The subsequent day we had a field trip to a farm on the outskirts of town. After the lengthy, noisy, stuffy, really irritating bus ride we had finally arrived. We were split into 10 groups and were assigned different tour guides to show us around the farm. I was sent over to group 3 only to discover that Ben was in my group! Then I noticed who he was talking to, Ryan. He is 1 of his “cool” friends.
You see, he hangs out with Dominic, Adam, David and Levi, and the rest of us, who are his “not quite cool” friends. But he also hangs out with Ryan and some other guys when he isn?t with us. I hate becoming there when Ryan is around, he thinks he?s better than me and his thoughts are not always pleasant. Plus, Ben acts differently when his “cool” pals are near.
“Hey guys.” I said, trying to fake some happiness. “Hi.” Ben said, really averagely. *Oh great, here comes annoying Michelle* Ryan thought. “Nice to see you Ryan.” I feel my irritation was showing on my face due to the fact he cautiously stepped back a few steps. They both stared at me and Ryan?s thoughts stated *I wish she would go away. Ben and I were discussing guy stuff* I looked around and noticed Mandy was in this group as well. “Bye guys. I?ll be over there with Mandy. *We don?t care* I flashed Ryan a smile that oozed with acid and went over to 1 of my other buddies, Mandy.
She?s quite short for her age which makes her shy so she was standing away from everyone else. She was busy tying her lengthy brown hair into a braid when I came up and stated hi. “Hey. Any luck?” she nodded towards exactly where Ben and Ryan had been standing. “Nope,” I sighed. “Whenever he?s with that ass he basically doesn?t care at all.” I said, deflated.
Mandy was thinking about saying some thing comforting but then our tour guide announced in a booming voice that we were beginning our “adventure”. He showed us the sheep and told us how they were sheered, and he showed us the pigs and told us things that produced me glad I was a vegetarian, and we had been walking towards the chicken coops when my ultimate nightmare occurred.
Mandy had just told me a hilarious joke and I was laughing hysterically, so I didn?t see the huge mud puddle that everyone else was stepping around. Mandy tried to grab my arm but it was too late. I slipped on the edge of the puddle and fell, flat on my face into the mud.
Everyone was laughing and their thoughts had been very mean. I sat up and saw Mandy trying to get everyone to stop laughing and Ben walking towards me. “Oh great,” I mumbled under my breath. “He?s going to act all cool and show off for Ryan and say some thing mean.” He kneeled down and smiled. “Need a hand?” I nodded, I didn?t want to say something stupid. He pulled me up and the tour guide told him to show me exactly where the ladies room was.
We started walking. At that point I was happy there was mud all more than my face because he couldn?t see my tears. “Hey, don?t be so sad.” I guess he could see them. “B-but I embarrassed m-myself in front of a-all those p-people.” I stuttered. “Ugh, you shouldn?t worry about what those people say.” “Well what is my mom going to say when she sees my shirt?! It used to be white! She is going to kill me!” “Can?t support you there, but you can?t stay in that the rest of the day.” He pulled his grey school jacket more than his head and handed it to me. I wondered if possibly I was dreaming but I remembered that I had landed on a stone and scraped my knee when I fell and it definitely hurt. “Thanks.” I smiled weakly.
I went into the ladies room and tried to get the mud out of my hair and off my face. Then I changed into Ben?s jacket. It was just a little baggy on me and I had to roll up the sleeves a couple of times but it was better than nothing. I came out expecting to find I was alone. Instead I saw Ben?s friendly face and glowing smile. “It?s somewhat big” I pointed out. “You look cute.” He replied with no hesitation. I blushed and stated “I don?t believe I can go back to that tour group.” “Well then, we won?t.” He said using a grin. “Come with me.”
He ran off and I followed. Eventually he stopped at a big rock, overlooking the river that ran through the farm. “Let?s rest here.” He stated and sat on one end of the rock. He patted the space next to him, beckoning me to come and sit. I came over reluctantly and said. “Why are you getting so nice to me? You truly didn?t have to support me and lend me your jacket.” He looked confused. “What do you mean? Of course I would support you. We?re pals aren?t we?” “Yeah, we are. It?s just… whenever you?re with Ryan or Jonny or Alex you?re different. I didn?t think you would want to be seen helping a loser like me when Ryan was standing right there laughing his brains out.”
There was a short moment of silence and then he replied. “Do I actually act differently?” He didn?t wait for an answer. “Wow, I must be the worst friend in the world. I?m genuinely sorry Michi, I can?t believe what a jerk I?ve been.” Now I felt bad about what I had stated. “No, you are not a jerk Ben.” I wanted to say much more but he stopped me. “I am definitely a huge jerk. I made you believe that I believed you are a loser and that I don?t care about you when in truth I….” “You what?” he hesitated, searching for the right words. “I… care about you a lot.” He said and looked beyond the river. “Right, me too.” I said miserably and looked to see what he was searching at.
The view was actually beautiful from here. There was a slight breeze making the green river creased in the surface, the trees had been a luscious green, and the afternoon sun cast a magnificent glow more than the whole scene. “Beautiful, isn?t it?” Ben stated. “I didn?t think a farm could be so beautiful.” I replied. “I believe we better start off going back, they stated the buses will leave at 1:00.” I checked my watch and saw the time was 12:50. “Yeah, you?re right.”
We stood up and started walking towards the buses but he grabbed my arm and stopped me. “Michi, uum, what are you doing this Friday?” “I don?t believe I?m doing something, why?” I turned to face him, slowly. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might pop out my chest. “Uum, I?ve been meaning to ask you this for quite a while so, do you want to, uum, go out for a movie or something?”
My jaw dropped but I pulled it up speedily. I tried to speak but I couldn?t find my voice. Lastly I worked up the bravery to say, “Yes, of course, I?d adore to!” “Cool. Can we meet at the mall at 7:30? We can have one thing to eat afterwards.” “Yeah that?s great.” Then I remembered my over-protective dad. “Oh but can you give me your number, just in case plans alter.” Or my dad decides to ruin my life.
He gave me his number and we walked off to the buses. I sat subsequent to Mandy and her friend Hannah and my smile didn?t leave my face the entire ride home. This has been the best week of my life! I thought as I arrived home. Nothing could possibly ruin it! I hope…