It Was You

Chapter 35

Waking up the next morning, I noticed I felt more comfortable than I usually do. Actually, it was a familiar comfort, but one I haven't felt in a long time. I smiled as I felt Ben's strong arms hold me tighter against him and felt his breaths hit softly against my neck. I hated to admit it, but I missed this so much. I missed him.

He started stirring a bit, so I turned in his arms until I was facing him. Those mystical blue eyes opened and looked directly into mine. The corners of his eyes crinkled up as he smiled at me. "I miss the sight of you in the mornings," he told me in his husky morning voice. He traced his thumb gently over my eyebrow and down the side of my face.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. The reminder of last night brought back a particular hurt I had in my heart. He could obviously see it in my face. "Hey," he whispered, "forget him. He's a piece of shit that doesn't deserve you. Nobody does."

I don't know what came over me. Maybe it was heartbreak, or the fact that this all felt like a dream and I wanted to see if it was, but...I kissed him. He responded eagerly, putting his fingers through my hair and moving on top of me. Unfortunately, the moment I delved my tongue into his mouth, he pulled away.

"Wait, wait," he panted. His eyes observed me for a moment, before he said, "I can't do this. Not right now." The look on my face must have been laughable because of how absurd that statement seemed. "Why not?" I asked. He placed a soft kiss on my lips, then said, "You're heartbroken. You're hurting and you're confused and I will not take advantage of you like that."

Holy shit...maybe he has changed. If this were before, he'd already have us both naked. The thought of him actually changing made me smile. He chuckled at that, then asked, "What?" I simply shook my head, then told him, "You've changed." He kissed me again, then said, "Told you."

We didn't get out of bed for a few hours after that. We didn't have sex, we just talked. I felt a real connection as we spoke, a connection I've never felt with him. It was an odd feeling because I always thought we were connected like that. Apparently not.

Lee walked in to Ben and I laying in my bed, laughing up a storm because we were talking about the time we ditched school and found that little cave. We remembered how much trouble we got in and that made us crack up.

"Do I hear wedding bells in those laughs?" Lee teased. Before I could say anything, Ben told her, "We're not back together. She had a rough night and I'm simply here to...well, comfort her." Lee wanted to know what happened that made me have a such a rough night that Ben had to comfort me.

I told her everything about Michael—leaving out the dirty details in front of Ben—and she was furious. "I'll kill him," she said. "How could he do that? I thought he really liked you!" I shrugged as I said, "So did I. I feel a lot better, though, thanks to Ben." He smiled at me and said, "My pleasure. Look, I think I'm going to leave you girls alone to talk. Let me know if you need my assistance again."

He got up from the bed and put his shirt on. "Thank you, Ben," I sincerely told him. He smiled at me as he said, "Anytime, Cass. I'll see you later." The moment he walked out and shut the door, Lee turned to me and said, "You two are so getting back together."

**

Since it was Saturday, I decided to have kind of a lazy day. I made my way to the campus coffee shop with my laptop and homework and found a table away from the hoards of students that had the same idea. I popped in my headphones and got to work on my English essay. I was supposed to research and write about someone who made an either positive or negative impact on the world.

Me being me, my mind immediately went to a killer...but not just any killer. I decided to write about Ted Bundy. I was so fascinated with him and the psychology of why he did what he did. So, that's what I wrote about. I also sprinkled in the issues of mental illnesses and how important it was. Honestly, it was the best paper I had ever written! I was so proud of it!

"What's got you smiling like that?" I heard a familiar voice say in front of me. I looked up and saw Ben standing there with two coffees in his hand. I took out my headphones and said, "Just the essay for English. It's seriously the best thing I've ever written!" I couldn't hide my excitement and it made him laugh.

He put one of the coffees down next to me, then said, "Let me read it! Please?" With a heavy sigh and a small smirk, I turned my laptop towards him. He excitedly sat down and started to read it. As I watched him go over every word on the screen, I couldn't help but think how great of a friend he's being. He's so supportive and enthusiastic about what I do...goddammit, I miss him.

I don't know how long I was watching him for, but he suddenly looked at me and said, "Wow. Babe...this is brilliant. Truly, this is extraordinary! I mean, I'm a little creeped out about your fascination for Bundy, but..." He laughed when I whacked him in the arm. "Seriously, though, this is great. If you don't get an A, I'll sue."

I laughed as I told him, "Thanks. I hope nothing I did with him effects my grade." He put his hand over mine and said, "It won't. If it does, I'll kick his arse." We both giggled, until we heard a voice ask, "Kick who's arse?" We both looked up and saw Michael. He was standing there with two coffees in his hand, just like Ben a few minutes ago.

"None of your business," Ben sharply told him. Michael looked down to where Ben had his hand on mine, so I took my hand away. Ben gave me a confused look. "What do you want?" I asked Michael. He brought his eyes up to me and said, "I brought you coffee and I was hoping we could talk."

I put my head down and scoffed. He was unbelievable. "No," I told him, "I don't think so. If you'll excuse me, I have more homework to do." I stood up and started gathering my things. I was in such a hurry that some things fell from my bag.

Both Ben and Michael went down to pick it up, but Ben beat him to it. Ben gave him a sharp glare as he picked up the papers and handed them to me. "Want me to go with you?" He softly asked. I glanced at both men, then said, "No, that's okay. I need some time to myself."

He nodded and said, "Of course. Let me know if you need anything." I gave him a soft smile as my thank you and headed out. I looked back at both of them as I walked away and saw Ben push past Michael to leave. I just wanted to make sure neither of them were going to start anything.

I fear for Ben if they did.