*in which Andy can't take his eyes off Rye and will do anything to get his attention*
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Andy had hardly entered the car park when he was already the centre of attention. Everyone was there. The whole clique he hadn't seen since the end of June. There were also a few unfamiliar faces, whom Andy classified as hangers-on, hoping to become as popular as he was.
One after the other of the clique hugged Andy.
Sonny had become even taller and a little slimmer than before. More than ever, he resembled a model. He greeted Andy coolly and eyed him with narrowed green eyes.
Mikey had not grown. His black curls reached Andy's chin. Wait a minute, curls? Andy thought and pushed Mikey back, who was about to hug him.
"Mikey! What have you done to your hair?"
"Do you like it? I think it makes me taller," he smiled and ran his hand through his black curls. His face was beaming with joy.
Andy walked a little further.
"Jack! At least you're still the same.", They returned his hug with the same warmth.
I missed Jack more than anyone else in the gang, Andy thought as he looked at the slightly taller boy. Jack, like Sonny, was almost a model. That was probably because they were both very tall and slim and their dark hair dazzled the sunlight. Jack looked at Andy with a questioning look.
"Well, your hair is even lighter from the sun... but I thought you wanted to get some sun on the French Riviera,"
"You know I never tan," Andy held up his hands and looked at them. The skin looked like porcelain and was almost as pale and translucent as Mikey's.
"Hey, that reminds me!" Mikey exclaimed and grabbed Andy's hand.
Guess what I learned from my cousin this summer? "
Before anyone could answer, he was already shouting it loudly across the car park.
"The art of hand reading!",the others groaned or laughed.
Laugh all you want." Mikey was not the least bit offended.
My cousin said that I was the ideal medium. Or maybe have magical powers too. So, let me see! " He looked at Andy's palm.
Hurry or we'll be late! " Andy urged a little impatiently.
All right, all right. Now, is that your lifeline or your heart line? " some in the group giggled.
"Quiet. I'm diving into the abyss now. I see... I see...," Suddenly Mikey's expression changed, as if he had suffered a shock. His blue eyes widened. He no longer seemed to stare at Andy's hand, but looking through it at something that was terrifying.
"You're going to meet a tall, dark stranger!" muttered Jack, laughing behind him. Again, some chuckled.
Dark, yes, and a stranger too, but he's not tall! " Mikey's voice sounded soft and distant.
