"Hey guys," Andrea approached Daria and Jane at their lockers between classes. They both gave acknowledging looks to her. "Has anything- you know, happened- with Charles, I mean?"
The girl was clearly worried about Charles. Looked like she must have been up most of the night.
"His dad didn't come by or anything," Jane spoke in low tones. Andrea nodded still looking worried.
"We're going to protect him," Jane tried to reassure the young woman.
"Yeah," Daria added, "Trent has us going and coming in pairs so that no one is alone-"
"And Jesse is filling in as a kind of bodyguard. The whole band is helping. Mister blueblood wouldn't dare start a scandal lest he tarnish his good name." Jane stated angrily.
"You need to be careful too." Daria thought. "We're all in the same house but you're not……"
The girls all exchanged concerned looks.
"I know how to take care of myself." Andrea assured them. "Besides," she opened her large purse for them to peer inside, "he's in for a SHOCK if he tries anything." They all nodded in agreement.
"Be really careful," Jane cautioned Andrea, "You have to be able to get to it in order to use it."
He's been avoiding me anyway so I probably don't even have to worry about his dad.
"I know." Andrea agreed. The bell rang and they headed to their respective classes.
Charles opened his locker and the piece of paper with a note on it fell to the floor. He picked it up and turned it so that he could read it. A quick glance at the bottom confirmed that it was from Andrea.
Charles,
I don't know why, but you've been avoiding me. I'm only concerned about you and want to make sure that you're OK. I'm glad that you're safe with the Lanes. I miss those conversations we had. I know that you have other things going on so, I'll back off, since I seem to be crowding you. If you ever need anything, I'm here.
. Andrea
He stared at the note for a long moment.
Smooth move Charles, shut out someone who's been nothing but kind to you…..
He folded the note up and put it in his pocket, retrieved the books needed from his locker, and made his way down the hall to his classes.
Later…..
"Andrea?" Charles approached the young woman that was headed out the doors at the end of the school day. She turned to him clearly surprised. They moved out of the flow of students hurrying to leave. "I got your note. You're other not crowding me." He looked down and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, then looked back at her. "I didn't want you to see……." He looked away again. "That stuff with my dad- I didn't want anyone to know, but" he looked at her again, I especially didn't want you to know."
Andrea blinked a few times then took a step closer to Charles.
"You NEVER have to be embarrassed for something that's not your fault." She took his hand in hers and they walked out together.