Boisterous laughter filled the classroom, but Mr Hartley, our chemistry teacher, seemed heavily unimpressed with Benji's joke that had started it.

"I'd appreciate if you kept any more comments to yourself, Benjamin." Mr Hartley told him sternly, but he had an amused look on his face. Benjamin nodded with a serious expression, but his face split into a cute grin when our teacher turned back to the board.

I felt myself immediately smile back, his smile was infectious, but mine was slightly forced. Benji must have caught on because he turned in his seat slightly.

"You alright?" He asked softly. I bit my lip and nodded. I was lying.

Almost three years ago on this exact day was when my mum first mentioned Dave to me. How she had been seeing someone, romantically. And how she thought she really liked him.

The first emotion I felt was wariness. I don't why but some part of me assumed my mum wouldn't be interested in another man romantically after my dad's death. I was very young when he died but I was still sensitive about it. The second emotion I felt was genuine happiness. I wasn't going to live with my mum forever, and ever since Amber moved out I knew she'd felt a bit more lonely, even with me in the house. If a man could make her half as happy as my dad did, then I was fine with it.

I remembered her asking how I felt about it. I'd smiled and told her truth, that I didn't mind, anything to make her happy.

And for a period of time, she was. All thanks to Dave.

I often thought back to that day, wondering if I could have made things go differently. If I got angry at the idea of her dating anyone else other than my dad, or burst into my tears and wailed about her possibly replacing my dad. If I guilt-tripped her so she wouldn't date him.

Would we have still moved to Australia?

Would their relationship have ended in betrayal and disgust?

Would I feel guilt and shame every time I looked at myself in the mirror?

I sighed, slouching in my seat and fiddling with my pen. There was no point thinking of if things could have gone differently. The past was set in stone and I had to accept it and move on.

With that thought spurring me on, I decided to attempt the exam question Sir had wrote on the board. Then I realised I had no idea what the answer was, probably because I'd zoned out for the last five minutes.

I glanced at Benji who was writing at a fast pace in his notebook. I shifted my stance towards him, tapping his shoulder.

"Hey," I started with a charming smile. He simply raised an eyebrow. "Do you mind if I copy your answer?"

"My answer?" He repeated, eyebrows furrowed, and then looked at his notebook in realization.

"Oh, this is my Spanish homework due later today." Benji told me with a sheepish smile. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile in amusement.

"Well, do you know the answer to the question on the board?" I asked, fiddling with my pen. "I feel like Sir is going to pick on me."

"Miss Woods!" Mr Hartley's loud voice boomed through the classroom. "Since you're having a conversation with Benjamin, I'm assuming you know the answer. In five minutes I expect a full response from you."

I gave Benji a pointed look and he chuckled slightly. "Fine, let's look for the answer in my textbook together."

That's what we did for the next five minutes, with me messily writing an answer in my notebook. I wasn't too bothered if it was right or not, as long as I had something tangible, I wouldn't be made a fool of in front of the class.

"Right, class." Mr Hartley clapped his hands, disrupting the focused silence. "Chloe, would you like to share your answer with the class, please."

I confidently stood up and did just that without stuttering once. I smirked at the slightly stunned look on my teachers face when I finished, taking my seat. Benjamin, bless him, staring clapping enthusiastically as I sat down, causing the rest of the class to join in.

I gave Benji a smile in appreciation and he smiled back, his brown eyes warm. There was something about Benji that made me feel like I could confide in him, trust him. I just knew he wouldn't judge me or view me differently.

Soon class was finished, and we walked to the library together where we would spend our next free period. The hallways seemed quieter and less packed, maybe because the football team had a match that would take the whole school day; meaning Brock, Cory and Elijah were absent. Teresa had come down with some sort of cold and Maya decided to stay with her to look after her. John, for whatever reason decided to skip school.

That left me and Benjamin.

We silently walked down the hallway, with Benji glancing at me every few seconds. I wanted to so badly tell him what was bothering me, but after keeping it to myself for months it was hard to get it out. The fear of being pitied held me back.

