The fears we share

Chapter seven | Always here

Emma's POV

"Hey Ben?" I ask looking over at him. 

He takes his eyes off the road for a minute, "Yeah?"

"Do you think I'm a good person?" I ask.

"Of course, why?" He asks.

"Sometimes I don't think I am." I say shrugging.

I study his outfit, he's wearing a black t-shirt with black jeans and converse. He smiles over at me with a confused expression.

"What?" He asks.

I frown as I study his hands and collar bone, "What happens?.... at home?" I ask.

He frowns and keeps his eyes on the road, "Nothing." 

"Ben." I say reaching for his hand.

He shakes his head and I take my hand away and look out the window.

Putting two and two together I ask, "Who stays with you at home?"

"My dad." He says.

His dad... hits him? I can't assume but I can guess.

"Just him?" I ask.

He nods and turns the corner, "Ben?" I ask.

"Drop it." He says blankly.

I do as he says and keep my mouth shut. We were on our way to school and soon enough it'd be the weekend. It's Friday, I couldn't be more happy. 

When we get there I walk through the doors and all is normal. Everyone is talking, laughing, and walking around. Something was off but I couldn't tell what until I see the principle stomping his way to us. He stands tall and eyes Ben.

"Come with me." He says. 

Ben looks at me worried and I shrug in confusion. 

"I'll see you later." I say worried.

I was sitting in class when a student walks into the classroom and hands my teacher a purple note. Watching as she reads it my stomach hurts.

"Emily." She says holding it out to me.

I stand and walk towards her, "It's Emma." I say taking it.

The note reads 'Principle's office, now.' I quickly pick up my books and walk out the door and down to the office.

"Emma." I say handing her the note.

The office guy smiles and points down the hall where I assume the principle is. I knock on the door and it opens seconds after.

"Emily." Mr. Brown says.

"Emma." I correct.

"Your friend here says the only way he can go home is you because you drove him here." He says.

I look over at Ben and his worried face.

I play along, "Yes, it's true." 

"Take Ben home please." He says.

I nod and walk back out of the small office with Ben following behind me. Slowing down Ben catches up with me and we walk out the doors.

"What happened?" I ask.

"He said I can't show up looking like this." He says.

"Like... what?" I ask.

"With my bruises and shit." He says getting angry.

"What? Are you joking?" I ask getting annoyed.

"No, he says I'm 'promoting violence." He says using air quotes.

"That's not your fault." I say feeling bad.

"Let's just go." He says.

"I want to talk when we get to my house." I say.

He nods and gets into the car. I can't stop looking over at him from worry, he must be so pissed.

"You okay?" I ask.

"No." He says blankly.

I nod in complete understanding how he feels. Some part of me knows that there is something more to his story.

"Ben?" I ask.

"Yeah?" He asks pulling in front of my house.

"Do you want to talk to me truthfully?" I ask.

"I don't want to talk at all." He says.

I believe him. Nodding I open the door and walking through the front door with him.

"Sit please." I say.

I hear him plop on the couch as I get a glass of water for him. Handing it to him, he drinks it down and slams it on the table.

"Ben... what happens at home?" I ask.

"My dad happens." He says frowning.

"I'll leave it at that if you'd like." I say.

He nods and rests his head in his hands, "Do you want to go to sleep?"

He nods again, I stand and walk up the stairs with him and lead him to the guest room.

"Thank you." He says.

"Of course." I say.

He makes me soft. My heart has never been opened so much. After everything that had happened, I've never been so caring. Thinking that makes me so... disgusted of myself. Before I may of sent him home and not given his feelings an other thought. I see so much in him that I relate to in a whole new level. I've concluded what his father does, from now on I won't talk about it unless he brings it up.

"Emily I'm home!" My aunt yells.

"Shh!" I place my finger on my lips.

She looks confused, "Why?" She whispers.

"Ben is sleeping in the guest room." I say.

"It's his room Emily." She says.

I watch her take off her jacket, "What?" I ask.

"It's his room, I save it for him." She says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I keep it empty for him when he needs it." She explains.

I nod understanding what she means. When he hasn't ate, or when he needs to stay away from his dad he's always welcome here. I look up to realise my aunt is staring at me as I shuffle through all of my scattered thoughts.

"What?" I ask.

"You care about him." She says.

"Well... yeah." I admit.

She nods with a big grin.

"What?" I ask shrugging.

"You only care for family, so I think it's nice." She says.

I nod and walk up to my room. Closing the door I plop on my bed and begin to work on school papers, even though I don't want to.  Maybe my aunt was on to something, what the hell is Ben doing to me?