Seven Longest Days

Ben was dreading another fifty minute English class. It had only been a week since he broke off his relationship with Ms. Young. It almost killed him to do it, and it shattered her heart into a million pieces. She was stunned when it happened. She couldn't believe that after she tried to do the right thing by calling it off, and then risked so much getting back together – risked everything for him - that he was now ending it.

Ben knew he had to end it when Jonathan confronted him with the three photos he took. All displaying the couple on the stage holding each other, and kissing, there was no point in even trying to denying it. Ben trusted Jonathan not to say anything, and Jon was a loyal friend who would never betray a good friend's trust. Ben also knew it was only a matter of time before they would be caught, and her life destroyed.

He knew he did the right thing, but his heart ached through every word she spoke during her lectures. Her voice constantly reminded him of the precious little time they had spent together. He tried not to look at her in class, but this was impossible. Whenever they looked at each other during class, or in the hallways, their eyes would lock on. It wasn't long, and it was subtle, but they both felt its power.

Ben looked up from his note taking which he was faking. He couldn't concentrate with her in the room, or even in the same building. Ms. Young turned around and their eyes suddenly met. He quickly looked down and continued scribbling while she tried to focus, but couldn't.

"Ben?" Ms. Young asked. She had to talk to him in some form, any kind of communication.

He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. "Yes Ms. Young."

"Chapter five of Wuthering Heights? Catherine's love for Heathcliff, although…"

Ben interrupted her and in a guilty manner said, "I haven't read chapter five yet."

Her eyes lock in on him almost putting him in some kind of trance. She sternly stated, "You know that when I assign home work that students are to follow through on time."

"I know," he replied.

"Then what's the problem? You're one of my best students; don't disappoint me again." She couldn't believe she said the word again, and hoped no one noticed. She tried to distract and said, "I don't want to have to fail you."

"I've just got a lot going on right now, personal stuff." Ben looked around the classroom, and he felt like everyone was staring at him – judging him even.

Book in hand she walked over to her desk. "You seemed fine a week ago, what's changed? Break up with one of your girlfriends perhaps?" A few students chuckled.

Ben looked at the clock on the wall. Oh God he thought to himself, ten minutes left. He couldn't believe how far she was pushing it. He looked at her with an expression of are you kidding you know the answer! "It's a family matter", he muttered.

That was enough she thought to herself. "Oh…all right, maybe the school counselor can help." Ms. Young looked around the class, "Jeremy, chapter five?" Ben could finally sink down in his seat. He thought to himself how bizarre that exchange was. Did anyone notice he wondered?

There was a noise to his left, and he looked over to see Sue mouth the words, "What the hell was that?" He just shrugged his shoulders in response.

Ben returned to his bogus note taking thinking about how difficult today's rehearsal would be. Maybe he should quit he thought. He did like working with Sue, and they had been getting along better than they ever have. He had heard that she had a crush on him. He was surprised how much he was enjoying the rehearsals because he wasn't really the school play kind of guy.

Sue whispered, "Ben?" He looked over at her holding a small piece of paper in her hand. At that moment Ms. Young walked by their desks while continuing with her lecture. Just as she past by, Sue handed the note to Ben behind Ms. Young's back. Ben was about to open the folded piece of paper, but noticed that the room was suddenly very quiet. He just knew he was busted, and looked up at the cold stare of Ms. Young.

"Notes in class Ben? Don't you think that's a bit juvenile; even for you? How do you expect to become a man when you don't focus?" What kind of question was that he wondered? She quickly snatched the note out of his hand, and walked to the front of the room towards her desk. The school bell finally rang.

Ben sighed and quietly spoke, "Thank God."

Over the book shuffling, and student chatter Ms. Young yelled, "Chapter six for tomorrow people. Ben I'd like a word with you."

One of Ben's friends walked by laughing, "Ahh busted dude."

"Thanks for the support David," Ben replied in a defeated tone.

Sue walked over to Ben, "I am so sorry for getting you in trouble like that. I'll tell Ms. Young I wrote the note."

While sitting in his desk he looked up at Sue and said, "No don't worry about it. I can handle Ms. Young."