Soon enough we arrived at the spacious library. I lead us to a quieter corner, taking at seat at a table and Benji followed suit by sitting opposite me. I brought out my chemistry textbook and notebook, planning to get the homework done, when I felt Benji's burning gaze on me.

I sighed, placing my pencil case on the desk and meeting his eyes. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I should be asking you that." He replied without missing a beat, concern showing on his handsome face.

I sighed deeply, staring at the corner of the old, wooden desk we were sat up as I stretched my arms. "Today's just not a good day for me." I needed a subject change, fast.

"How's it like, having so many siblings?" I asked. I'd faintly remembered him mentioning he was the third oldest out of seven siblings, including him.

He seemed surprised at my question. "You still remember that?" I nodded with a small smile which he immediately returned.

"Well, it's pretty hectic. Never a quiet day in the house. There are only five of us now since my two older siblings have moved out."

"Sounds nice." I replied, thinking about my usually empty house since my mum worked long hours. Benji made a face.

"Nice isn't what I would use to describe my family setting." He replied and I giggled slightly.

"Talk me through your family members." I ordered and he raised an eyebrow but complied.

"Alright, so there's my oldest brother Isaiah who's twenty two. He's studying medicine in another state. My older sister Sarah is twenty and she's studying something to do with Physics in a university near here. Then me, the best family member. After is Ada, who's only a year younger than me, so sixteen. After her we thought my parents were done but," He sighed. "They produced the twins, Matthew and Malachi, who are both twelve years old. Caleb is ten; Jada is eight and lastly Brea is three, the baby of the house."

I nodded in awe. I couldn't imagine having so many siblings. "Do you guys get along?" I asked.

"I get along with everyone, obviously, I'm so lovable," Benji joked and I shoved him slightly. "But yeah we're all pretty close apart from the few petty sibling arguments here and there."

"Who are you closest to?" I asked. I felt like I was an interviewer. Benji thought for a second.

"Um, I'd say Ada. Cos we're literally like eleven months apart we're basically the same age, and we just get each other and have the same humour. She's super chill as well." He answered and I cooed. That was adorable. Benji suddenly looked behind me, probably towards the entrance and smiled.

"Ada conveniently just came in." He told me. I practically broke my neck turning around to see her. A pretty brunette was walking towards us. As she got closer I could see her features better, and saw the resemblance between them. They both had the same warm, tanned skin tone, curly dark brown hair and beautiful brown eyes.

"Yo." She greeted Benji, bumping her fist against his and she went to stand by him. She glanced at me.

"Ada, this is Chloe, one of my friends. Chloe this is Ada, my little sister." Benji introduced her. We both smiled at each other and Ada shot Benji a mischievous look.

"So you're the Chloe he always goes on about?" She asked, leaning against our desk. I shrugged.

"Um, I guess so. What does he say about me?" I asked, glancing at Benji who looked terribly embarrassed for some reason. Ada grinned.

"Well, he goes on about how pretty you are..." I shot a funny look at Benji who was avoiding my eyes.

"I look like a bum most of the time," I laughed, easing the tension. I honestly looked super bad today, with my oversized plain hoodie, sweatpants and hair in a ponytail. "But thanks, Benji."

Ada's smile grew when Benji glared at her. "He also says-"

"Okay!" Benji interrupted. "You can leave now." He told Ada distastefully. She ignored him and turned to me.

"Nice meeting you, Chloe." She told me and I smiled.

"Nice meeting you to, Ada." I replied, and she left after playfully messing up Benji's hair. He grumbled to himself adorably, still not meeting my gaze.

I couldn't lie, I was shocked and flattered that Benji even spoke about me to his family, even calling me pretty. I didn't want to think too much into it, as that would be pretty arrogant assuming he liked me because he found me attractive, but that thought was now planted in my head and didn't want to seem to leave.

I adjusted my hoodie, looking uncertainly at Benji who'd found something on the ceiling very interesting and sighed. I had to get rid of the awkward silence. Hm, what would be the best way to approach it?

