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45
~Andy’s POV~
For two hours I ignored my text messages while singing to Emily and writing down notes on the song I’d been creating. She said my music helped her study so this had become our thing. When I wasn’t talking to her I was submitting my coursework online, bringing my grades up to slightly above failing. It was a lot easier to pass classes when I didn’t have to attend them but I’d still have to return to campus to write finals.
“I like that line.” She stopped reading and looked up.
“Which one?” I set my guitar pick in my mouth and picked up my book to read what I’d been playing.
“The one about the stars falling out of the universe and into her eyes.” She bit her lip.
“Your eyes.” I corrected.
“Mine?” She asked.
“The song’s about you.” I felt my face redden.
“Wow.” Her hand covered her heart. “I don’t know what to say, I really liked the song but now I love it.”
Suddenly I felt like the biggest rock star on the planet. “Thank you.”
“So I was talking to Josie today.” She continued reading. “And she mentioned the idea of you going to school here.”
I sighed. “The thing is.” I paused. “Doing this, playing guitar and singing and writing has made me realize that this is what I want to do.”
She looked up. “Then do it Andy. Go for it. There’s a music program here.”
I put in a transfer request which was ultimately denied as was my application to join the business program mid-year. The credits I would earn by the end of the term wouldn’t transfer. I’d be starting over in a new school in a new state in the middle of the year, but it kind of didn’t matter because I’d be with Emily. She seemed hopeful about having me move there and start school next year, but it made more sense to stay where I was living at home and take a few classes that would help me later. I could still spend Spring Break working with Chris, and I could drive to see Emily over winter break. Things were planned out seamlessly in my head.
~CC’s POV
“You look a lot better buddy.” I encouraged. Amelia and I were making it a point to get Andy out of the house by including him in our off campus dinner adventures.
“It’s all good. I gained pre-admin to the business program and I’ll be in the same university as Emily.” Andy was elated.
“Wow she must be really happy about that.” Amelia smiled.
“We are.” Andy smiled even bigger.
“We?” I grinned. “Are you guys together?”
“Yes! We spend all of our time together online.” He seemed genuine enough.
“So she knows about you giving Olivia money.” I threw it out there.
His face became blank. “I don’t.” He began to say deny it and sighed. “How do you know about that?” He looked at Amelia who put her hands in the air.
“I don’t know what y’all are talking about.” Amelia looked at me.
“Jinxx called me the night Ollie left the tour.” I knew about everything and I was pissed that Andy hadn’t told me the most important thing in his life. We were close, we were practically brothers but he didn’t mention Olivia being pregnant, I had to find that out through Amelia.
“Ceese.” Amelia began. “I think I should head back to class.”
“Don’t you need a ride?” Andy said suspiciously.
“I’ll walk.” She stood up suddenly. “It’s such a nice day out.” She glared at me through gritted teeth. “I’d hate to ruin it.”
“All right babe, see you later.” I waved and tilted my head at Andy. “Jinxx mentioned that Ollie blew up on him and they haven’t spoken since.” I tried to leave things open for Andy to come clean.
“Look it isn’t a big deal. Olivia called me that night and she was upset, I was drunk so I wired her some money to take the bus home.” Andy was leaning closer to me.
“How is this not a big deal?” I sat up and began fidgeting despite myself. “How is having a baby not a big deal?” I could hear the hurt in my voice.
“Having a….having a what?” He said it a few times and each time he said the words his face contorted slightly, losing color until he sat back in his chair. “Is that why she’s been acting insane?” He said to himself.
There was an awkward silence as I picked up various French fries on my plate and threw them down again, picked sesame seeds off of my burger bun, drank all of the soda in my glass and began stabbing the straw at the ice cubes in an attempt to dredge more soda from them.
He suddenly smiled. “It’s not possible. I haven’t been with Olivia in at least six months.” He smirked. “IF there is a baby, it’s not mine.”
“She told Amelia you sent her the money to help pay for stuff for the baby.” I laughed.
“She would say that.” Andy smirked.
“I gotta say buddy.” I shook my head. “That’s a huge relief.”
~Olivia’s POV~
“Mrs. Smith? Your pictures are ready!” The disgustingly cheerful ponytailed brunette chimed.
I rolled my eyes and flipped through the grimy pages of a waiting room magazine. “Olivia?” She chimed again. “If you could follow me.” She smiled warmly.
“I hope this doesn’t take long.” I smiled through gritted teeth. “I like, really have to pee.”
