Andy

Ashley spent longer in front of the mirror than Andy normally did, fixing small details in his appearance. I found it interesting that the dead panicked over their appearance more when they had passed than when they were alive... But I guess when it’s all you’ve got to worry about, and no one will see you and your weirdness anyways, it’s okay.

“We’re going to Jefferson park, and Mortal Square, and then this place over on 3rd where we can prank some kids...” Andy rambled, pacing the hotel room. Secretly, I wished I could tag along, because it had always been our thing from day one to do weird stuff like this, but I understood that they had some stuff they needed to talk through, and they needed to do it privately.

As far as I could tell, Ashley would be accompanying us home and reunite with CC, Jake, and Jinxx. Maybe in the meantime, they could reassemble the band for a bit. The idea excited me.

“You’re gonna be fine here?” Andy stopped pacing to jab an accusive finger at me.

“Peachy,” I replied, “I actually have some boring shit to catch up on here, so you guys go, have fun.”

He smirked, but did not argue. He pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it into the hamper, and searched the suitcase on the opposing bed for a different garment. In the meantime, I kept my eyes down awkwardly, avoiding all eyes. We might have been some weird phase of ‘together’ but I still felt embarrassed to look at him shirtless in all his tattooed glory.

“Back by morning, don’t stay up all night.” He warned, tugging a ripped up Misfits shirt over his head, coming over to where I sat on the bed to kiss my forehead. It made my stomach churn with excited butterflies, threatening to pour from my throat, flying around the room with little banners of glee.

I was obsessive, that much was clear. It became more and more obvious every time we interacted with each other just how much I enjoyed and craved his company and kindness. In the most cliche way I could possibly say it, he completed me where I was lacking, bringing sunshine and laughter back into my life, even though to be fair, those voids were also there because of him.

But, he filled those holes with what I lacked, and then some. I enjoy listening to his dorky jokes and low-key insults.

“Wrap it up, loser.” Ashley told him as he tightened the bandana around his forehead, fixing the spikey appearance of his hair. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, things to do, and only a few hours of night to do it.”

Andy snorted, but headed to the door anyways, grabbing his discarded Prophet jacket that was hanging over the recliner, shrugging into it before exiting into the hall, the door clicking shut behind him. It left me and Ashley alone in awkward silence.

“I’m sorry.” He said suddenly, his voice soft and genuine, but still cautious. “About what I said earlier. I meant it, but a softer version of it. I was just an asshole.”

“It’s okay.” I replied, accepting his apology. What else was I supposed to do? Reject it? He might strangle me right here if I did.

“And?” He demanded just as suddenly.

Yep... I thought to myself, and here’s the Ashley I know and love.

“And what?”

“Don’t you have something to say?”

“What do you want me to say?”

Annoyance crossed his reflection, and his dark brown eyes cast upon mine in the glass. He just stood there, staring me down, his expression growing more and more bitter.

“What? Do you want me to apologize for something?” I asked, genuinely trying to figure out what his problem was.

He looked down, and his eyes cast over with unimaginable darkness.

“Do you have a multiple personality disorder or something?” I asked in irritation, “All you do is get nice and sweet, and then pissy as fuck in ten seconds flat.”

He lifted his head slowly, the shadows retreating from his cheekbones, and my blood ran cold. His eyes were furious, but that’s not what terrified me. They were a dark, evil shade of crimson red. His eyes were bloodshot with seemingly glowing irises.

All I could do was stare wide eyed at him, unable to form a coherent sentence to exclaim the terror I felt. I could not demand why his eyes had changed color, I was just frozen in fear in his fixed gaze of anger.

Then the hotel door opened and he blinked quickly, forcing out a polite smile, looking at Andy as he poked his head in the door.

“Come on, asshole, you were in the hurry.” He reminded him with joking annoyance in his tone.

“Yeah yeah...” Ashley laughed, sounding tense. His eyes flicked back up to meet mine in the reflection and they were a kind, chocolate brown again.

“Andy!” I choked out, shaking the haze, scooting up in bed in alarm.

“What is it?” He looked over at me in confusion, closing the hotel door behind him. “Damn Ash, you look like you saw a ghost.” He laughed.

“I-” My mind went blank as I glanced at Ashley again. He cocked his head to the side in sick amusement, and just like that, my mind went blank. Anything I was going to say was just gone. I couldn’t think... I couldn’t recall. What was it I had been so terrified of?

“Andy,” Ashley laughed cooly, “I think your girlfriend needs to cut the caffeine and sugar from her diet, she’s having a bit of a moment.” He told his friend nonchalantly, capping the bottle of eyeliner he’d been using, setting it aside.

“What?” He came to sit on the edge of the bed, studying my eyes, I looked back at him, feeling an eery sense of artificial calm. “Are you feeling okay? I can stay...”

I shook my head, wincing. What was I going to tell him?... The thought evaded me, and I couldn’t place what was making me feel so uncomfortable.

“No...” I finally sighed at last, “No, nevermind... It’s nothing.” I shook my head and gave him a weak laugh. “Have fun... I think I’m gonna turn in early.”

“I thought you had stuff to do?”

I shrugged, “Eh, it can wait. See you in the morning.” I lifted the duvet over myself, tucking it under my chin, rolling over, facing away from them both. I could sense his apprehension.

“Oh... Okay.” He replied slowly in confusion. “Ashley, ready to go?”

“Yep.”

I could feel his stare on my back as I lied there. Sick and sadistic. My mind was still blank, and I felt uneasy. I heard Andy call goodbye to me, and then the door shut. I lied there in a cold sweat, feeling sick to my stomach for a few more minutes before the feeling subsided. Still, my mind evaded the important thought, like it had been physically erased from my memory.

Notes

Short but OH MA GAWD YAY