Could Use A Ride (Odi)

[Jared Bell]

Jared yawned and stretched out as he grabbed his bag from the overhead compartment. He sighed audibly as he waited for the slow moving group of people ahead of him get off the plane. He hadn’t been worried about Odion for the first few days, but once a few weeks had passed since he saw his roommate, he had decided it was time to find him. It hadn’t been hard to call in a favor and have someone trace his phone but its final destination had surprised him. He hadn’t ever expected to head back to Pilot Ridge. Not after everything that had happened when they had all been together.

He was finally off of the plane, now he just had to grab his checked luggage. This trip had been a lot easier for Jared than it had been the last time. This time he was prepared, and there wasn’t a price on his head. It made for a much more stress free travel experience. After what seemed like an eternity he had the bag he had tactfully covered in tape. It was a lot easier to find your bag on a conveyer belt when it didn’t look like five other ones. He reached into his pocket and powered on his phone. He cycled through the contacts until he hit Odion’s number.

“I’m at the airport, you wanna help a bloke out with a ride?”

Jared hit send and headed for some benches. He made himself comfortable as he waited for a response. He was going to have to tear a strip into his friend when he did catch up with him. It made no sense, there was no warning or note or anything. He would have thought he deserved at least that much.

[Odion Martins]

Odion's birthday had been one hell of a night. He had woken up the next day with a massive hangover, and hardly any recollection of what had happened during the night. What he saw were bits and pieces of him and Lani, and he wasn't sure if he had imagined the whole thing.

Still living in the college, Odion had found the perfect spot to store all of his things - the chemistry lab. It was locked because of all the different things you could steal from the room, so no one really bothered him. By the time classes started, Odion was gone.

So when he was woken up by something buzzing near his head, something inside him panicked. Was someone trying to get in early? Blinking a few times, Odion took a deep breath when he realized it was only his phone receiving a text.

Bloke? No one around these parts used the term. He frowned, sitting up a little more as he tried to puzzle who was trying to get him to pick them up. Anyone who really knew him knew he didn't drive.

You have the wrong number.

Clearly Odion was not a morning person. He rubbed his face with both hands and looked at the time on the phone. 4:52 AM? What kind of fucking joke was this?

[Jared Bell]

“You have the wrong number.”

Classic Odion, he was always such a crank in the mornings. Jared sighed as he stared down at the screen. He was tired, but he intended to stay awake until he caught up with his friend. He knew it was early but he could only assume that Odion would recognize him based off of his language alone. It was early, and he needed a ride into town. Cabs never appealed to him when he could get a ride for free.

“Don’t pull that crap. I came to America to find you and drag your ass home. Now come get me from this God forsaken airport.”

He sent the text and put his phone in his pocket. He was more than a little unimpressed with Odion right now, and he was already mentally preparing the speech he intended to give. He made a note in his mind to drag it out slightly longer now, because of how Odion was acting. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know who he was.

[Odion Martins]

The next message gave Odion the chills. Home? The redhead dropped the phone suddenly as pain surged through his brain. His head couldn’t keep up with the two different lives he had lived, and it clearly made sense now who had sent the text.

Jared. He had seemingly been there when Odion didn’t want him around, but also when he needed him the most. He was still working through his memories, but these texts were certainly jumpstarting that process. It hadn’t been that long ago when he had last seen Jared – a little less than a month ago. He hadn’t been there the entire time, that much Odion was sure, but there was a point where Odion probably would not have survived if not for his ramshackle family.

While Odion process all of these things, time had stood still. He was breathing heavily and felt like he had just uncovered a part of the mystery of what the last few months had entailed. He quickly snatched up his phone and typed with shaking fingers.

I’m not going anywhere near that airport, and I’m not going anywhere with you.

Not the best way to talk to your friend, but Odion was scared – he didn’t know what was happening to him.

[Jared Bell]

The only thing that stopped Jared from slamming his phone shut was the fact that flip phones went out of style a few years ago. “Cocksucker.” He muttered under his breath. He took a few seconds to gather his thoughts before he composed his next message. A situation like this needed tact, and that was something that Jared had never quite mastered. He racked his brain, trying to figure out what his other options were. Really the only other person he could message was Cameron, but he hadn’t talked to him in a long time. He pulled out his phone and started replying.

“I just flew halfway around the world for you. I don’t care if you sleep more before you come get me. But if you think I’m not going to get grabbed by you, or take you back home, well you’ve got another thing coming mate.”

If Odion wanted blood, he would get it. Travelling seemed to have a way of exhausting all of Jared’s patience with the world. He started towards the coffee shop intending to at least get a little bit of a boost through that. He hit send once he had his coffee and sat back down. The worst thing of all was that he couldn’t smoke until he left the building. That could only add to his sour mood.

[Odion Martins]

Even if Odion could drive, there was nowhere to bring Jared to, unless he wanted to sleep in the chemistry lab, and Odi was quite enjoying his free space. He was too upset to even think about what the hell was happening right now, and there wasn’t any chance he would be falling asleep now. Memories were floating around his head that he was only recognizing now as always having been there. There was no denying that Jared had been the greatest of friends. Maybe he could help Odion understand what was happening.

