Sacrifice

Chapter Two

Crybaby shut her book and put everything back into place after her third class. Then she stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out of class and toward the cafeteria. Angelita saw her when she walked in and smiled, but her smile faded when she saw someone else walk up to her.

"Crybaby... Hi, how are you?" Ben asked her breathlessly, looking at her in awe. Crybaby giggled, "I'm fine. You?"

"Better now that you're here," He replied. Crybaby looked down and played with her hands as she felt her cheeks heat up. "Do you want to sit with me?" Ben asked politely.

Crybaby pursed her lips. "I usually sit with Angelita," She turned and pointed at her. Ben understood, "That's okay. Maybe another time." He managed a small smile and then turned around to walk away.

"Wait," Crybaby said, "I'll let her know I'm sitting with you. Just for today."

Ben turned back around with a wide grin. Crybaby approached Angelita at her table and sat across from her. "Hey, Lita, uh... I'm going to sit with Ben today, okay?" She told her. Angelita looked at her with an unreadable expression. Crybaby sighed, "Listen, I know I'm always with you and this is a sudden change, but it's really only for today-" She rambled until she was interrupted. "Fine. Just go sit with him," Angelita said angrily. Crybaby was taken back by the outburst. "Okay. Thanks," She said before standing up. Angelita looked up at her quickly, not even able to respond before Crybaby was gone.

"Was she alright with it?" Ben asked when Crybaby went up to him. "Yeah..." She replied quietly. She looked back at Angelita. "Maybe not completely alright," She added.

"Why?" Ben questioned.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because she's not used to me sitting with anyone else? But... Something's been off with her today."

"Well, if you don't want to, it's really okay."

"No. She'll just have to deal. I can't always be right next to her anyway," Crybaby managed to smile. Ben smiled back, "Alright. Let's go," He gently put his hand on her arm as a signal to follow him before he started walking. They both secretly grinned. Ben sat down on the bench of a table with just a few kids there, and the ones who were there seemed to keep to themselves. Crybaby sat next to him as she yearned for the two of them to be close. "So, how has it been? Any better than K-12?" Ben asked her.

"A whole lot better. I'm not used to all this freedom," Crybaby chuckled.

"Yeah." Ben agreed, leaving nothing much left for them to say. After a moment of silence, Ben asked, wearing a joking smile, "Have you seen any cute boys around?"

"Oh... Yeah, actually, one boy has caught my eye." Crybaby replied, a bit surprised by the sudden question. Ben felt a wave of distress take over him, "Yeah? Who would that be?"

"Well, here's a hint. I'm talking to him right now," Crybaby grinned in satisfactory and Ben grinned in relief. "The girl I'm talking to is pretty cute, too," He said. Crybaby giggled. It was like they were on the verge of a next-level relationship. But where they were at was too perfect to rush through and label it. Nothing was planned; everything just happened as it should.