wild and running || a.b. (series on hold)

Chapter 22

I push away my haunting childhood as our professor walks into the classroom. I finish my work for all of my classes before the end of the day, and it's finally time for yoga. I need to stretch this soreness out. I walk into the room and I'm kindly greeted by Ben. He motions me to him. "Will you help with teaching class today? I'm really tired." He asks. "Um... Sure." I say and I move my mat beside his. Andy eventually arrives and makes a confused expression to me. I shrug my shoulders and then Ben begins class. It was kind of awkward teaching with him and him using me as an example. He's just really friendly and it sometimes makes me uncomfortable, but I would never tell him that. He held my ankle above me head and kept my hip down while showing the class how we should look by the end of the semester. I could tell that Andy really didn't like him touching on me... Maybe that will lead to interesting things later?

Class ends and Ben thanks me. Andy and I help him clean up and then leave the room. "What was that about?" Andy asks me as we walk to his car. "I don't know... He just asked me to help him. Do you want to come to my dorm this week?" I question. "I'm sorry, baby. I've got a lot of band stuff going on right now. Next week?" "Oh yeah, that's fine." I reply. I'd actually prefer to stay at his place. It's much nicer and way bigger. 

We arrive at his apartment and a few minutes later Jinxx, Jake, Ashley, and CC arrive. I sit on the couch as they talk about band stuff, and I listen attentively. Andy's phone rings and he smiles and pulls it out of his back pocket. He placed the phone on the counter and puts it on speaker. 

"Hello?" Andy's voice booms.

"Hey, Andy, it's Vance. I just wanted to let you know that the record label you signed up for wants you in California this weekend to record your next album."

"This weekend?" Andy questions.

"Yes. They said they'll only take you guys in this weekend." The Vance guy says.

"Alright. I'll call you back later." Andy says and then taps the red button on the bottom of the screen. He looks up at all of the boys then to me. "So we got it?" Ashley asks happily. "Yeah, we did." Andy replies while smiling and nodding his head. The boys begin to cheer and all hug each other. I smile at their excitement, but I'm kind of blown away by the whole situation. At least California isn't that far away... 

It just depends on how long he'll be there.

Andy turns to me on the couch and picks me up, and I squeal. He squeezes me tightly and then puts me down and plants a kiss on my forehead. I love seeing him like this. So happy and alive.

The boys discuss a plan and I sit in silence. So they're leaving on Thursday, and won't be back for a week and four days. Hey... That's not that bad. I cuddle with Crow while they discuss what each of them needs to have and all of the money fees and so on. The boys eventually leave and I congratulate each of them. Andy closes the door and sighs. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked him. "I was scared to. I'm sorry." He says. "It's okay." I mutter. "Will you be okay here for two weeks?" He asks. "Yeah." I reply shortly. "I'm sorry I have to leave." He says. "Stop apologizing. This is for your band, Andy. This is an amazing opportunity. Don't let me get in your way." I say as he stands looking at me. "Come here." He says while holding his arms open. I get off the couch and walk into his welcoming embrace. "Thank you for being supportive." He says. "You don't need to thank me." I say shaking my head. "Yes, I do." He says and caresses my back sweetly. "Is this your first album?" I ask him. "Well... We've recorded a few songs with a shitty studio. So I guess this is our official first one?" He says. "Oh. That's nice." I say.

I pull from his hold and grab my phone on the table. "I'm gonna call Marie." I say. "Oh... Alright." He says kind of sadly and sits down on the couch. I walk out of the apartment and sit outside. I dial her number and the phone rings a few rings, "Hello." Her voice says almost emotionally through the phone. "How are you?" I ask her. "I feel like I'm doing better on my own." She replies. She's always been one that needs time to herself to heal.

 "That's good. That's good. Has your mother come to visit?"

"She's coming later tonight."

"That's good." I repeat. Julia feels the most support from her mother.

"It's all just good..." She says sadly.

"It's will be soon. Have hope. Even if it's the tiniest bit, hold on to it. You know I'm always here, so call me if you ever need, okay?"

"Okay."

"I love you so much, Marie."

"I love you too, Ivory."

I ended the call and sat outside for a little while longer and enjoyed the nice fall breeze. I listened to the leaves rustle against each other and watched  the trees sway as the wind blew. I took a deep breath. Everything will be okay. Everything will be fine. 

I get up and go back inside to spend some more time with Andy before he leaves in just a few short days.