“Tell me about it, my shift is almost over.” The brunette lead me to a dark exam room and told me to take off everything but my socks, and wear a paper ‘gown’ in a lovely shade of blue not unlike Andy’s eyes. How fitting.
“Ultrasounds are easy peasy. It’ll be over before you know it.” She reassured me. Clearly she hadn’t read my file, but anybody that happy wouldn’t be reading patient files, would they?
“Could you let the lady at the front desk know I’ll want pictures before you go for the day?” I smiled as widely as I could and cupped my stomach proudly, motherly.
“Of course!” Her fertility goddess worshipping, eager to please grin amused me.
“Perfect!” I reflected her level of energy. “Now if I could just go pee…”
She chagrined into a wholesome 50’s sitcom Oh-You-Rascal look and repeated the words, ‘easy peasy’ before leaving the room.
When the technician squirted slightly heated gel onto my swollen belly I regretted following the instructions to a tee and drinking that much water first thing in the morning. After the ultrasound I ducked into the bathroom until I heard the brunette saying her goodbyes before appearing at the front desk expectantly.
“I’ve never been so relieved to use the facilities.” I giggled at the front desk, pulling my designer sunglasses down from the top of my head, my hair falling around my face as I picked up the Smith envelope on the desk. I opened the envelope and smiled at the photos.
“I can’t stop looking at this photo.” I gushed.
The lady at the desk turned to acknowledge me, finally. “Is this your first child?” She asked.
“Yes!” I squealed, noting her ring finger tan line. “I wish my husband could’ve been here, he works so hard.”
Her expression changed from delight to discomfort. “I know what you mean.” Her face softened as our eyes met.
“My name is spelled wrong on my son’s photo.” I said, pointing to the corner. “It doesn’t really matter though; I don’t think I’ll ever forget seeing my boy for the first time.” I traced a finger along the edge of the picture.
“Oh? Let me see.” She reached for the ultrasound photo and I explained that while the photo was definitely my darling baby boy, I wasn’t Mrs. Smith.
She began typing something with a look of concern. “Olyiander.” I suggested, “Olivia.” A moment later I left the office with a photo of baby boy Smith bearing my name.
For two hours I ignored my text messages while singing to Emily and writing down notes on the song I’d been creating. She said my music helped her study so this had become our thing. When I wasn’t talking to her I was submitting my coursework online, bringing my grades up to slightly above failing. It was a lot easier to pass classes when I didn’t have to attend them but I’d still have to return to campus to write finals.
“I like that line.” She stopped reading and looked up.
“Which one?” I set my guitar pick in my mouth and picked up my book to read what I’d been playing.
“The one about the stars falling out of the universe and into her eyes.” She bit her lip.
“Your eyes.” I corrected.
“Mine?” She asked.
“The song’s about you.” I felt my face redden.
“Wow.” Her hand covered her heart. “I don’t know what to say, I really liked the song but now I love it.”
Suddenly I felt like the biggest rock star on the planet. “Thank you.”
“So I was talking to Josie today.” She continued reading. “And she mentioned the idea of you going to school here.”
I sighed. “The thing is.” I paused. “Doing this, playing guitar and singing and writing has made me realize that this is what I want to do.”
She looked up. “Then do it Andy. Go for it. There’s a music program here.”
I put in a transfer request which was ultimately denied as was my application to join the business program mid-year. The credits I would earn by the end of the term wouldn’t transfer. I’d be starting over in a new school in a new state in the middle of the year, but it kind of didn’t matter because I’d be with Emily. She seemed hopeful about having me move there and start school next year, but it made more sense to stay where I was living at home and take a few classes that would help me later. I could still spend Spring Break working with Chris, and I could drive to see Emily over winter break. Things were planned out seamlessly in my head.
~CC’s POV
“You look a lot better buddy.” I encouraged. Amelia and I were making it a point to get Andy out of the house by including him in our off campus dinner adventures.
“It’s all good. I gained pre-admin to the business program and I’ll be in the same university as Emily.” Andy was elated.
“Wow she must be really happy about that.” Amelia smiled.
“We are.” Andy smiled even bigger.
“We?” I grinned. “Are you guys together?”
“Yes! We spend all of our time together online.” He seemed genuine enough.
“So she knows about you giving Olivia money.” I threw it out there.
His face became blank. “I don’t.” He began to say deny it and sighed. “How do you know about that?” He looked at Amelia who put her hands in the air.
