Picture Perfect

There is only one record store in town and it was only a few blocks from the coffee shop. As I rounded the corner I saw Andy outside the record store. He was leaning against the brick wall with on foot against it, a cigarette in his right hand, and his left balled into a fist. I stood there frozen. He was beyond scary when he was mad. I took a deep breath and walked towards him. I didn’t say a word. I just leaned against the wall beside him and pulled out my own pack of cigarettes. I put it in my mouth and searched my bag for a lighter, but couldn’t find one. Andy leaned in and lit my cigarette for me. I took a long drag before looking him in the eyes. The fire in them had simmered down, but I knew they could flash up in an instant.

“I was going to tell you eventually.” I spoke softly.

“You should have told me when it first happened.” Andy said in a stiff voice.

I looked down at the cracked concrete. “I know, but James brought up a valid point the night he assaulted me.”

Andy stiffened even more at the word assaulted. “I don’t care what that piece of shit said. He had no reason to lay a hand on my best friend.”

“That was his point. You’ve been fighting my battles for me Andy since we were kids. Now that we were both adults and had separate lives, I figured I could fight my own battles for once.” I confessed and realized how childish I sounded.

“Maybe I don’t mind fighting your battles for you Victoria. I’d do anything for you. I care about you so much.” Andy said and was now standing in front of me. He put out his cigarette and flicked it away. I was still smoking mine. Andy took it away from me and flicked it away too. “Look at me.”

I raised my eyes expecting to find icy blue fire in eyes, but all I saw my sorrow. “Andy.” I said and my voice broke and tears finally started to fall. “I’m sorry.” I felt his arms wrap around me and pull me towards his chest. I barely reached his shoulder.

“I’m sorry. The last time we saw each other we had an argument. Then I abandoned you for months.” Andy said still holding me. I cringed at the mention of the last argument we had. Andy told me that he was in love with me and James didn’t deserve to have me. At the time I was head over heels for James and repulsed that Andy would ever say something about my relationship (not the part where he was in love with me).

“Did you mean what you said back then?” I asked quietly. Andy let go of me.

“Yes I meant it back then.” He answered. Meant. Past tense. Andy doesn’t have those feeling for me now.

“But then you met Juliet.” I stated.
“Yes but then I met Juliet and I’m happy.” Andy told me. I pretended not to be hurt by his response. I deserved to feel this way because I made Andy feel this way months ago.

“If you’re happy then I’m happy.” I said which was true even if my heart was breaking.

“So if you’re not working at the magazine anymore, where are you now?” He asked.

“I’m working as a clerk at the hotel.” I replied quickly.

“What about your living situation?” Andy asked and I immediately looked away.

“I live at the hotel.” I answered. It wasn’t a complete lie. I usually parked my car in the hotel parking lot for the night.

“You’re lying Victoria. Your voice did that thing it does at the end of your sentence when you lie.” Andy pointed out. Damn him.

“I’ve been living in my car and using the bathrooms at the hotel when no staff was around.” I said quietly and looked down at the sidewalk in shame. “I’ve been trying to save up money so I can leave town.”

“Victoria if you need money I can give it to you.” Andy said. “Hell you can even move in with me if you won’t take the money.”

“Andy I can’t except that. Also how would Juliet feel if all the sudden I was living with you?” I asked because I didn’t want to start a conflict between him and Juliet.

“She’ll understand. Juliet is the most understanding person in the world. I’m not leaving town without giving you money or without you.” Andy demanded.

“Ok.” I said. There was no point in arguing with him. He’s just as stubborn as I am.

“Do you think they’ll allow me back in the coffee shop?” Andy joked. I smiled. Andy wasn’t mad anymore.

“Maybe if you smile your famous Andy Biersack smile, they’ll consider it.” I said. As Andy and I walked back to the coffee shop he put his arm around my shoulders.

“I’m glad to have my best friend back.” He said and smiled at me.

“Me too.”

Notes