"I think you're super hot, by the way." I blurted out, and then sank lower in my seat in mortification. Smooth, Chloe.

Benji's gaze snapped to me, surprise and embarrassment coating his face. Then pink tinged his cheeks slightly.

"Uh, thanks." He replied, still staring at me with shock. We held each other gaze for a bit before we both burst out laughing and just like that, the awkward tension was gone and things were back to normal. That was one of the reasons I loved being around him, things could never get weird because of the bubbly, humours energy he carried.

"Wanna play kiss, marry or kill?" Benji asked. I shrugged.

"Sure."

"Cool. You'll go first." He leaned back in his seat, thinking for a moment. "Okay, Cory, Elijah and Brock."

I smiled. "Easy. Kiss Cory, because he's hot but definitely not marriage material. Marry Brock because he's my best friend. And kill Elijah because I love him but he can be so annoying." I replied and Benji nodded.

"Okay, your turn. Maya, Teresa and Melissa."

Benji sat up a little, making a face. "Um, kiss Melissa cos I can't see myself marrying her, she can be a bit, uh, intense." I laughed at that. "Marry Teresa because if I was to marry Maya, Elijah would kill me. So kill Maya."

"But wouldn't Elijah be angrier if you killed Maya opposed to you marrying or kissing her?" I questioned. Benji shrugged, grinning.

"I'd rather take my chances with killing her. That guy can get crazy jealous." He replied and I leaned forward, curious.

"Really?"

"Definitely. That was the main reason his last relationship didn't really work, his ex thought he was too overbearing and protective. Elijah told us she was overreacting and he was acting normally, because he genuinely believed that. But we set the record straight with him so hopefully he can be better with Maya." Benji explained, and I nodded slightly surprised.

"Anyway, your turn again." He said drawing me out of my thoughts. I glanced at him to see this weirdly intense look on his face.

"Um, okay, go on." I replied, playing with the hem of my hoodie.

"Nick," Nick was one of the football players, a fairly cute guy who made funny jokes. "John and me."

My heart stuttered slightly, but I wasn't sure why. I bit my lip, thinking. When I made my decision I leaned forward and clasped my hands with a small smile.

"Right, kiss Nick because he's cute, and it would be awkward to kiss John. Kill John, because I can't imagine myself marrying him... so that leaves marry you." I said the last bit slightly shyly. Benji tried and failed to hide a smirk.

"So you think I'm husband material?" He asked, holding eye contact with me. I shrugged with a coy smile.

"Maybe." I replied in a sing-song voice, grinning slightly. Then a thought popped up in my mind.

Was I flirting? With Benjamin?

I wasn't that familiar with the act of flirting but I was pretty sure I might have been, at least a little. And the weirdest thing was I didn't mind it.

"Hm." Was all Benji replied, with a smirk that caused a weird feeling in my stomach. I quickly changed the subject before I exploded into a giggling mess.

"What's your favourite colour?" I asked, resting my chin on both my hands. Benji didn't miss a beat.

"Blue."

I smiled bashfully. "Mine is brown, at the moment." I replied. He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

"At the moment?"

I nodded. "My favourite colour changes like, monthly. Not sure why."

He nodded. "Pineapple on pizza or nah?"

I made a face. "The correct answer is obvious. Pineapple on pizza of course."

Benji made a gagging noise, his face screwed up in disgust. "And that brings an end to our friendship." He said and I laughed at his dramatics.

"I can't believe you like fruit on pizza! We might as well eat salad with ketchup."

I laughed. "Your taste buds aren't just mature enough, Benji." I retorted and he scoffed.

"You mean they're not completely messed up."

We went back and forth for a couple of minutes, before Benji asked me another question.

"Favourite movie?"

"Definitely a Marvel one." I replied immediately. "They're perfection in movie form."

Benji nodded in agreement. "100%. There's literally no bad Marvel movie."

I made a face. "That could be argued. I wasn't a fan Thor one and two, to be honest."

"Okay, but you wouldn't call them bad, because compared to other superhero movies they're still elite. They're just the worst out of all the marvel movies."