Don’t do something stupid Bell, you have no idea what’s going on. I’m not grabbing you or any part of you.

And the truth was, neither did Odion. He appreciated Jared, even more so because Odion was afraid of flying himself. Odion ran his hands through his hair and closed his eyes. Jared deserved an explanation at least.

I can’t remember the last seven months. I honestly thought you were dead.

This was like waking up from a very bad dream, like when you knew something terrible had happened and you couldn’t quite remember. But now, it was daylight, and Odion was beginning to remember that which he would rather forget.

[Jared Bell]

Jared blinked at the screen and read the first message. He didn’t have to wait long before the next one arrived. He knew Odion had been messed up over Lani, but he didn’t know it was that bad. He knew his friend had basically been on autopilot, but apparently was only snapping out of it now. He shook his head, it looked like he would be staying in Pilot Ridge longer than he had initially planned. He would save his lecture for another day as well.

“I didn’t know it was that bad. You want me to fill you in with the details?”

“I’ll give you some space if you need. I’ll work something out for the next few days.”

He sighed and downed the rest of his coffee. Judging by the time, he’d better start walking. Most people silenced their phones for the night. He did know that he fully intended to give a certain Lani Hunter a piece of his mind soon as well if he was given the chance.

[Odion Martins]

Odion was wiping at his face as he waited for a reply from Jared. How had things turned out this way? He had been so happy before all fucking hell had broken loose. He would not take well to being lectured at, he was barely getting by as it was.

The redhead wiped at his eyes again, clearing them so he could see the next text. He nodded before realizing that Jared wasn’t actually in the room with him. He sighed and his fingers typed his thoughts – today was not going to be good to him.

I’d appreciate that. Thanks Bell. And I’m sorry for this mess.

Odion sighed, sniffing hard. He was trying to be more honest with Lani, why not with his friend?

Turning back around on his makeshift bed, Odion regained his composure and began sifting through his thoughts, ready to bear with the consequences of what he had done, and what he had failed to do.

[Jared Bell]

Jared looked at the message. The truth was that he couldn’t stay mad at Odion. Odion hadn’t needed to ask for forgiveness. He’d already had it. It’s what family did for each other. He still remembered what it had felt like when Odion had told him that Jared would always be an orphan to him. He would get him through this.

“We’ll figure it out together. Your mess is mine, take care of yourself, and let me know when you’re ready to see me. Talk to you soon brother.”

He really hoped that Odion would figure it out sooner rather than later, but for now he would exercise some of his other options. Thank God for cell phones. Cameron Osiris had always been a total bro towards Jared. Even after he had admittedly had a blast destroying his truck. Hopefully Cameron was feeling like his usual generous and excitable self. He lugged his bags out of the airport and lit a cigarette right before he sent the message. He was finally feeling calm again.

“Cam, it’s been awhile, you feel like picking up a sexy European model from the airport? ”

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam usually didn’t have his cell on during the night since it was pretty annoying to get booty calls when he was trying to sleep. But he hadn’t really been receiving much of anything other than YouTube updates here and there, and those were automatically on silent. So when his phone did go off, telling him he had a text message (literally, Cam had one of those cool ring tones), he was a lot surprised.

He lit up like the sun when he saw who the text was from. Again, literally. Cam is a walking human torch, so... A happy grin was on his face and he couldn’t believe his luck was turning from bad to good. Well, anything was a step up from being punched in the face. His black eye was nice and fresh, which was why he had decided to barricade himself in his room for a while.

But Cam would do anything for his friends, even pick them up in his brand new truck. Holla!

Uh yeah, as long as I get some titty action.

There was only one airport in town so Cam knew it wouldn’t take that long. He was super pumped to see his friend, and wondered when he too, had left Pilot Ridge. Jared probably didn’t even know Cam had been gone at all. Oh well, at least someone was happy to see him.

Jumping into his truck, Cam’s hair was a total mess and he did his best to fix it since it was his pride and joy. But no amount of fixing would make his shiner look any better. For someone who had been awoken from a dead sleep, he was sure feeling chipper.

[Jared Bell]

Damn, apparently Jared’s luck wouldn’t be as bad as he had initially thought. Just talking to Cam again had begun to put him into a better state of mind. Some people had a better effect on him than most of the mind altering substances he had tried, and Cam happened to be one of them. He could only imagine the shenanigans that he had been up to since Jared had left. This was probably going to turn into an epic night of storytelling.

“Hell, for a guy like you, I’ll throw in this ass for free. ”

Puffing away on his cigarette he waited patiently. As quickly as Cameron had replied, he half expected that he would be there within ten minutes. It didn’t really matter to Jared how long it took. At this point he was just tired and needed to spend some time with anyone who wasn’t himself.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam had one hand on the wheel and the other clutched around his phone, not his dingdong you pervert! Anyways, the roads were pretty dead in Pilot Ridge at this time of night, so it would take even less time. The blond was full of questions for the British bloke, or whatever those Europeans called themselves.

