From then on, to Andie's relief, the boys stayed on their best behavior, remaining distant but cordial to one another. Hannah hardly noticed the tension between them, too happy enjoying her brownie and ice cream. Andie did her best to keep the conversation light, trying not to focus too much on one or the other, though it was hard.

"So, how are you finding school, Eric?" she asked.

"Oh, it's all right. A school is a school, I guess." he shrugged.

"You got any plans after you graduate?" Bane asked.

"Not really," Eric said, "I mean, I'm still a junior, I have time to think about it. What about you?"

"I plan on getting a scholarship for art school," Bane answered. "I still haven't quite decided what I'll do after that, but I know that's the field I want to make a career in."

"He's really good," Andie added, and pulled out her phone. "I have some of his drawings on here..."

Then, realizing Bane might not approve, she turned to him.

"D'you mind if I show him?"

"Not at all," he said. "I don't draw so no one ever sees my work."

Andie guessed that made sense. She scrolled through her pictures until she found the one she was looking for.

"Here's the first one he gave me."

Eric looked at it, his eyebrows rising slightly.

"Is that you, Andes?"

"Yeah. Pretty amazing isn't it?"

"You're certainly skilled," he conceded to Bane.

"Thanks." Bane answered evenly.

"How about you, Andie? What do you plan on doing after you graduate? Go wherever Bane does?"

"Oh, well... we haven't really gotten to that yet..." she said, glancing uncertainly at Bane. "See, we haven't really been together long enough."

"No, I suppose not."

"But I think I want to pursue in writing or music. I can't quite decide."

"No offense, Andes, but if your writing is the same as the one I remember from when we were small..."

"I was ten!" Andie retorted with a smile. "No one writes well at that age, unless you're a genius or something."

"No, I guess that's true," he admitted, smiling too.

"I'm sure you'll be amazing at whatever you choose," Bane said, squeezing her hand and kissing her cheek.

She turned to him.

"Thanks," she said.

She tried to ignore the fact that Bane had done that knowing it would make Eric keep the scowl she could see in his eyes off his face.

They made their way back to Andie's house where the boys' cars were. Andie sent Hannah inside and stayed behind with Eric and Bane.

"I'll see you later, Andie," Eric said and began turning away while Bane stood next to Andie.

"Eric, hold on a second," Andie called.

Bane cast her a look of confusion, but she ignored it. Eric hesitated then turned around. Andie took a deep breath, and glanced from one to the other.

"I want to thank you guys for today. I appreciate you trying to get along for me. And I will try and not make you spend more time than necessary with one another if you don't. I just want to be clear. I am not asking you to become best friends or anything. I know whether I want it or not will not ensure that it happens. But I am asking for today. For you speaking like reasonable people despite having little in common. Because as I have said before, I will not chose between you. But I will try and make things easier as much as I can. Only I need you to do your part as well."

"We will," Eric and Bane said together, before glancing coldly at one another.

A part of Andie was disappointed that what seemed to have been a tacit truce appeared to be over, but the rest of her hadn't expected them to "get along" for long.

"Well, anyway. I appreciate your efforts today," she answered.

"Is there anything else?" Eric asked.

"No... No, you can go. I'll see you at school."

"Right. See you, Andie. Bane."

"Eric," Bane replied coolly.

Eric glanced at Andie once more, a strange light in his eyes, and walked away to his car. Andie hoped her suspicions of what the light meant were wrong, otherwise complicated wouldn't even begin to cover this situation.

******

Ha, boys will be boys, am I right?

What will happen next? Let's find out in the next chapter!