Ten Minutes Ago // Ben Tyler Cook

Part Two / Chapter Five

I pull my suitcase out of my room and stand it up by the door with a relieved sigh. Finally, I have everything together.
   
"Ready?" Noelle asks as she slips her shoes on. I nod. "Then let's go. We don't want you to be late."
   
We hurry to the theater, where the bus is waiting. After I load my suitcase, I turn to Noelle. "I guess this is it."
   
She nods, and I can tell she's about to get emotional. "I'm going to miss you, Marlee." She gives me a tight hug. "Don't have too much fun, and text me as often as you can."
   
When we finally break apart, I take a breath. "I'll miss you. And I'll call you a lot, okay?" Noelle nods in response.
   
"Marlee? We gotta go," Josh says as he boards the bus. "Bye Noelle!"
   
I hug my roommate one last time before I walk up the steps to the bus. Once I find Ben, I sit down in the empty seat next to him. "Morning, MJ," he mumbles, looking as if he'd rather be in bed.
   
"Good morning," I say softly as I get settled.
   
"I think I'm gonna take a nap." He leans his head on my shoulder. I reach over and adjust the grey beanie on his head with a small smile.

"Thanks," he murmurs.

Within minutes, Ben falls asleep on my shoulder, and the bus pulls away from the theater. I watch as we exit New York, headed out of state. Next stop: Virginia.

~ * ~ * ~

Six hours later, we unload the bus and head inside the hotel. Room keys are passed out, and I'm assigned to a room with a girl playing in the orchestra.

"What room are you in?" Ben asks, walking over to me.

"302," I answer. "You?"

"315. So I'm just down the hall from you." We head over to the elevators with everyone else. "Who are you rooming with?"
   
"A girl from the orchestra. Do you know a Laura?"

He nods. "Yeah, I think she plays the flute. I've spoken to her a few times. Oh, by the way, my mom and sister are coming to see the show Friday night. I'm going to have them come backstage after the show. They're really excited to meet you."

I smile. "I can't wait."

My roommate for the stop, Laura, is already in the hotel room when I arrive. She's unpacking. "Oh, hello," she says, looking up when I enter.

"Hi." I lug my suitcase inside. "You must be Laura."

She nods. "And you're Marlee, our Ms. Plumber?"

"That would be me." I smile at the girl. "Nice to meet you. I hear you play the flute, right?"

"Yes, I do. I really enjoy it." Laura smiles slightly. "Now, just so you know, I tend to go to bed early when I can. If you stay up, please be quiet."

I nod. "I can do that." I sit down on the bed and pull out my phone. I promised Noelle I'd text her.

Noelle Carter

<< We made it >>

<< Safely? >>

<< Safely >>

<< Good. Tell Sky
and Josh I say hi.
Miss you already. >>

"Marlee, I'm going to go downstairs," Laura tells me. "Some of my friends are going to get food. I'll be back soon." I nod as she leaves.
   
My phone buzzes again, this time it's Josh instead of Noelle.

Josh Burrage

<< We're going to
order pizza. You in? >>

<< Room 315? >>

<< Yeah >>

<< I'll bring a blanket >>

I get up, pull my blanket out of my suitcase, and walk down the hall to Room 315. Almost immediately after I knock, Sky pulls the door open, his face falling when he sees me.
   
"Thought you were the pizza guy." He walks back into the room, and I follow. Ben and Josh are already there, each on a different bed. Sky jumps on the bed next to Josh, and I go sit down next to Ben.
   
"You brought a blanket," Ben points out, amused.
   
"I get cold. Don't judge me." I spread it over myself, and he decides he wants to be underneath it, too. Another knock sounds on the door. Sky jumps up to answer it with enthusiasm. He pays for the pizza and closes the door back.
   
"The food has arrived," he announces, opening the box and grabbing a piece. "Turn on the tv, Benjamin," he says, his mouth full of pizza.
   
Ben gets up, grabs two pieces, and turns on the tv. "Here." He tosses the remote to Sky and hands me a piece of pizza. We eat the food happily with the tv playing in the background. Sky finally settles on something to watch: The Hunger Games.
   
"Do we have to watch this?" Josh asks quietly. "It's so dark."
   
"It's a good movie!" Sky objects. "You've seen it before. I was there with you when you saw it."
   
"Yeah, but that doesn't make it any less dark, Skyler," Josh says, emphasizing the last syllable of Sky's name. "At least it has a good romance subplot," he mumbles.
   
"Are you kidding me? I think Katniss and Gale were a better couple." Sky grabs another slice of pizza.
   
"Seriously? You pick a dark movie, and then you cheer for the wrong guy. I don't know what's gotten into you." Josh shakes his head, disappointed.
   
As Josh and Sky bicker, Ben turns to me. "Thank goodness you're here, otherwise I'd have to deal with them by myself for the whole tour."
   
"Oh, please." I roll my eyes with a grin. "If I weren't here, you'd be arguing right along with them." He doesn't deny my claim.
   
I try to focus on the movie, but I can't pay attention because Sky and Josh are basically having a pillow fight while they argue. I sigh and sit up. "Boys!" They pause their argument to look at me. "Please, settle down. I'm trying to watch a movie."
   
"You sound like a mom," Ben mutters, earning a light smack in the face by the pillow behind me.
   
"Shut up," I tell him, smiling slightly. "Please be quiet."
   
Sky and Josh nod, putting their pillows back and turning back to the movie. We're able to finish it without much chaos, which is a huge accomplishment. Ben falls asleep in the quiet. Once the movie ends, I quietly get up.
   
"I'm going back to my room. Goodnight," I whisper to Sky, who's the only one still awake. He nods, gives me a wave, and I exit into the hallway, hoping Laura isn't back yet.

~~~~~
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