My Key to Outside

Feelings

"He said WHAT?!" Marley yelled when we were in the bathroom after lunch. Marley and I had somehow found another table when I got back and gave her the disappointed look on my face that meant Benny lied.

"Calm down! Why are you so into this?" I asked.

"Maybe because I came here to have a good time with you; not to fix your boy problems. I wish you two would just make up already. This is taking up our time. I only have until Sunday to have fun with you, but instead I'm having to plot revenge against Benny when it isn't even my problem," she quietly said.

That's why she's been more mad at this than I would expect her to. It's not just Benny; it's me. Maybe I should give Benny a second chance. I don't have long to spend time with who's been my best friend for years, and I'll need a friend when she leaves. She's right.

"I'm so sorry. You're right. I'm taking this too seriously. I'm too sensitive. I'll-"

"Whoa; stop it right there," she cut me off. "Don't put yourself down. If that's what he does to you, then I'll sure make sure to let him know. It's not your fault. It's his, so why are you blaming this on you?"

"I know... I'll make up with him. I'll apologize," I softly said.

"No; you're going to accept his apology when he gives it to you."

"Okay; fine..."

* * *

I found Benny in my next class as soon as I walked in. Marley walked away to give me time to talk to him.

"Benny?" I called.

"Yes, Natalie?" he asked with a look of hope in his eyes. I've made a mistake. He truly wants to be friends. I can tell.

"I'm sorry," I said, and hugged him. I know Marley told me not to apologize, but I had to. I wanted to be friends with him, too. I just would never admit it.

"Me too, but what are you sorry for? You didn't do anything."

"I didn't pay attention when you tried to talk to me. Maybe I need to listen a little more. I want to know what the truth is. I won't yell at you. I'll forgive you. Please tell me," I pleaded. We weren't hugging anymore.

"I promise what I told you was true. Sarah was a vampire first because her ex boyfriend, which is also our enemy, bit her, and then eventually Erica got bit, and then she bit Rory."

"How can I believe that?" I asked. It just didn't seem realistic at all.

"I'll prove it to you. I would take you with us the next time something happens, but I don't want you to get hurt."

"What? You don't think I can take your vampire enemy? You can," I joked.

"It's hard to. I can't do it alone. It takes me, Ethan, and Sarah. We already beat him anyway. He left because he was no longer accepted here by anyone."

"I can't believe I'm having this conversation," I sighed, and then asked "how will you prove it to me?"

"Rory will gladly prove it. He thinks you'll love him if you knew he was a vampire."

"That'll be a disappointment when I say no to his invitation to the school dance," I said, and Benny laughed.

I honestly loved his laugh, and I missed it. I still have feelings for him. I always have.