Yes, this is set before the other ones. Enjoy! Possibly. If my writing doesn't stink.
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Audra sat on the bench next to Bennett, waiting for the bus after the sophomore dance. She glances over at him, caught his eye and gave a small smile.
"Did you have fun at the dance?"
"Yeah," he replied. "It was great, did you have fun?"
"Yeah." Audra paused. "I saw you dancing with Avery." Another pause. "...are you guys dating?"
He looked at her and she fiddled with the Irish dance shoe pendant on her necklace.
"Would you care?"
She looked away, her cheeks burning. "Possibly."
Bennett waited a moment to see if she would give a more complete response. When she didn't he answered. "Sorry, it doesn't really matter. Anyways, no. I'm not dating Avery. Or anyone else."
She looked up, surprised. "Really? Wow, I would have thought you had a whole line of girls because you're-" she stops, looking away again. Audra felt him watching her and raised her gaze, meeting his eyes. They were in no way mocking, even though she must be making a fool of herself, just clear and bright as ways.
"Do you have a boyfriend? Or girlfriend, if that's, ya know, your thing."
"Nope. No boyfriend."
"Oh good," Bennett replied.
Audra laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Oh good? What's that mean?"
He shrugged, then grinned. "It's good because if you did have a boyfriend he wouldn't be a very good one for just leaving you at the bus stop by yourself."
"Suuuure," she grinned back him. "I'm sure that's what you meant."
"Hey," he pouted, punching her gently on the arm. "Don't make fun of me."
"Heeey," she said, imitating him and grinning. "Don't hit me!"
She hit him back, just a little harder.
"Ow! What'd you do that for?"
She stopped grinning. "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry! I didn't think I did it that hard.. are you alright?"
He grimaced. "It hurts.. but there is one thing that could make it feel better."
Audra frowned, wondering what she could possibly do.
"Well you know how when you were younger whenever you got hurt one of your parents would have to kiss where it hurt?" A slow smile spread across his face, "Well you have to do that."
"There is no way I'm going to do that," she laughed. "It never actually hurt, did it?"
"Well-"
The rest of his reply was cut off by a bus showing up. Audra looked at the route number on the side of the bus; 16.
"Is this yours?" She asked Bennett.
"Yes, but I can wait with you until the 44 shows up."
"No, you don't need to do that! Go, I'll be fine."
The bus dos opened and a few people got off.
"Audra, there will always be another one, I'm not just going to leave you alone out here."
She narrowed her eyes. "You think I can't take of care of myself?"
"No!" He protested. "That's not it at all! ...I've just ready enjoyed this time with you."
"Oh. But- oh."
The bus began to pull away and Audra frowned at it.
"Well," she said softly, "we could always hangout again sometime."
He smiled. "I'd like that."
She smiled back, "me too."
Another route 16 bus showed up before the 44. Audra convinced Bennett to get on this one, after trading phone numbers. As he boarded the bus she heard him humming one of her favorite Beatle's songs.
I've just seen a face
I can't forget the time or place
Where we just met
She's just the girl for me
And I want all the world
To see we've met
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm mmm
