Persona Book I (BWWM)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Afia P.O.V

She still carried the roses that Ben had given her, earning a few curious glazes. Afia Adebowale the quiet girl that no one knew received roses from Benjamin Waters the star running back who everyone knew. Afia had a headache from the day's events, all she wanted was to talk to her sister.

"Are you and Ben dating?" Her lab partner asked with terrible intentions. Afia was not prepared for this question for many reason and the number one reason was Ben didn't tell her what she was supposed to say. Before Afia could give a vague response, the bell rung. Afia's cellphone began vibrating indicating that she had a text message, she quickly unlocked the phone and saw that it wasn't her sister it was Benjamin. When she read the message, her eyes widened as she reread it over again.

'Time to start the plan meet in the cafeteria.'

Her stomach in knots she ignored the stares she got from others who were probably wondering what he saw in a black girl. Afia opened the locker and shoved the roses in the locker and her mind was heavy with doubt. Could she really do this, I mean he did ditch her when he needed to meet her parents and better believe she was still pissed. Her mind, the thing she listened to the most, told her to tell him to screw himself and walk out of the cafeteria with her pride intact and her head held high, but her heart, the thing he stole a while back, told her to just dive right in with no regrets and to finally live in the fast lane. If she could pull this off she could be with her sister in no time and leave Texas far behind her. So, with decision made she walked to the cafeteria her head held high and chest puffed out, to any outsider she would look like she had no fear but she probably had every fear there ever was.

With everyone else moving around her, Afia went into the loud cafeteria searching for Ben she didn't have to search far because there he was and damn near the whole football team and their girlfriends sitting at the table. Ben was looking around the cafeteria looking for her and then he found her, Afia suddenly backing out she turned around and was about to walk out of the cafeteria wanting to be far from the whole thing. But Ben had other plans because he ran to her and grabbed her hand. Afia's pulse jumping she turned around to face him.

"You will be fine Afia." He said reassuring her. Finally putting on her big girl panties she nodded her head and he gave her a smile and lead her to the table she thought she would never sit at. They did not know that they caused attention to themselves, because believe it or not Afia was the girl who came after the infamous Muffy Springs, everyone was oblivious to the façade the two were putting on so they believed Afia was the girl who made Ben consider putting his love life on play. But she really couldn't do that because Afia knew that she would never top his first love who left him heartbroken. So, when they approached the table the football team could not believe what they were truly seeing, Ben introducing them to a girl.

"Hey guys, I have been delaying this introduction for a while now but this is my girlfriend Afia." Ben said in one breath as if the words set his mouth to flames and the faster they got out the quicker the burn would go away. Afia still at lost for words smiled and tucked a loose curl behind her ear, the table was quiet for a moment, she thought they were either shocked that he had a girlfriend after two years or that his 'girlfriend' was black.

Her curious thoughts were quickly answered when one of the football player's girlfriend said, 

"She's black."

 Afia was pissed of course she was black, the hell else could she be, green? Just as she was about to give the girl a piece of her mind Ben snaked his arm around her waist taking the words off her tongue. The space between them two made her dizzy and she did not like it.

Ben eyes hardened before saying, "Yeah I could tell." The girl cheeks turned red and she scooted closer to her boyfriend.

"What she meant was that we are happy for you man." Donte, the quarterback, said smiling revealing the whitest teeth she had ever seen. Afia had already made her mind up that she did not like this table and she damn sure did not like the people at it.

Ben pulled the chair out for her and she sat down he followed right behind her. Then it was like a switch was turned on and the table went back to normal and they began to ask them questions.

"Where did you guys meet?"

"At the library, she was my tutor." Ben said effortlessly.

"She is the person that has been saving your ass from being cut from the team." One of the football players, she would soon to learn name was Jackson, said making the table erupt in laughter.

"Yeah that's me." Afia said laughing lightly.

"How long have you guys been dating." The girl who made the comment earlier said.

"Only a few weeks." Afia answered.

"Well that's kind of late, I mean he introduced Muffy to us a few days after they started dating." She said with a smirk playing on her lips.

What the hell did Muffy have anything to do with the situation, was this her trying to make Afia uncomfortable or pissed or both?

"Kailey, would you knock it off?" Ashley, who was in her science class, said.

"What I am only stating facts." Kailey shrugged.

Well while you are it would you like to state that you are a major bitch. Afia said to herself, "It's fine." Afia settled for.

Ryan sat down oblivious to the tension and the more tension he created casually said, "Why the hell is it so quiet?"

Ben tensed and he placed his hand over hers causing concern to spread across Afia's face. It didn't take Ryan long to realize what exactly was going on.

If Ryan was ever pissed you would have not known because he said, "Oh so is Ben finally introducing you to his girlfriend?" Smugness was rolling off him like waves and Ben was getting more pissed by the moment.

"Yeah any problem with that?" Ben challenged.

The situation that was going suddenly brought her back to what had happened earlier and she was hoping she did not have to kiss him again, she didn't think her heart could take it. Afia wondered what the hell happened between the two, it was like they were never best friends.

"Well just a tiny one, I was just wondering if she knew about the whole 'you still being in love with Muffy' thing I mean she does need to know that she is only but a rebound." Ryan quirked an eyebrow.

It really wasn't a shocker to her that he was still in love with Muffy I mean even Stevie Wonder could see he was still caught up on his ex. But a rebound, is that what everyone thought of her, just a rebound. Her answer was clarified when she looked around the table and saw everyone not wanting to meet her gaze except for the bitch Kailey who nodded in agreement.

"You don't know nothing man." Ben said trying to keep his temper in control.

Ryan laughed and then said, "Oh really now, I mean you weren't saying that three weeks ago."

You could tell the table was shocked and even the cafeteria because everyone was silent waiting for Ben's comeback.

Afia immediately stepped in and said, "Hey Ben can I talk to you for a sec?" Before he could respond she grabbed her bag and pulled him up along with her. She dragged him out of the cafeteria and she walked him over to the vending machines.

"Hey listen Afia-"

"Do you want to get out of here?" She interrupted.

With a nod, they walked to the students parking lot and they got into Afia's car and pulled out of the parking lot.