The Antics of 8A

Part 5 - He's Gone

"Joel!" When there was no reply, Athan called out even louder. "JOEL!"

"Hey Athan. Do a 'come on'," encouraged Thomas with a big smiling who was trying to keep up with Athan's surprisingly fast skipping pace.

"No, shut up guys," said Benson, slightly embarrassed by all the unwanted attention they were receiving from Athan's behavior.

Dimitri snickered beside Stefan at Benson. There were only the five of them together at the moment,wondering aimlessly around the airport searching for lost Joel.

"Of course Joel went missing. If it hadn't been for him, we would be in the hotel right now that's probably opposite an awesome beach," Benson sulked, obviously pissed off at Joel and his apparent lack of direction.

"I bet you all he is just hiding to annoy us." Athan said to the rest, still skipping and moving his hands in time.

"Yeah, he is probably eating Maccas right now at the food court, the fat bastard," Stefan joked. It was a common joke they made about Joel even in front if him who would laugh along with everyone else.

The rest the four laughed at Stefan's comment as they turned into the baggage collection section, his fracture boot squeezing as they continued to look for their friend.

-

"It's been an hour, you'd think he would have come back by now. He's not that stupid, he is in 8A for a reason," Claire said to the Georgia, Molly and Lucette in a worried tone.

"Actually, na. I don't think there is a proper reason to why he is in our class," Lucette replied knowingly, which made Molly laugh.

"How does someone get lost on their way back to the sitting area though. Like, it's not even that far away," Georgia thought aloud.

"That's the thing. Maybe someone kidnapped him," Claire told her friends in her panicky voice.

Molly stopped the group in mock astonishment. "Are you actually being serious? Oh my God Claire, and I thought you were the smart one."

Claire looked blank. "What do you mean? Joel could actually be in danger, of course I'm being serious!"

"But why the hell would anyone kidnap Joel. He doesn't even have his bags with him," Lucette said to Claire as they started to walk again.

"Actually, I think he does. Remember Alex couldn't find his bag with the rest of ours. That doesn't really mean anything though," Georgia reasoned.

"Uh, yeah it does. Someone could have tried to steal his iPad," Claire said.

"Doesn't mean his in danger," Molly said.

"Then why isn't he back yet then?" Claire questioned, stopping the other three. "The people that captured him could be life threatening, you never know."

"He just got lost. It's something Joel would do. He could probably get lost at school after coming back from summer holidays. As I said, it's Joel for Pete's sake," Lucette said.

"That doesn't explain why he hasn't called any of us," Claire countered. "He has a phone."

"It's got no credit," Lucette said remembering back to when she tried to prank call Angel on his phone and realized Joel had used up all his credit ages ago.

"Whatever. There is still a massive chance that he could be being being tortured of life right now." Claire was looking at her feet as the four walked out into one of the many food courts.

"Poor Melon," she added quietly, which earned a small giggle from the rest.

-

"Do you think this one would make my nose look smaller?" asked Johanna to Rachel, holding up a grey crop top over her front.