Blast From The Past

6. REVEALED

"How long has it been going on?" Ben questioned, his body stiff as he sat opposite to Ella, his fists curling as he was trying to control his anger. "Was this happening while we were dating?" If it did then he would blame himself. He would beat himself up thousands of times for letting her do something as drastic as that.

"No,..." Ella whispered, playing with her fingers. She never thought that she would get caught, especially by Ben! "It started two months ago." When she started hanging out with Noah. But Ben didn't need to know that. In fact, no one needs to know anything! They better not interfere with her life. "Why do you even care?" She instantly was worked up, standing up yelling at him. "This is not your f*****g business anymore. We are done!"

"You know what?" Ben frowned as he stood up as well, mirroring her fuming stance. "I do care. In fact, I care a lot! I still f*****g love you that I am stupid enough to want to forgive you for what you did and get back together. I am stupid that I don't like seeing you in that state, willing to help you to stop consuming that s**t that causes in you being high with bloodshot eyes!" He was breathing roughly as Ella stood there with an agape mouth.

"No!" She whispered. "No!" This time she yelled. She doesn't like that. She doesn't love him as he loves her. And he doesn't get to care, not even like friends! "I cheated on you, Ben! I f*****g cheated on you! Which means that I don't love you in the same way you do. You are merely my friend and nothing more. And you don't get to interfere with my life and choices. I chose this, I chose to take drugs and get high, I chose to cheat on you while we were dating because I don't love you and I don't want anyone meddling with my life." She notices Ben's jaw twitching as his eyes hardened and she was satisfied. "And you don't f*****g say anything to anyone about what you just saw, Got it?"

"No!" He hissed.

"What?" She wasn't expecting that answer. "What fo you mean, no?"

"It means that I am done with your bullshit. I am done with you acting like a self-centered b***h. That's not the Ella I knew and fell in love with. And believe me, Ella, I won't stop until I make you aware of your mistakes and stop hurting and punishing yourself by ruining your life with that s**t!" Then he stormed out. He was fuming that he sent Jason a text informing him that something came up and he wouldn't be able to make it. He left her panicking that he will tell their friends about her new habits. What will Blake say? And her mom? What about Jass that has been beside her no matter what? Wait, no, no! She doesn't care about anyone or anything. Let them think what they want to think. She won't listen to anyone but herself and that's it.

Ben, on the other hand, was driving to a bar. He was furious. Furious that she didn't feel an ounce of guilt regarding what she did to him. She never even gave him a proper explanation about why she did and cheat on him. She never said sorry. And here he was thinking to give her another chance. What really hurts that she really never loved him the way he did love her. He was always the one sacrificing, the one apologizing and the one dying to spend some quality time with his lover. What do Adrian and Jasmine have that he and Ella don't? Adrian is studying here in the US while Jass is in the Uk, as for Ben and Ella both are studying in the UK, yet Ben and Ella were the ones to break up and didn't make it together while Adrian and Jasmine are deeply in love. Ben wanted that. Ben wanted that with Ella. But Ella didn't want that. Ella's eyes never lie. Ella's mouth always shoots harsh words out, slicing Ben's heart into tiny pieces. And Ben was tired. His heart was aching, heavy and his lungs wanted to explode as his fists wanted to hit everything around him. He stopped the car abruptly on the side of the deserted road as he started shouting, crying while hitting the steering wheel. He shouted on the top of his lungs that his throat hurts and his lungs burn. He hated that feeling. That consuming feeling that hurts everywhere. He hates himself. He hates this. He hates that he managed to drive Ella away from him. Why is he like that? What did he do wrong for her to cheat on him?

I f*****g loathe myself. He hissed to himself.

^^^

“Ben has been going M.I.A on us again,” Jasmine stated as she was tanning with Mia, Maya, and Ella outside on Mia’s and Jason's pool. They were having a girl’s quality time sans Jane, unfortunately. “Do you think something happened?” Ella’s headphones were plugged in her ears even though she isn’t listening, so she pretended to not hear them as her anxious eyes were hidden beneath her sunglasses.

