Disclaimer: All characters, etc., belong to their owners...yep...just wrote this story here.
Just a minor note, updates may or may not slow down over the next few days.
Chapter 2
"Yo, boob!" Megan called to Drake at around eleven o'clock the next morning.
Drake turned over and pretended to go back to sleep. Megan frowned. Drake was too lazy. Even when his own brother was missing, he still stayed in bed.
"Mom and Dad say to get up," she said.
Drake continued to fake sleep.
"They can't find Josh."
Drake still ignored her. So what? Josh probably just went out for coffee with Mindy or something. He'd be back eventually.
"Your only brother is missing, and you don't care?"
"Megan," said Drake finally, "he's probably just out with Mindy."
"He won't answer his phone and Mindy won't answer her's either. Don't you think Mom and Dad thought of that already?"
"Wait, Mindy's gone too?"
"Yes," said Megan rolling her eyes.
"Best news I've heard all year," Drake replied, turning over to go back to sleep again.
"Would you just get out of bed?" Megan said. "We've looked everywhere, and we can't find them! Don't you care?"
Drake peered over and saw that Megan looked scared. That meant it had to be serious.
"Fine, if it bothers you this much, it must be important."
"Of course it bothers me. Who else am I going to pull pranks on all summer?" she asked as she left the room.
"Of course," said Drake. He climbed out of bed and changed into jeans and a t-shirt. He began looking through the things on Josh's desk. Maybe there was something there that would tell Drake where he went. He just noticed that Josh had left a pad of paper sitting on top of the desk. He sighed and headed downstairs (missing the note attached to the television) and found his parents debating.
"Maybe we should call the police," said Audrey.
"I don't know if we should do that yet," said Walter. He was worried about his son, but Josh wasn't the type to run out and run into a gang or something on purpose. The thoughts did flash through Walter's mind, however. He figured, though, that not much harm could come to Josh in broad daylight, and he was with Mindy, so maybe they just forgot to turn their phones on or were caught up in some kind of discussion. "If we don't find him by tonight, we'll call the police."
"Oh, Drake," said Audrey, noticing that he'd come down the stairs. "Do you have any idea where Josh is? Did he say anything to you at all?"
"No," said Drake. That was odd too because Josh would normally tell Drake if something was bothering him. "I'll go drive around, though," said Drake. "The Premiere, the mall. I'll see if I can find him."
"We've already tried that," said Audrey.
"It can't hurt to look again," said Walter. "Besides, Drake would probably know a few places that we don't."
"All right," said Audrey. "Good luck."
Drake returned to his bedroom later that afternoon, still wondering where Josh could have gone. He just couldn't find him. He had found a redhead and a brunette, though. He had both of their phone numbers. He walked over to the couch and sat down. He noticed a note stuck to the television and couldn't believe he missed it earlier that day.
Drake,
Don't get mad, but Mindy and I have decided that we love each other enough to do something big. We're getting married. I know you think Mindy's icky, but I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I know you couldn't possibly understand wanting to share your life with one person, but it's a feeling so strong that it makes you want to do things you never thought you'd do. Please understand. Don't tell Mom and Dad, please. Definitely don't let Mindy's parents know. We'll tell them when we come back. I do have a favor to ask of you, though. Would you please come out here and be my best man? I know it's kind of short notice, but you're my best friend. You're my brother. I want you here with me. I left directions on the back of this note. Please come, Drake. It would mean the world to me.
Love, Josh
Drake read the note three times. He was trying to make this sink in because it was very hard to believe. Josh was going to marry Mindy? They eloped? He wanted him there? Drake shook his head. Josh had to be insane. Drake sat down on the couch and thought for a minute. If Josh wanted him there, Drake would be there. He definitely didn't agree with this, but if it made Josh happy, Drake would do it. Besides, Drake could try and talk him out of it. Even if he felt he had to marry Mindy, maybe Drake could convince him to wait a little longer. They were in Vegas...of course, that's where everyone went to elope.
Drake made his way downstairs.
"Hey, Mom, Dad," he said.
"What?" asked his parents, looking up at their son who was actually the responsible one at the moment.
"I know where Josh is."
"Where?" asked Walter.
"Um, I'll just go find him. I might be gone a while, but trust me, okay?" He had a feeling if he told his parents, they would completely flip and go to Las Vegas themselves. They'd tell the Crenshaws who would also go and drag Josh and Mindy right out of the wedding chapel. Drake could picture the scene already. He hoped to do this with as little chaos as possible. Seriously. What did Josh and Mindy think they were doing? He was respecting Josh's wishes by not telling their parents, but he did it to also see if he couldn't convince Josh to come home on his own. Drake also knew that if the Crenshaws found out, Josh and Mindy would never see each other again. And as much as Drake hated Mindy, he couldn't stand to see Josh unhappy. Sometimes Drake felt he cared too much.
"Drake," said Audrey.
"Mom, everything's okay. I might be gone for a while, but I'll make sure I find him. Don't worry."
"Okay," Walter said. "Just bring him home, son."
"I will. I promise," Drake responded.
Drake ran back upstairs to his bedroom. He changed into some nicer clothes. If Josh had to do this, the least Drake could do was look presentable even if he was still questioning Josh's every move at the moment. He grabbed his jacket and his wallet and left. He began the drive, using the directions Josh had left for him and used the car ride to let his thoughts run wild.