Suffer In Silence

*Dakota's POV*

As I walk into work, the first thing I see is Max behind the counter. As usual he's dressed in a band shirt, this time, it's Simple Plan. Without even seeing his lower half, I know he's wearing a pair of skinnies and converse, he always is. I continue on past him, greeting him simply with "Maxie" and a nod of my head, causing us both to laugh. Reaching the display rack reserved only for the best newest albums, I begin to organise the cd's, taking some off and replacing them with newer or better albums.

Watching me, and not doing his work like a lazy fuck, Max leans forward, resting his arms on the counter. He starts grinning like a cheshire cat, I'm starting to get suspicious now... "Soooooooo.... How was the walk home with Andy?, it must have been so romantic", he laughs as he dodges a flying piece of Styrofoam I throw at his head. "Can we not talk about him?, I'm really pissed off at him right now. I don't know what's gotten into him, it's confusing as fuck", I say, starting to get a little irritated.

Somehow, his grin gets even bigger. "I think I know!", he says in sing-song voice. I look at him un-impressed, "do you now". He giggles like a school girl who knows something juicy. "Mr. Girraffe-man has the hots for you Miss Muppet!", he bounces on the spot excitedly. Groaning, I stop stacking cd's and glare at him. "You can't be serious" I say, accidentally letting a bit of my anger towards Andy out in my voice. He shrinks back, pouting, and I immediately feel bad. I rush forward, my face softening, when I reach him I wrap my arms around him, hugging him close. As we cuddle, enjoying eachothers comfort, I murmer ever so quietly... "So... You really think he likes me?"....

*Andy's POV*

I walk past my parents, trying to seem nonchalant, but the second I'm in my room I lock my door and fling my bag to the floor. "Fuck!" I yell, kicking my computer chair over. I hear a knock at the door, "Andy?, honey are you okay?". I look at myself in my wardrobes mirror and scowl, "I'm fine mum...". After a moments silence there's another knock at my door, "son come on, we're worried...". "I said I'm fine!" I scream at the door. I look back at my reflection in the mirror... Look at you... You actually managed to fuck up an apology to the point where you no longer. Have. A. Chance!... "Ugh!, stupid!, fucking!, half-witted freak!" I scream, punching the wall to punctuate each word.

"Andy!, please let us in!, what's wrong?!", my mother cries out through the door. Through a haze of tears I didn't even notice I had started, I stumble over to the door and unlock it, falling into my mothers arms. "Come on son, let's get you onto your bed, we can talk there..." my father soothes, helping my mother lead me to my bed. Once we're all seated on the edge, he rests a hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "Now... Tell us what it is, maybe we can help" he reasons.

After a minute of deep breathing, and my mother rubbing my back to help calm me down, I finally take a deep breath and begin. "I made an ass of myself because I was jealous of Kodas friend Max, I felt like he was a threat. Because to be honest, I really like her, a fucking lot, and on the walk home I tried to convince her he's not good for her, which really pissed her off. I couldn't find her today in school, she was avoiding me I guess, so I caught her on the way home and... She wouldn't let me explain so I pulled her aside and when she screamed at me, 'what do you want from me', I panicked and kissed her. At first she kissed back, but then she pushed me away and slapped me really hard. I'm so fucking confused!", I take deep breaths, feeling light headed after such a long rant.

Mum gives me a hug and I instantly feel calmer. "I't's okay Andy, it'll be alright. You made a mistake... well... mistakes... What you need to do is give her time to cool off. Maybe on Saturday turn up at her house dressed up all smart, or smart-casual, whatever you kids are into, and present her with her favourite flowers. Be vulnerable, don't put up a strong front, let her see your emotions. Just have a nice, sweet day with her". She kisses my forehead and leaves the room, probably off to start dinner. I turn my attention to dad, who has taken mums spot. "Your mother is right son, sometimes it's best to show your vulnerability to a woman, prove to her that she can trust you. She needs to know that she wouldn't just be another notch on your belt", he hugs me and leaves the room, leaving me to think it all over.

I get up and close the door, next I pick up my chair and place it back in front of my desk. Sitting down, I open up my laptop and get up notepad to start a list... Ok... I've got to make plans for Saturday... First I've got to find out what her favourite flowers are...Her favourite movies... Bring some music... Oh! and some yummy snacks too... I smile, finally feeling like there could be hope after all. I've never had to work so hard to make a girl mine before, and this time, I want to hear her say I'm hers too....

