Ill Appearances

Chapter 11: Carmen

I woke up in Andy's arms. We were in the back seat of his car, and he was snoring lightly. I studied his face as he slept. I couldn't help but admire his handsome features. "If only I didn't like you so much," I murmured. I rested my head on his shoulder. "Then...then I'd be able to let you go. And...you wouldn't have to deal with me..."

Suddenly, Andy's grip on my waist tightened. "Don't say things like that," he said, his voice husky. "You're not a burden..."

I gasped, but by then he'd already dozed off again. Despite me desperately trying to stop it, a small smile crept onto my face. "I'll say it someday," I whispered. "Wait for me, okay?" I snuggled deeper into Andy's embrace, then went to sleep again. The next time I woke up, there was light was streaming in through the windows.

Andy chuckled. "Good morning."

I blushed. "Morning..." I yawned, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. "What time is it?"

"Six forty in the morning," he replied. "I'm thinking I should probably get you home."

I groaned. "My dad's gonna kill me..." As if things couldn't get worse, my stomach growled right at that moment.

Andy smirked. "Seems like your stomach is gonna kill you too."

My cheeks reddened again. "You don't have to point it out."

"Let's get something to eat, then. My treat."

I smiled. "Free food always sounds good to me."

Andy's eyes seemed to wander over me. "I'm glad you're feeling like yourself again," he breathed.

I couldn't help but reach up to cup his face in my hands, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. "It was all thanks to you."

His eyes widened as a blush spread across his cheeks.

I giggled, but as soon as I opened my mouth to tease him, I yelped.

He'd placed his hands on my waist and pulled me closer so that I was straddling him. "You really shouldn't do these things to yourself," he said, smirking at my surprise. "I may have never had an 'official' girlfriend, but I'm not inexperienced."

I blushed, then immediately tried to cover it up with a sly smile. "Really? That seems hard to believe since you were so awkward around me before..."

Andy shut his eyes tightly. "You...you really know how to get under my skin," he breathed. "But...as good as this feels right now, I really need to take you home."

I pouted, moving to sit next to him. "What about breakfast?"

He still didn't open his eyes. "Maybe some other time. I wanted to go see how my mom and Lou are doing."

"Why don't you take me with you?"

He leaned forward, putting his face in his hands. "I'm trying my best to make sure that you don't have to go through the hell I put you through last night again," he grumbled. "I just want you to go home and rest, yet you insist on staying with me." He looked up at me, an amused look on his face. "What happened to you not even wanting to look at me?"

I frowned. "That's what you're worried about right now...?"

Andy sighed. "Call your parents and tell them you're alright," he said. "I managed to get a text to your brother on your phone last night, but just in case you should call."

I grinned. "You won't regret this."

About twenty minutes later, we arrived at a small diner.

"You ever been here before?" Andy asked.