The Water In My Lungs

Imogen sat in English, her head leaning on her hand. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and she looked at it. It was from Andy.

Andy<3: Please call me soon.

Imogen felt her stomach clench in fear. She typed okay and raised her hand.

"Yes Ms. Bradley?" Her teacher Mr. Johnson asked.

"May I use the restroom?" She muttered.

"Of course." He said picking up the pass and handing it to her. She grabbed it and sped out of the classroom.

Once in the bathroom she immediately dialed Andy's number. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?" He said.

"Andy," She breathed out, glad to hear his voice. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

He was silent for a second, "My dad has a gun and he locked us in our rooms."

Imogen felt her heart start to pound and she stifled a sob, "Andy you need to leave, please get out of there."

"I can't, baby." He sighed, shakily, and Imogen thought he was crying, "I t-think I want to say goodbye-"

"No, Andrew Dennis Biersack you're not saying goodbye to me right now. I'm going to see you tonight, stop talking like this!" Imogen gasped, gripping the sink with her hand.

"No Imogen please listen to me. Just in case he does something I want to, god I can't believe I'm saying this over the damn phone for the first time, I want to say I love you. I love you so much it hurts." He said.

Imogen fell to the floor, clutching her heart. "I love you too Andy." Her tears ran down her cheeks in rushing rivers. She wanted to hold him so bad. "I'm coming over." She stood up.

"NO!" His voice boomed over the line, "Do not come to this house, I swear to god Imogen he will rape, kill you, or both." He said. Imogen sobbed quietly, trying not to freak him out.

"There is nothing you can do?" She asked hoarsely.

"I don't know, Im, just stay at school. I'll call you after." He said.

If he's still alive, she thought.

"Okay." She said shakily.

"I love you."

"I love you too." She said pressing end. She dropped her head onto her knees and hugged her body as she sobbed.

She looked up towards Heaven and her grandfather. "At least I can say I loved.." She whispered as a tear dripped down her nose.

By now her stomach was feeling wretched so she stood up and walked back to class. She asked for a nurses pass and quickly walked to the office.

"Hi Imogen, what are you in for?" Nurse Kelly asked. She was a young women, with blonde hair and tan skin.

"Stomach ache, I think I need to lay down." Imogen said.

"Okay. Hey I've heard a few rumors going around, your dating that boy who was jumped right?" She asked. Imogen couldn't hold back her eye roll.

"Yeah I am." She muttered.

"Is he alright?"

"Better than ever." She said fighting back tears.

"Lovely." She smiled and Imogen thought she was going to be sick. She laid down on the old cot and closed her eyes. She reached up and clutched Andy's dog tags. The nurse had left the room so she took her phone out.

She had no new mesages or missed calls. A picture of Andy and her was the only thing staring back at her. They were laying in the grass his black bangs covering his eyes and her hand was on his cheek. He had taken the picture without her knowing and she loved it. Imogen just couldn't imagine a face so full of life ever lying in a coffin and she was so worried that's where he was going to be in a week.

She heard the door open and she hid her phone. Nurse Kelly walked over to Imogen and took her temperature. She frowned at the thermometer.

"Imogen you have a fever." She said, "101.2"

"Oh." Imogen said, rubbing her temples.

"I think you should go home, want me to call Holly?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah, I guess." Imogen sighed. Kelly walked out of the room and Imogen bit her lip getting an idea.

Twenty minutes later she was in the car with Holly, her bag in her lap. "So Holly.." Imogen said.

Holly glanced over at her, "Yes?"

"Is there any way you could drop me off at Andy's?" Imogen bit her lip. Holly smiled a bit.

"Why is that?" She asked.

"I need to check on him. His parents aren't the best.." Imogen said praying this wasn't a mistake.

"Aren't you sweet?" Holly chuckled, "Thought you were sick."

"Nurse Kelly says I'm sick." Imogen pointed out.

"True, how long will you be there?" Holly asked.

"I'll text you.." She said, sinking down in her seat.

"Okay." Holly said. Imogen pointed her in the right direction and soon she was pulling in front of Andy's trailer. She let out a silent swear.

"Bye Hol." She said getting out of the car and walking to Andy's door. She waited until Holly pulled away and walked around to the window by Andy's room. She saw him laying on his bed and Daniel on his own. Andy looked up and saw her standing there. His eyes widened.

He ran to the window and opened it, "What the hell, Imogen, I said to stay at school!" He whisper yelled but he still crushed her to him. He honestly didn't think he'd ever see her again.

"I got sent home early because I'm apparently sick, but I don't feel sick, and I was just so worried about you I didn't know what to do with myself! Andy please say your going to be okay." She started sobbing into his chest. He pulled her into his room and slid down the wall by the window. She cried into his chest while he stroked her hair. Daniel looked at them in awe. He'd never seen true love.

"Shh, Im, it's alright. We're alright." He mumbled in her ear.

"Please, let's get out of here." She sobbed. "Both of us." Andy looked up at Daniel. He nodded softly.

"Go. I can take care of mom." He said.

"No he's going to kill you!" Andy said sternly.

"He won't kill us, because then you'll have no reason to come back." Daniel smiled softly, "Go home with Imogen, make sure she's safe, and I'll call you."

"Are you sure?" Andy asked.

"Yes, now get out of here."

The couple stood up and Andy hugged his brother, "Thank you." Daniel offered him a weak smile and they stepped out of the window. Imogen pressed into his side, breathing in his scent. "We can't take my bike."

"I'll text Holly, she's just around the corner." Imogen said as they quickly walked away from the old trailer. Andy couldn't believe this was actually happening but he was thankful none the less.
Imogen took out her phone and texted Holly. She was starting to feel really sick and was glad they were going home.

Two minutes later Holly pulled in front of the couple. Andy was limping since he didn't have time to get his crutches. "Are you alright, Andy?" She asked.

Andy smiled smally, "Never better."

Imogen stared at the ground feeling light headed. Andy cleared his throat and she snapped out of it. They hopped in the car and she immediately fell into his side. He wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his chest. He smiled remembering the piece of paper in his pocket containing a few lyrics to the song he was writing her. Andy was going to say I love you for real on Friday. Not over the phone but in person.

Right now all he was fixated on was what happened at home. Why did he have a gun? Where did he get one? These thoughts flew around his mind and clouded his head. He noticed Holly kept looking at him in the mirror. Probably since he was so ghostly pale and worried looking.

"Don't kiss her, Andy. She's sick." Holly laughed and Imogen lightly smacked her on the shoulder.

"It's okay, I don't mind." Andy grinned. Imogen chuckled, glad to be in his arms and glad he was safe.

They pulled in front of Imogen's house and she hopped out. She stopped to help Andy out of the car and kept her arm around his waist. He was limping and she knew it was because he didn't have any crutches. "Can you walk?" She asked.

"I can." He said pecking her lips.

"Okay, let's go inside." She said leading him up the path, Holly following.

No one was home due to them being at school, or work. Andy and Imogen went up the stairs and immediately went to her room.

They laid down on her bed in silence for a little while, nothing but the even breathing coming from each other to disrupt there peace. Andy's stomach pressed against Imogen's back and his arm tightly wrapped around her hip. Her head was pounding so she reached up to rub her temples.

"Headache?" Andy asked. Imogen nodded, cringing at the pain. He removed her hands and placed his where they'd been. It was a simple action but it made Imogen's heart flutter. His fingers massaged across her forehead and her eyes stayed closed. She fell back deeper in his chest and he smiled as her breath evened and she went to sleep. He kissed the back of her head and pulled her closer to him. "I love you." He whispered, causing the slightly awake Imogen to smile.

Notes