Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Chapter Fifteen

Andrew's POV

As much as Andrew didn't want to admit it, he was hurt Rose left without a hug. She didn't even say goodbye. As soon as he went in for a hug, she was gone. Andrew hadn't talked to Rose in a while and it was hurting him. He wanted to see her and know she was okay. He avoided calling her and texting her, because he wanted to give her space. Although he wasn't sure how much more space he should give her.

Andrew walked back to his car and rested his head on the steering wheel. He was losing Rose, and it wasn't even his fault. He had to keep trying and keep reminding. He had to remind Rose of how she felt with him, and how they were meant to be together. As much as Rose wanted Andrew out of her life, he wouldn't allow it. She could build the walls as high as she wanted, but Andrew would surely find a way to knock them down.

It had been another fast two months that Andrew had barely talked to Rose. He had seen her around and they hung out a couple of times, but nothing more. He was starting to miss her. As the rain was pouring down on a chilly October day, Andrew rushed into the college with Rose on his mind.

They both took different classes at different times of the day. There was no way for him to see Rose during school. He missed seeing her beautiful face and her contagious smile. He missed her quiet but funny laugh. He missed everything about Rose. It wasn't the same since her aunt was diagnosed with cancer. Andrew couldn't blame Rose for putting walls up. He probably would have done the same. It was sad for him to watch, but Andrew couldn't blame her reasoning.

Andrew sat down in his engineering class and ran his fingers through his hair. It was wet from the ran and so was his shirt. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts of Rose. He needed to concentrate on his class, but it had been hard. The more he tried to concentrate, the more Rose popped up in his head.

He had to get her out for now. He couldn't succeed in school if she was always on his mind. Andrew needed to talk to her after class, and clear things up. He needed to know what she wanted and what she was feeling. With a new found determination, Andrew was able to listen to his teacher intently for the first time in a month.

Andrew pulled into Rose's driveway. He turned his car off and sat there staring for a moment. He was nervous to talk to Rose. He didn't want to hear everything she might have to say. Reluctantly, Andrew climbed out of the safe haven of his car and ran through the rain up to Rose's door. He fingered his hair back and knocked on the door. After a minute of waiting, Andrew deciding Rose wasn't there. He turned to run back to his car when he heard the door open.

"Andrew? What are you doing here?" he heard her say.

He slowly turned around and gave a small smile. "Rose. I need to talk to you."

She opened the door and gestured for him to come in. He nodded his thanks and stepped inside. She closed the door and wrapped her cardigan tight around her body. "What is it?"

Andrew took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't go back now. "Listen, Rose. I just want to know what we are. Are we friends or not? You keep sending mixed signals and I need to know."

Andrew watched Rose shift uncomfortably and avert her eyes to the ground. "I don't know, honestly. I'd like to think we are still friends."

"Rose, I can't be friends with someone who pushes me away and doesn't even talk to me. I loved the friendship we had four months ago. I loved those first few months with you, when we met. But now it's like we don't even know each other. I miss it. I miss you," Andrew admitted.

Rose looked up and her dark blue eyes met his green ones. He could see the hurt and pain in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Andrew. I guess I've just pushed you away because I don't want to lose you. I want to still be friends, and it's my fault we aren't as close. I shouldn't push you away."

"It's not all your fault. I understand with her aunt being sick it's hard. I understand you don't want to lose me too and experience more heart break. But I'm standing here, trying to tell you that I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to push me away because I will always be right here next to you. If you keep pushing me away I can't promise I'll come back every time. I understand what you are going through, I've been there too. But if you keep ignoring me I won't keep trying," Andrew said. He felt like he had taken a load of bricks off his back. He finally got out what he wanted to. He was tired of playing the chasing game. He needed to know.

Rose took a step closer to him and tears were in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Andrew. I didn't realize how much I hurt you. I've been selfish, and I wasn't even thinking about you. I know you'll always be here for me, but at the same time I don't. It registers for a while but then I lose it all. I'm just struggling right now, and I'm uncertain of what to do. But I can promise you this. I will do everything I can to be a better friend, because I missed you too." Rose gave Andrew a hug and he couldn't help but hug back. He felt at ease knowing she was going to try.

Andrew pulled away and walked towards the door. "I just wanted to know. Thank you for answering. I'll text you later?"

Rose nodded her head and smiled. Andrew walked out the front door and ran in the rain to his car. When he got inside, a smile crept onto his face. He had a feeling things would start looking up. He had finally talked to Rose. Maybe he even convinced her. He could only hope.

Andrew smiled the whole way to work, thinking about how he was slowly breaking down Rose's walls. He couldn't wait for 9:30 to roll around, because when it did, he could finally talk to his best friend again.