Chapter 22: Can Guys and Girls Just Be Friends?

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Andie chewed on her knuckle as she walked down the hallway.

Three hours ago, she had stormed into the mansion and locked herself in the bathroom claiming that she had to take a shower. She spent that time smoothing out her rumpled emotions and masticating her hair. Before her shower time it had just curled under her chin. Now it stuck out of the top of her head. That's what happened when she got angry - she had to destroy or change something, and seeing that she could destroy nothing, she went for her hair.


She passed a mirror in the hall and her reflection caught her attention. Swollen skin surrounded her blue eyes and her pink lips drooped at the corners. Now that she had calmed down she decided that she really did not like her hair that short, she looked more like a guy. She grimaced but she could not go back now. A heavy sigh rushed out of her mouth and she turned from the mirror, trudging on to her destination. When she got there, she glanced around and then knocked on the wooden door.


Anthony pulled it open and his eyes bugged. "What did you do to yourself?" He asked. "It looked like you took an edger to your head."


Andie crossed her arms. "I was distraught, would you like me to go distraught on you?"


Anthony grabbed his curls and backed away. "That's really okay."


She rubbed her nose and put a hand to her head self-consciously. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for what I did in the Mall today. I used you for my own selfish gain, and I was wrong."


"Feel free to use me any time you want," Anthony said grinning.


Andie punched him in the arm. "I'm trying to be serious here, Anthony Schamaluffel."

But she smiled anyway.

It felt good to do so, no use in crying over Asher anymore.

He had rejected her.

She had no big brother.

"Oh, and thanks for coming to my rescue with Sterling. I could have taken him, but it was sweet anyway."


"So," Anthony said leaning closer. "Do you wanna use me right now?'


Andie rolled her eyes and gave him a little shove. "Don't push your luck buster, you got my first kiss, so be happy with that . . . " She put a hand to her mouth trying to stop the words that had already come out. How could she have had reveled something so personal about herself? They had shared a kiss, but still, she really did not even know him.


"Huh," Anthony said, his lips curving into a smile. "Not bad for a first-timer."


"I'm gonna let that one fly tonight because you stood up for me today, but you might not be so lucky next time." Andie replied. She turned to leave, but then she looked back. "Not bad?"


Anthony laughed, shook his head, and shut his door.

Andie stood in the hallway for a moment.

Nice guy?

Jerk?

Come on Andie, she said to herself.

He's got a kid.

That should be a red flag yelling for you to stay away.

But still, he who has no sin cast the first stone. How 'bout his crude remark when he first met you, huh? Enjoying the new scenery, wasn't that what he said? Andie started walking down the hallway to the stairs, and her mind continued to argue with her. He did stick up for you at the mall today. However, he left you hanging in the hallway just now even though you asked him a question. Okay Andie, stop being an emotional girl. Emotions only get you hurt.

Be his friend.

You're friends with Max, and if you can be friends with Max you can be friends with any guy. Guys and girls can be friends, right?