"I'm aware of what you are trying to accomplish Kevin." Andrew's tone unenthusiastic shot at Kevin who had his features frozen from shock and disbelief etched on his face. "And? You're going to act as if you don't care?" Andrew stared blankly at Kevin as if mocking the answer he was giving him.
"Yes." The silence shouted at Kevin who was barely holding onto his reasoning, wishing that he could launch himself at Andrew. 'If not for my mother I wouldn't even be bothering with this person.' He told himself, visibly calming down. "I don't care at this point whether this affects you or not because I know that you aren't the Andrew from twelve years ago. I am truly sorry for my actions as of late and for lashing out on Brittany."
Andrew still didn't bother on retorting but Kevin with a sigh let go of the matter as he made his way to his room. Andrew watched him, as with Kevin's departure was now replaced with Clara, her hands crossed over each other. "I understand that you could be mad at Kevin but could you at the very least try to show that you care Andrew? Please, we would all love to see a smile on your face."
Her words similar to Kevin were met with silence as Andrew droned over to the dishes, his motions quick as he cleaned away. "Andrew…" Clara tailed her, trying to read his emotion only to be met with a blank canvas of his visage. "I get it, you went under some rather difficult stuff but you have to move on. Your friendship with Kevin is on the line here and I don't want to see a beautiful relationship like this be torn apart because of silence."
Andrew turned to face her, his lips parting slightly. "The friendship you so wish to see flourish died twelve years ago with Trevor. Kevin knows this while you are the one I'm afraid whose afraid of change and accepting the truth in front of you Clara." There was no rush to his words, the air around him too calm as if masking a predator beneath.
Clara let out a sigh, her focus shifting to her hands which were balled. "If you wish to end your relationship with Kevin as friends, I understand but I urge you to be a bit more talkative around the house, it's not too much to ask." Andrew wiped his hands, his eyes yet to settle on Clara. "There's no need." That was all Clara heard as Andrew reached for his bag and began to study on the dining table.
The rain outside had began to die, Clara's focus however concentrated on Andrew. 'No need? Maybe I should be a bit more persistent with him.' A thought popped in her mind as she sat next to him, forcing him to put his books down. "Andrew, I know that you may have your reasons but you have to socialize with the people around you. That's part of the family experience and I feel like I'm depriving you of one when I see you stay silent all the time."
Andrew locked his eyes with hers, his half lid eyes meeting with her hazel nut eyes which now glimmered with concern. "I' perfectly fine Clara, I'm in no need of a family. As your request of having me talking, it would achieve nothing. I'm not your son nor do I lack any interest of being one. It would be best to put more focus on Kevin and Lara than with me. View me as nothing more than a stranger to you as the Andrew that you knew back then has long died."
The air grew taut, the sounds of crickets faintly chirping in the grass the only thing that graced Clara's ears. Clara's lips parted wishing to retort back and yet no words left her lips. Andrew ended the conversation, his focus diving back to his books while Clara was left to watch him read. Kevin who was peering from his room heard the entire conversation, mortified with what he heard.
. . .
"It's been five minutes and you haven't chatted about your stay over at Andrew's place. Impressive." Callahan teased as he savored his dinner with Brittany. The moment she came back, there was a shift in the air around her that he picked up on. "It would seem that you have finally take my words and finally practiced the art of restraint. Or is it something that Andrew may have told you?"
His question landing on Brittany's face which remained indecipherable. "You could say that. An enlightenment was certainly needed." Her words measured before she went back to her meal. "You'll be heading back to school tomorrow, I hope that you're ready."
His response was a nod from Brittany who after done with her meal excused herself. Now laying on her bedroom, she blankly stared at the ceiling, moments from the car surfacing. 'Greed. Are you sure this is what you want Andrew? Because if so then I'm unsure if I can stop even if I so wished.' Her legs dangling over the edge, the sound of her breathing the only thing she heard.
'As for you Charles, let's see just how tightly you can wrap your leash around Andrew.' A light chuckle leaving her lips as she stared at her hand. She made a fist with it before letting loose. The same that had touched Andrew countless times, be it his face, his blood or his flesh. 'Greed for survival, greed for victory, greed for…domination.'
. . .
"Are you okay Claire?" Andrew asked after classes were done, his contact with Claire dipping after Brittany had called for him. "I'm fine…" Claire replied softly, her tone meek as she looked down, distraught. Andrew watched her, his eyes scanning as if trying to understand her state of mortification before Eliot entered the scene. "Claire, Andrew." He sat next to Claire, arms wrapping around her figure.
