4 | ANDRE

The day was finally done and I felt quite fulfilled. Mr. Davison told me that I did a good job with my research and I was feeling the lawyer vibes already. The workload wasn't as much and having short conversations with Flynn and Maryanne when we had nothing to do was fun.

Packing my stuff, I put on my bag pack and stood up before carrying a bottle of water that I was drinking earlier. I turned and saw that Flynn was still typing in some things in his laptop while Maryanne's seat was vacant. Since I was done, I decided to walk over and say my farewells. 

"Still busy?" I asked as I stood next to him.

He leaned back into his chair and stretched his arms over his head. "Sort of. I just have to finish this and I'm done for the day."

"Is it always this busy?"

"Not usually. It mostly depends on who your supervisor is. Mine has a case coming up and I'm doing my best to help out."

"Lucky you. I can't wait to witness a court case in real life."

"You definitely will before you leave." He looked over his shoulder at me and his blue eyes twinkled with mischief. "You're already done right?" I nodded and he continued, "Why don't we go out? Just to celebrate you landing the internship."

I hummed. "I can't. I'm staying with relatives and I prefer getting home before them."

"You don't want them to hear you masturbate?"

I chuckled. "I'm not that pent up. There's also someone who's gotten my attention."

He grinned. "Scandalous. Who's the cupcake?"

I put my finger in front of my mouth. "It's a secret."

He pouted. "I thought that you were more open with me."

"You don't see me asking about your personal issues."

"I'm happy to share if you're that interested."

"Exactly why I don't ask. I'm not interested, Flynn."

"How cruel."

"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow. Don't get an STI."

"Andy!" He yelled and I laughed before walking out of the place.

I greeted the other employees on my way out and while I was here, I planned to make as many connections as I could. I quickly walked to the bus station as I waited for my bus to arrive.

Later, I got off on my stop and began my walk to the Young's house. Nodding my head along to the music playing in my headsets, I slowed down my pace as I enjoyed the evening breeze. The sun was just setting and the sky looked immaculate. 

I stopped my walk when I noticed Henry seated on a swing at the park. He was still in his school uniform while his bag hanged on his back so, I figured that he made a stop here before he could go home.

He was swinging back and forth slowly as he kept his gaze on the ground. I knew that he practically hated me. I knew that he didn't want me to talk to him. But I also knew that place and I had an idea of why he was there. 

Remembering what his parents told me made me fail to leave him alone. Letting out a breath, I began to walk towards him. I sat on the swing next to him and I looked at my phone before turning off the music.

"How was your day?" I asked as I took off my headsets and packed it in the pocket of my coat together with my phone. 

"What do you want?"

"I want to know how your day went."

"If I tell you how it went, will you leave?"

I hummed. "It depends on my satisfaction."

"My day was shit," he answered, keeping his eyes down. "Some annoying assholes came to recruit members for their club in my class. One of them kept trying to get me to join but I have no interest in clubs. Especially those where we have to interact too much."

"Wouldn't it be fun if you had more friends?"

"How bothersome. You're starting to sound like my dad."

"Sorry. So, what else happened?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't."

He hesitated. "We had a surprise chemistry quiz but it was something that I went through last night so, I expect an A."

I smiled at him. "I'm proud. If you do, we should celebrate it."

"It's just a grade. There's no need to get excited about it."

"I think that it's cool to celebrate grades. I'll be looking forward to hearing your results."

"Weirdo."

I looked around us. "Nathan loved coming here, didn't he?"

He was silent for a moment before asking, "How did you know that?"

"I told you, your brother was my best friend. This was his happy place for a really long time. I can almost imagine him sitting here until the sun fully sets."

"He was the coolest."

I looked at Henry. From the time that I sat here, he hasn't risen his gaze. "I miss him too. I'm still regretting not being able to go to his funeral back then. There were plenty of things that I wanted to say to him."

"Didn't you move? Why are you behaving like you care so much?"

"You don't need to be physically there to be cared for. Besides, Nate and I talked every Saturday morning on video calls."

He hummed. "I always wondered who he was talking to."

"You should've asked. It would have made our reunion much easier."

"I don't care about his friends though," he said nonchalantly and I smiled tightly at that 

"Figures. Can I be your friend though?"

"I'm not a child."

