I didn't know what to do. Ben obviously doesn't approve of Art, but I can't break up with her. She's the girl I've had a crush on since the day I came to that school.

I sighed, sitting down at my desk in Social Studies class and trying my hardest not to notice Art waving from behind me.

"Psst. Edison. Earth to Edison Fraser."

"What?!"

"You're awfully quiet and zoned out today, is everything okay?" Art said. I sighed and said, "Yeah, everything's fine."

"It doesn't seem fine. Come on, Edie, I can see right through you." Art said, Vance chuckling from next to her. I took a deep breath and said, "Fine, since our teacher isn't here yet, I'll tell you."

"Okay?"

"Okay, here goes. So...I told Ben and the others that I was dating you."

"Colton already knew. Your point is?"

"Art Fischer, let me finish. Ben thinks you're a bad influence." I said.

Shoot. I think I may have hurt Art's feelings. That was not my intention. I don't want her to hate me!

"Oh. I mean, I can get out of line sometimes, but I'm not a bad person." Art said softly.

"And I know that. I know that, Vance knows that, everyone in my...family but Ben knows that. And I need to prove it to him that you're a good person and you make me a better person in turn."

"Miss Fraser, Miss Fischer, Miss Lopez? Class is starting."

_______

"Hey kiddo! How was your day?"

"Decent. It was the normal day, you know? Did school, saw my friends..."

"Not Art, right?"

"She's my girlfriend, Ben, of course I saw her. What's your deal with Art? She's a good kid."

"I don't want you to surround yourself with the wrong people, okay?!" Ben snapped. I backed up and pressed myself against a wall, about to cry.

He seemed to notice the tears and walked up to me, putting his hands on my shoulders. "Hey. I didn't mean to snap. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just that...you're still young, and I want you to make good choices, okay?"

"I get that. But I promise you, if I see Art doing anything out of line, I'll break up with her."

"Deal. Now do you want to invite Art over to hang  out for a bit?"