When I got to school, nobody knew. Not a single soul knew about what had happened except Andy and his friends. I was my old self again, and we pretended that the jump never occured.

For the main part, I avoided talking to Andy during school. I needed to gain independence, to try living my life as if nothing had ever happened between us. But it was not uncommon for him to text me, to try to talk to me about everyday things, and we mainly acted towards each other like casual acquintances, even though both of us wanted to be more than that.

After all the events that had transpired I decided to skip Jake's party and just stay home. I wanted nothing more than for everything to go back to normal, and everyone respected that. The only sad part about this particular night was the fact that I, once again, was alone. Jenna and Phoenix were out on a date, and Andy was...wherever Andy was. Most likely getting drunk at Jake's place.

I had read every single book in my bookshelf over and over again. I had drawn every single motive I could think of. It was a friday night, my parents wouldn't be home for another 2 weeks, and did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It all felt pointless.

I was looking through my phone contacts, but all the numbers were people I didn't want to talk to. I had no intention of ruining anyone's night, so I kept lying on the couch. Almost sleeping but not quite. Fuck.

Turned on the tv. Nothing but Family Guy reruns. I looked through the record colletion my parents had. Nothing but pop music. Tried writing. I was uninspired. Nothing left but listening to some music or go to bed. I wasn't tired, so I resorted to the first alternative. I wondered if Andy missed me? As much as I hated to admit it, I missed him. I missed the night we spent together, in each other's embrace, and eating breakfast on the roof. That roof was now haunted by my past.

I looked at the clock. 1:30 a.m. and still not tired. There was no point in even trying to go to sleep. I mean, I didn't have to do anything tomorrow. Blank stares in the ceiling. I felt empty inside.

The silence was broken by the vibrating phone on the floor. At first I though it was a text, but it kept on going. Maybe it was my parents? They had yet spoken to me since leaving.

I lifted the phone off the ground to see who it was. Turns out it was Andy. What was he doing calling me at this hour on a friday?

"Hello?" I said, at first being met by nothing but silence. Oh great, a pocket call. But as soon as I was getting ready to hang up, his dark voice reached my ear.

"I miss you Iris." He whispered. I started tearing up, only now realizing to which extent I had missed him. He broke me, but not in the way I first thought.

"I miss you too."

"Then why aren't you here? Why are you not with me? I am miserable without youuu!" He said, slurring. Great, he was drunk. I stopped for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. Why wasn't I with him?

"Iris?" He said after a few moments of silence.

"I have no idea why I am not with you. I honestly have no idea." I said, only to later realize that it wasn't true. I didn't want to go to that party. That is why I wasn't there.

"We could have been at Jake's place together tonight. I could have been holding you, kissing you. Said I'd never let go. Instead I am all alone with a bottle of Jack as my only friend."

He wasn't at Jake's place. He was all alone as well.

"...And now I am talking to you, but you're not here, and I'm looking all miserable. Getting drunk, all alone. How low can I go?" He was crying.

I remembered the night when I was all alone and he had rushed over to my place to comfort me. I remembered the night in the park. I remember every single moment when he had been there for me. Now, when he needed me the most, I wasn't there for him.

"You were my first choice, Iris. I could have called CC, or Ashley, or anyone else. But I called you."

"Where are you?"

"At home. I really wish you were here."

"Text me your adress. I am coming over."

---

I was afraid of driving at this hour, but I decided to give it a shot anyways. It wasn't too dark, the sky was lit up by the full moon, and the streetlights were making the almost deserted road appear clear and safe. During the entire trip to Andy's place, the only thing I could think of was how bad I felt. I never realized he was so attached to me, to the point of skipping his party habits and getting drunk at home. It was all my fault, but I was about to make it up to him.

I rang the door bell and heard stumbling from indoors. Gosh, he must have gotten really drunk. My preconceptions about his state turned out to be true, as evident from the way he looked when he opened the door for me. His black hair was in a mess, his eyes could barely focus and he relied on the wall for support.

As soon as he realized that I was standing in front of him, he opened his arms and hugged me. His lips traced down my neck in a series of tight, passionate kisses.

"I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too Andy."

Notes

This chapter was inspired by the Alkaline Trio-song "Radio". I think it captures the mood of the chapter quite well, even if the lyrics doesn't match that well. The sad lonely guitar riff captures Andy's drunken loneliness and Iris' boredom quite well.

This chapter may seem dragged out for very few actual events. Trust me, more drama is coming up. Things will happen. There will also be more BVB in the future.