Here's My Kiss to Betray - An Andley Story.

Four. - I Mean It.

[ This Chapter's Point of View ; First Person Omniscient. ]

"I'm not convinced. Tell me what the matter is, now, please," Andrew continued, tilting his head to the right slightly. Ashley nodded, letting out a small sigh.
"I didn't want to be a bother at practice, and I knew I would've been if I'd've said anything," his face was flushed white. "Andy, I'm having financial troubles. I can scarcely keep my apartment payment, my landlord is always bitching at me to pay my rent when I can't. I pay all of my other bills wholly, but this one is just- too much. I was so afraid of you wanting me to leave the band.. if I didn't have a place to stay," Ashley managed to push out his words, his voice almost hoarse. There were grey circles underneath his eyes, he looked so worn; tired. Andy got up from his chair, motioning for Ash to stand up. He walked to the opposite side of the table, embracing his best friend tightly, a few seconds later Ash hugged back weakly.
"You look ghastly threadbare.. Have you been sleeping" Andy asked, looking down into his eyes.
"I've been trying, believe me. I've been spending my time looking for jobs on the internet at night instead. I'm so afraid you'll make me leave," he sighed softly. "Andy, I'm so sorry that I'm a burden." Andrew shook his head.
"You are no burden, and I would never ask you to leave the band Ashley.. Under no insufferable circumstances. I also wouldn't let you live on the street, either. I have an idea," he smiles slightly, the left corner his mouth raising.
"How about we buy a house, together? I'll pitch in a bit more than you, but you'll have a place to stay permanently." Ashley bit his lip whilst smiling.
"You mean it?"
"I mean it." Ashley hugged Andy tightly, smiling, then letting go.
"Thank you so much, Andy," he nodded.
"I've actually been driving past this house on the way here, it's small, but it looks utilitarian, and it's for sale. I have a picture of it, would you like to see?" Andy asked Ashley, as he nodded quickly. He slid his phone out his pocket, sliding through his camera roll carefully, tapping the correct picture. He held the phone angled towards Ash's face, revealing a small white cottage house with pale blue shutters and porch, the shingles on the roof a slightly weathered gray. Ashley smiled softly.
"That's really nice, I like it."
"As do I, I will call the realtor for a tour as of, four-thirty?" he asked, placing his phone back into his pocket, grabbing the large black bag, placing the binder inside of it, resting it on his shoulder, straightening his shoulders. Ashley nodded.
"Arrive punctually, Mr. Purdy," he chuckled as he waved slightly with his index and middle fingers, turning around, walking along the halls and the main corridor, out of the door.
"Okay, Mr. Vocabulary," he said under his breath, laughing slightly before walking to his car and sitting in his car, body half in, half out, his leg hanging out of the car door. He gazed toward Andy's usual parking space, smiling slightly and his good deed. He then drove home happily, getting into his bed, falling into a deep, commodious dormancy.