Sempiternal

Chapter 12

--Dylan's POV--

I heard people muttering around me. What happened earlier came flooding back into my mind. I heard someone shush the others. I groaned, peeling one eye open. I saw Andy looking down at me. I rolled on to my back and rubbed my eyes with my hands. I blinked a couple of times and looked back up at him. His blue eyes were filled with concern. I sat up, swinging my feet on to the ground. 

"Here, drink this," Andy said and handed me a water bottle. I took it gratefully. I knew it would be bad to chug it, so I took a sip instead. 

"Where's Oli?" I asked. I knew he would be worried.

"Back at the stage. Aideen's with him," Andy said. I stood up. Andy quickly did the same, making sure I wouldn't fall again. 

"I have to see him," I said and started walking toward the door. My knees buckled, and I dropped to them on the ground. Andy rushed over and offered a hand. I took it and was pulled up. Andy looked at me and sighed. He knelt on the ground in front of me. I got the message and climbed on his back. He straightened up to his full height, and exited the bus. A few minutes later, we came back up to the stage. Aideen noticed us first. Mainly because Oli was asleep on her shoulder. She shook him awake. Dazed, he looked around. Once he saw me, he scrambled up. Andy let me down. Oli enveloped me in a tight hug. I hugged back just as tight. 

"You are never going out there without me again," Oli muttered into my hair. I laughed lightly, but I knew he was serious. I nodded.

"Ok, Oli." I said. I sighed and buried my face into his chest. He was such a protective older brother. Gotta love him for it. I heard someone clear their throat from behind me. It was Andy. I could see something in his eyes. Jealousy, maybe? But why would he be jealous?

"Sorry to interrupt the brother-sister moment, but I have to go get ready for my performance. Could I, um. Could I get a hug?" He asked. He added in puppy dog eyes for good measure, and it worked. I slowly released Oli and wrapped my arms around Andy's waist as he snaked his around my shoulders. 

"Stay safe, Dylan," he whispered in my ear. He quickly kissed the top of my head and released me. I stepped back to Oli as Andy walked off to meet up with his band. Oli glared daggers into the back of Andy's skull. I nudged his arm.

"What's with you? Andy's your friend," I asked. He tore his gaze away from him and looked down at me. Curse my shortness. He sighed.

"I don't like how he hugged you just now," Oli said tensely.  

"Oli, he was just worried. He's my friend now. Don't worry," I said and turned to go talk to Aideen. Upon seeing me walk over, she jumped up and wrapped me in a bone-crushing hug. I laughed and hugged her back.

"Don't scare me like that again!" She yelled.

"I won't!" I yelled back. Oli laughed and shook his head as he walked over to us. 

"What?! Don't like hugs, Olober?" I said with a sarcastic edge to it. He raised his eyebrow. He smirked and before either of us could blink, Oli lifted me and Aideen off the ground in a big group hug. Must have been easy, considering both of us were pretty short. We both let out a small squeal. Oli set us down and ruffled my hair. 

"Come on, I'm going to the Of Mice bus. You and Aideen should come, too," Oli said while still laughing.

"Sure, I'd like to see them again," I agreed and looked at Aideen. She looked nervous. She messed with a rock on the ground with her toe and looked down.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a hassle... They probably won't like me, anyway," she slowly asked. I looked at Oli with my eyebrow raised. He looked at me with the same expression. We nodded. Oli picked Aideen up, holding her on his shoulder. 

"They're going to love you! Now let's go!" I shouted and led the way to the Of Mice and Men bus.