The Cravers

39. Ben and Lunch

Finally facing my fears, I walked inside the busy halls of Adison. Kingsley was beside me with a junior girl talking and laughing at his jokes. I was kind of annoyed but it was okay because I didn't want to talk either. I was too worried out of my wits so I tried carefully to avoid Stella Evans.

Impressively, I was in a white dress with a pair of red sandals. My hair was in brown glossy layers and my makeup was all bronzy. I was yet to hear Kingsley's compliments but he was busy with that girl. Now it was kind of getting on my nerves. I flipped my hair away from my face and waved at Ben, who was walking to his class.

"Oh hey, Diana. Long time really, no see." He winked. He looked handsome in a baby blue shirt with a red cap.

I separated away from Kingsley and joined Ben's side. "I know. I've been meaning to talk to you but I've been unavailable."

"Ah. I understand."

"I haven't seen you at Stella's party." I eyed him curiously.

His jaw clenched in silent. "Um...Don't know why. Hey, how is the weather?" Ben dodged the question expertly.

"It's nice." A sudden idea formed in me. I was sure Ben had some type of relationship with Stella. I had a doubt about her so every guy needed to be investigated since the killer was a boy. " Hey, do you want to go out for lunch today?"

He was caught off guard. "Today?"

"Yeah," I shrugged, closing the gap between us with a coy grin. "Or...if you are not available."

"I will drive." Ben spoke.

"Great, meet me by my class."

===

Ben and I met in front of the school. There wasn't much people going out because the bell hasn't rang yet. There were still five more minutes so he suggested that if we wanted to enjoy a lunch together--he gotta avoid the traffic.

We were walking to the nearest cafe to have a drink. He begun talking about his pals and Kingsley...I didn't actually start paying attention to him until he named the boy I was thinking about. "What about Kingsley?" I asked curiously.

Ben blinked. "Are you listening?" he questioned. "Kingsley is going to throw a party. Aren't you invited? I saw you talking to him today, I thought he would have told you."

A party? He didn't say anything about it. "Um, no. I didn't know." I brushed my hair absentmindedly. 

We sat on a small table where our knees were brushing each other. I didn't order anything but Ben was reluctant to get me this new cake that was on the menu. I nodded but my appetite was gone and all I wanted to do was to be with Kingsley. I would really like to probe him for not giving me an invite. Where would he hold it anyway? Parker's?

"Are you okay?" Ben touched my hand and I jumped in surprise. "Damn, your hand is cold."

I flinched away my hand. "I'm fine." I smiled. "Ben, the reason I wanted to meet up with you was the fact that...I'm having troubles with Stella." I bit my lip as if I was terrified. "I thought you would be a great person to talk to for my problems because you seem understanding and trustworthy..."

His face was set in a grim expression but he nodded for me to continue. "Go on."

"I don't know what's wrong with her...She is pricking me and belittle me as if I am a pest."

Ben agreed. "She has that power over people."

"What was your experience with her?"

He was quiet.

I took a bite of the cake he ordered for me, batting my lashes at him innocently, I pushed compulsion in him to will him. I didn't want to hang around too long but actually gather some info on the suspect.

He jumped up slightly but nonetheless continued normally. "We were kind of dating last year. Everything was going great, we were going out regularly, I would hang out with Eddie, Amy...we were the pack. But suddenly, something happened to them as if I wasn't worth their company--they kicked me out. I had no idea what I did wrong but Stella hurt me the most. And she quit on me too."

Oh, I see. When the "crew" learned about their vampire identity, they didn't see the importance in hanging with humans. Gotcha.

I took notes on my notebook. "Uh-huh. Okay. What about the night of Jenifer Clark's death. Where you there?"

He gulped, pain flashed before his eyes. "I actually was at the club with a friend. I don't know why Jenifer and Stella was there with her friends but it happened to be a friday night so it was just a coincidence. They were having fun until Amy came shakily. I was watching them so I could keep my distance. "

I got closer to his face so I could stare at his eyes for a minute. "What was Stella doing?"

"I think she left to check on her a while before Amy did. I wasn't sure what she was doing."

I scribbled more things on my book. "Okay. Stay put Ben. Don't panic. I'm going in your brain." I know I wasn't authorized to do this, especially in a public place but my busy life didn't let me do any business work. "I'm going in." I whispered.

I held his hand and transported myself to the Inferno. It was dark as always but today it gave me a more chill effect. Nevertheless, I didn't wait to search his memory to land on the night of the death.

Apparently Ben wasn't paying so much attention to Stella.

The party in the club. Loud music. Dancers. Couples grinding off each other. Ben was dwelling on his sadness on why she hated him. He was under the influence so every image was blurry. But like he discovered, she went before Amy out of the club--for what I had no idea.

From his blurry vision, I saw something.

Stella had flashes of purple in her hand.

Could it be the amethyst stones?

I gasped. I knew it. She had her hand in this. Wait until Kingsley believes me. I felt so victorious.

When I was pulling out to end this charade, I felt the deepest sorrow. Ben stared at Stella, his heart panged with love and disgust. Could she have marked him?

I pulled out so I wouldn't harm him.

"Ben," I said breathlessly. "I need to see your neck."

He obeyed. With a Detector spell, I uncovered the hidden truth.

Ben was marked by Stella. 

I grabbed my purse and stood up. "I have to go."

6.18.2016

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Sorry, this is very badly written but what can i say....exams got the best of me. I will be better next chapter!!!
Enjoy!