"What is going on with her today? She's pissed about something," Sue stated.

While concentrating on what was about to happen in the next few minutes, Ben answered in a somewhat spaced-out manner, "I think she's lonely."

Sue made a puzzled look on her face thinking that's an odd comment; how would he even know something like that? Excitedly she asked, "You'll be at rehearsal after classes right? It should be interesting today."

"What, oh yeah rehearsal I'll be there."

After all the students left the room Ben just sat in his desk and Ms. Young did the exact same thing in her desk. They just stared at each other for a full minute not saying a word. The only noise was from outside in the hall with students scurrying off to their next class. Ben was about to say something when Ms. Young finally got up and walked over towards him. She sat down in the desk in front of him, and turned a bit to see his face. She opened the note and read it to herself. As she closed it Ben could suddenly see a tear run down her cheek.

"Oh Monica please don't cry; this is killing me too."

She wiped her cheek, and pulled herself together. Looking down, and speaking softly, "I didn't think you would have moved on so quickly."

"What do you mean I don't understand?"

"But did you have to invite her…Sue, there?"

"There? Where, what are you talking about," he asked, struggling to understand.

She lifted her hand with the note in it. "The note you were passing says meet me in the janitors closet during lunch. Of all places, the place where we first made love, did you have to invite her there?" She had raised her voice by the end of her sentence.

"No, no, Monica, you don't understand Sue wrote the note! I didn't even know what it said till now!" Ben tried to compose himself and said, "I would never do that to you…never, I promise."

Monica was embarrassed, and a bit shameful that she had assumed Ben had already moved on. Tears began to run down her face. She looked at him and softly said, "I apologize. I'm acting like a jealous loved crazed teenager…but I've missed you. This has been the longest seven days of my life." She stood up to walk around and put her hands on her head out frustration, "I'm not normally like this! I'm usually an extremely rational and decisive person! All I do now is day dream about you! I don't know how I put these lectures together, or grade papers, I really don't! I don't know how much longer I can take this!"

Ben looked up at her, and he wanted her badly, he wanted to make her feel safe, and rescue her from this gut wrenching heart ache. He loved her too much to risk everything, her career, even her freedom. "I'm sorry Monica. We both know this – us – it's a time bomb. I'm tired of the secrets; the sneaking around. My parents think I am on drugs, and I can't tell them anything. My friends wonder why I'm not dating girls that are interested in me."

"Girls," she suspiciously inquired.

Nervously he answered, "Yeah...there's a few my age that get me. Have the same interests I do."

She turned quickly and stared at him, "I know, I know!" She walked towards her desk, and grabbed a tissue. She suddenly giggled for a second as she blotted her eyes.

Ben was taken by surprise for a moment, and smiled, "What could you be possibly laughing at?"

She walked toward him while moving her hair out of her face. "The CD you made me. The one I said was so high school."

"Yeah," Ben responded.

"I listen to it all the time wherever I am," she stated as she smiles at him. "Is that crazy?"

Ben was now frustrated that he can not convince her to let go. He stands up and begs her, "Monica you can't do this to yourself. Throw the CD away, and forget about me. You're a beautiful, sexy intelligent woman…a million guys better than me would want you!"

She walked up to the classroom windows, and stared out at the cars in the parking lot. Ben began putting his notes in his binder, and stacking his books. Monica in a daze said, "Why is it we always want what we can't have?"

Ben headed for the door, "I'm sorry it's just the way it has to be." He reached for the door and pressed on the handle.

"Ben?" She yelled as she turned around. "I'm in love with you! I mean…," she put her head down somewhat embarrassed that she had become so desperate. Calmly she spoke, "I love you."

Ben couldn't believe she actually used the words. He stopped and lovingly said, "Goodbye Ms. Young." He then walked out of the room with the door shutting behind him.

Ms. Young stood there for a moment devastated that she could not convince Ben to come back to her. She walked to her desk, and sat down. She started to cry again as she opened her desk drawer. She pulled her portable stereo out and placed it on the desk top. She then began playing the disc that Ben had created for her.