Splinters: Part One

Part One | 16

I made my way towards the family room where Ursa was watching Friends and eating some popcorn. Slumping down next to her, I rubbed my eye.

"So."

She glanced at me and then looked back at the TV. "Yeah?"

I was silent for a moment, hoping she'd do something. When I realized she probably wouldn't, I just came out with it.

"What's up with you and Andrew?"

Ursanne jerked her head towards me. "What?"

"You and Andrew."

She popped a few popcorns in her mouth. "What about him?" she asked, a little too nonchalantly.

"You kept getting nervous when you were around him," I admitted.

Ursanne laughed half-heartedly. "I wasn't nervous."

I gave her a flat look.

"What?"

I shook my head and sat back, watching the show. I laughed when Chandler came running into the coffee shop and fell behind the couch. The friends began talking afterwards and I assume that's where Ursanne began to talk as well.

"Did he, um... you know... talk about me?" she asked quietly, playing with her fingers.

I frowned. "What?"

Ursanne swallowed and shrugged. "Well, I mean, he just..."

I raised my eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

Ursanne sighed. "Fine. I may have a tintsy wintsy little crush on him."

"Tintsy wintsy?" I repeated.

"Maybe?"

"Ursa-"

"I know he's with the in-crowd or whatever, but... he's just... I don't know." She hesitated and frowned, looking away. "It doesn't matter anyway. I mean, I'm in the year behind him. Why me, right?" she laughed half-heartedly.

Usually, I'd disagree. I'd tell her that she's wrong and that she'd be able to be with him, but I didn't want her to. It'd be weird. I didn't trust Andrew completely just yet either. He made his mistakes and after everything Zech's done to Ursa, I don't want Andrew to even hurt her in the slightest.

"He's, um... I don't think you're really his type," I admitted.

Ursanne's head jerked towards me. She looked hurt and my stomach fell. I was about to apologize, but she beat me to it.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right."

I was quiet, not sure if I should say anything, but I knew that my words hit something and I didn't want her mad at me. Not right now.

"Ursa, I didn't mean it like that."

She nodded. "It's fine. I agree."

I looked back at the TV and awkwardly sat for a few moments before getting up and going to my bedroom. I opened my window and sat on the roof.

I felt bad. I didn't mean to bring down Ursanne's hopes like that. I just really don't want her with Andrew. I don't want him doing things that he's done to me. He may not have done anything to me specifically, but he has helped out Zech and I had no doubt that Zech would try something on Ursanne.

...

Bzzz...

I stirred for a moment before opening my eyes. The digital clock on my nightstand read 8:02 a.m., but my phone next to it didn't seem to stop buzzing. When I picked it up, I slid the Answer button and held it to my ear.