An Unexpected Love Story

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Andy

Pros

Younger

Romantic

Loyal

Committed

Ambitious

Cons

Military

Distance

Stubborn

Tempermental

Drew

Pros

Attraction

Established

Goal oriented

I crossed out 'Goal oriented' and 'Ambitious'. I'm 16 years old, who cares about those things when thinking of a relationship? I continued trying to think of pros and cons, but finally crumpled the piece of paper I had been writing on. I let out a groan. After being at this for hours I couldn't think of one reason above all that would be the deciding factor on ending a relationship or vice versa. How could I justify breaking one guys heart? This had to be the most frustrating afternoon - I couldn't think of any good justifications for either one of the two situations I was considering, I had major writers block preventing me from responding to Andy, and I had to read a couple of chapters for school.

In reality, I couldn't in good conscience respond to Andy when I wasn't even sure what was going on. I had been staring at the picture of us beside my bed for hours. Every few minutes while trying to come up with pros and cons, I would glance at the picture. It wasn't helping. I couldn't see his face distorted in anger or stubbornness when I looked at that picture of us...

** Three months previously **

"Well, Grace, this is my roommates... Sarah and Andy," my friend Jen said with a smile.

"Wow, it is so nice to meet you both," I said sincerely.

Jen leaned in close and breathed, "I told you he was hot."

I started laughing and tried to cover my blush. Luckily we were on the back porch and it was dark. Andy was looking at me when I looked back at the group. A heard a rowdy yell from the side of the house and turned to see a semi familiar face.

"BABA!" Andy yelled.

Sarah covered her ears and looked annoyed, "You guys are like preschoolers."

The familiar face smiled and put his arm around Sarah, "You know you love me, babe."

Jen looked over with a bright smile, "This is Ben. Or Busted Ass Ben Axel as Andy likes to call him."

I laughed, "Why?"

"Just fun," Ben said with a smile. "What's your name?"

"Grace."

"It's nice to meet you, Grace."

I nodded, "It's very nice to meet you also. Have we met before? I've heard so much about everyone that I feel like I know you all already, but your face is so familiar."

"I hope you heard all good things," Sarah said smiling at me, but looking pointedly at my friend.

"Of course, Sar. Why would I say mean things about you?" Jen asked with a smirk. "Grace, I think you met Ben at Prom... he took Sarah."

I raised an eyebrow at the exchange with Sarah and Jen, "Oh, right. That must be it."

After a brief instance of awkwardness, we all seemed to mesh and were getting along nicely. The group decided to go get whipped cream aerosol cans from Harris Teeter, so we divided into two different groups to take two different cars. I rode with Andy, because Jen was trying to set me up. He drove a black 1995 Camaro Z28 - one of my favorite cars. It had the Euro light kit on the taillights and I fell in love instantly.

"I LOVE your car," I gushed as we slid inside.

Andy smirked, "Thanks. It is a nice ride, huh?"

"Aside from a '78 Trans Am, this is my favorite. My uncle has a white '95 Z28 and a blue '69. The license plate says BLEWBYU on the '69 and the '95 has a license plate cover that says 'Did you see my other car? No, it blew by you'," I said with a laugh. I loved my dad and uncle and their penchant for muscle cars.

Andy's eyebrows were raised when I glanced over at him. He looked impressed. "I think we're going to get along," he said with a smile. "Very well."

I blushed and looked out the window. Jen had been living with Sarah and Andy since graduation. I was astonished, but was hopeful for being able to hang out with her more often. Her mother had been a bit of a tyrant. When I first talked to her after she moved in, she had told me how much I would like Andy. I wasn't quite sure what to think, but after this meeting I was sure that my friend knew me very well. Andy was gorgeous, tall, and seemed really cool. He was two years older than I was - he had graduated at the same time as Jen, but from a different school. My parents had said that I was allowed to date someone only 2 years older than me. This situation seemed to be perfect.

Before I knew it, we were pulled up at Harris Teeter. Jen, Sarah, and Ben climbed out of Ben's truck and were making a total scene. I laughed as we climbed out of the car. Deciding to let go and be myself, I called Andy's name. When he turned to face me I smiled and said, "Can I have a piggy back ride into the store?"

He smiled and crouched down. After I hopped on his back and we were starting to make our way to the store, Jen snapped a picture. We were laughing and everything seemed to be perfect...

***

Our first picture was the picture that I was staring at. How could I end that? I decided then that I needed more time with the situation. October was a whole month away. I still had time to make a decision. I knew that no matter what I chose, my life would change and there would be no going back.

** A/N ** Thanks for reading :)

Andy's car is on the side :)