Chapter 7

Long story short. I cannot find Ben. Like, where you at bro? He is not answering my texts and I have no idea where he is. Which is strange because he always texts back immediately. It's like I'm the Umbridge to his Dumbledore from 'A Very Potter Musical.' With this in mind I quickly send him a text.

"Ben did u get my txt? cause u arent txting me back." That, with various other text messages, and he still hasn't texted me back. I hate to be clingy but it's odd being away from my other half for so long.

Five minutes after I sit down my phone beeps, making me slightly jump. I quickly whip my phone out and check my notifications. With great disappointment though, I find that it is only a twitter notification. I sit like this for another five minutes. I'd text my parents to come pick me up but they're at work.

All of a sudden I hear a loud roar, not like a lion though cause that'd be weird, especially when I'm in the middle of Ohio. No it was coming from a motorcycle. I wouldn't have payed much attention to it if it hadn't pulled over right in front of me. As the rider pulls off his helmet I find them to be Tyler.

"Tyler? What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I forgot my book so I figured I'd come back and grab it before the school closes up." Then he quickly takes a look at me. "Where's Ben?"

"Oh um, I don't know. We were supposed to meet up but he hasn't showed. I'm even doing that annoying triple texting thing but he's not texting back."

"Oh, do you think he was kidnapped?" Tyler asks me.

"Ha! No way, that's way too over dramatic. But then again, that's Ben." I reply.

"Ha!" He laughs, "That's true. So, do you have a ride?"

"Not really, I was just kind of hoping he'd show."

"Well I can give you a ride, that is, if you'd like. I've just got to grab my book first." He offers.

I look over his shoulder at the death trap he calls transportation. But then again, I really do need to go home and do my homework. I'm pretty sure Tyler can see the conflicting look I'm giving his bike because he smirks and says, "It's not as scary as it looks. I promise to give you the helmet." He bargains.

The helmet did look pretty cool. "Ok." I agree.

"Cool. Well I'll be right back out. Text Ben just in case."

"Already on it!" I yell as he runs in the school. As I wait I look over at his bike. It was a two person one so it wasn't like we were doing anything illegal. Otherwise I know close to nothing about bikes. As I look away from the motorcycle I take a quick glance at my attire. I'm wearing a high waisted skirt with thick tights and a long sleeved shirt. Along canvas shoes. The outfit isn't really motorbike ready. I'll probably end up really cold and if we get in an accident then I'm a definite goner. I pray to God and the angel of motorbike safety that Tyler is a good driver, because I really don't feel like dying today.

"I'm back." I hear him chime from behind me, drawing me away from my prayers.

As I turn I see him holding a leather jacket that looks to be about my size. "Whose jacket is that?" I ask.

"Mine." He replies, cause me to raise an eyebrow. "I mean it's one of my ex's, she left it with me when we broke up. I'd give it back to her but I have no idea which ex it was." He tells me sincerely.

I laugh, "That's awful."

"I'm just being honest!" He defends.

"I can tell." I comment.

He shoves the jacket into my hands and I put it on. "You ready?" He asks.

"As I'll ever be." I sigh.

He chuckles and hops on and I follow suit. As he starts the engine and I just awkwardly grab his shoulders. I don't completely understand why all of the girls in books and movies have to latch on around the guys waist like it was their lifeline. Like, come on ladies, shoulders are just fine. But as he moves onto the street and picks up speed I suddenly realize, oh shit, he is my lifeline! And without further delay I wrap my arms around his waist like there was a gun pointed at my head. He chuckles against my arms causing me to pout.

"Don't mock my misery!" I yell over the wind.

"I mock what I want!" He yells back.

That was pretty much the entire content of our conversation on the ride to my house, besides me giving him my address of course. Once we reached our destination he slow down and pulled over. "So, how was it?" He asks.

"After I got over the initial shock of everything it was great!" I say honestly.

"Ha, glad to hear it."

"Oh here." I say realizing I still had his coat and jacket on I tugged and pulled them off.

"You can keep the jacket." He says while taking the helmet.

"Are you sure? What if your ex sees me wearing it?" I smirk.

"Then tell me which one it is that comes up to you." He laughs, causing me to do just the same.

"This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship Tyler. And thanks for the ride."

"No problem." He replies before riding off.

Not even a foot into the door and my mom already has me cornered. "Who was that?" She asks me with a smirk that says she thinks she knows what's going on but in reality she doesn't.

"That was my friend Tyler from band. He gave me a ride." I tell her honestly.

"And you just ditched a ride with Ben to wrap your arms around Tyler?" She interrogates.

"I can't ditch Ben when he ditched me first." I grumble.

"Ben didn't pick you up?" She asks making me nod my head in confirmation. "That's not like him."

"You're telling me? Anyways I figured I'd give him an hour or two to contact me before I call his mom and dad."

"Good idea." She nods before walking off.

Normally Ben comes here after school for a couple of hours so his parents probably don't even notice he's gone. I sat in my living room doing homework for about an hour just waiting for Ben. Eventually though, I gave up and went upstairs to take a shower. Normally I would wait till morning but Ben is seriously stressing me out. Where on earth could he be?

As I step out of the shower I run into my mom. "What's up?" I ask.

"Ben's parents are on the phone. They want to know if you have any idea where Ben is." She responds, holding out the phone to me.

I take the phone and bring it up to my ear. "Hello?" I ask.

"Ella!" I hear Ben's mom, Carrie, over the phone. "Have you seen Ben? I haven't heard from him and usually he calls if he's staying with you." She asks me sounding a bit frantic but also like she's trying to stay calm.

"No, I haven't. I haven't seen him since school. He didn't even pick me up. I just thought he left and went home early." I tell her honestly.

"I just have no idea where he could be."