“Yeah, I noticed. Last time we heard from him when he was supposed to come to the hospital the night Adrian proposed to you which is weird because he was totally fine before.” Mia took a quick glance at Ella, trying to soak in her reaction but she seemed out of the world.

“Maybe he has some family issues?” Maya suggested. “Or some complications in his studies due to him being away that long.”

“Don’t talk like you know s**t about him.” Ella surprised them by her dangerously calm outburst.

Maya felt nervous and didn’t know what to say to that. She was just trying to help. Maybe she crossed a line here and that’s why Ella hates her? she felt a gentle touch on her hand to find Mia’s hand squeezing her encouragingly. A small smile playing on her lips as she mouthed ignore her and Maya looked at her gratefully.

“Talking about studies,” Jasmine cleared her throat as a way to ease the tension. “Ella and I will travel back in two days, so we need to gather, all of us, one last time before we head back.”

“Yes!” Mia supported. “And it will be the perfect timing as the doctor let Rick off the hook after he showed a marvelous improvement and allowed him to continue his physical therapy from home.” It was true and Mia and Jason were thrilled to have Rick among them as they started fixing up the room they kept locked for him till he wakes up until he will be good enough to take care of himself and move back in to his old house -which they have been paying the rent and bills for-, that of course if he still wanted to go back there.

“Okay, then that gathering will be on Blake and me,” Maya said in finality. “He will be going back to DC as well soon and I have my own apartment here near my college -because as we all know Rick can’t go out in the public yet- so my apartment will do,… and actually,” she started getting nervous and they noticed. “Blake and I have been meaning to tell you something but were waiting for the right time, so it would be the perfect opportunity.”

“What? You, getting married or engaged as well?” Ella retorted, still not glancing at any of them. “If that’s the case you don’t have my blessings.”

“She is just joking.” Mia quickly added.

“I am not.”

“Yes, she definitely has bad humor.” Jasmine said with a hesitant smile. “and we all will be there.” She stressed on all to send the message clearly to Ella.

“It’s settled then!” Maya clasped her hands together enthusiastically. “Tomorrow good for you all?”

“yes, perfect.” Mia nodded as They will be picking up Rick tonight anyway.

“I should go and tell Blake then so that we can start preparing.” She started gathering her stuff with high enthusiasm. She was so cute and gullible for her own good. “Bye!”

As soon as she left, with a bored tone, Ella said, “Don’t even try.” Mia’s mouth closed, her words getting stuck in her throat. “I am not going.”

“Come on, El. Give the girl a chance, I promise you will love her,” Jasmine whined as Ella huffed annoyed.

As there was no reaction from Ella nor any indications of her replying soon. So, it was Mia’s turn to try. “She is really cute, Ella. Also, do it for Blake. You know that will make him happy. She makes him happy.” Another moment of silence with Ella ignoring them that they thought she fell asleep on them. “Ella?” Mia wasn’t one for patience and Ella being her half-sister or not, she was getting annoyed by that behavior of hers and with her continuously hurting Blake’s and Maya’s feelings.

“Fine,” Finally, Ella’s voice was heard. “I will only be there for the free booth.”

“Well, at least you will be there.” Mia shrugged, content by the little effort. While Jasmine, on the other hand, started rethinking their begging for Ella’s presence at the small gathering. She felt as if Ella was up to something, or simply her coming specifically for the booth didn’t settle down right with her. Maybe they did wrong. Maybe it was better if Ella just stayed here all alone.

What she didn’t know though, that Ella shouldn’t be left alone, at all! And Ben was going to make sure of that as he stood there watching the three girls from inside while Jason was preparing some drinks to Adrian, Ben and himself with Adrian working on the sandwiches.

“Who said that we couldn’t have some men’s time, ourselves?” Jason mumbled as he brought the three glasses with Adrian following him with sandwiches.

“The haters,” Adrian pointed at the tanning girls with a grimacing look.

