Words to Me

May I?

*Andrew's point of view*

I run my hands across covers of books, some of them are a lot older than other and all of them are well worn but still in good condition. A shelf full of vinyls catches my eyes and I leaf through them recognizing most of the artists, I stop when I see my own record amongst the collection. I could bring it up, no I could have fun with that bit of knowledge. My back is turned to her so I don't think Scarlett realizes I know she has my music. It's sweet in a way, I'm surprised she never brought it up. Looking a other shelves there's one with various pictures on it. In one frame there's Scarlett and another young woman with brown eyes and hair, their arms are wrapped around each other and they are standing in front of a book shop with huge smiles across their faces. Next to that is a younger Scarlett and the same woman together leaning against the hood of a small red car, the woman however has one arm wrapped around a guy. Looking at the other photographs there's a few scenic shots and some from concerts or events that she must have taken. Two photos in particular catch my attention. The first features Scarlett and and a young man hugging under the Eiffel Tower. The second is her as a child, probably no older than eight. She's standing with a large black horse and a woman, probably her mother, and she's laughing when this one was taken. Most of the photos don't have her in them or she's always with someone else there's none of just her. On that shelf are some movie ticket stubs, concert tickets and wristbands with different band names or events on them. The top shelf has various knick knacks on it. A small fox and stingray plushie, some small figurines of animals or mythical creatures (mainly dragons), a few snowglobes, a few dried flowers, some various small things and a small circular music box. I gently pick it up turning it around in my hands. There's a metal grating on top of the removable lid that shows the mechanics of it and the sides show the Eiffel Tower being built in various stages.

I turn asking about the piece and her features darken, it's obviously a sensitive subject and I regret asking about it. I wonder if it had anything to do with the picture of her and the young man. She changes the subject suggesting food and leads me back downstairs her dog trailing by her side.

*back to Scarlett's point of view*

Reaching the bottom of the steps I can hear the lads voices drifting from the kitchen and living room along with the sounds of a video game. I put a smile back on my face and enter the kitchen finding Davey getting some water.

"Hey it's about time you two came back down. How's your head doing?"

"I'm feeling better thanks to andrews medical care. Have you guys gotten something to eat yet?"

"Ehm not really just some cake and we cracked into the drinks in the fridge. Oh and we got onto your Xbox."  He says walking back into the other room.

I nod. I still feel bad about making them miss their meal. I poke my head into the next room "Are you all okay with pizza?"

Jon is the first to speak up. "It's fine you don't have to get us anything."

"So pizza then." I return to the kitchen where Andrew is leaning against the counter by the house phone. "Can you hand me the phone please?"

"Oh yeah sure." He hands me the phone from its spot.

As I look up the number to the shop near me I glance up at him. Julia is at his feet again trying to be pet. "There's some drinks in the fridge if you want any. What do you want on the pizza?"

"Oh thanks. Ehm anything is fine really." He opens the fridge digging around before pulling out a beer. The guys had left the bottle opener on the counter so he goes over to that while I order the pizza.

After I finish ordering it goes silent except for the guys in the other room. It quickly becomes awkward and I find myself staring at the water slowly dripping from the sink faucet.

"You should probably fix that soon." Andrew says following my gaze.

"Yeah." We fall back to silence before I get an idea. "Here come on I want to show you something." I push myself off of the counter and begin heading back up the staircase with Andrew and Julia behind. I lead them back into my room and instead of turning on the lights I pull open the curtains to the large windows that cover most of one wall to let in the natural soft light instead of the harsh white light. I also switch on some smaller fairy style lights that I have to add just a bit more light before I go over to where I store my record player and pull it out. I look over at Andrew who is watching everything from my door frame and pull out a variety of records from more modern music to classical music, laying them next to the red vinyl player before gesturing for Andrew to come over.

"Here pick one." My vinyls are some of my most prized possessions and I wanted to share them.

His eyes go over each album before he settles on one gently picking it up. "'May I?" He asks again.

"Yeah of course." He puts it on the player and I hear the gentle whir of the disk and clicks of the player before James Carr's soft soulful music floods the room.

"Interesting pick." I say going to sit on my bed and patting the spot next to me for him to sit down.

"What can I say, I like his music." I nod as he sits next to me, the bed dipping slightly from his weight. Julia jumps up and lays down between us resting her head on her paws. I lean back so I'm laying down staring at the high ceiling and Andrew does the same.

We listen to a few songs in silence, but it isn't the awkward silence from the kitchen. After a few songs go by, my favorite comes on.

"Oh this is my favorite!" I smile and close my eyes as it starts unaware of Andrews eyes on me.

I open them again when I feel Andrews weight being lifted off the bed. He hold out a hand to me standing above me and for the third time asks "May I?"