"I'll get Autumn and Thaddeus and check to see if he's still at the school if it'll help. If he isn't we'll drive around town for a little bit if it'll make you feel better." I suggest, hearing the worry in her voice.

"Oh Ella I'd love that! Thank you so much!" She thanks.

"It's no problem Carrie. I'll get back to you in an hour, ok?" I ask.

"Absolutely! Don't let me hold you up! Just tell me if you need any help."

"I will. Bye."

"Bye sweetie." And with that she hangs up.

Quickly, I dial Thaddeus's and Autumn's numbers urging them to come with me and see if Ben is okay. Naturally they agree so I quickly change out of my pajamas and into some sweatpants and a t-shirt, unlike my normal attire. Right as I pull on my shoes I hear the doorbell ring. Quickly I run down stairs and yell to my mom that I'm going Ben hunting. As I open the door I'm greeted by two very worried looking friends.

"How long has he been gone?" Thaddeus asks, looking the most serious I've ever seen him, same with Autumn.

"Since after school, He didn't even give me a ride." I inform them.

"Wait. Then who gave you a ride?" Autumn asks.

"Tyler, but that's besides the point we need to get going. " I urge.

"Where to first?" Thaddeus asks, hoping into the driver's seat.

"To the High School." Autumn declares, slightly back to her normal self.

As we drive towards the high school, Autumn and I both keep an eye out on the streets for Ben's car. Sadly though, we found nothing. Once we pulled into the school parking lot though we all saw his car parked in the spot it normally is.

"He's still here?" Thaddeus questions, more to himself than anyone else.

"I guess." Autumn replies anyways.

"Well I doubt he's inside, the janitors would have found him by now if he were." I reason.

"You know, I've heard that some of the football players like to trap kids into the port-a-potties." Thaddeus informs us.

I shiver. "Gross."

"But it's still worth a shot." Autumn tells me.

"Well, they're near the football field aren't they?" Thaddeus asks.

"I think so." I say, I really do not want to go near the port-a-potties, they smell funny and make me very uncomfortable.

"To the port-a-potties!" Autumn testifies.

As we get closer and closer to our destinations we all notice that one of the port-a-potties are tipped over. Quickly, as if we were of one mind, we glanced at each other, then back to the port-a-potties, and took off running. I swear if Ben is in there someone is gonna pay. Let's just say that none of us are very nice when we're angry. Once we get the I lightly knock on the side to see if anyone was in there. All three of us hold our breaths to see if we can get a response. After a moment we all hear Ben's voice. "Hello?" He asks groggily.

"Ben!" We all yell.

"Ella? Autumn? Thaddeus? Sweet sweet friends? Is that you who knockith on my port-a-pottyith? Or have I just gone mad from the few lonely hours I've been in this mobile, toilet prison? I spent many a minute planning my escapes but alas, I gave up. For none turned out as planed. Leaving me in a daze of fantasies filled with soap and warm water."

I roll my eyes along with Thaddeus. Ben, ever the drama queen. Autumn gasps in shock. "Oh my! Ben, are you alright? Who did this to you?" She asks in despair.

"Ugh," he groans "some bird brained jockeys looking for a quick joke at the expense of an innocent passer by."

"You're far from innocent Ben." I interrupt.

"Names Ben! I want names!" Autumn yells falling to her knees for dramatic effect. I swear this is turning into the baby of an anime and soup opera.

"Names? I can't be sure I know them. For they were nothing but strangers to me. But I do remember a face, or I suppose, the hair. A certain mo-hawked delinquent and his supposed companions cornered me and shoved me in here. I believe his name begins with a 'P' but I can't be sure. Though I do know that he is apart in that wretched Glee Club."

"Oh I know him. His names is Pu- um Puff? Pluff? No um-." I attempt.

"I think you mean Tuck." Thaddeus corrects.

"No," Autumn disagrees, "I think you mean Cluck."

"Nooooo." Thaddeus and I draw out.

"But I thought-" Autumn was cut off by Ben.

"Oh for goodness sake, Puck! His name is Puck!" He cries in an irritated tone.

"Oh yeah." We all say together.

"Pft, I knew that." I mutter.

"Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" Thaddeus questions.

"For dramatic effect! I simply forgot that you all are awful at names and wouldn't play along, except for Autumn that is." He sighs.

"What do you mean 'play along'?" Autumn asks innocently.

"Nothing will you just help me out of this?" Ben asks tiredly.

"Oh yeah." I say before helping Thaddeus and Autumn push the port-a-potty back upright. After the struggle that took to happen Ben bursts out as if he hasn't seen the sun in years.

He steps out and takes a deep breath in and sighs out. "Fresh air."

I plug my nose with my fingers. "You smell awful."

"Nice seeing you too Ella." He replies sarcastically.

"When isn't it?" I chirp back to annoy him. "Why didn't you text or call for help?" I ask him, serious now.

"They took my phone and book bag and threw it over there." He tells me, pointing to his book bag sat only ten feet away.

"Jerks." Thaddeus mutters.

"You're telling me?" Ben replies.

"How are we gonna get back at him?" Autumn asks. We all pause. That kind of question is very out of character for Autumn and has me a tad worried. "What?" she asks, noticing all of our expressions. "They should know better than to mess with the band kids."

This we can all agree with. "So what do you suggest we do?" Ben asks with a sly smile placed on his face.

"Why don't we figure this out after you call your mom and take a shower." Thaddeus suggests and I nod in agreement. My nose is being murdered over here.

"Fine, I'll talk to you guys tomorrow. Sound good?" Ben asks.

"Yep." We all agree.

"Just make sure to spread the word so all the band kids know what's going on, jazz, concert, and marching alike." I order. And with that Thaddeus dropped me off and we all went our separate ways.