*Dakota's POV*

*****Time Lapse*****

"Dakota get the fucking door!" mother yells at me. I groan and quickly start throwing clothes on, having just had a shower. I grab the first things I see, a loose long top with long sleeves and a tight brown leather jacket over it, a pair of black faded skinnies and finally my comfy slipper boots. I finish and reach the door in record time. I wait a second while I catch my breath, and open the door. "Hi, I'm sorry I took so long to answer the do-", I stop mid-sentence when I look up to see who the visitor is... It's a very pale and nervous-looking Andy.

I watch, waiting for him to say something, but he just stands there holding a bouquet of pink Begonias with a death grip. I discretely look him over, mad as I am, I can still appreciate the effort he's gone to, to not only dress all smart-casual -Which is fucking hot on him by the way-, but to get my favourite flowers. I look into his eyes and see all the nerves, fear and hope. Sighing, I take pity on him and ask if he would like to come in, he nods and thrusts the flowers into my hands.

I guide him into the living room and onto the couch, sitting him down on one end while I sit on the other. Mother finally comes out to see who it is and smiles at Andy. "Ah it's you Andrew, I'll go fix up some lunch for you two", she smiles again and heads off to the kitchen. I scowl, knowing that it's all just an act for Andys benefit. I look back over at Andy, he runs a hand through his hair nervously. "Look, I know you're mad, and you have every right to be. The way I've been acting lately is unnacceptable. I think, by now, it's obvious that I like you as more than a friend. But if pursuing you the way I have been is going to ruin our friendship, I'll stop...", I wait while he takes a few shaky breaths before he continues.

*Andy's POV*

"I couldn't bare to have you out of my life, even if it means being nothing more than friends. The real reason I've been so jerky, is because I just didn't know how to express how I feel. I was scared that you would reject me. Seeing you with Max, how close you two are, I got so jealous. I wish it was me you go to when you're scared, or need a hug, I wish I could be the one to be there for you. I've never felt this strongly for a girl before, I love to call a girl mine, but this time, while I'd still love to be able to say that... All I really want is to be yours...", I pause again, trying to calm myself down.

"I know now that instead of playing games, I should have been honest from the start. I'd be honoured if we could start over, I have a nice relaxing day planned for us, just as friends. I brought movies, music, and popcorn in my backpack. So.... What do you say... Friends?", I finish, looking her in the eyes for the first time since I knocked on her door. She looks at me teary eyed but quickly looks back down again, her hair covering her face. "How can you expect me to be friends with you anymore" she says, my heart drops... I'm too late....

*Dakota's POV*

I smirk to myself, then finally look up, not wanting to torture him for too long. "You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do this...", with that, I drop the flowers onto the coffee table, pull him forward by his shirt, and cup his cheek with my free hand, connecting our lips in a soft, sweet kiss. Pulling away, I smile, "you never had to play games, you should have been honest. I never took the hints, because I couldn't believe that someone as beautiful and kind as you could possibly like me that way".

A tear slides down his face, he shakes his head and smiles. "You idiot, you have no idea what you do to me" he says chuckling. Before I can say anything he pulls me into a deep, yet tender kiss. Suddenly mother comes out, causing us to jump apart, both blushing profusely. "Lunch is ready on the kitchen counter when you're ready", she flashes Andy that sickeningly sweet smile again. "We'll be right in mum" I say, the second she dissapears upstairs we look at eachother and immediately start giggling. I bite my lip, still giggling, and lean forward gving him a little peck on the lips. "We better go eat, don't want my mum coming back out" I say with a smirk, stifling yet another giggle, I stand up and reach out for his hand....

Notes

FINALLY I've updated! I'm beyond sorry for taking so long. I'm even more sorry if the chapter was a disappointment. I recovered from the hospital procedure, only took me 3 days to finally get proper sleep haha

Please let me know in the comments what you thought, if you liked it, if you didn't etc, I really love to hear you guys' opinions :3

Ch. Title Credit: Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas - Wouldn't Change a Thing

OH! for anyone who hasn't seen it, here's the link to Andy's new song from his solo project Andy Black, his alter ego, the song is called 'They Don't Need to Understand':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMA-GMW8TNg