Courtney's POV:

Andy watched me throughout the remainder of our meal, which annoyed me. I picked through my salad, occasionally popping red cherry tomatoes into my mouth. Andy dug into his pasta and finished it long before I was even halfway through my own. I actually didn't even end up finishing my small salad, but made the excuse to Andy that I'd eaten a lot at breakfast. Which was a lie.

Andy offered to pay, even though I strongly fought against it. But eventually, he snuck the flirtatious waiter the bill when I wasn't looking. I glared at him, but managed to see that he offered a tiny tip, making me instantly feel bad for the kind guy.

Andy smiled at me as he helped me up, keeping our hands locked together. "Thanks, Andy," I whisper with a smile as my own.

when we are out of the restaurant I ask him, "why did you too so low? I had money if you didn't have enough. Since someone, refused to let me pay."

He smiles at me, but tension costs his handsome face, "don't worry about it," evidently telling me to drop the topic.

the drive home is short and quiet, not even bits of small talk to fill the silent void. But it's not even awkward; I enjoy spending time with Andy, and I feel entirely comfortable with him.

When I unlock the door to my new house, I'm immediately jumped by my overbearing older brother. "Where the hell have you been?"

I roll my eyes and shove past him, "out. With Andy. As you already knew."

He grabs my wrist, stopping me from walking away, "I know that part. What I didn't know was why you were clearly out later than expected."

I glance at his hand on my wrist; it's not painful, but unnerving.

"Please let me go." As if noticing his hand on my wrist for the first time, he quickly retracts his hold. "Thank you. Now, I understand that I had no curfew, and you aren't technically my guardian, so don't bother acting all high and mighty."

Ashley growls but Andy quickly steps between us before we say anything else we'll regret. I glare one more time at my older brother and run upstairs, shutting my door loudly.

---

An hour, and seven discarded sketches later, a soft knock sounds lightly on my door. I glance up at it; one ear bus dangling from left ear. I sigh, and toss my sketch book to the side, uttering a simple, "come in."

Ashley opens the door and smiles slight at me. He approaches me quietly and sits beside me on my bed.

"I'm sorry, Courtney. I know that I haven't necessarily been the greatest brother in the world. But I can't help it but act protective over my little sister when she is out with my best friend, who happens to have been eying you all day!"

I sigh and wrap my arms around my big brother, "I know Ashy. But, me and Andy are only friends. and he wasn't 'eying' me, he has a girlfriend! Besides, I should probably looking for guys my own age instead, don't you think?" I wink at the end.

Ashley chuckles led under his breath and hugs me back, "personally, I'm going to hate any boy who even looks at you. You know that right?"

I nod, "and I'm going to partially enjoy watching you scare the shit out of any future boyfriend of mine. Because that's your job."

Ashley smiles down at me, "I love you Court."

"I love you too." I say as I kiss my brothers cheek gently.

Notes

Cute chapter :)
thats basically all I can say

next chapter Court will be going to high school!