Savior

The thing Andy didn’t know, was that things between Jack and I had actually declined since a few weeks ago. We hadn’t spent much time together at all, and when we did, it was never alone. He never called or texted, let alone came to visit me. We always fought lately, and he pressured me into doing everything.

I just couldn’t say no to him.

So I was hoping that our anniversary would kind of re-kindle things in our relationship. It was tomorrow, but he hasn’t told me where we’re going yet; he always liked surprising me. I remember for our first date, he blindfolded me and drove me to our “destination”. Turns out, we had only driven around the block a few times and had landed up back at his house. He brought me out to his back yard where he had a blanket laid out with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate; all next to a make shift fire pit. We did nothing that night, only talked. We learned each others’ ins and outs; likes and dislikes. I had always said that was the night we fell in love. It was the night we truly discovered each other..

“wanna come over?” A text flashed over the screen of my phone. Andy. I wasn’t going to be seeing him tomorrow, or even over the weekend, so I decided I best spend some time with him or he and I both would go insane. I quickly typed a response and sprinted down the stairs. I was about to run out the door when I remembered I should probably let my mom know.

“Hey mom?!” I heard a faint grunt from upstairs. “I’ll be at Andy’s!” I took a few steps out the door when she stopped me; her figure appearing at the top of the stairwell.

“You know very well that I don’t allow you out late on school nights Jessica. It’s already 9.” She scolded. Her face looked as if she expected me to come back inside, but I needed to see Andy.

“Mom, please,” I begged. “I’m not gonna see him all weekend, and you know we’ll behave. I’ll call you before I leave for school tomorrow.” She sighed and shrugged, gesturing to the door for me to leave. I shouted a quick thank you and ran out the door, quickly making my way to Andy’s house.

I opened his door and walked in, almost silently, and spotted him sitting on the couch with two bowls of popcorn and a box set of Batman dvds. He shook the hair out of his eyes, and reached for his phone. It was 9:12…I was “late”. He sighed and fell back onto the couch.

“Jessicaaaaaaaaaaa,” He whined to nobody.

“Yes?” I smiled, strolling into the living room. The walls were a plain beige, with a few pictures of the family accenting them. The couch was black leather, and was positioned in almost the exact center of the room. To the left of it, was a wooden staircase; worn from age. There were hardwood floors, with the occasional scratch on them from Andy and I’s childhood antics, and area rugs placed periodically.

“Oh! Hey there!” He giggled. He picked up my bowl of popcorn, stole a handful of it, and placed it on my lap. “We have four seasons to catch up on, Jessie Bear…or at least you do.” He winked and laughed, seeing as though we both knew he was more excited than I was to simply re-watch it all.

“Fuck off Panda Bear,” I mocked his nickname for me. “Just press play.” We sped through seasons one and two fairly quickly, fast forwarding through the boring scenes. “Hey can we just take a break for a bit?” I pleaded. We both got up, speeding towards the bathroom.

“Hey no!” He yelled. I pushed him away and locked the door. “I have to pee!”

“Too bad, mister.” I laughed. I heard him retreat to the kitchen and open the fridge. All I could do was laugh. All he does is eat and yet he never gains a single pound.

As soon as I was finished I walked over to the kitchen, only to find him staring at his phone. His eyes were glassy, but I couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or sadness.

“What’s wrong Andy?” I asked, jumping on his back. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on tight, because I don’t think he was even aware of the fact that I was on him. I peered over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was reading, but couldn’t see anything. He quickly closed his phone and threw it on the counter. He shook his head and grabbed onto me. I weakened my grip and smiled at his, now, somber face.

I raised my eyebrows at him, awaiting some type of explanation. He said nothing and instead walked over to the living room once more. He placed me on the couch and sat down next to me; his hands folded over his lap.

*Andy’s POV*

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Why? Fuck. I fucking hate this.

Why now?

“Hey!” Someone yelled in my ear. Jessica.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I just wanted to scream. I just wanted to hit something, anything. Why now? Why her?

“ANDY!” She screamed louder.

I can’t tell her.

Not now.

No.

I need more time.

Please.

“So…” I started. “H-How’s Jack?”