Stuck In The Middle With You

"Please tell me you aren't going on this trip with us to get to Bently." Tyler said, as I threw my bag in the back of their car.

It's six in the morning, and I don't think I've ever been more awake in my life.

"Well that's part of it, but not all of it. I'm tired of my family." I told him.

"What did they do?"

"It doesn't matter now."

"Oh." He looked down.

"Why are you acting like your disappointed? I would think you would be happy I was going on a trip with you. It gives you more time to hit on me and get shot down." I said, hoping to make him laugh or something.

"Maybe I would be...if you were going on a trip with me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you want this trip because of Bent-"

He cut off when Bently came around to the back. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked at Tyler.

"Everything ok?" He asked.

We both nodded.

"Good." He said, "we need to leave now. Are you sure it's okay for you to do this without your parents knowing?"

I got in the back seat next to Adam, who was jamming to some way to loud music. The kids going to go deaf.

"Yeah it's fine. They won't even know I'm gone until at least noon, if not after." I answered.

He looked at me in the mirror. "Why do you think that?"

"Because I'm not noticed in my house."

"That's not true."

For the first time all morning Tyler actually smiled at me. Not a flirty smile, just a regular I-believe-you-and-know-how-you-feel smile. I laughed because there's absolutely no way to get Bently to understand what I'm about to tell him, because he's really never experienced it. Maybe when Tyler and Adam were babies, and their parents were focusing on them, but honestly, Bently gets the best in his family. I've seen it.

"It is very true. The only time I get a lot of attention is on my birthday." I told him.

"Why is that?"

"I'm the middle child."

"So?" Bently asked, looking over his shoulder to make sure the road was clear. He was such a good driver.

"Haven't you heard of middle child syndrome?" I asked.

Tyler laughed. "I can't believe you are actually going to explain this."

"Explain what?" Bently asked.

I took a deep breath. "Middle child syndrome isn't what it sounds like. It's not really a sickness or disease, but it has really bad effects on some people. I told you how I don't get a lot of attention. That's because it goes to Sarah and Josh. Sarah is the oldest, so she's the one that is in charge, the leader. Josh is the youngest, so he gets what he wants and is completely spoiled. That leaves me. The middle child. I don't really fit in anywhere because all the slots are filled."

"I'm not spoiled." Adam said, looking at his brothers. I didn't even realize he was listening.

"Yes you are." Tyler answered.

"Do you feel left out of the family?" Bently asked Tyler.

"All. The. Time." He answered.

"Hmm." He said.

I smiled. Maybe I can't get my family to understand, but I might be able to save Tyler from it. Lets face it, as much as he gets on my nerves, we're friends...sort of.

"Do you think I'm spoiled Ebony?" Adam asked, still stuck on that subject.

I rolled my eyes. "Well I don't live with you, so I wouldn't know, but if I'm going to be stereotypical, I would say you are."

"I'm not spoiled." He mumbled.

I laughed. After that the car went silent. I looked out the window, and noticed we were pretty far out of town. Where are we going?

"Where are we going?" I asked, echoing my thoughts.

"Where ever this road takes us." Tyler answered.

I nodded. I was fine with that. Not knowing where you're going just makes your adventure more of an adventure. Plus I just wanted to get away...and spend time with Bently. I don't care where I do that. As long as my family is NOT around.

"So, you left home without telling anybody?" Adam asked me.

"Yep."

"That's bad ass."

I laughed and Bently looked at him in the mirror. "Watch your language Adam. There's a girl present."

"Yeah Adam, watch your damn mouth." I smacked his arm.

Tyler laughed. "Smart ass." He mumbled.

"Oh, I'm a smart ass now?"

"Mhmm."

I couldn't think of a good comeback.

"Jerk." Was all I could think to say. Horrible I know.

"That's it? Just 'jerk'? I think you're losing your touch Eb...although if you want me to help you get it back..."

"Shut up." Bently snapped.

"Oooh, someone doesn't like competition."

"There is no competition. Just don't talk to her like that okay."

"I'm joking around. She knows that." Tyler said.

"Well don't joke with her. I'm tired of you not showing any respect for her at all." Bently glared.

I didn't really want them starting something over me. Especially in a small area like this. "It's really okay Bently. I've been dealing with him forever. I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't have to deal with it. You're better than that."

I smiled a little. "That's not true at all, but thanks. And I will deal with it. All I have to do is hit him and he'll shut up...for a while."

"Psh! That's what you think."

"Shut up." I snapped at him.

Adam was laughing beside me. I looked at him. "What's funny?"

"They're pathetic. Even when you're around, they still argue about you." He laughed.

What was he talking about. I looked back to the front at the boys. Both had blushes, getting more red every second. I bit my bottom lip. Why did they argue over me? Neither one of them really had a reason. Tyler doesn't like me, and if Bently thought there was something going on there, he's wrong. All he has to do is ask and I'll go anywhere with him.

"Why did it get all quiet?" Adam asked. He looked at his brothers and then at me. "Oooooh! I said something that wasn't supposed to be said. Sorry. Ebony, will you forget about that?"

I laughed. "I'll try."

I absolutely love Adam. Maybe I should wait for him instead of going for Bently. That's kind of a stupid thought. Bently is for sure the one I wan't, but Adam is going to be a heart breaker. That I know.

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A/N: Kinda having second thoughts about this story...I don't know. Vote and Comment guys :)