I'm the Secret You'll Swear to Keep

/Eighteen/

"Andy, where's your lunch?" Patrick asks, shoving rice into his mouth.

He's gotten better over the week, and began legitimate agent training. It's rough, and it makes him hungry as hell.

"Not hungry," Andy mumbles, toying with the cap of his water bottle. There's also a small can of diet coke next to him.

"I've never seen you drink soda," Patrick smiles.

"I don't."

Pete places his hand on Patrick's knee to give the boy the cue to shut up.

He does.

Brendon and Ryan plop down with their trays. Ryan also eyes the soda and Andy's demeanor.
He leans over to hug Andy, offering his apple.

"No, thank you," Andy shakes his head.

"Eat, you have to. You just did all that work." Ryan holds his apple out again, watching Andy take it.

"What do you have in there?" Brendon scans Pete's sandwich.

"It's ham, mayo, and lettuce."

"I'll give you half of mine if you give me half of yours," Brendon offers.

Pete smiles. The two have actually made up too. Instead of extra laps, Coach had them do partner workouts. It built up the trust and teamwork again.

"What's in yours?" Pete asks.

"Bacon, lettuce, and tomato."

They silently trade off. Patrick cuts off another piece of grilled chicken, watching Andy.

He pops open the can, taking a sip. His face morphs into disgust as he swallows but returns to normal quickly. He slides the can over to Brendon. "I should probably get going, got some stuff to do," Andy stares at the small bites he's take from the apple. "Thanks for the apple, Ry."

"Take a rest, Andy," Ryan pats his back. Everyone watches the redhead leave the lunchroom, tossing his apple into a trashcan.

"What's up with him?"Patrick asks, moving broccoli around his tray.

"Today is the three year anniversary of Joe's death," Ryan says quietly.

Patrick looks down at his tray. "That's why he's not hungry."

"He's quiet too. You can tell he's miserable even though he doesn't come out and say it." Brendon shakes his head.

"What's up with the soda?" Patrick asks, looking at the grey can in front of Brendon.

"Almost every meal Joe had would be washed down with a diet coke." Pete picks at the sandwich in his hand.

Ryan bites his lip."So every year on this day since Joe's disappearance, he'll get a can and have a sip of it for Joe."

"Then he gives it to me," Brendon continues. "And I'll finish the can that Joe can't have."

Patrick shakes his head, eyes watering. "That's so sad."

Nobody says anything. They simply keep eating, not that they want to anyways.

"And Joe's body was never found?" Patrick asks.

"Andy never got closure," Ryan sighs. "If the Bloodhounds have his body, they'd send a body part to let us know he's dead."

"Did they?"

"No," Pete frowns. "They always do. Not with Joe."

"Well that's good, right? He could be alive."