Fearless

Angel...or nah.

Red

"That's an interesting way to look at it." Eric said.

"Right? Andy thinks so too. Except the term he uses for it is...how'd you put it Andy? Oh yeah. Revolting." I said. Eric chuckled.

We were talking about some of my crazy Earth stories, and Eric seemed to be genuinely enamoured by them. He told me that even though he'd read a lot of Earthling books, and tried to keep up with our popular media, it certainly wasn't the same as being there in person . His fascination and curiosity about Earth was definitely a plus point for me, considering I lived there for all sixteen years of my life. I tried to answer his queries in all seriousness, without getting distracted by his smile.

But Andy ruined the mood by being all fidgety and distracted, and acting strangely protective of me. Even when I teased and taunted him,  I didn't get the response I was looking for.

The dining hall? Nah. More like the ballroom. Round tables were evenly spread out around the hall, twelve chairs around each table. At the centre of the hall was the buffet.There were labels stating if it was vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, scales-free(not sure what that's about) and I'm pretty sure I spotted at least eight different kinds of desserts. Now this, I could get used to.

Eric was kind enough to help us fill up our plates(couldn't bring myself to ask about the scales) and we found ourselves a table. Again, Andy tried to make his efforts to sit between us seem like pure coincidence.

This. Had. To. Stop.

So when Eric got up to use the restroom, I pounced on the opportunity.

"Okay, what the hell is going on? Why are you acting like that?"

"Like what?"

"Andy." I raised my eyebrows.

"Right.... that. There's something about Eric you should know. Try not to freak out though."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look..Eric..he-"

"Red. There you are." A familiar exceedingly cheerful voice interrupted our conversation.

Tim and Leslie made their way toward us. Andy sighed at being interrupted. Well, he should've just come out and said what he wanted to say right then. It was his fault, all that stuttering and hesitating.

"Join us?" I smiled. The top-secret Eric scoop would have to wait.

"You sure? Is your friend alright with it?" Tim asked.

"My frie- Oh. You mean Andy? Yeah, he doesn't mind."

"You don't?" Tim looked at Andy.

"Uh..yeah. Okay." Andy said, giving them the most fake half-smile I've ever seen in the history of fake half-smiles.

"Are you...sure?" Tim didn't seem convinced by his terrible acting, obviously. "We'll see you guys later if you'd like."

Andy blinked. He must have realised how rude he was being, even if unintentionally. " No, it's fine. I'd love for you to join us. Really"

"Okay..." Tim said as she and Leslie sat down beside me.

"I'm sorry if I seemed a little..."

"Douche-y?" I offered.

"That's not a word. I was about to say off. Sorry if I seemed a little off. I was..thinking about stuff." Andy said.

"Stuff? Oh yes, the stuff. " I said, earning a glare from him.