The Art of Reconstruction (Andley)

8: Old Doors, Old Scars

Holy shit I'm not dead.  Wow.  Sorry for the radio silence.  I've been so busy and just physically and mentally unwell lately, so I've just had a little trouble getting the creative juices flowing.  Anyway, I hope you like this regardless.  Comment, vote, share, whatever.  - Lily xoxo
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"Andy, where the hell were you? I was worried sick!" I was bombarded with a hug as soon as stepped onto the falsely-presumed empty bus. Of course I was shocked by the fact that I had been suddenly embraced, but even more so I was shocked by who it was that was hugging me.  I blinked in surprise as I looked at the side of Ashley's head which was about all I could see. 

"I was with the Pierce the Veil guys," I finally managed to answer.  Ashley still hadn't released the vice grip he had on me, so I patted his back awkwardly.  "Were you really that worried?" I asked. 

"Well, yeah," Ash said, stepping back. "You were drunk and missing.  Of course I was fucking worried, you idiot."  I frowned at him, taking in his slightly disheveled appearance.  His hair was slightly mussed up as if he hadn't bothered to do it and there were bags under his bloodshot eyes, making it evident that he hadn't slept very much.  "Well, I'm okay," I said timidly.  "I didn't get murdered or robbed."  

"Obviously," Ashley breathed. "You're an idiot."  

"Thanks, Ash," I replied sarcastically. I walked past him and threw myself down on the couch. He looked down at me with a coolly calculating gaze. I arched a brow at him. I wasn't a fan of being analyzed and from the look on his face that's exactly what he was doing. "So about last night?" he began slowly. I groaned and buried my head in the couch cushion. Of course we weren't done talking about that.

"What about it?" I said, removing my face from the sofa and faking a smile. Ashley came over and sat down, interlacing his fingers in his lap. "What was all that about?" he asked. "You know, with the whole dumping the beer on the girl thing?"

I sighed and looked away, staring off into space. I knew what I'd done had been stupid, but I was drunk. It was a weak rationale, but the excuse was more for myself than anyone else. I looked over at Ashley, expecting to see an angry expression, but he just looked worried. I didn't get that. How could he be so understanding and patient with me? He was such a conundrum and it both bothered and excited me.

"I don't know why I did it," I sighed. "I was drunk and I guess that impaired my judgment just a bit. I really am sorry about that, though."  Ashley smiled a wry sort of smile, the sort of smile that let me know that I was forgiven even though I was somehow still causing him pain.  His eyes were dull, perhaps from lack of sleep, perhaps from something else.  All I knew was that I missed the days when they would shine bright and he would smile a carefree smile, not a wry one. 

"Listen, Andy," he began.  "I just want you to know that if something's bothering you you can talk to me." I nodded, a halfhearted smile on my face. "No, I mean it. About anything. I'm still here for you despite what may have happened in our past and I still care about you," he said seriously.  The words tugged at my heartstrings and stirred up all the old feelings that I'd done my best to bury in the depths of my mind. No, Andy, I chastised myself. Don't be stupid. He doesn't want you and, more importantly, you don't want him.

"I know," I finally replied. "Thanks, Ash." Ashley smiled again, a real one this time.  I couldn't help the shit eating grin that spread across my face.  "I'm glad we're on good terms again," Ash said.

"Yeah, me too," I said with a small sigh. "Believe it or not, I don't like fighting with you." Ash just shrugged in response, he looked on in contemplation. I, in a lapse of judgment, leaned my head on his shoulder. I breathed in the scent of his cologne, letting it soothe me. I was still tired despite having been passed out on a couch for the majority of the day and this wasn't helping. "I talked to Vic while I was on their bus and I think we're friends again," I said, mumbling slightly.