Knives & Pens

Things didn’t get better for Pandora, it actually got worse. The bullying got worse, when Sierra arrived at School with bruises on her face she told everyone Pandora done it. All of Sierra’s friends started to send threats to Pandora, but Pandora of course never told anyone. Liam started to pick on her even more, worse than before. Actually grabbing her and slinging her into lockers and laughing about it, Pandora felt helpless. She knew she had Andy but she didn’t want to tell him, he was a rock star for crying out loud, she knew he didn’t have time for a teenage girl’s problems. Pandora knew her parents wouldn’t care, her father James was drunk every night and spending time in the morning dealing with a hangover, her mother Gail was always working and finding excuses not to deal with Pandora, also Gail didn’t like Pandora at the moment because she punched Sierra. Pandora knew she wasn’t winning in this battle between her parents, sister and students at school. Every day the battle got worse, harder to win. It started to come clear to Pandora she would never win this battle, it was indestructible. Impossible to beat.
Pandora was walking home from School Friday afternoon, September 27th, 2013.
As she was getting closer to the house, she saw a black Ford mustang parked on the other side of the street. She saw someone leaning on the hood, but couldn’t figure out who it was just yet. Pandora kept walking, until she got close enough to the house, she saw who it was. Andy.
A smile appeared on Pandora’s face and she started to walk towards Andy, he looked up at her and gave a soft grin, but not a big smile. Pandora reached him, and he nodded towards the hood. Pandora set her book bag on the hood and leaned up on the hood beside him, he looked at her but didn’t say anything. His arms were crossed and he didn’t look happy, he looked sad and angry a mixture of both.
“What’s up?” Pandora asked, Andy sighed heavily and looked at the concrete road, then back at her.
“Nothing, you?”
Pandora shook her head side to side. “Nothing at all, just school and such.”
Andy nodded. “How was school today?”
Pandora shrugged, not wanting to say; Oh my sister’s boyfriend grabbed me and threw me into the lockers, then laughed about it. Then a guy tripped me in the cafeteria and I dropped my food.
“It was alright, school isn’t always fun.” Pandora said, Andy grinned softly.
“Yeah, it’s not at all.” His voice was fading, he went silent, Pandora knew something was bothering him but it was as if he didn’t want to tell her. Pandora looked at him, rubbing her hands together, then she elbowed him playfully.
“What’s bothering you?” She asked, Andy grinned and looked at her, elbowing her back playfully.
“I guess you noticed something was up huh?”
Pandora nod. “Yeah I did, your acting different. Usually your happy and excited, but now your just like bummed.”
“I am bummed honestly.” Andy said, Pandora looked at him like she was expecting him to continue, but he never did. She raised her eyebrows and looked around, Andy looked at her confused.
“What?” He asked her.
“Are you going to tell me why your bummed, or going to make me guess?”
Andy grinned, but then the grin faded and turned into a frown. “We’re going on tour, Pandora.”
Pandora was quiet, she bit her bottom lip and looked at him. “For how long?”
Andy sighed, hating this part. “Three months…”
Pandora was quiet, she didn’t know what to say. She was honestly upset, but didn’t want Andy knowing she was. She forced a smile and looked up at him.
“That’s awesome Andy.” Pandora told him, Andy looked at her like he wasn’t expecting her to say that, which he didn’t.
“Yeah it is, but I don’t know. What are you going to do?”
Pandora grinned. “I’ll be fine Andy, honestly.”
Andy smiled then, he elbowed her, and she elbowed him back, and suddenly they were in a elbowing war. Andy won of course, almost knocking her down he stopped and she claimed him the winner.
“So, are you sure you’ll be fine three months without me here?” Andy asked, sounding worried about the idea of him not being here when she needed him the most. Pandora nodded and looked at him.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine Andy.” Pandora ensured him, Andy smiled, believing her and feeling a little bit better. Pandora looked up and saw her Dad coming out of the house, looking hungover. Pandora swallowed hard, not knowing what her Dad would do or even say.
“Pandora, come on, get inside!” James said loud enough for her to hear, Andy looked at James then back at Pandora.
“I’m guessing that’s your Dad?”
Pandora nodded and grabbed her book bag. “Yep. Uh, when are you leaving?”
Andy looked at her. “Tomorrow morning.” He replied, Pandora nodded.
“Okay, well, I wish you luck. And I’ll miss you. Tell the others I’ll miss them too! Be careful, okay?”
Andy grinned. “Yeah, I’ll tell them. We’re always careful, you need to stay careful though.”
Pandora hugged him quickly and he hugged back but she immediately pulled away, walking away. Andy watched her head towards the house, James was still standing at the door waiting. Pandora turned around and waved at Andy, Andy waved back.
“Bye Andrew!” Pandora said, waving.
“Bye Pandora.” Andy said, not sure if she heard him. Pandora ran up the porch steps, and headed inside. James looked at Andy, giving him a death look, then headed inside. Andy sighed, not sure what to think about her father. He walked over to the driver door and opened it, he hopped inside and started the engine. He waited for three seconds, then drove off, heading towards his house to continue packing for the tour..
Pandora hung her jacket up on the hanger beside the door, James was standing at the door with his arms cross. Looking angry, but Pandora tried to ignore it.
“Who was that?” James asked, his voice sounding angry. Pandora swallowed hard.
“A friend of mine.” Pandora replied, James sighed.
“A friend, who would want to be your friend Dora?”
Pandora shrugged, she started to walk up the stairs to go to her bedroom. “I don’t know James.” She said lowly.
“What did you call me?” James hissed, Pandora felt her heart skip a beat in fear.
“I said I don’t know Dad.” Pandora lied, turning around to look at him when she reached the last step. James nodded, and uncrossed his arms.
“Whatever.” He said and headed into the living room, Pandora rolled her eyes and headed towards her bedroom. She closed the door, and walked over to her desk, she dropped the book bag beside the desk chair and sat down. She couldn’t believe Andy was leaving for three months to go on tour, she did understand it was what he does, it’s part of his life. But she still wanted him to stay here, but a part of her wanted him to go. It was a strange feeling…

Notes