Andy

I was restless, tossing and turning through the night. I had vivid dreams, which bled into each other, keeping me rolling endlessly through the night.

I woke much earlier than what was necessary, jerking upright in bed, breathing heavily, met by immediate darkness and the eery familiar sound of rain on glass. Reaching over quickly, I fumbled for the switch on the nightstand.

Pale yellow light washed the room, and after my eyes adjusted, I quickly looked to my left to the other bed, to find it still empty. My heart sank painfully and I lied back down, heaving a broken sigh. I didn't bother looking for a note or a sign, because I knew already there was none.

I turned off the light, and I tried to sleep again, but it wouldn't come. I needed to hear his voice.

I got up and stumbled through the darkness towards the desk by the window, grabbing my purse, and digging through it until I felt the cables of my headphones brush my hand. I snatched them and went back to bed, reaching for my phone, plugging them in.

I turned it on, and entered my passcode, and scrolled through my music until I found We Stitch These Wounds. I tapped The Mortician's Daughter, and I lied down contently, slowly relaxing into the acoustic intro, then came his voice. Soft and kind, carrying the sweet message. I listened to his voice so carefully, as the songs changed and I dozed off occasionally.

I was startled awake by my alarm what felt like five minutes later. I groggily pulled the headphones from my ears and paused Caroline, rolling over onto my back to stare at the white ceiling. All is quiet and calm.

I rub my eyes, and force my achey joints to form a half ass sit against the headboard. My thighs are sore as hell from the lighthouse hike yesterday.

The thought of getting home to my own bed in my own room was all the motivation I needed to fully get up. I walked into the bathroom first, flipping on the bright florescent light.

Wincing, I went to work brushing through my hair and applying some light makeup, just enough concealer to hide the dark circles around my eyes. I was shivering nervously, even though I wasn't cold. I just felt nauseous and upset. Where the fuck is he?

I have an hour left to finalize everything. I packed my stuff slowly, my gaze rising to his small pile in the recliner. I saved his for last, and when I couldn't wait anymore, I stuffed it into a spare spot in my suitcase, zipping it shut.

As the minutes passed, and the horizon slowly shifted from deep navy to the violet of early dawn, I began to slowly accept the harsh truth.

He would not be coming with me.

I stood in the mirror Ashley had before they left, combing through my long locks of green slowly to calm myself. I was surely a hysteric mess at this point, while forcing myself to remain calm for when my parents come to collect me. I may be falling apart inside, but I still have a job being a daughter.

I put everything together on the bed in a neat little pyramid, and then I paced. I clasped my hands together and breathed heavily, slowly losing my mind. I'd have to leave California knowing he could have been hurt and I left without even trying to help. But what could I do, really? Maybe Ashley convinced him I was devil incarnate after all, and they hit and ran.

No... Andy wouldn't do that. Even if Ashley had fully convinced him to hate me, he wouldn't have left without some degree of an explanation.

I only have five minutes left.

“Andy?” I called out half heartedly, and just as expected, there was nothing in response.

Not too long later, my Dad knocked on the door and took my luggage downstairs out to the car, leaving me to linger alone in the empty room, checking to make sure I'd gotten everything.

I grabbed my purse and my phone from the bed, and checked the tossed blankets to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything else. All I found was a lone black hair tie.

I sighed in disappointment, a feeling that was becoming all too familiar, and I grabbed the room key, and locked up.

I made the dreary trek down the various flights of stairs to the lobby, refusing to take the elevator for some stupid reason. The halls were slowly coming alive, as early rising guests were getting up to go jog, get breakfast, or, like us, were off to the road again.

I could hear some obnoxious laughter near the end of the hall, and some faint voices talking about a business meeting.

I got to the first floor, and I could hear more laughter at the intersection I was approaching. At first I was annoyed with them, how could they be happy when I was so miserable? Selfish grumpy thoughts flooded my head as I walked, then I recognized one of the laughs. My heart lunged into my throat and I sped up my walk towards the corner, running around it to see two men walking leisurely in the direction of the elevators.

“Andy!” I yelled sharply, my voice cracking with a hint of hysteria.

He spun around in surprise until his piercing blue-eyed gaze settled on me.

I was so excited to see him, but then I quickly became pissed.

I marched towards him, and he spread his arms happily for a hug, his cheerful expression turned worried as my stomping didn't slow, and my face contorted in annoyance. I raised my hand to slap him upside the head, but he grabbed my wrist, babbling apologies.

“We just got to caught up, I forgot, I'm sorry.”

“You're sorry?” I repeated his words, hurt. “Do you think that changes anything? I've spent the last 27 hours worried sick about you.”

“I'm sorry!” He defended.

I dropped my arms to my sides, “You're sorry? You 'forgot'?” I repeated his words with sarcastic enthusiasm. “You 'forgot' I was here, you 'forgot' that you didn't tell me shit about where you were going or when you'd be back, and you 'forgot' to fucking check in.”

Ashley snorted and I averted my glare to him, narrowing my eyes. “Got something to say?”

He nudged Andy in the ribs while glaring at me. “I told you man, she's controlling.”

“Controlling!” I repeated sharply, “I was worried because your dumbass drug him off!”

He took two heated steps forward, getting in my face, “That's fuckin' hilarious because-”

“Ash, Ashley! Knock it off, dammit!” Andy intervened angrily, grabbing the back of Ashley's leather jacket, yanking him back to his side, followed by an angry glare, which then settled on me, softening just slightly.

“Look, I know you're pissed, but let me explain.”

“I almost left without you.” I interrupted him softly, my anger snuffing out. “I leave today.”

Confusion crossed his face “I thought you were leaving tomorrow.”

“Pendant's flooding,” I told him as calmly as I could manage, “half the town is underwater. I have to go back, and I almost left without you. Look, I'm not angry you spent time with Ashley, I'm angry that you didn't check in at all.”

He was quiet for a moment while he contemplated a response. I stood there waiting, my arms limp at my sides, feeling disappointed that he had nothing to say on the matter. Sighing, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest for a moment.

“For what it's worth, I'm glad you're back.” I mumbled into his denim jacket, my eyes flicking up to meet Ashley's.

“That goes for you, too.”

He nodded once, crossing his arms across his chest, stressing the leather sleeves of his jacket.

I pulled away and collected myself, looking from Andy to Ashley, “Are you coming back to Utah with us?”

His dark brown eyes shifted between me and his friend nervously. I nodded once, taking a small step backwards. “I'll leave you two to talk that out, but please decide soon, I'm leaving in a few minutes.”

Andy shot me a thankful look, nodded slowly and turned towards Ashley to propose the idea. I turned my back on him and took my time down to the lobby where my Dad waiting impatiently in an effort to buy them some extra time.

Notes

I dunno why it's literally taken me a year to write the California part haha