Read His Mind | ✓

Chapter 18

Benson's POV

My decision to avoid her. I didn't think that it would be this hard.

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I had arrived early for 1st period and as I was about to walk in, I saw her.

Sitting at her desk by herself, picking at her hands and looking at lonely as ever. Although there were some people already in class as well, they paid no attention to her.

I probably would've stood there, watching her until the bell rang if she didn't suddenly look  up from her hands. Her head began to turn in my direction, at the open door. I immediately took a few steps back and hid. 

After waiting for a couple seconds, I stepped out of the shadows and snuck a peek inside.

Her eyes were on her desk again. She looked disappointed as she traced the cracks on the worn out desk. 

Was she waiting for someone? Who could it be? 

I watched her a little longer and noticed how she kept glancing at the desk behind her- which happened to be mine. Could the person she is waiting for, be me? A small spark of happiness flashed inside my heart. Did she miss me? I couldn't help but smile at the thought. 

My smile soon faded away when another thought came to mind. Was something, or someone bothering her? Did Bobby already take action? Did he do something to her? My heart began to fill with worry. No, no, no.. I can't let that happen. I need to help her. 

Just as I was about to take a step forward, which would reveal myself to her, I stopped myself. 

The only way I could help her, protect her, was to avoid her. Stay away from her. I don't know for sure if Bobby did something. It was probably nothing serious. 

I took one last look and turned away. 

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I went to the bench. Our bench. The same one we went to everyday where we ate lunch together. Laughed together. And shared memorable moments with each other. 

[flashback]

She was eating apple slices as she read a book. I sat beside her, quietly staring at her. She was completely absorbed into the book. 

Curious, I leaned close to her and whispered, "What book is this?"

She looked up from the book and gasped in surprise at our close proximity. "Why are you so close?!" she exclaimed.

"Do you not like it?" I teased. "Does it make you uncomfortable?" I purposely scooted close to her and laughed.

"Yes. It makes me uncomfortable so stop it." She began to put a distance between us and didn't notice that she was already at the end of the bench. I quickly reached out and pulled her toward me. 

We were less than an inch apart from each other. Her eyes grew wide at how close we were and her breathing grew heavy. I could hear someone's heartbeat thump loudly and quickly. I did not know whether it was mine or hers.

"Do you hear that?" I asked softly. 

"W-what?" she murmured nervously.

"That sound of someone's heart beating. Is it yours?" I asked. 

Before she could answer, the sound of someone's footsteps echoed down the silent hallway. Someone was coming. We hastily separated and each sat at one end of the bench awkwardly for the rest of lunch.