Chapter 13: Rachel & Andrew

Rachel:

"I called Jaime's house. His mom picked up. He's been sleeping all day," Susie told me as we walked through the halls. I was right, jet lag.

"We should go see him," I suggested. I closed my locker, stuffing my hands in my pockets.

"She said he was tired. So maybe this weekend."

"All right. Can you give me a ride?" I asked.

"Shit, I didn't drive. My dad dropped me off. And he's working overtime this whole week," Susie informed me, face palming herself.

"I came with Andrew, I think he probably left."

"There he is." She pointed behind me. I turned around fast, he was walking side by side with Kim. She laughed, hitting his forearm. Goodie. Seems they were together the whole day.

"Andrew!" Susie yelled out, jogging up to him. "Hi, would you be so kind as to give me a ride too? I hate the bus."

"What's in it for me?" Andrew asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'll be your best friend." Susie stood with her shoulders squared, looking right into Andrew's eyes and batted her own.

"I could use more friends, and any friend of Ray Ray is a friend of mine."

"Please don't," I shut my eyes.

"Ray Ray?" Susie stifled a laugh.

"Its a stupid nickname he gave me when we were kids," I said in a dull tone.

"So are you gonna give me and Ray Ray a ride?" I dropped my head forward.

"You know, I wouldn't mind a ride as well. I don't live far," Kim chimed, she linked her elbow with his, leaning her cheek on his shoulder.

"The more the merrier. Ladies first." He opened the door for us.

"Thank you. Come along, Ray Ray," she gestured forward as I strolled behind.

"Stooop," I whined.

"It's cute," Susie elbowed the side of my stomach.

"It's not." I shook my head.

"She's right, it is. Rachel doesn't appreciate my sentiments."

"I don't have to, Andy."
"See? I like it when you call me Andy."
We walked into the parking lot. Kim called shotgun, I slumped in the back seat as Kim gave him directions.

"Nice car, Andrew," Susie complimented.

"Thanks." he pulled out, following the streets Kim told him. "Here it is." She pointed at the window. He pulled up the driveway at the green house with a duck mailbox.

I licked my dry lips. Reaching into my backpack for chapstick, the car jerks to a stop and I drop it. "No," I grumbled to myself.

"Sorry, the shift sticks sometimes," Andrew said, pushing it up to park. I unbuckled my seatbelt to find it, thankfully it was right by my feet. I dusted it off, placed some on my lips and threw it in my bag.

"Thank you!" Kim jumped out of the car, slinging her bag on her shoulder. "I'm having a party this Saturday. You're all invited. Text me?" her eyes went wider than normal and biting her bottom lip.

"I have your number," he said with a grin. I didn't want to be in the car with him again. She giggled again in a swooning manner.

"Bye. Bye girls." Susie said bye as I waved. She moved in to the front as I stayed in the back.

"Where to next?" Andrew asked.

"Coral street. It's not far. Just make a left." I pushed my lips out, checking my phone for the time.

"We're going," Susie stated, giving me a pointed lookback.

"I don't want to," I groaned.

"We are going! Right after we see Jaime. You know he's gonna want to come!"
"Who's Jamie?" Andrew asked.
"Our other best friend. He's so sweet," Susie sighed, "make a right."

"Do you like him or something?" He asked with a smirk while making the turn then stopped at the light.

"He doesn't know yet," I answered. She tugged on the seatbelt.

"Does he like you?"

"Only as a friend," she said.

"I know that feeling." He made another turn.

"I will tell him soon."

"Please be soon," I begged.

"Shut up, Ray Ray," she sang. I growled. "Do you like anyone at school?"

"Well, it's my first day, I still need to meet other people."

"It seems Kim likes you." She pointed at her house, he pulled up in the driveway and to her front.

"Thank you. See ya, Ray Ray!" She ran to the front porch.

"Bye!" I yelled out. I shook my head, why did he tell her that nickname?

