The New Girl

Seneca

When I came downstairs in the morning, Bennet was sound asleep on our living room couch with a blanket over his body.

Dom came into the kitchen only moments after I had, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He filled a cup of water and downed it.

"Do you know where Bennet's mom is?" I asked Dom curiously. They did a lot of talking last night so I figured he may know.

"He said she died when he was 10, kind of randomly." Dom answered. A few moments later, Bennet walked in with his keys in his hand.

"Thanks for letting me crash, guys. And letting me talk. Need a ride to school, G?"

"Sure, but you're not going in the same clothes."

"I have clothes in my gym locker, it's good." He laughed. "I'll see you later, Dom. Thanks, again."

"Sure thing, Bennet."

Bennet and I got in his car and drove to school together.

"So," I trailed off, gaining his attention. "When are you going to tell the guys?"

He scoffed, dramatically, and shook his head repeatedly. "I'm not."

"Bennet-" but he instantly cut me off.

"No, Gabby, that's it. I'm not saying anything to any of them, or anyone else, ever." I sighed.

I hope spending time with Dom opens him up to realization that not everyone is like our fathers. The guys have such an amazing bond that I don't think anything could break it, especially Bennet coming out of the closet. I want Bennet to realize that. He can't stay in the closet for the rest of his life - he'd only be lying to himself.

He parked in his usual spot next to Ayden, who was still sitting in his car and texting. I tapped on Ayden's window and grinned at him; he smiled back, but it didn't seem to quite meet his eyes. I took a step back to allow him space to get out of his car.

"You drove with Bennet to school?"

Shit.
I keep getting myself into sticky situations where my only option is to lie.

Bennet came around from the drivers side and I still had not answered, so Ayden asked Bennet instead this time.

"You drove Gabby to school?" His tone had raised slightly in a manner I've never heard from him before.

"Yeah, I was-" I cut him off because I didn't fill him in on the lie I told Ayden last night as to why he was at my house.

"He fell asleep on our couch after tutoring Dom, so he offered to drive me."

Bennet, then, seemed a little annoyed, judging by how he stood up straighter and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Whys it such a huge deal? She hangs out with Colton and Dakota."

Bennet, what the hell are you doing? I just want to punch him for his stupidity that could just get me in a lot of trouble.

"Last I checked you wanted nothing to do with her." Ayden snapped.

This is exactly what I wanted to avoid getting involved with Ayden and his friends - the last thing I ever wanted was to get in the way of their friendship.

"That's enough." I stopped them both. "Ayden, I do not have feelings for Bennet and neither does he, trust me." Of course, he wouldn't know what I meant by 'trust me,' how could he? Bennet's secret is a secret.

Ayden grabbed my hand, not breaking his hard glare at Bennet. "Let's go, Gabby."

I sighed and started walking with him; I looked over my shoulder at Bennet and mouthed an apology.