The story of a lonesome ol'Jerome

*Gwyn’s POV*

I sat in the car, where it was a little warmer than outside, reading instructions. I hated reading instructions. I ripped open the package for the nicotine patch, then applied it to my upper arm, holding my hand over it for 10 seconds. For when I was really grumpy, I had gotten the 2 mg strength gum, in ‘fruit wave,’ because that was the cheapest flavor, and I decided to chew a piece now, until the patch kicked in. You weren’t supposed to use both a patch and gum, but I was in withdrawal and I felt bad about how I’d been treating Andy, when he’d been really sweet.

It occurred to me as I chewed the gum (It wasn’t too bad, a little stale), I needed to remember to ask Andy later tonight about the tour schedule two weeks from now, so I’d know when to book my flight home… Which was kind of surreal, wasn’t it? I had a moment of reality seeming to slip. Seriously, what were the odds of all this happening? What was I doing here? Didn’t I have work tomorrow? Why was I sitting here, alone, in Plug- what if no one ever came out of that Fred Meyer, if there was no Andy?

I mean, I knew there was an Andy Biersack, I wasn’t stupid. He sang in Black Veil Brides. But did I really have proof of my Andy? I mean, I knew I was mentally ill, after a fashion- had I become so lonely, I’d created him?

Oh shit. I thought about it. I had ‘Andy’s’ lip ring, but maybe I had some weird insane black out, and like ordered myself another, bigger one. Would I do that?

I heard a knocking on the window. “Ahhhhh!!!!”

“Fuck, sorry, Doc, shit!” Andy was laughing, and I just stared at him. “Are you going to let me in? I have condoms! I promise- no car sex, I’ll be good.” He was still grinning. Dude, the Hot-shot was real! I unlocked the car, feeling slightly relieved.

“Gwyn, are you ok? Is that shit you bought making you sick?” I shook my head.

“No, it’s not that. It’s stupid.” I chuckled and then narrowed my eyes at him and pinched his arm, getting a major eyebrow. Hmmm. “Pinch me, dude.” He gave me a wussy pinch. “No, like, a good one. Owww, oww, ok, thanks!”

I thought for a minute. “This has happened before.”

“What?” Andy stowed his mysterious ‘man-stuff’ bag in the back. Frankly, I didn’t want to know, just so long as he brushed his teeth before wanting affection. Eeew. Assuming he was real.

“The last person I dated, I was briefly suspicious I created in my own head, because no one had seen or interacted with him except me, like, none of my friends, you know, for some time. I wondered if I invented him, everything I did with him.” I was embarrassed, but it was true. “It was a joke to him at first, but then he got pretty pissed off about it. I’m having the same problem with you.”

“But I am real, you even knew who I was before you met me, you even met me in a public place!” Andy protested “You have a picture of me on your balcony, I tweeted you!” I groaned.

“Ugh, don’t remind me. But my twisted little mind says, maybe I’m a graphic genius, maybe I edited that, or am hallucinating that. Uh, ok, I have no idea how to photoshop anything. So hallucinate it is. Seriously, this shit is too weird, Andy. There’s no way Andy Biersack is dating me.” I frowned.

“Are you dumping me?” Andy panicked.

“No! No, I’m just saying I’m insecure, relax, sorry, sorry. I just, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I’m just worried that maybe I’m asleep or something, I dunno.” I frowned. I really wanted a cigarette, fuck this gum.

“This is the weirdest problem I think I’ve had in a relationship. I’ve never had to convince someone I was real before.” Andy frowned, and I felt shitty. “Well, how did you get over it last time?”

“Drake came with me to hang out with some of my friends, and then, they could, like, confirm he existed. He eventually met my family… Hmmm… There aren’t many pictures of us together, I hate having my picture taken, but that helped-“

“-Done!” Andy got his phone out, and I started to protest and was surely making a hideous face as he squished up against me and took a photo.

“You’re a bastard!” I really didn’t like having my picture taken, but by surprise was a no-no.

“That’s just for you. Well, and me.” Andy chuckled and my phone vibrated as I got it. I looked, and it wasn’t a flattering photo of either of us, but it was the two of us together, for the first time. I couldn’t help smiling. “I saw that, Doc! Let’s get some food. My imaginary stomach is growling.”

Notes

QOTD: what do you think, is LOJ-Andy 'real?' (within fictional context of story)


on a sidenote:

happy belated birthday to the one and only Jinxx!



Jinxx: accept no substitutes!