Chapter 2
"I'm moving out."
Ted stared at her from across the polished mahogany table.
"What?" he said hoarsely.
It had been about six months since Andy had run away from home. She'd gotten to the point where she barely thought about the way that life used to be, and she was happier than she'd ever been.
After she'd had coffee with Ted, they'd stood outside the coffee shop awkwardly: she didn't have anywhere to go, and he knew it.
"Erm... I know that this might sound a bit weird, and I completely understand if you don't want to take me up on it, but if you like, you could stay at my place tonight. I know you don't have anywhere- I'm not trying to be weird or anything, I just thought-" He had started to ramble a little, worried that she was getting the wrong impression. She cut him off.
"I would really appreciate that," she said, smiling. Under any other circumstances, she wouldn't have accepted the offer, but her only other option was wandering the streets alone.
When they had arrived back at Ted's apartment, he'd made up the sofa as a bed for her, and grabbed her a dry t-shirt and a pair of joggers to sleep in.
"Thanks," she'd said sincerely.
"No problem," he'd grinned back.
Despite having a dry place to sleep and being exhausted, Andromeda hadn't been able to sleep on that first night. Thoughts of her family, and of the events of the night had swirled around her head. She'd still been awake at six when Ted had ventured out of his bedroom for breakfast and asked her how she'd slept.
"Really well, thanks," she'd lied.
Six months later, she was still staying at Ted's apartment: but now, she had no trouble sleeping. Ted had become her best friend, and he never seemed affected by the fact that he'd effectively gained a room mate. Andromeda did feel guilty though; she'd gotten a job as a waitress and tried to pay Ted rent for the living space. He always refused it, but she didn't stop trying.
Now, she'd finally saved up enough money that she could afford to get out from under his feet. She'd thought he'd be glad, but he looked genuinely upset.
"I said, I'm moving out, Ted. I've been saving up, and I can afford a place. Of course, it's not as nice as this, but I've got to stop leeching off you. And you can finally have your apartment back to yourself!" The smile that she offered him was overly bright. She loved living with Ted, and she didn't really want to move, but she felt like she was taking advantage of him.
Ted frowned.
"Why would you need to move out though? Don't you like living here?" he asked. She leant forward over the table.
"Of course I like living here Ted! I love it. But I can't depend on you forever. I'm just taking up your space."
"I like you taking up my space," he said. "I like spending time with you." Andromeda smiled.
"And I like spending time with you, Ted. But think about the future. When you get a girlfriend," she felt a strange ripple of jealously, but pushed it away, "will you really want me living here?" He stayed quiet for a second.
"I do think about the future. It just... well, you're always in it." He looked strangely vulnerable.
"Ted," she said quietly, "what are you trying to say?" He cleared his throat.
"Well, I suppose... Did you want to... erm..." He seemed to be struggling to get the words out, but Andromeda was pretty sure she knew what he was trying to say. She took a chance and leant further across the table. She pressed her lips against his, and felt him smile against her.
When she withdrew, they were both smiling.
"Does that answer your question?" she asked.
"I'd say it does," he said.