Love is Strong, and Mines All Gone

Chapter 8- What About It?

Eddie's Point of View

Chris told me we'd be going thrift shopping with Andy today.

I was nervous, but I didn't know why. Maybe it was because I wanted to build a good impression on him.. cause of how close Andy and Chris were.

I respected their bond.

My mind kept going back to the night I met Andy. It's been 3 weeks now, since we met- but the memories were fresh in my mind.

I remember how sweet Andy was. How he lit up the room with his pure, happy energy. How he flaunted a flamboyant look, all while not giving a shit what others thought about the way he acted or looked. I aspired to be like Andy.

I also remember singing in front of all the boys. I remember the complements.

I remember the way my heart raced.

But I also remember the way Chris brought me down from my anxiety attack that arose that night. He'd whisper in my ear that I "did good", and that "theres no reason to freak out" and that "i just needed to calm down", all while he played with my hair softly.

I dont know why I was freaked out about it so much- I mean I've done shows before.

I guess it was just because there were people I was actually trying to impress this go around.

Me and Chris got picked up by Andy in his car.

"Nice to see you guys again! How ya been?" Andy asked, as he pulled away from Chris and I's small apartment.

"Weve been good man. How about you?" Chris asked.

"I've been great! Weve got another gig coming up. Weve been wanting to do tours and stuff, but our manager said we gotta get bigger until we do. If not, well barely have anyone buying our tickets." Andy explained.

Chris reached forward, and patted Andy's shoulder. "You guys will get there. You're a Good songwriter, and the rest are pretty fucking good at playing."

Andy put his hand over Chris' for a second. Andy had on little fingerless gloves. I guess it was wrong to assume that he only dressed differently on stage. It wasnt a get up. It was just- Andy.  "Thank you Chris. That means a lot coming from you. Hey does Soundgarden have any gigs?"

"Nah. Not right now. But I'm sure we will soon."

"Has Eddie ever been to one of your shows?"

I shook my head. "I havnt been to any yet."

Chris patted my leg. "I cant wait till you go to a gig with me. You'll love it."

"I'm sure I will." I told him, with a smile.

Andy looked back at us, through the rearview mirror. "Did I ever tell you guys about how cute you are?"

Chris chuckled, and I honestly couldnt help but blush. "Many times."

"Good." Andy said, as he pulled up to the thrift store.

Me and Chris looked around, as Andy went off on his own to look.

"Guys look! Isn't this fucking cool?" Andy said, holding up a pair of leggings, with vertical black and white stripes.

"Yea man. You should get them." Chris said.

"Man, I might have to." Andy said. "Eddie, you like band shirts?"

"Yea, I've got a few." I told him.

"A few of mine." Chris added.

"What's your favorite band?"

I shrugged. "Probably The Who."

"Man you're in luck! They've got plenty of those. Here." Andy walked to a rack, and pulled out a very old vintage "The Who" shirt. It had the band on it, but it looked like a concert poster.

"Woah, I've never seen that one. That's an amazing shirt."

"I'll buy it for you." Andy told me.

"You dont have to do that." I told Andy.

"Yea Andy- I can pay for it. Its ok." Chris added.

"No no. I insist. It's my gift to Eddie. If you ever get a feeling that I dont like you, or that you dont belong in the friend group.. just look at the shirt, and remember that you do. You're our friend now. Our brother."

Andy held the shirt up in front of my torso, as if he was trying to imagine what it would look like on me. "Our Seattle brother." Andy gave me a big smile, before handing me the shirt.

I smiled back, and hugged him. I couldnt help it. "Thank you so much Andy."

I felt Andy's arms squeeze around my body, as he hugged me back. "No need to thank me. It's what friends are for."

"Hey Andy!" Chris called out, from across the store.

He must've walked off while me and Andy were hugging.

Chris was holding up this top hat, that had stars at the base, and red and white vertical stripes running up the sides. "You should get this man! And I'll pay for you this time."

Me and Andy made our way over to Chris. Chris put the hat on top of Andy's head, as Andy looked into a body length mirror. "This is sick! But you don't have to pay for it."

Chris put his arm around Andy's shoulders, as he looked in the mirror with him. "Its what friends are for."

Andy took the hat off, and looked at it more. "Ah, you got me there."

Andy hugged Chris. "And tell Jeff to keep his grubby hands off of your hat, or else we'll have to fight." Chris told him.

We all laughed. "Will do." Andy said.

We went and paid for our things, then Andy took us back home.

"It was really nice meeting you again Eddie. Hope you like your shirt." Andy said, as we got out of the car.

I smiled, and said, "I love it! Thank you so much Andy."

"Of course!" He exclaimed. "It was nice hanging with you again too Chris! Hey we should try and get a gig together sometime."

"Of course dude. Enjoy your funky hat." Chris joked.

"Always." Andy chuckled. "I'll see you guys some other time. Bye."

"Bye." Me and Chris said in unison, as Andy drove off.

"See, I told you he liked you." Chris said, as we walked inside.

"Yea. Hes so kind, I dont know how he does it. Like, does he ever get mad?" I asked.

Chris shook his head. "Never. Hes the sweetest man you'll meet. That's why I love him like a brother. Hes the older brother I never had."

"Its sweet. Your guy's bond is amazing."

"Thanks babe." Chris told me, as he kissed my lips. "Wanna watch a movie or something? Its supposed to storm all day and night."

I laughed. "Of course it is. But yea, a movie sounds good."

Chris turned on some random movie on the t.v. Some comedy.

I only watched half of it though, because I feel asleep in Chris's arms, as I listened to the sounds of the rain.