Finding Grace

"Andy, I'm back," I called as I stepped into his apartment. I glanced around, and sighed.
He wasn't home.
I called him, but it just went to voice mail. I told him I would be over at seven, and he'd seemed excited.
Where was he?
I paced nervously.
He was gonna see my hair, and I needed to tell him about the music video, and I was worried how he was going to react.
I called him again.
This can probably wait then, I decided, and grabbed my purse. I could get out of here, pretend I was mad at him not being here instead of relieved, and call it a night.
Clarke was on his date tonight, so I couldn't go hang out with him, and me and Nate still hadn't recovered from him trying to break me and Andy up. Vale and CC were together tonight as well, and hopefully they weren't out stalking her brother to see who his date was.
I sighed, and turned to go to the door when it opened and Andy stepped inside.
I blinked. "Are those roses?"
Andy hesitated when he saw me, and looked down at the bouquet in his tattooed hand.
"Well, they were going to be a surprise." he chuckled, closing the door and stepping over to me. "But you beat me home. Sorry I'm a little late."
"You got me roses?" I took them from him, pressing my face into the red petals, melting already.
"That's so nice," I sniffed, wanting to cry all of a sudden. This was so sweet of him and here I was going to be a twat and tell him I kissed another guy and ---.
"You changed your hair?" Andy reached forward, and tugged on a black lock.
"Yeah. Do you like it? I wanted something different."
"It's certainly different." he said seriously, and I looked at him, feeling my stomach drop.
He didn't like it.
Then he grinned, chuckling at my expression. "Yes, I like it, babe. It looks cool."
"Andy!" I swatted him, taking the roses to the kitchen. He'd almost given me a panic attack.
"So, Clarke has a date?" he asked, leaning against the counter as I filled a vase up with water.
"Yep. Though he wouldn't tell us who it was. Vale threatened to stalk him tonight and find out," I rolled my eyes.
"Poor man. She's like a hound."
I chuckled, and sat the roses on the counter.
I heard my phone buzz and Andy picked it up. "Chris Cerulli texted you."
"Read it for me," I said, opening the fridge. I grabbed a soda, and then started scouring the cabinets for popcorn.
"He says the video is almost done, and thanks again."
The video. I grimaced, tossing the bag in the microwave. I'd been craving it all day, especially with extra butter.
"that's nice of him. I hope it turns out well," I muttered.
"Me too, as much time as you spent on it."
I glanced at him, but he wasn't being sarcastic.
"Can we talk about the video a minute?" I asked, chewing my lip.
"Sure," he looked over at me curiously.
"Well," this wasn't even a big deal, and I knew I was making it into one, but my anxiety was high lately and everything felt like a big deal, "yknow how in the video I was a forbidden genie slave or whatever and he was supposed to appear in love with me?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, I don't want you to be all shocked when the video comes out, but since Jaime directed it ---."
"It was pretty dark, right? I figured he would have you slobbering all over each other."
"Well."
Andy raised a brow at me.
"Want some popcorn?" I asked, grabbing a bowl put hastily. "Leah?"
"Yeah?" I poured the bag into the bowl and tossed it away. "What does well mean?"
"Well means well." I muttered, and shoveled a handful of popcorn into my mouth, darting around the counter. If my mouth was full he couldn't expect me to talk, right?
Andy grabbed my waist as I swept around him, and pulled me to him, his hands resting on my hips.
"Babe, what does well mean?"
I blew my breath out. "There's a scene where we make out a little, and stuff, and ---."
"What? He touched my woman!" Andy widened his eyes. "Nooo!"
"Andy!" I scowled at him, and he started to laugh.
"Babe, Chris called me first and talked to me about it before you guys even started filming."
"What! Why didn't you say so, you asshole!" I smacked his shoulder with the popcorn bowl. "I've been worrying about it for days!"
"I didn't realize he didn't mention we talked, babe." he laughed."I didn't think it was that big of a deal."
I rolled my eyes, and Andy made a move to stand, but then ducked, his arms wrapping around my waist as he suddenly lifted me over his shoulder.
I yelped, holding on tightly to the popcorn and trying not to get my hair in it. "What are you doing?"
"Taking care of my woman," he laughed, starting to the bedroom. "I'm showing my claim."
"But the popcorn!"
"Don't worry, we'll still use it."
I grinned.
Andys footsteps stalled as there was a knock on the door, and I raised my head curiously.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
"Oh, come in!"
"What?" I squawked. "Andy, put me down!"
He ignored me, and the door opened, Jake stepping into the apartment, and then pausing.
I could only imagine the sight.
Andy was standing nonchalantly in front of the bedroom door with me slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and I was clutching an orange bowl of popcorn out in front of me. "Hi, Jake," I said weakly.
"Uh, I can come back," he said, looking like he felt awkward. "Nah, it's okay." Andy knelt and sat me on my feet, then turned toward his friend.
Right.
I trotted over to the couch and sat, slinking down and propping my legs on the coffee table and resting the bowl on my stomach as I flipped through Tv channels, landing on Adventure Time.
"What are you, five?" Jake asked as he piled beside me. "Maybe," I tossed a piece of popcorn at him. "Okay, so I was watching an old music video you guys did a few years back, and literally you guys all looked like clones."
"We strived for the pack mentality," Jake chuckled, Andy taking the popcorn bowl away from me.
"Those were the dark days," Andy told me, bullying me into a sitting position. I scowled, scooting over where he sat beside me, forcing me in the middle.
"So what's up, Jake?"
"Ashleys off on a bender, CCs with your roomie, and Jinxx is with his woman."
"Is Ella out of town?" Andy asked, spreading his arms along the back of the couch. I leaned my head against his shoulder contentedly.
"Yeah. Didn't mean to interrupt you guys."
"You didn't. Andy was just playing caveman." I giggled, and Andy grinned.
"I was trying to reclaim my woman, okay? You're a territory I need to take back."
"You guys are weird," Jake took a handful of popcorn. "And aren't you a little old for cartoons?"
"Dude ---." Andys eyes widened in horror. I sat up, turning to slowly look at Jake.
"You, sir, are never too old for cartoons. And now, because you have lost touch with your childhood, you're going to watch them all."
"What?"
Andy sighed. "Now you've done it."
"Done what? Where are you going?" Jake looked confused as I stood and hurried into the bedroom, reappearing with Andys laptop. I quickly hooked it up to his TV.
"What's your favorite old cartoons?"
"Don't answ---."
"I dunno. I grew up with the early 90s stuff."
"Transformers, Inspector Gadget, the Jetsons, or Thundercats? No Batman, Andy."
His face fell.
"Is she serious?"
"Yes." Andy sighed. "Dead serious. Pick one you can stand watching continuously."
"Thundercats." I clicked on it.
"Time to reconnect with your childhood, Mr. Pitts."

Notes

Okay guys, I hope this isn't going to slow for you! But it's about to spice up as their about to be on tour, and then the real drama begins!
Thankyou all so much for reading! Vote and comment!