Cam laughed out loud in the truck and sent a one handed reply. I do love ass ‘n titties.

Taking the last turn at the airport, Cam pulled up beside Jared and parked the car, sliding out of it quickly. It wasn’t like Jared had a lot to carry, just one bag actually, but Cameron wasn’t getting out to help with baggage just yet.

“Jared! Oh my god man, it’s been way too long!” Cam laughed a little to himself out of tired excitement and pulled Jared into a giant hug. Cam laughed again, and held onto Jared’s shoulders momentarily. “So how’ve you been? Where were ya?” Cam stood with his hands on his hips and a broad smile on his face, still glowing slightly. “And uh,” Cam started, scratching his head, “where ya goin’ now?”

[Jared Bell]

Jared laughed at Cam’s response. If Cam wanted ass ‘n titties, then Jared would be sure to deliver. He waited until he saw a pair of headlights in the distance. He had laid his bag down beside him already. As the beautiful truck stopped in front of him Jared took a look to make sure it was Cam. He quickly removed his shirt and started swinging it in circles over his head until the truck door opened. He hadn’t even gotten the shirt over his head when he felt arms wrap around him.

“It really has!” He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Cam and squeezing tightly. He smirked for a second when Cam had his hands on his shoulders. He took his friends hands and pulled them onto his bare chest and winked at him. He laughed before answering. “I’ve been good, I went back to Europe for a while. Kind of found myself a little more. We should go together sometime by the way, and honestly right now I have no idea where I’m going next. Maybe you can help me think of some ideas.” He said playfully. He hadn’t talked to Cam in ages, but it really felt like they hadn’t skipped a beat.

Jared pulled his shirt back over his body properly and made sure to stick the tag back into the collar. “What about you? I’ll bet you’ve been living it up. I swear you’re one of those blokes who just seems to want to do everything. Where are you at now? And what’s next for you? This can’t be all about me mate.” He said with a grin. It was odd, but it had never occurred to him that he actually missed Cameron until now. Apparently he made friends everywhere that he went, even if it wasn’t all that obvious.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam shook his head at Jared, though he was unsurprised by the actions. Jared was never afraid to be himself, it was something Cam loved about the goofy guy. A hug with a half naked Jared was just a bonus to the start of the day.

Laughing, Cam took his hands away before Jared got any other smart ideas. “Thanks for the strip tease, it’s been a rough few days.” Cam glanced around and then looked back at Jared. “You can give me the rest of the show somewhere more private, not that there’s a lot of people around.” Cam shrugged, public nudity was always an option in his books.

Cam wasn’t someone to hold time over someone’s head – he realized people had lives and whenever they could see him he would be happy to oblige to a date. “Europe?” Cam let out a low whistle. “That’s a long trip. You gotta be tired out of your mind!” Cameron laughed a little and gestured towards his truck. “Come try out the new ride, we can figure things out together.”

Getting back into the car, Cam slapped the stick into drive and pulled away from the airport. He laughed again and nodded. “Yeah man, but I swear doing everything has gotten me into a lot of trouble.” He turned back onto the highway and automatically started heading back to the school. “I’m still running my YouTube channel, was visiting my dad in Cali for a while trying to get my groove back – there was a lot of drama goin’ on, so I left for a break.”

Cam whacked Jared’s shoulder playfully and pointed out the fast food restaurant on the left. “You hungry?”

[Jared Bell]

It was only then that Jared took notice of Cameron's shiner. "Damn, looks like it has been. How's the other guy look?" He asked curiously. Maybe he'd have a chance to blow off some steam after all. He was significantly calmer but Jared had always been easy to get excited. He wouldn't mind popping a random stranger in the face for a friend; it only seemed fair in his mind. Even if it had been Cam's own fault, he would be happy to help clean up a mess.

"Honesty, I'm completely bushed but I ended up having a little too much caffeine for anything that resembles sleep." Jared said with a soft laugh. He took in Cameron's new truck. It was certainly an improvement from the last one. "This things bitching!" He said, running his hand over the body. He had never been much of a truck guy, but he could still appreciate it for what it was. It took a split second for Jared to toss his bag into the box of the truck and pull himself in.

"Damn, how was Cali? I've wanted to make it there someday. Besides, having a trouble free life would make you stop growing. Think of those bad ass trees that are ancient. They didn't grow just because of the sun. They needed a little rain." He replied simply. Truth be told he was still a subscriber to Cam's channel when he did have time to browse the Internet. Jared looked out the window and took in the sights. He had only been in Pilot Ridge for a few months previously but the place did hold a lot of memories.

Jared's mouth instantly started watering. "Course I'm hungry mate. Breakfast is on me. It's the least I can do." He said with a smile. He was going to get a massive stack of pancakes and drown them in syrup. He could really care less if they weren't high quality. He was hungry.