CHAPTER 4.

MIRA'S POV.

"He is lying to you" Collins said in a matter of fact tone as we all sat down in the cafeteria having lunch. For the past five minutes, Collins has been trying to convince me that Benjamin was lying about wanting to be my friend. I have an idea why Collins thinks that way though. Benjamin had always been mean to us, but people change, right?

"I don't think he's lying" Vivian disagreed, "I mean he has no reason to lie to Mira. Even the girls he sleeps with he never lies to them into sleeping with him. I don't think he's lying"

"Can't you see Vivian?!" Collins was getting frustrated, "they are only just trying to play with Mira and hurt her feelings just for fun. Benjamin and his friends know about Mira's feelings for Benjamin," he said the name with distaste. "They must be planning to do something bad to Mira".

Vivian turned to me and said in a concerned tone "Mira, what do you think, is Ben lying?"

I was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say or which of my friends to support. It did not seem like Ben was lying to me, he had no reason to. Collins might be right, but that is unlikely because Natasha looked furious when Ben defended me.

Ben was obviously not lying to me. I have to make Collins understand that.

"C_Collins I don't think Ben is lying. He sounded genuine when he said he wants to be friends with me. He wouldn't go so far just to play a prank on me."

"Then you don't know Benjamin Hudson as much as I do." He snaps and angrily stood up. "Don't come crying to me when he turns out to be nothing more but a lying bastard!" He stomps out of the cafeteria in anger.

I felt bad for making Collins angry. I knew how much he hated Benjamin, but I'm sure if he starts to see that Ben has changed, he won't hate him so much anymore.

"Don't worry about Collins Mira, he will come around eventually," Vivian assured, with a kind smile. "And if your heart really says you should trust Ben, then just go for it"

I stared at my friend and a smile returned to my face. I am so thankful that I have someone like her in my life. They were there for me during my darkest times and I can't imagine losing either of them.

"Thank you Vivian. You should please talk to Collins for me. I don't want to lose him over this."

Vivian waved me off. "You don't have to tell me twice. I will talk to him when I get the chance."

***

After classes, on my way out of the school building, I was confronted by my sister and her friend Zara. I tried to step beside them, but they would move in any direction I moved to block my path.

"Are you happy ugly freak after stealing my best friend from me?" Natasha snaps harshly, "first it was our parent, and now it's Ben. What more do you want from me, you ugly fat freak?!"

"I mean she looks like a whale", Zara said in a disgusted tone. "Why would Benjamin even want to be seen with her?"

My eyes were starting to tear up again. Why does Natasha always have to assume that I was trying to steal everything away from her? I've never done anything to offend her, so why?

"Are you going to cry now, loser? Trying to pretend that you're the victim?" Natasha mocked, shoving me away by my shoulder with her hand.

"Stop it Tasha!" a deep voice snapped, and suddenly I felt a presence before me. I smelt the scent of his sweet strawberry perfume before glancing up at his leather jacket-clad back. "I will not allow you to hurt Mira like this again Tasha. Your bullying stops today"

Natasha stared at Ben in disbelief. "are you that stupid Ben? Did she feed you a love potion or something? Because the Ben I know will never defend someone so ugly"

"She might be ugly, but she is still a human being Tasha, and your sister, for that matter. Treat her with a little respect" His words left a trail of warmth in my chest. He couldn't be lying about this.

He didn't wait for any more words; instead he took my hand and gently pulled me away from them until we were safely outside the school building.

"Are you okay Mira?"

"Yes I am Ben. Thanks for saving me again" I replied shyly. He was slowly starting to become my superhero.

"Tasha can be quite a pain, but I think you should try to avoid her from now on and also, if you want, I can drive you home and also treat you to some ice-cream before taking you home. I want to apologize on Tasha's behalf with that. You know she is still my best friend, no matter what."

My whole face must have turned red because I was blushing madly. Does Ben really want to take me out for ice-cream? Like an ice-cream date?

Oh my God, this is what I have always dreamed of. I've always wanted to go on a date with Ben Hudson. I can't believe he is now asking me out, although he didn't say it's a date, but I'll just assume it is. I mean ice-cream between two different genders is obviously a date, right? And, of course, I could not say no to him, so I said, "Sure Ben, we can go get some ice cream together before going home."

He nodded with a pretty smile. "Okay, come with me, my car is over there." He pointed to a sleek black Ferrari and my eyes widened. I am always forgetting that Ben's family is super rich.

Oh God, an ice-cream date with Benjamin Hudson? This is definitely going to be the best day of my life, and I am sure of it. I can't wait to tell Vivian the details.