We pick up where we left off...

Chapter 26: Stephen Runs Away

A week has passed and life couldn't get any better for the entire gang. For Manny, Frankie, Max, Diego, Ryan, Jared, Josh and Hoagie, it was like their lives are starting all over as they start a fresh new life together for being adopted. One day at lunch, all of the gang were just talking and everything about their new lives and stuff like that.

Mike shows Max and Frankie this video on his phone about Eric and his friends playing truth or dare and the result of it was Eric getting a pie thrown at his face. Most of them were laughing hysterically. Jojo asked, "Where'd you find this?"

"On WhoTube. I just found it last night." Mike said, laughing.

"Well, I figured they would be embarassing themselves rather than humiliate us."

Max turns to Diego and asked, "So, how's life with the new family?"

Diego looks at Max and said, "It's great, actually. At first, I wasn't sure about what it would be like to fit in with them, but as time rolls on, it seemed as if my life has changed in a 180-degree turn in a week. We've been having a lot of fun, there were lots of laughs, lots of love and a lot of video games."

"Video games?"

"Noah and his older brother have a truckload of video games, where we spent a lot of crazy hours at hand."

"That sounds awesome."

"I still can't thank you enough for helping me break out of my dark shell that I was in."

Max smiles and said, "You're welcome."

"How about you? How's life with yours?"

"Pretty awesome. Cody and I played some serious video games and I beat Cody in his own game."

Cody scoffs and said, "You went on a higher score than me. It's like you were a wiz at Who-Guitar Hero."

"Well, you taught me."

"Man, Max was like an expert at this game." Mike said.

"Yeah, beginner's luck." Cody scoffs.

"You're just mad because he beat you at your own game."

"Look who's talking. I beat you millions of times and my scores have been indestructable."

"Well, they're destructable now."

Cody laughs sarcastically and said, "Very funny, Mikey."

"So, how's life with your family?" asked Caitlyn.

Josh clears his throat and said, "Well, hanging with Marcus is pretty awesome as well. We've become so close like brotherhood should be."

"And his dad makes some of the most coolest, although weirdest pizza he's ever made. Even though Marcus makes them better than his." Hoagie said.

"Well, I make the coolest pizza out of my dad's. Who-pperoni with jala-whno peppers are the best things around. My dad jus makes some Who-nut butter and jelly mixed with cheese." Marcus said.

"Who-nut butter and jelly pizza? Gross!" Misty exclaims.

"You'd be disgusted too if your dad makes something like this."

"I'd be disgusted if Misty makes a pizza out of girly stuff, like glitter." Mike said.

Misty scoffs at him and asked, "Do you ever know when to shut up?"

"Do you?"

"Are you sure you're not boyfriend and girlfriend at all?" asked Josh.

"No!" they both said, in unison.

"Are you always agreeing to anything you say?"

"No!"

"Okay, then."

"Hey, what about you guys?" asked Jojo.

Ryan looks at Jojo and asked, "What about?"

"Life with your new family?"

"Oh, yeah. Me and Jared have been living it up with Seth and Austin and their place is fantastic. We have good fun in this place and our first time sitting down for dinner as a family, can't get anymore awesome than that."

"Not to mention, their basement is like the best hangout place around the whole house. We would spend a lot of time there." Jared said.

"My dad just put in a picture of all of us together-me, Austin, Jared, Ryan and my stepmom-and hung it on the wall of the basement, so that we know that this is our family." Seth said.

"I wish I could see that." Zeke said.

"You can. I have it on my phone." Austin said, getting his cellphone out.

The entire gang looks at the picture and completely went in awe of how it looks like. Dustin chuckled and said, "I wish I would be in a family like that."

"What do you mean, Dustin?" asked Manny.

"Well, my dad and I-we never get along much and sometimes, he would always be so angry at me for the little things and how we forces me to be the perfect son he wanted me to be. I don't want to because I am what I am, but for my dad, it's never enough."

"That's a bummer, dude." Chad said.

"I feel the same way with my dad. He always tries to get me into sports, but I'm more of a music guy and he just disapproves of my dreams and also of me being less of the all-picture-perfect son. One disappointment and I get yelled at or beaten up." Zeke explains.

"Harsh." Jared said.

"How do you cope with the pain?" asked Frankie.

"Mostly, just music. I pour out all my feelings into song and also, posted then on WhoTube."

"That was you?" asked Caitlyn.

"Yeah, you saw me?"

"Yeah, I saw you sing your version of 'Firework' and it brought tears to my eyes. I thought were you were awesome."

Zeke smiled and said, "Thanks, Caitlyn."

As nightfall comes, the entire gang went to the group home to see if they plan to adopt Stephen to the McDodd family. As soon as they came in the place, there were still kids coming around. Ms. Hart comes in and sees most of them in surprise. They all came in for a hug and she asked, "How are you boys?"

"We're doing great, actually." Frankie said, smiling.

"How's life with your new families?"

"Awesome." they said, excitedly.

"So, what brings you by?"

"Well, Jojo plans to take in Stephen to their house. Is he still locked in his room?" asked Josh.

"Not anymore."

"Not anymore? What do you mean?"

"A couple of hours ago, Stephen couldn't take much of this place anymore and he felt like he was losing faith of finding a family and that he blames himself for not saying goodbye to you or trying to let you stay longer."

Everyone grew concerned about this and Jojo looked worried about this and asked, "Well, what are you saying?"

Ms. Hart sighed heavily and told the others, "Stephen...ran away."

The entire place was silent after the enws broke out and everyone was shocked and concerned about this. Everyone looked at each other and they all grew in deep concern.

"Stephen...ran away?" asked Max.

"You mean, he's not here anymore?" asked Jojo.

"That's right." Ms. Hart said.

The thunder rolls out and suddenly, rain patters across outside and Jojo feared the worst that Stephen could be out in the rain all by himself with nowhere to go. He looked outside and asked, "Where could he have gone?"

Oh boy! What's gonna happen now? Stay tuned!