“I don’t know what y’all are talking about.” Amelia looked at me.
“Jinxx called me the night Ollie left the tour.” I knew about everything and I was pissed that Andy hadn’t told me the most important thing in his life. We were close, we were practically brothers but he didn’t mention Olivia being pregnant, I had to find that out through Amelia.
“Ceese.” Amelia began. “I think I should head back to class.”
“Don’t you need a ride?” Andy said suspiciously.
“I’ll walk.” She stood up suddenly. “It’s such a nice day out.” She glared at me through gritted teeth. “I’d hate to ruin it.”
“All right babe, see you later.” I waved and tilted my head at Andy. “Jinxx mentioned that Ollie blew up on him and they haven’t spoken since.” I tried to leave things open for Andy to come clean.
“Look it isn’t a big deal. Olivia called me that night and she was upset, I was drunk so I wired her some money to take the bus home.” Andy was leaning closer to me.
“How is this not a big deal?” I sat up and began fidgeting despite myself. “How is having a baby not a big deal?” I could hear the hurt in my voice.
“Having a….having a what?” He said it a few times and each time he said the words his face contorted slightly, losing color until he sat back in his chair. “Is that why she’s been acting insane?” He said to himself.
There was an awkward silence as I picked up various French fries on my plate and threw them down again, picked sesame seeds off of my burger bun, drank all of the soda in my glass and began stabbing the straw at the ice cubes in an attempt to dredge more soda from them.
He suddenly smiled. “It’s not possible. I haven’t been with Olivia in at least six months.” He smirked. “IF there is a baby, it’s not mine.”
“She told Amelia you sent her the money to help pay for stuff for the baby.” I laughed.
“She would say that.” Andy smirked.
“I gotta say buddy.” I shook my head. “That’s a huge relief.”
~Olivia’s POV~
“Mrs. Smith? Your pictures are ready!” The disgustingly cheerful ponytailed brunette chimed.
I rolled my eyes and flipped through the grimy pages of a waiting room magazine. “Olivia?” She chimed again. “If you could follow me.” She smiled warmly.
“I hope this doesn’t take long.” I smiled through gritted teeth. “I like, really have to pee.”
“Tell me about it, my shift is almost over.” The brunette lead me to a dark exam room and told me to take off everything but my socks, and wear a paper ‘gown’ in a lovely shade of blue not unlike Andy’s eyes. How fitting.
“Ultrasounds are easy peasy. It’ll be over before you know it.” She reassured me. Clearly she hadn’t read my file, but anybody that happy wouldn’t be reading patient files, would they?
“Could you let the lady at the front desk know I’ll want pictures before you go for the day?” I smiled as widely as I could and cupped my stomach proudly, motherly.
“Of course!” Her fertility goddess worshipping, eager to please grin amused me.
“Perfect!” I reflected her level of energy. “Now if I could just go pee…”
She chagrined into a wholesome 50’s sitcom Oh-You-Rascal look and repeated the words, ‘easy peasy’ before leaving the room.
When the technician squirted slightly heated gel onto my swollen belly I regretted following the instructions to a tee and drinking that much water first thing in the morning. After the ultrasound I ducked into the bathroom until I heard the brunette saying her goodbyes before appearing at the front desk expectantly.
“I’ve never been so relieved to use the facilities.” I giggled at the front desk, pulling my designer sunglasses down from the top of my head, my hair falling around my face as I picked up the Smith envelope on the desk. I opened the envelope and smiled at the photos.
“I can’t stop looking at this photo.” I gushed.
The lady at the desk turned to acknowledge me, finally. “Is this your first child?” She asked.
“Yes!” I squealed, noting her ring finger tan line. “I wish my husband could’ve been here, he works so hard.”
Her expression changed from delight to discomfort. “I know what you mean.” Her face softened as our eyes met.
“My name is spelled wrong on my son’s photo.” I said, pointing to the corner. “It doesn’t really matter though; I don’t think I’ll ever forget seeing my boy for the first time.” I traced a finger along the edge of the picture.
“Oh? Let me see.” She reached for the ultrasound photo and I explained that while the photo was definitely my darling baby boy, I wasn’t Mrs. Smith.
She began typing something with a look of concern. “Olyiander.” I suggested, “Olivia.” A moment later I left the office with a photo of baby boy Smith bearing my name.
Notes
Had to change the names eleventy times Dx
It me.
12/6/21