A Second Time Around

Chapter Nine

Looong chapter ahead, you guys! I promise!

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Andrew whistled a tune on the way back to his apartment. He fumbled for his key to open the door. It has been such a tiring day, but oddly satisfying.

Teaching is one of his passions. And while he enjoyed calculating figures and preparing financial statements, nothing compares to being in front of a class, passing down some knowledge that you already know and sharing it with your students.

Exhausted, he went inside the still-dark room and switched the light on. What he wants to do now is to eat a scrumptious supper of leftover steak-and-potatoes, followed by dessert of cookies-and-cream flavored ice cream while watching NBA, then take a warm shower before finally going to bed. In that order.

He slipped his heavy messenger bag off his shoulders and placed it on the couch. He decided to go and reheat his dinner when he heard some noise in the kitchen. Staring at the still dark kitchen uneasily, he grabbed a broom near him and held it high, ready to pounce on whatever or whoever it is that is in his kitchen.

As silent as a cat prowling, he approached the kitchen, the broom still in his hand. Reaching up to turn the lights on, he braced himself for a possibly violent thief that might attack him.

As soon as the lights flickered to life, Andrew swung the broom over his head, but stopped abruptly half-way when he registered what he was seeing in amazement.

The so-called "thief" that he was expecting was currently standing in front of the slightly-opened refrigerator, with a tub of Ben and Jerry's in his hand and the other holding a spoonful of ice cream half-way to his open mouth. Andrew's earlier feeling of trepidation changed to one of irritated amusement.

"Caught in the act." He said, raising in an eyebrow. "Why are you here?"

The "thief" finally ate the ice cream before answering. "I was around town. Thought I'd stop by to say hello."

Andrew shook his head. "Uh-huh, I see. Is that why you're ransacking my fridge and stealing my ice cream?" He asked, crossing his arm. "And how the hell did you came in?"

"Keys under the welcome mat." The guy answered. "Seriously, man. You need to think of new hiding places if you don't want a real thief lurking here."

"I'll keep that in mind." Andrew said sarcastically. "But why the heck didn't you turn the lights on, Kev?"

"Uh, to surprise you?" Kevin replied unconvincingly. Chuckling, he scooped another heaping spoonful of ice cream and put it in his mouth. "Wow, I really like your fridge. It's well stocked, we could get married."

"Us or you and the fridge?" Andrew laughed. "But kidding aside, Kev. I could file a report against you. You're trespassing, and you stole my last cookies and cream."

Kevin sighed, sitting on a seat by the kitchen island. "I'm sure you won't really do that, because I'm your best friend." He said certainly.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "How much do you want to bet on that?"

Kevin shrugged. "I just know you won't." He said simply. "So, how was the first day of school?"

Andrew looked at Kevin strangely. "You know you sound like my mom when you asked that question."

"Hey, I'm just making small talk." Kevin said defensively.

"Well, in that case, let me start the small talk." Andrew said. "So, how come you're back here in New York? Got tired of England already?" He teased.