“Well, we just proved them wrong,” Jason said proudly. “Ben, come and join us, man.” Ben absentmindedly nodded as he strolled to where they were sitting. “Did you call Blake to see if he would like to join us?” Jason asked Adrian whose mouth was already stuffed with food.

“Yeah, he said he can’t as he is joining his mother to her chemotherapy,” Adrian muttered through a mouthful. Jason nodded sadly, praying for the poor woman to get better while Ben’s mind replayed what he saw three days ago when Ella was supposed to be visiting her sick mother. Did she even visit her? he wondered as he took a big gulp of his drink.

“Hey, easy there tiger.” Jason notices Ben’s weird silent behavior. In fact, he and Adrian were just discussing this and they decided that they will be talking with Ben about it and see what’s bothering him. So, Jason nudged Adrian in his leg who was busy eating. Adrian gave Jason a questioning look, then Jason pointed towards Ben who was pouring himself another drink. Adrian frowned confused as he shrugged? He was clueless about what was Jason trying to say. Jason sighed as he rubbed his face –for a computer genius, he was stupid as hell sometimes- With gritted teeth and sharp eyes, Jason mouthed to him, talk to him! Adrian took a quick glance at Ben who was sipping on his drink with a far look decorating his sorrowful eyes. He shook his head, swallowing the remained food in his mouth as he mouthed, You start. Jason’s eyes flared with annoyance as Adrian was messing up what they just discussed. With gritted teeth and curling fist, he mouthed, Go on, now! Adrian calmly shook his head. Which made Jason’s annoyance increase, f*****g do it! He mouthed almost slipping and whispering it out loud. Once more, Adrian shook his head as he popped a small circled olive in his mouth.

Jason growled as he was ready to lunge at his annoying friend who found pleasure in his misery When Ben’s voice grabbed their attention. “You know, for clever grown-ups like you, you are terrible at being discreet and quiet.” He then looked at them with a mocking smirk as they sat there smiling at him awkwardly.

“See? That’s all your fault, you dickhead!” Jason slapped Adrian upside his head as Adrian threw a pillow at him. You would think, Jason will stop now and calm down, but no, he went for the olives and threw one at Adrian, aiming directly for his eye.

 Jason smiled triumphantly at his victory as Adrian took a hold of the liquor bottle and was ready to smash it on Jason’s head when Ben snatched the bottle away from him. “Easy there, buddy. Don’t waste something valuable like that on unworthy people.” Ben took his valuable bottle and buried it beside him, so he can be the only one having access to this beauty. “Also, aren’t we civil people now who left behind this kind of fights and violence stuff?” that kind of fights were done among gangsters and they all agreed on starting as a new leaf and get away from that toxic life. “Now, why don’t you kids tell me what’s going here?” he sipped from his drink as he eyed both his friends that they seemed consumed in a glaring contest. “Hmm?” He hummed and Jason blinked to glance at Ben.

“Ha! You lost!” Adrian laughed childishly, dancing his brows teasingly at Jason.

Jason flashed him his middle finger, then averted his full attention to an amused Ben. "So, Ben what brought you to Mystic Falls?"

"What?" Ben's forehead wrinkled in confusion.

"Yes, what?" Adrian followed, also not expecting that question. Was that what they agreed for? "And what the hell is Mystic Falls?"

"Oh, nothing!" Jason waved his hand dismissively at them as if it was a normal thing to say. "It's just Mia was watching this series that's called 'Vampire Diaries', and I noticed that this is the most frequent question on the show."

"And you tried to ask it in real life?" Ben lifted his brows at him. He was sure his friend was losing his sane.

"Yeah, I thought why not give it a shot." Jason shrugged.

"Let's just skip all of that and get to the main point." Adrian scooted closer to Jason. "Vampire Diaries? You are watching vampires? Fictional, supernatural characters?"

"Yes,..." Jason trailed off, not knowing what was he expecting exactly.

"Dude, grow up!" Adrian huffed.