"True. Jane was super annoying though. He should have had a better love interest; she irritated the heck out of me." Benji laughed at that, nodding.

At one point, our conversation got too loud causing the librarian to shush us. I didn't care though; I was having too much fun. Any thoughts of Dave were completely wiped from my thoughts.

Well, until Benji looked at me apprehensively and asked a question. "So, are you feeling better now?"

I nodded with a small smile. "Yeah, being with you has made me feel better." He smiled widely at that, showcasing two deep dimples which I internally cooed at.

"That's good to hear. Do you mind me asking what was bothering you?"

My heart stopped at the question. I did trust Benji enough to tell him, and I knew I had to speak to someone about it instead my thoughts would eat me upon the inside.

"Um, okay." I started nervously, playing with my hands. I looked up at him, making eye-contact which I forced myself to hold. "But promise me you won't judge me."

Benjamin looked almost offended. "Of course I won't, Clo. You can trust me, I promise." He said and I nodded. I breathed out, looking around. Thankfully the library wasn't too crowded and we were in a private, quiet corner of it.

"Okay, so I didn't tell you the reason why I left Australia. Dave, the guy my mum had been seeing for months lived in Australia so we decided to move there. The first time I met him was before that, it was during semester break when he paid for us to come down, so I could officially meet him in person. I did quite like him; he was funny, sweet and seemed to really love my mum. I liked him and didn't mind the area he lived in, his house was glamorous so I wasn't too bothered about the move."

"When the time came to officially move down there, I was really upset, mostly because I would miss my friends. But seeing how happy and smitten my mum was soothed me. I didn't tell anyone I'd moved until I was actually there. I managed to text a couple of them, like Maisie, Tobi and John. But only John didn't reply so I assumed he was angry and decided to give him time, I mean I would be upset as well."

"We settled in quite well with Dave. Having him around was the highlight of my time, because the school I attended was full of kids that weren't that nice. I managed to make a friend or two but nothing significant, they all thought I was some weird American. Dave made it bearable; I really began seeing him as a father figure. He'd pay extra attention to me, asking me about school, my interests and spoiling me. He treated me like his own daughter and I loved it, so did my mum."

I took a deep breath to compose myself. "About a year and a half had passed now, and staying in Australia had become my new normal. Even Amber, my sister had met him and approved. But of course, it was too good to be true."

"I was at home alone in the evening, doing my school work. My mum had her bike riding classes she did a couple times a week, and Dave was at work. Suddenly, he came home, stinking of alcohol. He stumbled onto the couch where I was sitting, complaining about his new boss. I was confused on what to do, leave him alone or take care of him. I decided to take care of him, and got him water so he could sober up. He refused it, but started staring at me. His expression disturbed me, it was the same expression he'd have when looking at my mum, but with more lust."

"Dave started moving closer and telling me how beautiful I was. He usually would compliment me but I knew it was different this time. I tried to get up but he gripped my arm tightly and made me sit back down. I remember feeling so terrified, loads of different scenarios running through my head. Would he actually do anything to me?"

I paused, surprised at the wetness on my face. I hurriedly wiped away my tears and sniffed, glancing at Benji who had a murderous expression with his fists clenched. His face softened when he took in my feeble stance.

"You don't need to carry on if you don't want to, Chloe." Benji told me and I shook my head.

"No, I need to finish it. If I don't tell you what he did then he still has power over me." I replied resolutely.

"I won't go into details but he did sexually abuse me. I was too scared and shocked to fight back, to move, to do anything. When he was done he went back to his room and probably passed out because I didn't hear movement. I went to bed that night half naked and feeling more dead than alive."

I chose a wall to stare at, trying to calm myself down. "The next day he cornered me when I was about to go to school. He asked if he could give me a ride there and I was too scared to decline. We ended up driving around the neighbourhood in silence, until he changed roads and took me to the park. I was confused but mostly frightened what would he do now? Could I run or scream for help? Would I be able to fight him off? He led me to a corner where there were less people and the whole time we were walking I felt like I'd pass out. I still don't know why I willingly went with him. Why I didn't run."