Lost And Found

Chapter 27: My Rock, My Anchor, My Love

Drew:

A soft breeze comes by, the hairs on the back of my neck picking up. The sun was up high, casting over the people below. I was particularly happy today, my mood up from yesterday. My hand was intertwined with Andromeda's, my arm oever the back of her neck, resting on her shoulder. Her head was leaned back, laughing at something one of our other friends probably said.

Today was her redo-over birthday, because yesterday we had to get settled in, me ruining it because I was angry. But, today, I promised her I wouldn't do anything to destroy it.

"So, where do we all want to eat?" Asks Wells, his hands in his pockets as we all stop in the middle of the sidewalk. We look at each other, a silent conversation going on, and then, simply, it ends.

"Why don't we ask your girlfriend, Grayson? She does know the city better then the rest of us, after all." Suggests Samantha, the rest of group agreeing with her -- except Andromeda and I.

I down at her, my puppy dog face on. I knew this was tough for her, being back and all, she even fought be this morning, telling me she'd give me fifty bucks to leave her alone. It took everything I had, I'm also pretty sure she bite me on the arm.

She sighs. "Fine... But, if I see anyone I know, you guys tell them you don't know anyone named Andromeda. Got it?"

In unison, we all nod. "Got it?"

Squeezing her hand tighter I lean down kissing her forehead. "And, what shall we call you?"

"Hmm... Sophia?"

I smile at her, the girls all nodding their heads in agreement. "Well, I think we've come to an agreement. Now, Sophia, will you lead the way?"

"Yes. Okay, so I think there's a good Chinese restaurant, just two blocks down from here. But, there is a catch, were going to have to turn the corner down from here and then we can circle up and around to get there. Sound good?"  She explains, holding her hands out, letting go of mine.

I was going to have to ask her about the whole 'going up and around' thing later, but for now, I'm starving and Chinese doesn't sound bad at this particular moment. Instead, I give her a quick peck on the check, hoping that would tell I agreed, and thankfully she did, giving me a smile. I tried to return, but I couldn't, and as we took the long way around to get to the restaurant, all I could think about was her. One small question floating around in my head, that was probably going to stick there until I asked it.

What is she hiding?

***

"Hey, I just had a thought, wouldn't Andromeda be graduating this year?" Asks Clarke with a full mouth, his words getting muffled behind all the food he had shoved in there.

I look over at Andromeda, her eyes in seconds were looking into mine and I feel the guilt building up inside of me. This was just another thing I had took away from her. If I hadn't asked her to come with me, travel a two day trip on an airplane she would still be here, with her mother, brother, stepfather. She'd be with her family. She'd be going to highschool like a normal teenager, not sleeping in a tent, and living in the wilderness like an animal.

I was reason why Sally had disowned her, kicked her out and told her to never come back. I was the reason why she wouldn't be going to school. All she's wanted is to be normal, and I took that away from her. Maybe Sally was right, I was just a "dyed" dumb blonde. I'm being selfish, keeping her all to myself, not sharing. But, then, there's this little voice in the back of my head, telling me it's okay to be a little selfish.

Looking away quickly, I push my plate away from me, suddenly losing my appetite. I knew why I was being selfish. Why my mood was all up and down around her. Because, I couldn't let it happen. I'm falling, and I don't know to stop it, because if I don't, she could end up hurt. And I didn't want that to happen.