Beauty and the Beat

Beauty and the Beat (36)

"Sadie and Maxxon sitting in a car," Bennett sang as we walked into school the next morning. I really felt like punching him. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"That doesn't rhyme," I couldn't help but point out flatly, and all Bennett did was stick his tongue out at me, not caring at all that his song hadn't rhymed.

"I still can't believe it happened," Bennett continued as we made our way through the halls. "I also can't believe you told me."

"How could I not tell you?" I questioned, for some reason feeling a little insulted that he would say something like that to me, though I didn't know why. "You're my best friend. You're Maxxon's best friend. Of course I would tell you."

"But I'm the guy that's known about Maxxon's feelings for you since we were four years old," Bennett explained, but it still didn't make much sense to me. "I'm just going to make fun of him for it."

I rolled my eyes. "You're going to make fun of your best friend for kissing the girl he's in love with while you haven't kissed a girl since, like, sophomore year?"

Bennett's eyes went wide at the mention of this. "That's by choice!"

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Sure it is."

Bennett's face was now turning red, and I couldn't help but smirk. He wasn't an unattractive guy, so I knew his choice not to get involved with a girl was his, not anyone else's. But it was still fun to tease him.

"Sorry we all can't have two people just falling in love with us," Bennett apologized sarcastically, and even though I knew he had no malicious intent behind it, I couldn't help but be hurt by it. Especially since Ethan hadn't actually loved me.

I felt tears sting at my eyes. Why was I still crying over this? Why did I still let it bother me? It wasn't like I needed him or anything. I had Maxxon, even though I wouldn't call him my boyfriend, and he cared about me more than Ethan ever did or could.

Bennett seemed to realize he'd said something wrong. "Sadie," he started, but he wasn't able to finish because Maxxon then approached us.

"Hey," he began, but then he saw my eyes and knew that something was wrong. He frowned and turned to Bennett. "What did you do to her?"

Bennett put his hands up in defense. "I didn't mean to make her cry!"

Maxxon reached out for me, but I pulled away. The last thing I wanted was to make this a big deal. It wasn't important. I was tired of reacting this way.

"I'm fine," I assured, though I wasn't so sure I was. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and coughed. "He really didn't do anything. It's just... allergies."

Maxxon obviously didn't believe me, but he said nothing more on the matter because he knew I didn't want to talk about it. Bennett put his hands down and took a step away, as if he was afraid Maxxon or I were going to hit him. I definitely wasn't, but I wasn't so sure about Maxxon.

I shook my head and cleared my throat. I wasn't going to cry. I was fine. Everything was great. I had no reason to be upset about everything. I was just fine.

"Come on," I sighed, grabbing onto both Bennett and Maxxon's hands. "We're going to be late for class."

The first classes of the day went by like it usually did, nothing worth mentioning happening, just like always. But then dance came around.

"We're going to be warming up in partners today," Mrs. Carson announced once everyone was changed. "The dance show is rapidly approaching, people. I want to make sure you're at ease with everyone in the cast."