Ten Minutes Ago // Ben Tyler Cook

Part One / Chapter Five

Marlee's POV
I glance at my phone. 8:03. If I don't hurry, I won't be back in time to meet Ben. As much as I would like to leave the studio, Mr. Knight asked me to stay late to organize some papers in his office. I look at the piles of paperwork surrounding me and sigh. If I hurry, maybe I'll make it.

8:10. I have twenty minutes until Ben is supposed to pick me up. I walk back and forth between the piles of papers and the filing cabinet. Only a few more piles left.

When I close the drawer after putting the last of the papers away, it's 8:19. Barely taking the time to pull on my jacket, I switch the lights off, leave the building, and lock the front door. I practically run to the subway station, but the train isn't there when I get to the platform. 8:24. I won't have time to freshen up my makeup before the date. The train finally arrives a minute later, and I board with a large tourist group. Once the train reaches my stop, I have to weave my way through the foreigners to get off before the doors shut.

8:29. I dash up the steps to the street as quickly as I can, knowing I won't make it on time. When I stop, waiting to cross the street, I quickly open my front camera to check my appearance. Strands of hair have slipped out of my braid, my cheeks are red from the chill, and a light layer of sweat covers my face. I look like a complete mess, but there's nothing I can do about it.

8:34. As I come into view of the apartment building, I notice his car outside.

Ben's POV
I lean against my car, waiting for Marlee. As I'm about to call her to notify her that I've arrived, I hear her call out my name. She's rushing toward me from the street. I smile at her. "Marlee. Hey."

"Ben, I am so, so sorry. My boss wanted me to stay late to organize some papers, and then the train was late," she says hurriedly. "I'm sorry I look like such a mess, too. I didn't have any time to freshen up."

I shake my head. Marlee's cheeks are tinged with pink caused by the chill in the air, strands from her braid frame her face, and though she's sweating slightly, it looks like she's glowing. Contrary to her statement, I've never seen anyone as beautiful. "You don't have to apologize. I'm happy you were able to make it."

"So, where are we going?" She asks, her eyes alight with curiosity.

I grin. "You'll see." I open the passenger door of the car.

"Thank you." She gives me a smile as she sits down in the car. I walk around to my side, get in, and start the car.

"Are you cold?" I ask, noticing that Marlee's shivering slightly.

"It's not so bad," she answers with a small laugh. "It was just a little windy outside, that's all." I turn on the heat anyway. Once the car warms up, I pull out of in front of the building and begin driving down the street.

Marlee's POV
"Where are we going?" I ask Ben again.

He laughs. "I told you, you'll see. We'll be there soon."

I smile. "You're not going to murder me or anything, are you?" I joke, but I can't deny that I am a bit concerned. I've only met this boy twice before tonight. He seems trustworthy, but you never know.

Ben glances at me. "No, I am not going to murder you. We just have to get out of the city."

"That sounds like something a murderer would say," I point out. "Just so you know."

He laughs softly. "We're listening to showtunes, no questions asked. Here, pick a song." He unlocks his phone and hands it to me.

"You want to listen to showtunes on your day off?" I question, scrolling through his seemingly endless playlist of soundtracks.

"Hey, you can't get tired of listening to Broadway music, can you?" He grins.
I finally just decide on shuffling the playlist. His face lights up when he hears the intro to "For Good" from Wicked. Then he starts singing.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason, bringing something we must learn.
And we are lead
To those who help us most to grow, if we let them,
And we help them in return.

I grin. "Ben, you're not a soprano," I point out.

"Shut up and let me live!" He exclaims. "I can be Glinda if I want to be Glinda." He sings the rest of Glinda's part, then glances at me. "Your turn."

"What? No, don't make me." He has a beautiful voice, how am I supposed to compare with that? He's on Broadway, for crying out loud.

"Please?" He begs. "For me?" I sigh and begin singing.

    It well may be
    That we will never meet again in this   
    lifetime,
    So let me say before we part
    So much of me is made of what I learned
    from you.
    You'll be with me
    Like a handprint on my heart.

He stops at a redlight, looking over at me with his jaw dropped. "Marlee! You're really good."

I shake my head, blushing. "No, I'm not. And the light is green."

Ben turns back to the road and continues driving. "Keep singing with me, please." I oblige, and continue, singing as Elphaba as he sings as Glinda. He puts the car in park as the song finishes.

    Because I knew you...
    Because I knew you...
    Because I knew you...
    I have been changed
    For good.

~~~~~
sorry for changing the POV of this chapter so much whoops. also I forgot to mention earlier that my timeline is really wack and doesn't match up with the real tour dates and stuff, but it was too late once I realized it. anyway thanks for reading!!! comment and vote :)