Racing Andrius

Prologue: Peter

I walked through the water soaked sidewalks with an umbrella in hand growing heavy from the weight of the ever increasing amount of raindrops. I sighed, lost in thought as I stopped and turned to face a white marble gravestone engraved with the letters Charlie Pietro. I stood there for a minute in silence before saying, "I brought your favorite kind of flowers, Charlie." Another pause, "Clematis flowers...you said it reminded you of the place we lived in back when we were all together," I made a small laugh, "Why did I put in hyacinths? Well, if you bothered to remember, it was my favorite flower." My grip on the umbrella tightened, "I have to go now...sorry." I took a step back and walked quickly past the gravestone next to it but it was a futile effort since my mind automatically brought up the images of a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes around 40 years old. Father...

The way back to the dorms was a blur. It wasn't until I arrived back into my room that I realized I forgot to stop by the grocery store. I sighed, guess I will have to make something else for dinner, I thought as I sat down on the bottom bunk and pulled out my phone. The door opened and I looked up to see my roommate walk in. The moment he saw me sitting on my bed, I knew he figured out where I had been.

"Wanna get a drink?" he said,

"Sure," I said,

And just like that, we headed off to our favorite bar with me driving and Andrius in the backseat as usual. Today a lot was on his mind too I guessed from the way he simply stared out the window and did not say a single word. Again the thought resurfaced in my mind, I know Charlie could get you talking and perhaps even smile...

"We arrived," I said and that stirred Andrius out of his trance. 

When we got inside, it was loud as usual filled with other college students and working adults alike. Luckily with Andrius' family background, we got a private room upstairs away from the noise, but that also meant the silence was back. 

"So you went without me," Andrius said,

For some reason I hesitated, "Well, when I went into the room earlier, you weren't there so I thought you were busy. I didn't want to disrupt you."

"Next time take me along. After all, we kinda grew up like brothers." Andrius sipped his drink

"Sure," I said hoping that didn't sound sarcastic. 

"With the new school semester starting, are you excited?" Andrius said,

Sighing internally with relief at the change of subject, I said, "Sort of? I mean, school is school."

Andrius smirked and clinked his glass against mine, "Very true,"

"How about you?" I said taking a sip of my drink.

"I'm about the same as you, school is school."

"Will you be coming back to Circuit? It's not quite the same and-"

"No,"

"I see," I said awkwardly,

"You know why."

"You don't have to drive, I think we would like for you to even spectate would be nice....especially since you are the club president too."

"Fine, I'll think about it," Andrius said after a slight pause,

"Thanks," I said trying to hide how happy I was with the answer. Perhaps this year will not be too bad.