"I didn't say that you were."

"And I don't like you."

"I heard you the first couple of times."

He sighed. "Just give up. I bet that Mom and Dad have already told you about me."

"They did, but they didn't say anything bad."

"They probably did." He smiled sadly. "They think I'm a bother."

"That can't be true. Your parents care about you."

He clicked his tongue in annoyance and stood up without looking at me. Before he could take a step away, I got out of the swing and grabbed his wrist. He turned to look up at me and unlike the angry look that his eyes usually held, this time his eyes were filled with sadness. 

We stared at each other for a while and I was surprised that he could pull a face like that. Despite the angry and usually nonchalant attitude he had all the time, he was hurting inside. I didn't know what to do to make him feel better but I wanted to do something. 

Without thinking, I pulled him into my arms and gave him a soft hug. Henry went rigid against me and I could feel his heartbeat racing. He didn't return my hug but stood awkwardly as if waiting for me to let go. Slowly letting go of him, I kept my hands on his shoulders as I looked at his face.

His eyes were slightly red and puffy, showing that he might've been crying before I arrived. They were also glossy from the tears that he was obviously trying to hold in and I knew that I shouldn't, but he looked so cute at that moment.

"Adorable," I thought as I reached out and ruffled up his hair affectionately.

Suddenly, Henry's face flushed and I was taken aback. He dropped his gaze and bit his lower lip in thought before pushing my hands away.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He asked angrily as he tried to hide his blush with his hand.

I slipped my hands into my pockets. "You looked like you were about to cry so, I couldn't help myself." 

"Don't go hugging me like that. I don't even know you, fucking pervert!"

My eyes widened in surprise. "Hey, I thought that I'd comfort you."

"I don't need comfort from anyone. Especially you! Fuck you! Die!" He yelled and ran off, leaving a dumbfounded me watching him ran away.

What just happened?

~

After staying on the swings to give Henry time to cool down, I began my walk home. I was still trying to figure out what had just happened but the pieces were taking their sweet time to come together.

Reaching the front door, I held the handle and let out a nervous breath. I had no idea of what was waiting for me on the other side but I was sure that I'd be ignored or insulted when seen. 

I laughed sadly. Nobody has ever treated me with insults like this.

I opened the door and walked in. As expected, Mr. and Mrs. Young weren't around and Henry was probably in his room. Ever since I moved in, I realised that he barely left his room and I figured that it was probably to avoid having to interact with me.

Or maybe he was like this before I came and just hated being disturbed.

I walked up to my room and glanced at Henry's door that had a white and black "Go away!" sign with a skull emoji at the end. The dude really valued his personal space.

Entering my room, I closed the door behind me and put my bag on the table next to the door. I quickly undressed and went to take a shower. After I was done, I was back in my room preparing for the evening. I had some research to do later and I figured that I'd watch TV instead.

Opening the jewelry box in the top compartment of the set of drawers next to my bed, I pulled out a silver lip ring and put it on. Walking to the mirror, I ruffled my hair up and grinned at the destruction in front of me. The shirt that I wore didn't hide my tattoo and I felt pretty proud of myself.

Despite having a good day at work and loving my course, the dress code was a pain in the neck. I hated having my hair all neatly combed back, looking like some library geek. Well, I was a library geek but I didn't like looking like one.

I left my room and went into the kitchen to get a bag of salt and vinegar chips before walking in the living room. I paused when I found Henry inside as well. He was seated on the floor in grey sweatpants and a black hoodie as he solved some math equations.

"We keep bumping into each other," I said as I sat on the couch and looked at the action movie that was playing on the screen.

"Unfortunately," he answered with a sigh.

"You're not going to run off to your room?" I teased and he looked over his shoulder to glare at me.

"This is my home, remember? Don't think that I'm afraid of you."

I chuckled. "If that's the case then I'm glad."

He looked at me for a moment before turning his gaze back on his books. "What happened to looking like an adult?"

I rose a brow in confusion. "What do you mean?" 

"You were looking all grownup in a suit but now you're back to looking like some street side punk."

I threw my head back and laughed at that. "Is that how you see me?"

"I'm studying so keep your voice down," he mumbled.

"Anything for you."

I noticed his ears turn red. "Stupid Andre." 

What progress. He finally said my name.