"It's actually pretty good." Jason nodded as he replayed all the episodes he watched with Mia. "I enjoyed watching it, especially the hot Vampire s*x scenes." He said dreamily with a content smile.

"I knew you were watching it for a reason!" Mia's voice startled him.

"Oh, babe. Already done with your girl's tanning time?" Jason fidget innocence as Mia came and took a seat beside him on the sofa while Jasmine took place on Adrian's lap. And for Ella she nodded at them, ignoring Ben's gaze that followed her every move then went upstairs to take a shower.

"Yes, pervert."

"Your pervert." He kissed her cheek, drawing a soft smile on her lips. She was always touched by the simplest actions. And he adored her for her simplicity.

Upon the arrival of the girls, their men’s quality time was doomed. So, Ben fled away without being integrated and he felt relieved by that as he wasn’t ready to talk about anything. In fact, it has always been hard for him to talk about his feelings and what’s bothering him, yet the guys never stopped trying with him.

“I am gonna go now.” Ben took the last of his drink in one gulp then stood up and gathered his stuff.

“No, why?” Mia whined, not wanting him to spend more of his alone depressing time of his.

“Yes, why? Stay a little bit man.” Jason added. “You all will head back to your studies after three days anyway.”

“Sorry, guys. My sister and her husband invited us to spend the day with them as I haven’t seen them in a while. So, I still have to go home, change and drive with my parents to hers,” he put on his sunglasses. “Another time, yeah?”

“Yeah, man.” Adrian nodded then Ben was making his way out. “Have a nice day.” Ben waved at them before slamming the front door shut after him.

“Did you talk to him?” Jasmine wasted no time as she asked.

“No,…” Adrian replied as Jasmine glared at him. Then he quickly added. “We were about to when you barged in!”

“We?” Jason lifted an accusing brow at him. “you mean me.” He pointed at himself.

“Whatever, it’s the same.” Adrian shrugged.

“no, it’s not!” Jason immediately denied. “You left me the hard work!”

“You are such a baby,” Adrian mumbled under his breath.

“What now?” Jason gritted his teeth.

“I said—“ jasmine placed her hand on Adrian’s mouth, blocking the words coming out of his mouth.

“He said we need to go,” Jasmine said with a sweet fake smile as Mia snickered. She was enjoying the show. “we will be having lunch with his parents then we will be here tonight when you bring Rick.” She got off his lap and started pulling him from his hand. “Now, let’s go, fiancé. I need to take a shower and change with you helping me.” She didn’t wait for his reply, ignoring all his protests and dragged him up the stairs.

“She definitely will be the one controlling in this relationship,” Mia commented with a smirk.

“It runs in the family.” Jason ran his hand through his hair.

“Excuse me?” Mia glared at him.

“That doesn’t mean that I will be the one in control, in this relationship.” He quickly added to try and save his a*s.

“that’s what I thought.” Then her phone’s ringing tone required her attention. “It’s Rick.” She frowned then picked up. “Hey, R—“

“Come and get me, NOW!” His voice sounded panicked and in a hurry.

“what? Why? What happened? You okay?” Mia bombarded him with questions as she put on her sun-dress with her sandals on and motioning to Jason to go get the car who complied knowing that something was up.

“Just hurry, please.” He seemed desperate.

“Okay, okay. Just stay calm.” She tried to calm him down but her own heart was in a mess. “We won’t be late.” Then he ran out of the mansion after hearing Jason’s honk while yelling to the people up there that they went to pick up Rick now, leaving them in a confused mess.

“Mia?” Jasmine was on the stairs with a towel wrapped around her and shirtless Adrian behind her. “What happened?”

“Is he okay?” Adrian asked but Mia was already out.

“I don’t know.” Then she slammed the door after her.

Maybe it was a bad idea to hide from him about the last events acting as everything was normal when it wasn’t.

It definitely was a bad idea as their sins will be following Rick now, the one who already suffered for two years. The one who was kept in the shadows.

They can’t lose him. They just can’t!