Ben did kick the girls out of the house after five minutes.
Just like he fucking said he would.
Arbel was surprised for some reason and Ben didn't understand it. He didn't hide that he didn't like her, she should probably be more surprised that he agreed to talk to her in the first place.
He could have refused to talk to her, he pretty much wanted to do it anyway.
But that would have just caused more headaches later, more suspicion and more guilt, and more belief that he knew more than he was telling.
He really did know, but still.
Leo was probably angry about how much he had told them. His and Leo's last conversation had been confused and strange but one thing was clear - leave Arbel out of it.
Never mind that he didn't know what "it" was at all.
Never mind that he didn't know what the hell Leo was doing.
Ben watched Arbel and Rosie through the window, walking away from the house after he'd kicked them out.
Would they continue to investigate? Probably would.
He probably needs to stop them somehow, before they wake up something that's better off sleeping.
Ben let out an angry sigh and started up the stairs and back to his room.
He was a logical person, he prided himself on being a logical person. He always acted for reasons and reasons alone. So why, why the hell did he tell the girls about Corey?
He could have sent them off in a thousand different directions, saying that Leo had gotten into a bad place or that it was pressure from his parents or school. He probably could have even come up with some really good excuses if he had really put in the effort.
Instead, he sent them down the only path they weren't supposed to take.
The only path that led that was right.
Leo was going to be so mad at him when he got back.
If he got back, of course.
Contrary to what most people think, Ben didn't have blind faith in Leo. Leo was smart and talented, but he was still a kid, and whatever this kid got into was clearly bigger than him.
So why did he still have faith that Leo would come back safe and sound?
Probably for the same reason he told Arbel about Cory. The reason is that even though he pretends not to be, Ben is emotionally affected.
He can't help but hold on to hope that Leo will be okay even though all signs point the other way.
And he can't help but send Arbel in the right direction because he did want someone to help Leo.
Even if that person is an idiot.
Oh wait, she called her friend too, so that's actually two idiots.
wonderful.
He can't leave it like this. He doesn't trust anyone, not even Leo.
Because if Leo was smart, he wouldn't have gotten into this mess in the first place.
No, Leo was weak and impulsive and like to stuck his nose in places it definitely shouldn't be. It was only a matter of time before it came back to bite him in the ass.
Ben went into his room, closing the door gently behind him and leaning his head against the wooden frame.
He wanted to find Leo.
He knew the only reason Leo was talking to him was because he trusted him, trusted him not to interfere and to make sure not to involve anyone else.
But Ben had already broken one request, so what was another?
He thought he could do it, Leo was a grown, independent person responsible for his own decisions. Ben should leave him to deal with this alone.
But he couldn't.
That awful feeling under his skin grew stronger and stronger, and Ben realized to his horror that he couldn't leave this alone.
He can't leave Leo alone.
"Fuck" he muttered to the empty room.
Ben turned and walked to his desk, grabbing his phone and looking at it.
His eyes narrowed, it was later than he thought.
Well, it is what it is and with this he will work
.
Leo left the room and went to look for his friend.