"I hope you're doing fine." Eliot said, the death of Pauline still lingering in the air. The students around them didn't seem to share the same sentiment as they chatted away with smiles on their lips. "I know it's rough but I'm sure that we'll get through this with ease. I'm here for you if you need anything." Eliot went on with his consolations with Andrew once more looking out of place. "Hello Andrew, Claire and Eliot."
Brittany said, without warning taking a seat next to Andrew. "What do you want?" Eliot's face soured immediately. "I'm not here to joke about Pauline's death and after some introspection, I realized how cruel I was back then. That's why I'm seeking for an apology, from both of you."
Her words making Eliot raise a brow while Claire looked at Brittany. She didn't have the playful smile she was used to but rather a smile, simple and functional on her lips. "I'm glad that you understand the cruel nature of your words and I forgive you Brittany." Claire said immediately, Eliot however was a bit hesitant. His lips parted, meant to argue with Claire with how easy she forgave Brittany before giving in.
'It won't amount to anything if I bicker with her now.' His words came after a sigh. "I forgive you Brittany however I still think that your words were a bit too mean." He had expected her to throw her theatrics, for her to call him a child and yet she didn't. "I' glad to hear that the two of you are willing to forgive me. It's a shame that I missed her funeral."
Andrew sat unfazed with the apologies flying over him. "I was thinking that a simple apology wouldn't suffice thus I was thinking that we could be friends from now on." Her words were met with push back from Eliot. "I get it with you trying to make amends but don't think that we'll be friends with you because of this. That is a completely different topic."
Clara let out a sigh, her tone defeated as she scanned in Brittany's features. 'Is she actually being genuine with this or is this one of her games?' Her focus flickered to Andrew who glanced at her with his usual apathy. 'These two, nothing but a recipe for disaster.' Her guard for the two was at an all time high given the events of Pauline's death.
"Eliot, can you leave me with them? I want to have a small conversation with them." Eliot's eyes immediately narrowed, his tone skeptical. "Are you sure? Given Pauline, it's hard to say what will happen with these two. Especially her." Brittany looked at Eliot like a joke she had heard multiple times before, her smile shifting into the playful arc he was used to.
"Seriously Claire, don't buy into what they have to tell you. They're trying to get you while you're down." The two watched him, his erratic tone came off as odd to those around them. "I know better, after all don't you trust me?" Her words making the already standing Eliot ball his fists. "Fine." And with that he left, Brittany watching Eliot's departing figure and Andrew locked with Claire's eyes.
"I know the deal with you two but I have a question? We're you the ones behind Pauline's death?" Brittany cleared her throat, taking the initiative. "We weren't as much as you'd wish to believe. I know my words at the time don't help my case however we had nothing to do with it." Claire tried to take in Brittany's face, other than her smile, there wasn't much to it.
"I know the two of you are conspiring something, especially you Brittany. As much as I take your apology, hollow as it may be in your mind, I can't have you as my friend." Brittany didn't look bothered as her smile persisted. "As for you Andrew, I was wrong at the time for keeping it from you but since we're here I'll say it. I want to end our relationship as friends. Delete my number from your phone and never talk to me ever again."
There was a strand of bitterness in her words, Andrew similar to Brittany kept his face without change. "Understood." Claire let out a sigh, as if something weighing her down had been lifted off her chest. "With this being the last time I talk to the both of you, i say goodbye." Her words marked with a tone of finality as she rose and left the shade.
The two watched her figure disappear with Eliot who was waiting for her into the halls. "I was wondering when I would get your focus. All of it." She broke the silence, her figure tilting slightly to his. "It seems you took my words to heart." Her arms wrapped around his, the two another couple to those looking in.
"What can I say, as much as I love playing the jester, some changes are required for the show to go on. However I do have to urge you that all of this may be a bit too much for you." Her words followed with a chuckle. "I dare you." She let the silence settle between the two. "There are some people who aren't quite required. Their presence an eye sore."
She didn't say any further and he didn't ask. 'Let's see how you figure out who I'm talking about Andrew. Or maybe you have the ability to read minds.' Before he broke from her embrace, he said with the edge Brittany had expected. "When you plummet into your pit of insatiableness, make me fall for your fiction." His words now lingering in the air, a light sigh leaving her lips. 'I guess it wouldn't be that easy.'
. . .
Connor cupped his face, papers scattered haphazardly all over his desk and some spilling onto the floor. 'So far I haven't been able to make any progress with Maya gone.' A groan filling his office as he rose up and paced back and forth. 'What am I missing with Andrew? Brittany is a loose card that can spill something with her lips but with Claire ending her relationship with Andrew,it will be hard to get in touch with her.'
Just as he remained stumped with what to do next, his walkie talkie cut through the stale air. "Officer Connor, an accident of a rather interesting personnel has occurred."