Love Isn't Complicated, People Are

Chapter One

(Picture: Hayden)
"And the greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." Ben's voice rings out through the lecture hall, creating small echo's. I stare at him, emotions swirling through me, almost leaving me breathless. It's been a while since I saw him, and he's changed. His black hair is shorter, his eyes lighter though I can't tell what's in them from where I sit. Besides the obvious good looks, his voice is rich and smooth. Along with that, he's brilliant.

"Come on, Hayden. Let's go talk to him." My dad's eyes sparkle with pride as he stands. Him and my mom are both college professors, though dad takes his job way too seriously. Ben was Dad's student and Dad got way to excited when Ben applied at the same college Dad teaches at. Dad pulled some strings and got Ben hired. So far, he hasn't disappointed Dad.

I blink out of my observation, and stand up, following dad down the aisle to Ben. There's a line to talk to him, and by the time me and dad get to him, the room is empty besides us. It feels different now, more personal. Scared, I swallow. I'm not ready to face him!

I'm standing behind dad, quiet and hopefully hidden. I play with my fingers, looking down at my feet. Please don't notice me, please don't notice me, I silently beg.

"Mr. McClaine! It's great to see you!" Ben's voice is polite and I peak around Dad to see them shaking hands. He looks even better up close. I bite my lip and pull back, looking at the floor again.

Dad laughs. "Ben, I've told you to call me Scott,"

Maybe I should just pretend like I haven't thought about him at all these past two and a half years. Like standing in his presence doesn't mean anything.

Ben chuckles. "Right, right. I still think of you as my teacher."

"You were my best student, Ben." By dad's voice, I can tell he's smiling. And if I know my dad well enough, there's lots of pride there. He never smiles like that at me.

It's decided then. Ben means nothing to me. "Should I leave you two alone?" I comment, folding my arms across my chest.

Suddenly Ben is coming around my dad, staring at me. He swishes what's left of his hair away from his face, his blue eyes looking straight into mine. I'm hit with a tidal wave of emotions, both mine and his. Mine are easy to identify. His are in eyes, and so much more harder to identify. Surprise. Wonder. Curiosity. Regret. But most of all; pain. So much pain. He smiles and the emotions in his eyes disappear. "Aden, is that you? All grown up?"

My heart flutters at the use of his nickname and makes me think of the past. Ben used to come to my house for extra tutor sessions with my dad. My dad was late a lot and we used to hang out until dad came home. Not that that did much; I was fourteen and Ben was twenty-two. Now, almost three years later, it was like we'd never met.

"Not grown up yet. But getting there." Dad smiles sheepishly, no doubt because of my comment.

"How old are you know? Fifteen?" He raises his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I narrow my eyes, refusing to let him know how much that comment hurt. "How old are you? Like forty?"

"Touché," He chuckles.

"Hayden is here because she's going to be taking a college class, any of her choosing. But I can guess which one she'll choose." Dad proceeds to try to wink and I flush. Any of my choosing? He said he was going to choose because he knows which classes look good on college applications.

"Dad," I go to protest.

"Aden, I wouldn't mind teaching you. You must have a great mind, just like your dad." Ben grins at my dad. Suck up.