.:5:.
Eventually, Zach returned, after everyone had introduced themselves and we were just sitting around talking. I mostly talked to Stephanie, Sky, Josh, and Dan. As he passed Jacob, he handed him a coffee cup, and I understood what he had said earlier. He walked up to me, Sky, and Josh, and I turned to him.“So, why did you get Jacob coffee?” I asked him. He smiled.
“It’s a custom, because we used to all be late to rehearsal or meetings, that whoever gets there last has to get whoever gets there first whatever Starbucks drink they want.” I smiled. “I’m usually not last.”
“Ben’s usually last,” Josh said. I immediately tensed up. Me and Ben hadn’t spoken at all since he introduced himself.
“Either him or me,” Sky added. He must’ve noticed how tensed I was, because, after a second, he placed his hand on my shoulder and I flinched. “Come here.” He led me away from everyone and into his dressing room. “So what happened that day? Why are you so scared to talk to him?” I shook my head. “I could help, you know. I have had my share of screw-ups over the years.” A smile twitched at the corners of my mouth, but it quickly faded. “He told me you said something about only letting me in.” I sighed.
“When he scared me outside, I had swung my arm around and he caught it,” I started. “It had stung, but I thought it was nothing. We went inside, danced, and then he went to spin me. He grabbed my wrist, and I pulled it back. That’s when I realised that I had made a mistake.”
“A mistake with what?” he asked. “You think dancing with him was a mistake?” I nodded my head.
“By dancing with him, I was opening myself up. The last time I did that with anyone that wasn’t you, it ended really badly.” I looked at the floor. “I didn’t want that to happen again, so I ran. You saw me.” He nodded. “I’m just scared I made him upset.” He scoffed. “And, with the added dance between me and him, I feel like things are gonna be awkward.”
“Well, they’re definitely gonna be awkward if you don’t try to fix things,” he said. I sighed, but nodded and walked out of the room. I walked down the hall to where everyone was and immediately found Josh standing alone and walked up to him.
“Hey,” I said. He smiled at me. “Do you know where Ben went?” He nodded.
“He walked off a few minutes ago,” he replied. I groaned. “Hey,” he started, motioning for me to come closer. He leaned over to whisper into my ear. “You didn’t hear this from me, but he can usually be found at the top of the middle tower.” I nodded.
“Thank you!” I said quietly. I started to walk away, but stopped and turned back. “Hey.” He turned back to me. “Don’t tell anyone where we are.” He nodded and I walked toward the stage and stopped in the wings. I looked across the stage I had danced on only a week ago. I looked up at the towers and saw someone’s legs dangling over the edge. I smirked to myself and walked towards the stairs. As I reached the top of the tower, Ben looked over at me.
“What’re you doing here?” he asked, sitting up. I smirked.
“Asking a question,” I quoted. “Do you have an answer?” He smiled, almost sadly.
“Depends on the question.” I nodded and sat down next to him, dangling my feet over the edge.
“I’m not sure how to put this,” I started, “but . . . are we okay?” He sighed.
“If you’re referring to the whole thing a week ago, I just hope you know that I’m more confused than anything.” I nodded. “I mean, I’ve been getting here at the same time every rehearsal and looking for you at every performance so I could ask you what you meant.” I smiled. “What did you mean?” I sighed.
“Sky isn’t the only boy I’ve ever let get close to me,” I said. “There was one more.” I closed my eyes as I remembered the nightmare. “A few years ago, I had this friend, or so I thought. He was the closest friend, other than Emily or Sky, that I had ever had.” I sighed. “We did everything together.” Ben placed his hand on my shoulder.
“What happened?” I let out a shaky breath.
“He tricked me,” I said, my walls beginning to crack. “He had been hanging out with me because he lost a bet. He was supposed to make me fall for him, and . . . a-and he did.” Ben wrapped me in a hug, and I hugged him back. I don’t know how long we sat there like that, but after a while, he pulled away.
“I don’t blame you for being cautious,” he started. “I would be too.” He hugged me again. “But I promise, I would never do that to you.” I nodded against his shoulder and he kissed the top of my head.
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