It Was You

Chapter 37

For the next few weeks, Ben and I were mentally all over the place. We weren't back together and we still didn't talk about it because more and more things seemed to keep happening to prevent that.

With me, it was my situation with Professor Dick Head. I reported him to the Dean like Ben advised, but that went as well as I expected. He had the nerve to ask who broke up with who and when I told him that wasn't the point, he dismissed me. I kept trying to fight it up until Thanksgiving break, but got nowhere.

Ben was dreading going home for break. He was dreading it so much, he told me he just wanted to stay on campus for the week. I absolutely refused to let him do that because, even though he doesn't celebrate the holiday, it would have been depressing to leave him here all alone. He got so stressed by the thought, I had to calm him down by making out with him.

The first day of our break, mom and dad came to pick me up. After exchanging three months worth of hugs, I noticed Ben was sitting on a bench a few yards away. He had his bags near him, but looked incredibly sad. I excused myself from my parents and went over to him.

When I sat down, he let out a sigh and shook his head. "They have a last minute meeting with a divorce lawyer," he said while staring at the ground. "They can pick me up tomorrow." I put my hand over his and said, "Absolutely not. Come on, you're coming with us. We can drop you off at home." He shook his head, then ran his fingers over his eyes.

"I can't tell you how much I don't want to be there, Cass. I don't want to be near all of that, you know? Really, I think I'm just going to stay here." With that, he got up with his bags and started off for the dorm. "Ben, wait!" I called as I went after him. He stopped after a failed attempt to ignore me. Before he could say anything, I told him, "Come with us and stay in guest room. Please, I don't want you being here all alone, especially with what you're going through. Please, Ben."

He let out a deep breath, then stared at me for a long moment. "You're relentless," he told me. I smiled and took one of his bags. "Come on, we're stopping to get lunch on the way back," I told him. He actually had a small smile as he followed me to the car.

I explained to my parents what was going on and, just as I expected, they were more than happy to give Ben a place to stay for the break. My mom even gave him one of those warm motherly hugs that you couldn't help but feel comforted from. I saw him visibly relax into the hug.

The drive home was an interesting one with my parents asking me how school was going. I didn't tell them about Michael or anything that had been going on in that area. I had to make it sound like there weren't any obstacles I was desperately trying to get through.

At one point, Ben put his hand over mine for comfort. I caught my mom staring at us through the rearview mirror and smiling when she saw our hands. She really did love us together and so did I. It just wasn't happening right now or anytime soon.

We stopped for lunch at Mountain View and I happily ordered my usual with Ben getting the same. We quietly reminisced about our first date here with smiles on our faces from the memory. When we finished with our meal, we went home with our stomachs so filled that they hurt.

I showed Ben the guest room that was right across the hall from mine and he got himself settled. He did take himself out back to call his parents and let them know what was going on. Since my room was facing the backyard, I could hear him arguing and getting so frustrated to the point he sounded like he was going to cry.

When he came back in, he looked like he was on the brink of crying. "Want to talk about it?" I softly asked.

Twenty minutes later, we were in the guest house and he was venting about his parents. "I can't believe them! They never used to be like this! My dad told me there was no reason to stay away because it's like they're still married. I mean...what is that supposed to mean! Are they getting a fucking divorce, or are they not!" He paced around the room, hands running angrily through his hair as he spoke. I didn't say anything, only listened.