Ten Minutes Ago // Ben Tyler Cook

Part One / Chapter Fourteen

Just like Ben said, he, Sky, and Josh arrive no more than ten minutes later. Noelle looks up, spots them coming down the sidewalk, and says, "Here they are."
   
As predicted, the moment Adrienne recognizes Ben, she bolts up. "We're eating with Ben Cook?" She squeals, noticing the other two. "And Sky Flaherty and Josh Burrage? Marlee! This is the greatest day of my life!"
   
"And this is Adrienne," I say to the boys, amused at their surprise. I told you, I mouth to Ben, who laughs in reply.
   
"It's nice to meet you, Adrienne." Ben sticks his hand out to shake Adrienne's, but she gives him a hug instead.
   
"I love you!" Her voice is muffled by his shirt. Ben glances at me with a pleading look, wanting help. Sky and Josh look like this is the funniest thing they've ever seen.
   
"Okay, Adri." I'm somehow able to pry my little sister off of Ben. "We need to go inside and get our food."
   
She nods energetically, unable to take her eyes off Ben. I know the feeling. We're able to make it through the meal with minimal drama, surprisingly. To Adrienne's dismay, the boys have to leave as soon as they finish eating; they have a show to get ready for. Noelle and I take her around the city, visiting Times Square and walking down Broadway while she squeals about all the shows in the theaters we pass.

As we pass the Nederlander, Noelle turns to me. "Oh, yeah. Have you heard back from Mr. Calhoun yet?"

"Who's Mr. Calhoun?" Adrienne asks.

"Not yet. Sky told me he thinks it should be sometime in the next few days," I reply.

"Who's Mr. Calhoun?" Adrienne asks again.

"Maybe you'll hear back while Adrienne's here," Noelle says optimistically.

"Guys!" Adrienne stops walking and looks at us. "Will someone answer me? Who are we talking about? And why are you waiting to hear from him? About what?"

"You haven't told her?" Noelle gives me a look.

I shrug. "I wanted to call with good news." I finally turn to my sister. "Last week, I auditioned to play Katherine on the second leg of the Newsies tour, since the girl who was going to do it had to back out."
   
Her jaw drops. "You what? Marlee Jane Granger! How dare you not tell me?" She lands a light punch on my arm. "I can't believe you! This is huge news. And of course, I don't hear a word about it. This is very you, Marlee, to do something this monumental and not even telling your own family." Noelle bites her lip, trying very hard not to laugh.
   
"I didn't want to create excitement for nothing. If I didn't get the part, it wouldn't matter," I explain. "Let's keep walking."
   
"So are you and Ben a thing or not?" My sister asks, changing the subject. "Because I saw the way he looked at you during lunch, and if you don't snatch him up I will."
   
"We're not-," I pause. We're not anything official, I know that, but what are we? "It's complicated," I decide.
   
"So," Adrienne begins slowly, "that's not a no?"
   
"That's not a yes, either." I nudge her lightly.
   
"Uh huh." She and Noelle share a knowing look, and I roll my eyes. I'm going to have to endure this kind of torture all week. What have I done?

~~~~~
double update day!
because I'm so bored and I already had this written. so enjoy!