"I'm aware of the choice that I'm making Andrew and don't bother making me change my mind about this." Her tone expression her exhaustion of both he situation and the fatigue she had been plagued with ever since her conception.
If losing her emotions was what it took to break through it then it was what she was going to do. "If you say so Cassie however for your transformation, it will require time." She raised her figure out of her chair she was leaning onto.
"I hope that you aren't stalling for time, hoping or urging me to change my mind about this." A tinge of anger could be felt laced in her tone. "No, it will take me some time to get it all done but I'm just making sure that you're fully content with the choices that you make."
"Life is as you had said Andrew, nothing short of sliding motions with glitz and glamour sprinkled here and there to help distract one from the dreariness of it all. Just give me an example as to what a person who was in love with me would treat me. After all the choice is in my hands after all."
Andrew broke his direct contact with her, taking a look at the two girls who were oblivious as to what was unfolding before looking back at Cassie. "I'm aware of what you're trying to do Cassie and I'll go with your muse." Cassie who was expecting more pushback with Andrew was startled that he agreed.
"Really?" Her demeanor perked up. "Thanks." A small smile forming on her face as her eyes glimmered and shone, a stark contrast to his dead black eyes that were reflected onto her. "Worry not, it'll all be okay." Without any form of warning, she lunged at him before exchanging a hug which he reciprocated.
The once cold and stiff air had now melted into the easygoing and casual air that was before. "It's just like you said, I can make of this relationship as I wish and I want you to be my lover." A faint whisper ran through his ears as the two were still engrossed in their hug.
The two broke from each other's embrace. "If that is what you wish for and I'll see to it that you live unbothered in your world."
Their arms together, linked with their fingers however the beautiful scene from afar was brought to a close with the two girls.
"Oh! What's this? And here I thought that the two of you were nothing but friends." Diana teased however Juliette wasn't as fond.
Their bodies were drenched in saltwater to which Andrew handed them towels to wipe it off and donned more appropriate clothing given the day was coming to a close.
The sun lowering ever so slowly to the horizon, leaving a streak of orange and red hue in it's wake.
"It's such a beautiful moment to not take a picture." Diana proposed to which the four of them took selfies thanks to Diana. The sight of the four of them with the mesmerizing sight of the sun taking a dip into the horizon and the smiles on their faces was truly one to remember.
"Those should be enough." Diana urged to which Cassie urged to see. Juliette simply asked for Diana to have the photos sent to her. Andrew already aware of what they looked took the initiative and packed up.
The sight of people clearing the beach was evident in herds and in a matter of minutes, it was done.
"Hey Andrew, I have something important to tell you." Juliette mused as she added on.
"Sure, I'm sure that you won't mind a stroll." And with that, the two took a small stroll not far from where the others were. Juliette lost her warm and easygoing attitude around her.
"Andrew, I just want to make sure about something. We both know about your condition and it's perculiarity. I don't think that you should be engaged in any serious relationships for the time being." Andrew already knew that she would tell him this. "Then what about true love ? What about the friendship I have for you and the rest."
"Andrew! I know that you're smarter than this and we both know damn well that it's an act you have going on. Thus any complicated relationships you may have with Cassie is something you have to bring an end to and fast. You two can be friends but don't take it to a league that none of you are ready to do so."
Similar to an elder bestowing knowledge to the younger generation, her tone came off with a bit of condenscendance however the intent was beneficial in her eyes. "Juliette, the choice is in her hands similar to Diana. You can view me as whatever you'd like and I'll be whatever you wish."
"As for the message that you'll preach to me about having my own decisions, is it not within our human nature that we wish to protect for someone we care about." Juliette fell silent, her eyes trying to peer through Andrew's mind as if to decipher what was going through it.
In the end, she could only admit defeat. "If it's caring and protecting them then it's fine. Just don't take it to a place that will leave any of them with regret." The other two ladies caught up to them and the four of them hopped in the van.
"You wouldn't happen to know any good places I could move to, Diana?" Cassie asked as her and Andrew were relatively close at the back. Diana at the front next to Juliette who was driving the van. "The condo that we're at have a lot of empty rooms or if not you can crash with us if you'd like."
"Thanks Diana but I'm into more secluded places. Like villas and all that though I do appreciate your effort." Juliette gave a light hum as she glanced at the rear view mirror. The sight of the pair interlocked arms, Cassie's head resting on his shoulder revelling in the moment.
"A villa? Isn't that way too expensive or do you have some fortune that we aren't aware of. If so then you have to treat all of us." Diana mused, her hand resting on the window frame which supported her head. She too had looked back and saw the scene Juliette had.
"Andrew, I think I'll drop you off first given you need time to rest for tomorrow. I wish I could come and watch but Pascal needs me at the clinic." Juliette's voice coming off as slightly cold. "Oh don't tell me that you're actually jealous of them Juliette."
Diana teased as the the van started to pick us speed and soon enough, they were on the highway. "What? Absolutely not, it's just that Cassie should know that what Andrew has is pure imitation, not genuine feelings."
The air in the van became dead silent and thick. It was clear that she had some form of disapproval with the sight of the two of them. "Oh come on Juliette, you don't have to rain on their parade. Is it wrong for friends to comfort each other? Besides it's not like they're strangers to each other or anything."
Diana posed as she looked at Juliette, noting how tense she held the steering wheel, her eyes dead locked onto the road. 'It's clear that she isn't all that thrilled with the pair together but did she have to lash out so aggressively?' She gave out a light sigh.
"I'm... sorry you two... I don't know what came over me." Her filled with genuine sincerity however the mood had been greatly veered from it's original state and now descended into an awkward silence that refused to leave regardless of how much Diana tried to reinvigorate the mood.
"We're here Andrew. Again I'm sorry for blurting out like that." Juliette apologized once more with her figure still in the driver's seat. By now it was already dark with lights from the overall neighborhood lighting up the place. "It's fine Juliette, I can tell that you were blinded by something incomprehensible."
"Well goodnight ladies." He mused as he made a few steps back, waving them all off as they did the same. As the sound of the van could be heard speed away, Andrew made his way home to find his mother who was done with supper.
"I hope your stay over at your friends was swell." He gave a light kiss on her forehead. "It was, but I'm exhausted." She beamed a warm smile. "Well I hope you're hungry because I cooked your favorite dish." Right in front of him was a deep rich beef stew and on the side white rice and some lettuce.
A meal that he enjoyed when he was twelve years old. From there, he had grown a general apathy for what he was served lying of course how good it was given the fact that it was all the same to him. What his brain and his body told him were two messages.
His body concluding how banal it all was however his mind telling him the flavours that he was meant to experience, the texture and the sweetness of it all.
The same applied when it came to those around him. His body fatigued with the lies and masquerades that he had to put up while his mind urging him to show some form of care and interest.
A war that had been plaguing his body ever since he was twelve years old and neither side seem to emerge as the victor. Opting for either one or the other.
Lying to those around him and indifferent to the world. A burden that he was forced to hide from everyone.
Thanks mom. I know that it's going to be delicious." A small smile forming on his face as he dug in. And with that, he took his supper.
"Well it's the only meal that you enjoyed ever since you were little. And for delicious, thanks for that."
He could feel that her emphasis lied on the fact that he couldn't taste and yet he portrayed it as something that he would incur.