The Pool, Thursday Night

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

Andrew had heard that there was a pool in the basement, but, not being much of a swimmer, he had never really been to see it. So armed with a towel, some water wings, and a big pink styrofoam noodle, he embarked on a quest.

It was a short quest, as the way to the pool was pretty clearly marked, and he was pleasantly surprised to find the water warm upon dipping his toe into it.

Floating there was nice. He could almost convince himself it didn't feel like like the weight of the world was pressing firmly down on his shoulders. Plus, when he slapped his palms down on the water, it made a really cool plunking sound.

[ooc: the pool is open!]

Comments

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

"Can you take me back like three months and let me start over?" There was a slight desperate edge to the question.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Andrew," John said sadly. "I would if I could, buddy." He really meant it.

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

Andrew paddled his way over closer to John. "Am I making a mistake?" he asked.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"I don't know," he admitted, kicking his feet in the water. "You've gotta do what makes you happy and keeps you sane."

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

Andrew had no idea what would make him happy. He had a fear that it might be Liir, but he had pretty much destroyed that.

"Do you think he'll still talk to me?" He realized he was asking impossible questions, but John could be oddly reassuring.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Who wouldn't want to talk to you?" John asked, feeling very secure that Andrew was quite well liked. "He'd have to be an idiot to ignore you."

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

"But I'm pretty sure I hurt his feelings. He ran away, John. I made him run away." Andrew leaned forward and stuck his face in the water.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John frowned, trying to think of some advice to offer. "You could always apologize. Maybe he'd like to be friends still?" He knew it was lame, but it was the best he could come up with.

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

"You think he would?" Andrew asked, wanting that to be true. "I mean, I really like him." Could he just be friends?

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John wasn't one to talk about the just friends thing. "It's always possible. But if you really like him, why not go out casually?"

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

"I've thought about that," he admitted. "I just worry, you know. I get attached easily. And Liir, well, he hasn't dated anyone else. He might get attached, too. And that just wouldn't be fair to him, you know?"

It made sense to Andrew.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"What's wrong with getting attached to you?" John asked, not following.

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

"Karal said that Liir might just be showing interest in me because I was showing interest in him. He's had a rough past. If I hog all his attention, he wouldn't have a chance to, you know, learn what it is he really likes." Andrew ducked his head.

"I would be stunting him."

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John made a mental note to kick Karal. "If you like him and he likes you, I don't see what the trouble is. Has Karal told Liir his theory?"

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

Andrew shrugged. "And I really just don't think I'm ready for a serious relationship." He flinched, hearing the phrase come out of his mouth again.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Now that is the difference, Andrew," John pointed out. "You've gotta keep in mind what you want or nothing will work, right?"

[wannabe-pan.livejournal.com]

"I guess," he responded, completely unconvinced. "Sometimes this whole free will thing seems like racket."