"You can come up to the front," Andrew said. Reluctantly, I unbuckle my seatbelt. Instead of getting out, I climbed out. I was not in the mood for his jokes. I sighed, buckling up. He pushed the shift with his strength, then he pressed the pedal.

"Day one," he muttered.

"What?" I asked with a frown.

"Nothing," he shook his head. I stared at the scenery with my cheeks puffed out, he squeezed the wheel tightly. His knuckles turned red. I wanted to ask if he was ok but I kept my mouth shut until we got to our neighborhood.

"Do you like the school?"

"Oh my god, you asked me a question that's not sarcastic or mean?" He gasped as he parked.

"Oh Lord," I prayed, looking up to the sky. I unbuckled my seatbelt, "this is what I get for being nice."

"To answer your question, yes. And the fact I get to see you everyday is a bonus." He got out the driver's side, locked the car alarm and wore his backpack.

"Well, I had to ask. My parents want me to be nice." I smiled tightly.

"I give you a c for effort." He gave a thumbs up.

"Yay. I promise I'll try harder." I rolled my eyes, and threw up the peace sign and I walked up to my house, looking for my key in the front zipper.

"Bye Ray." I breathed out in annoyance, this was gonna be hard.

Andrew:

Mom was making lunch for me and my sister when I walked in. "How was your first day?" She asked from the kitchen. I dropped my bag near the door.

"Fine," I answered. "Met a girl, she showed me around the school." I entered the kitchen, nuzzled Lydia's hair and she whined because she was eating her sandwich.

"Oh, Rachel didn't help?" She asked, handing me a bowl of tomato soup with a sandwich.

"No, she volunteered because shes' office aide or something," I bit into my sandwich. "How was school, Lyds?"

"Good," she answered, the crumbs spilling from her mouth.

"Sweetie, don't talk with your mouth full," mom told her, wiping the mayonnaise off her cheeks.

"There's this boy that said he liked my ribbons," she told me while trying to move away from mom's attempt to clean her face.

"Really?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"He said he liked yellow, it reminds him of the sun."

"Huh. Was he nice? Not too nice, though," I squinted.

"Yes, his cubby is next to mine," she answered. She took another bite from her sandwich.

"Where's dad?" I asked mom.

"Upstairs. His day was trying."

"What do you mean?" I frowned.

"He's getting used to being at home. Staying in one place." I knew exactly what she meant.

"Right. " I picked at my food, I'll see him after I eat. It's been too long.

"He'll be fine, it takes time," mom said, walking over the sink.

"Did he at least have lunch?"

"I'm going up to give him some food." The plate had the same sandwich we did, with more tomato and mustard instead of mayo.

"I can do it," I volunteered.

"Andrew, he's ok."

"I know. I want to do it."

She sighs, handing me the plate. It was quiet when I walked upstairs. He could be sleeping. Or staring out the window again. I peek, pushing the door open slowly. It was the latter. He sat, looking outside and smiled. I grinned, trying to hold back my tears. I didn't want to startle him. I knocked softly, he whirled around in a tense motion. Like he was scared of what will be behind him. Shoulders up and neck stiff, his gaze went from the floor to me.

"Andrew," he mumbled, pain in his eyes and then he blinked. He stood up erect like the soldier he was.

"Mom made a sandwich for you." I hold it against my stomach, stepping in slowly. He met me halfway, taking the plate from my hand.

"Thank you," he said softly. I gulped, thinking of the right words to say. I came up with nothing. It's one of those days. They haven't been easy, he isolated himself. We worry, it takes time. He smiled again, it's brighter.

"You want to join us?" I asked, hesitating at each word.

"I'll eat up here." I nodded, sniffing. He turned around, sitting on the chair. I shut the door, leaving a crack. I breathed in and out shakily, swallowing hard. My hands were shaking, I squeezed them into fists. It takes time. Give him space. We're gonna be fine. It has to be.