Falling Angels

Andy's POV
My thoughts were still cloudy from our little wrestling match. I almost kissed her when we were both on the ground but I didn't want to mess things up. Having her in my life was enough, but deep down I knew that I wanted more. I wanted to be the reason behind her smile and the hand she held. I wanted to be her favorite hello and her hardest goodbye. I wanted to be her other half. Realizing we had reached the garage, I walked over to open the passenger side door for Claire. She darted past me and tried to open her own door. I chuckled and held the keys up in the air. "Locked out?" I asked her teasingly. "Yes." she pouted. I walked over to her and stood waiting. She wouldn't budge. A sigh escaped my lips. "Why won't you let me open your door?" I asked Claire. "You don't have to open my door for me." she said. "But I want to open your door for you." I told her. The familiar sweet, vulnerable look crossed her face again. I pulled her into a hug. "What's the matter?" I asked her. She shook her head. I pulled away and made her look at me. "What's the matter?" I repeated, stroking her face. "You're the first person that's treated me like a person since sixth grade." she confessed. Tears welled up in her eyes and she turned to face the car. I turned her back around and saw tears streaming down her face. "What happened in sixth grade?" I asked in a concerned tone. She broke into sobs. Tears ran down my face as well. I couldn't stand to see her in so much pain. I wanted to help her but I didn't know how. Could I make her happy again? Would she be better off with someone else? The second thought brought more tears to my eyes. I needed to know about sixth grade. Now. I couldn't let her deal with this pain alone. I scooped her up and carried her into the living room. She was still crying after I settled us both onto a couch. I wrapped my arms around her, trying to hold her shaking body together. "What happened in sixth grade?" I tenderly repeated.

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