Mae walked through the hallway, her keys in hand. She'd traded in her last block, art, for early release since she'd all but given up on everything but music.

She missed Andy. She missed everything about him. His touch, his smell, the way he hugged her, the way he kissed her. Being away from the love of your life proved to be the hardest task Mae had ever gone through.

It was now November 15th and though Andy pestered her to come see him, her family just didn't have the money so they were counting down the days until Thanksgiving. She also knew that Andy was living in his car in Los Angeles, and it killed her to think of him sleeping that way. Curled up alone, with no one to hold him- God she wished he hadn't left.

"Hey Mae!" She heard from behind her. She turned her head to see one of her new friends, Danny, coming towards her.

"Hey." She said, smiling softly. He was cute- black hair, brown eyes that didn't quit but he was no Andy. No one was.

"Early release?" He chuckled, pointing to the keys in her hand.

"Oh yeah." She laughed. "You?"

"Nah- just going to the bathroom." He chuckled. "Hey, we should hang out soon."

"Yeah- that would be fun." Mae nodded.

"Maybe as like a date?" Danny smirked.

"Uhm, I actually have a boyfriend. I thought you knew that." Mae laughed, pointing to the tattoo on her ankle. Danny furrowed his brow as he looked down at it.

"Andy?" He chuckled. "You guys are still together?"

"Yeah. I'm moving out to LA with him on my eighteenth birthday..." She trailed off.

"Wow, sorry then." He said, ruffling his hair.

"It's all good." She nodded. "I guess not many people expected us to make it."

"Well if you love each other of course you will." He smiled. She smirked at his words, they made her think of Andy and how well spoken he was.

"Thanks. I think I'll have to take you up on that offer but just as friends.." She smiled, her eyes crinkling in the corners.

"I'd like that." He said, shoving his hands in his pockets. She waved before walking out to her car and throwing her bag in the passengers seat. She took out her cellphone and dialed the number she had long since memorized.

"Hello?" Andy's gravelly voice spoke from the other end of the call.

"Hey baby." She smiled.

"What's up, love? Everything good back in Cinci?" He asked.

"Everything's fine. How's LA?" She bit her lip, putting the phone on speaker and backing out of her parking space.

"Really good. I met a producer yesterday. He actually, uh, knocked on our van window while we were sleeping." He chuckled. "His name is Blasko and I think he could do things for us."

"How is everyone else doing?" Mae asked.

"Good- I think Chris might bail." Andy said.

"Why?" She sucked in her breath.

"I have no clue, babe. But it might just be Sandra and I. We're shooting that video I was talking about next week for Knives and Pens. Blasko said he would help have a casting call for it in the next few days." He sounded so excited that it warmed Mae's heart.

"That's great babe. I'm so proud." She said.

"I know, thanks Mae Lilly." He said. "So what are you doing?"

"Just driving. I might head downtown for a little while." She said, getting on the interstate.

He was silent for a moment, "Be careful okay?"

"I will be." She said. "Just going to get some coffee."

"Alright." He said.

"What's up with you?" She asked.

"Just walking around. I'm heading to a party tonight so that should be fun." He said.

"Yeah, I'm sure it will be." She said. They were both dead silent for at least a minute.

"I miss you so much, Mae." He whispered so quiet she almost couldn't hear it.

"I miss you too." She smiled. "But I'll see you soon."

"You're right." He said. She could hear the tears in his voice and it broke her heart.

"I've got to go, Andy. I love you so much and I'll see you in just a little while so hold on." She smiled a single tear dripping down her cheek.

"I love you, too, Mae." He whispered making her heart contract. "See you soon."
With that she hung up, pain in her heart.

---

Andy walked around the grimy streets of Hollywood, his boots scuffing across the old pavement. He needed to get away from Chris and Sandra for a little while and he was looking for a place to buy with the little money he had. When Mae came to him, he wanted her to be comfortable.

He missed her so much and he just couldn't believe that she was so far away from him right now. That they had been apart for so long.

He had to go back to her. He would do it as soon as possible.

Notes