wild and running || a.b. (series on hold)

Chapter 6

I'm sitting in a classroom next to a boy I haven't seen in years, "Clay?" I ask him. "It's me, sweetheart." He says looking at me the way he always did. Why am I here? Is that really him? I try to lift up my hand to touch his face, but it was as if I was unable to move. I tried and I tried and he just sat there focusing on his work, furrowing his eyebrows together in the way that I miss. I struggle to find words to say, "Why did you leave me?" I ask, my voice shaking. "I needed to." He replies shortly. "You needed to?" He sighs and whispers something that I can't process, "What?" I ask breathlessly. "I still love you." He whimpers. A tear rolls down his cheek and I wish I could wipe it away. I put my head down and he uses two of his fingers to lift my chin to meet his eyes, "Do you still love me?"

//

I woke up in a sweat. Looking at my alarm clock, I have to get up in ten minutes. Why did I just dream about Clay? He left me. So much just went downhill in such a short dream.

As much as I've wanted to hear those words from his mouth, it just didn't feel right...

I cut off all thoughts of that dream and head to the shower. I end up singing a few of my favorite songs. It's a habit I've had ever since I was a kid. I eventually get out and wrap a towel around my body. I quickly run to my dorm because it's freezing and I'm wet. I put on a sweatshirt and some cotton shorts, my usual lounge clothes, and decide to call Marie. "Hey, what's up?" She says when she picks up. "Do you want to come over to my dorm for a while? I need to tell you about what happened at work yesterday..." I say with a smile. "Hm... Sounds interesting. I'll be there in a few." She says and then hangs up. I can't wait to tell her about Andy's band! I really miss him... At the perfect timing, my phone vibrates and his name is across the screen, *Good morning. :)* He sent me a good morning message... My heart flutters. *Good morning ^.^* I send back. A few minutes later there's a know I on my door. Of course it's the one and only Marie. "Hey!" She says and I hug her. I've always been one for hugs. "Come in." I say and she walks through the door. "So tell me about what happened." She says eagerly. "Woah, woah." I say with a laugh, "We haven't even sat down yet."

I begin to explain to her about running into Andy at Books-A-Million, and how we went back to his apartment after a failed attempt to find a pasta place. "Wow," she says, "I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much. So... He's in a band?" I nod. "Damn." She says and I laugh. "Do you think you'll get to see him again tonight?" "Um..." I say suddenly getting nervous. "I don't know." "I can't wait to meet him." She says. "You know we aren't dating, right?" "I know. Not yet at least." She says with a smile. "I don't even know if he's looking for a relationship." I'm not sure if I am either. "He seemed pretty interested, you're just too blind to see it. Open up, girl. Don't you see that he adores you?" "I can't decide whether he's nice or an asshole." I say with a chuckle. She shrugs. "I'm not sure I want a relationship..." I say. "Ivory. It's been years. I can assure you that not everyone will treat you like Clay did. What he did was just cruel and selfish. I think you should give Andy a chance. Love may be what you need to heal again..." She says. "I guess you're right..." I say trailing off. I'm not really sure where I was going with that sentence.

Marie's phone begins to ring, it's William. After a small conversation she hangs up the phone, "Will needs me to help him with something in the apartment." She says with a small eye roll. "When are you guys getting a house." "Sometimes soon, we've been looking into it a lot lately." "Alright." I say as we get up from my bed and I lead her to the door. "Remember what I said, give him a chance. I know it's been hard for you, and I can see why you don't want to get close, but don't let someone else's mistake overtake your happiness. Now, text me if you see him tonight, okay?" She says and I nod, then she was gone.

Maybe Andy isn't that bad... I still don't trust him completely yet. While thoughts are swimming through my head, I realize that I need to get ready for work. Marie stayed longer than I thought she did. I slip on my work uniform and decide to pack an extra pair of clothes. You know, just in case I go over to Andy's again.

I walk into Books-A-Million, and I receive my usual greeting from Edward. He's so kind and gentle. I walk to the back of the store and grab my books to sort. I look around for Andy, and I'm relieved when I see him sitting at a table near the back of the store. I try to pretend he's not there and continue my work. How am I going to walk up to him? When I get a break I look over in his direction again, getting a good look at him. He's writing and listening to music through a pair of earbuds. He takes a sip of his coffee and I see... A lip piercing? And a nose piercing? I wonder if he just got that done... Maybe I can just walk up to him and ask him what he's writing...?

"Andy?" I say walking up to him slowly. He has earbuds in, I'm such an idiot. I sit in the chair next to him and he looks up suddenly, he smiles and pulls an earbud out. "I was hoping I'd see you." He says quietly. I was hoping to see you to... "What are you writing?" I ask. "Song lyrics." He replies closing the binder. "What time do you get off?" "Midnight. I work the closing shift." He nods. "Did you just get those piercings?" I ask him curiously. He lets out a deep laugh, "No. I've been having these. I just took them out for a few days to see if I liked it, but I decided to put them back in." His lip ring keeps drawing my attention to his lips, and I'm sure he notices my focus changing from his eyes to his lips... Ivory, you dumbass. Stop staring. "I like them..." I say quietly. He seemed just as shocked as I was that I actually said that. "We're closing up shop early tonight!" Edward yells. I quickly get up and help him do the remaining tasks, so we can close up. All of the customers left except for Andy. Did I really tell him that I like his piercings?

Maybe I should think a little more before I speak.

"Bye Edward, good luck on your exam tomorrow. I'm sure you'll do great." Earlier in the evening, he explained to me about his sleepless nights studying for it. "Thank you. Have a good night, Ivory." "You too." Andy and I walk out the door, he still hasn't said a word to me. "Do you what to come to my place?" He asks. "It's already 10:30..." I say. "I know." He says. I really want to spend some more time with him. "Are you sure?" I ask him. "I'm sure, Ivory." He says. I love the way my name sounds coming from his lips... I grab my bag out of my car and get into his Lexus.