to forgive my actions.

"It's okay. I would've freaked out too. But I do have a question for you." Ben spoke, becoming serious, for just a moment. I felt obligated to answer the question truthfully considering he told me everything. "Where were you when we were trying to get ahold of you Saturday night?"

I froze at his question, the scenes I witnessed still new in my head. My lips parted as I wanted to explain it all to him, but PTSD got the best of me for a split second. "Erm—" I started to say before shaking my head towards the ground.

"You can tell me. No matter what it is." Ben nurtured to me, resting his hand on my shoulder. A small sigh escaped from my lips.

"I didn't cheat if that is what you are asking." I replied. "I was with Vada."

"Oh. I guess that's not bad at all." Ben spoke, smiling towards me. God his smile kills me, making my heart pound against my chest.

"Well, it's a complicated thing." I murmured. Sighing again, I decided to come out with it. "I went drinking with her. I got really drunk. Somehow, she brought me back to her place with her boyfriend, Ezra and when I woke up the two were arguing and it got physical really fast and—it wasn't pretty." I stammered plenty of times telling Ben all of this. His smile disappeared quickly as he reached down, grabbing my hand. "I took some pictures of everything when I left the next morning. They are brutal."

"Show me."

"I—I can't. I don't have my phone on me. I'm grounded." I stated. I really needed to get ahold of those pictures, especially because they aren't something that my mom needs to be seeing if she's gone through my phone. I would be grounded for life if she saw those. "I need to figure out a way to get to those pictures."

"Is your mom home?" Ben asked. As I thought about what day it was, I shook my head.

"No. She goes to a spin class today around this time. She won't be home till 5." I replied. Ben quickly stood up from the bench and pulled my hand with him.

"Come on. I have an idea." He spoke softly pulling me towards our cars. "Let's go get your phone and you can send me the photos." He suggests. As we got to the cars, his phone started ringing. He pulls it out from his pocket, wrinkling his eyebrows. When I looked down from his puzzled look, I saw Leah was calling him. The two must have exchanged phone numbers at some point.

"Answer it." I barked. But he shook his head and handed the phone to me to answer. I sighed, hitting the green button and placing the phone against my ear.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Emma good. I was hoping you were with Ben. I can't reach your phone." Leah spoke through the phone, her voice sounding raspier than usual.

"Yeah, um—I'm grounded so that's why. But what's up?" I asked.

"Is there anyway you could come to my house? I found something in this case, and I think you need to see it. They have a suspect in mind." Leah spoke. My eyes widened as I turned towards Ben, nodding quickly.

"Well, be there. I need to go get my phone first." I spoke.

"Okay, well see you soon." I hung up the phone, giving it back to Ben, who had a confused look plastered on his face.

"We need to drop my car off at my house, get my phone and go to Leah's. They have a name." I said to Ben. He nodded as we got into our cars.

****

"Holy shit Emma these pictures are gruesome." Ben and I were sitting in front of my house after I got my phone. My parents sucked at hiding my belongings. They've hid it all in the same spot for over 10 years. It was nothing hard to find.

"I know. Ezra did that to Vada. I wonder what he is truly capable of." I replied, flipping through the pictures with Ben. His eyes widened when we got to the picture of the drugs sitting on the table.

"Oh my god. You didn't—do any of this stuff did you?" Ben asked, turning his whole body towards me like he wanted an answer now. I scoffed, raising my eyebrow at him.

"Please. Saturday was the first time I've drank in a very long time. I'd never ruin my life with things like this." I spoke. Ben laughed, shaking his head then sighing in relief.

"Good. I would have been very upset with you." Ben grumbled.

"I wouldn't blame you. Now let's get to Leah's before my mom gets home and realizes that I was gone. I have 1 hour until she gets back."