Chapter 355: An ambush
Andrew stiffened up as the group turned as one and began to move towards him. He turned to look back at Maxwell, worried, but all he found was a man who looked amused.
"Andy, why on earth do you know them? Or should I say, why on earth do they know you?" Maxwell’s tone was casual, but a shiver of fear ran down his spine. He really didn’t want the man to think he’d been up to no good. That wasn’t where this came from.
The group was upon them before Andrew could fully explain himself.
"Dear lord! Did you get taller in the years we haven’t seen you? Jesus Christ! You’re a damn tree!" One of the girls exclaimed. She was a pretty thing, a giant diamond on her ring finger, a form fitting dress hugging her curves, and her face painted in a way that hadn’t changed since she had been in university. She’d once cried in Andy’s arms worried that everyone only thought she was vapid and cared about looks. She’d been going to school to major in math.
"Without glasses as well? Who the hell convinced you? You never wore contacts when we asked!" Another girl protested. She was blonde, wearing a nice dress as well, with a considerably less big diamond ring, but just as sparkly. Her lips were painted red, accenting her words. Andrew had given her some suppressants once when he caught her stumbling outside of a panic room the university had for omegas. Andrew later found out he’d saved her life.
"Uh, hello everyone." Andrew said, his eyes scanning the group that he had known when he was in university. The same group that had unintentionally or otherwise probably been the cause of the rumours about him in university. The rumours that Will had thought were true. Andrew turned, nervous, and reached for Maxwell. Maxwell, ever the gentleman, took Andrew’s hand and came to join him at his side. The rest of the group they had been chatting to stepped away, but were still listening in.
The group stared at Andrew, waiting for his words, his excuses, and Andrew felt his whole face get warm.
"I’m sorry I cut contact so suddenly." Andrew said first, muttering as embarrassment flooded him. "I was...going through a difficult time. I...I feel like you might know now, but my Mom had passed away and I just...well, I stumbled." Andrew admitted, feeling guilt wash over him.
"We know." The first girl said, and it only took a second for Andrew to remember her name. Fiona. He didn’t know her current last name, but he was sure he would find out. She was looking at him, her expression stern as she looked Andrew over. It made Andrew shiver, but he kept his composure.
"Andy, we were there when it happened. I supplied flowers for the funeral. Don’t you remember?" It was the second girl, the blonde, and Andrew sucked in. He slowly shook his head, meeting her gaze. Her eyes were wide in shock as Andrew remembered her name. Jess. She was a sweet girl. Her parents owned property that was related to gardening somehow. He couldn’t remember.
"I...I actually don’t remember much about the time after her passing, if I’m honest." Andrew told them. "It’s...a blur." Jess and Fiona stared at him, the others in the group softening as they heard that from Andrew’s own mouth.
"Oh Andy. You should have said something! We would have done anything to help you! Your Mom was such a sweet lady, and you were our friend! Was it just us, or did you-" Fiona asked, and it cut Andrew deep that he knew what she was going to say.