YOU BELONG WITH ME , Ben Plunkett

with or without Ben

At lunch the next day, I ate in the bathroom. I had avoided Ben and Mandy at all costs. My mind was all over the place, and honestly, I just wanted to go home.

My mom was worried about me. When I asked her to drop me off this morning, she immediately knew that something happened between Ben and I.

I told her everything. She offered that I take the day off, but I didn't want to make her have to miss work to be with me. I regretted saying 'no.'

I rested my head against the wall of the cubicle, embarrassment and shame coursing through my veins.

*

"So, how are you holding up?" Mrs. Chen asked, as I sat on the sofa in her office.

I shrugged. "I guess i'm okay."

"What happened?"

"This guy and I...we like each other. I think.. I mean, I don't know. He also likes someone else, and it's kind of confusing. But it's whatever." Mrs. Chen frowned at the way I dismissed the topic. "Also, I was looking online and I think I might just take some courses over at the community college. I'm thinking of taking on creative writing."

"Well, that's great, Jasmine. Have you already applied?" she asked.

"Last night," I nodded. "My brother helped me,"

"How are you feeling about it?"

  I blinked, actually calm for once. I took a breath. "I feel like it was the right decision for me, and I'm really excited to start. My parents are surprisingly cool with it,"

Mrs. Chen sent me a soft smile, "I'm proud of you," she said. "How is your speech coming along?"

I choked on the air, falling into a coughing fit. Mrs. Chen's eyes widened worriedly. "That bad, huh?"

I shook my head. "It's...not terrible. I just...don't know how I'm going to—"

"Hey. You have earned this," she said, quietly. "Don't let that overthinking head of yours get in the way of that,"

I sighed, sending her a grin. She was right. With or without Ben, I could do this.

*

Lina Speaks:

Okay...only a couple more chapters to go 😭