Prayers For Andrew

Four ~Cassidy

Andrew and his stupid day dreaming. He's starting to scare me for how much he's been day dreaming.

I gently pulled on Andrew's ear. "Dude, snap out of it." Andrew slightly jumped and looked over at me. His eyes were wide as if he had a secret. Which I hope not. He knows everything about me, and I pretty much know everything about him. From how he thinks to the Spongebob boxers he's probably wearing.

We would never keep secrets from each other.

Or I hope.

Andrew shook his head, then ran his fingers through his hair. "So.." he began and I looked up at the sky. "What?"

"There's a football player that likes you."

"Oh, really now?" I looked back at Andrew, completely shocked. "Yeah, He tried to talk to me about you in the boys locker room after gym."

"Do you know who he was?"

"No, we had no time for introductions." Andrew smiled that little crooked smile. The one that has the left side of his lips almost in a completely curved line. I couldn't help but to smile as well.  Andrew looked over towards the front entrance of the high school. "Well, speak of the devil. Here he comes." I followed Andrew's eyes, and a boy with brown hair was walking over to us. From the distance I could see that he was in a practice jersey and shorts. Andrew just sighed and layed back onto the platform. "I don't want to talk to no jock." I hissed at Andrew. Andrew, of course, just shrugged. "I tried to warn him. But, from the way he's heading. He doesn't like to read the warning label." I bit down on my bottom lip so I wouldn't scream.

The boy walked right up to me and smiled. "Hi. I'm Jason." I took a deep breathe. "Cassidy. Why are you here and not with your dumbass football buddies and drama queen cheerleading friends?"

"Cassidy!" Andrew sat up. "Be nice for once."

Jason just laughed. "I'm not actually all that buddy-buddy with those kind of people. I'm surprised that you haven't seen me in the art room." My eye brows raised. "Oh?" Jason nodded. "I've seen some of your pieces. Plus I've watch you play in the school band. Your pretty good with the violin I must say." I blinked. Did he really just compliment me? 

Jason looked down at the mulch. "So, you don't mind if I join you guys for today? I really don't want to go to football practice." I shrugged. "Just as long as you don't use us as an excuse to your coach then you can." Jason looked up at me, with total shock in his eyes. Then, a smile crept on his lips.

Hey, I'm not all that mean.

After a few hours of sitting around the playground and chatting, the streetlights came on. Our cue that it's time for all of us to head home. Andrew sighed. "I really don't want to go home right now." I grimaced. "Sorry. DrewBear. Your gonna have to go with it tonight. My sister's in town and my mom doesn't like company over when she's home." Andrew hopped off the playset and grabbed his backpack. "Later, Cass."

"See ya, DrewBear."

Jason and I watched as Andrew walked away with his head down and shoulders hunched over. I felt bad for not helping him out a little more. Jason looked up at the sky, which was a violet color since the sun was setting.

"I need to head home. It was nice chatting with you." I got down off the playset and grabbed my messenger bag. Before I could walk away, Jason grabbed my shoulder. "Wait, I don't think you should walk home alone. I'll drive you, okay?" I thought for a moment, weighing the options. "No, thanks. I don't like cars anyway. Thanks for the offer though." I looked back over my shoulder. Jason was right behind me. "Fine then, I'll walk you home." There was no point in agruing with the man, so I let him.

We were walking down the side walk when one of his football buddies ran up to us, all sweaty and smelly.

"DUDE! Coach was looking for you..." The guy took one look at me, and gave me an awkward smile. He obviously did not like me.

Well I don't like him. So, ha.

Jason sighed. "I really dont care, Doug. I didn't feel like going to practice." Jason gently guided me around and away from Doug.

We walked in silence for most of the way to my house. Jason was the first to speak up. "I'm really sorry about walking up on you guys earlier. I...just never really found a way during school to ever talk to you." Jason's arm slightly raised, but he put it back down. I peeked over at him, not sure what to say. "It's okay, I guess." I finally said. Jason touched my arm. I flinched. He looked over at me, surprised. "Oh, sorry."  I gulped. "No, it's not your fault...I...I.." I could feel my face turning red. Damn it. I hate stuttering.

My house was just a few doors down.

I looked over at Jason and stopped walking. He did, too. Jason rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit I've seen Andrew do. "So....do you want to meet after school again tomorrow? We don't have practice anyway." Jason looked at me with pleading eyes, though he tried to hide it. I couldn't breathe, my throat felt like it had a cork in it. All I did was nod. Jason just smiled and stood there. "See you around?"

"Yeah.." was all I could choke out before running to the house.