The Explanation

The next day at school Lexi and Andrew barely talked, the hurt clear in both of their eyes. At the end of the school day Lexi took one look at Andrew and couldn't hold back her tears. How could he hurt her like this and not even care? He was way different than Lexi thought he was.

The tears dropped into her paper causing her pen ink to run. Her paper was a mess but that was the least of her worries right now. Andrew heard Lexi's sniffles and turned to see her as a broken down, crying mess.

He pulled her into a hug with no words, her tears soaking into the cloth of his shirt. She missed his touch so much yet she hated it at the same time. Andrew knew that showing off Brianna like that was a big mistake but he still felt betrayed by Lexi. Maybe he should've asked before assuming.

"Lexi," Andrew said, rubbing her back gently, "I'm sorry, can we talk after school?" Lexi nodded reluctantly without saying a word. "We could go to the park and watch the ducks again?" Andrew suggested knowing that was one of Lexi's favorite things. Lexi's little smile was a big difference after she was crying her eyes out moments before.

The bell rang and throughout the whole walk Andrew held Lexi to help hide her tears. No one needed to know she was crying right now. They arrived at the park and took at seat at the bench right it front of the pond.

"Andrew," Lexi said hesitantly, "I uhm. You hurt me okay? I thought we had something and I know that's stupid to say but I really did." Andrew's went from calm to confused, "But, you have a boyfriend." Lexi's face scrunched in confusion, "I don't have a boyfriend."

Andrew went back to the moment he saw the picture of her and the blonde guy, "But the other night when I dropped you off at home I saw a picture of you and a guy." Lexi laughed at Andrew's remark, understanding the confusion now. "Andrew, that's Ben he's not my boyfriend."

Andrew still confused said, "So what is he?" Lexi smiled sadly at the thought of Ben, "He was my boyfriend but he died in a car crash." At this point the tears started forming and Lexi's eyes again. She burst into tears, drops running down her face. Andrews face was filled with shock at the news, "I'm so sorry, do you want to talk about it?"

Lexi looked up, no one ever asked if she wanted it talk about it. Everyone always assumed that the topic wasn't something they should speak of. Andrew was different, he wanted her to open up to him. "I mean there's no harm in it right? Me and Ben dated for 2 years and 5 days after he got his license he crashed. The whole thing was a mess but I'm okay now. That's why I threw up the other day from that movie, it brought me back to the moment I found out Ben was dead. It hurts a lot still to think about him but I keep that picture with me to remind me of our good times. Not everyone thought he was the best for me but I knew he would be the one. I miss him I do but I know he's up there in heaven watching me right now."

Andrew was touched by the way Lexi talked about Ben. It was so...genuine. She truly loved him and it broke Andrew's heart to see Lexi so broken. Andrew pulled her into a big hug, his touch signaling that she would always have someone to lean on. Their hug went on for minutes but in Lexi and Andrew's world it was mere seconds. She let out of her built up feelings from Ben and shared them with Andrew.

The weight of the burden she was carrying now felt like it was shared with Andrew. Andrew rubbed her back lovingly, "Lexi, I love you okay. Not in a weird or romantic way just as a friend. I care for you and I'm always here to talk." Lexi, who stopped crying at this point, still later on Andrew's shoulder. "Thank you Andrew."

As bad as Andrew wanted Lexi to be his girlfriend, he knew this wasn't the time. For now, he would continue to be her place to go to when she needed. He would love her whether it was as a friend or a lover.

Authors note- Hi readers! There's nothing really special I wanted to write but I just wanted to say thank you for reading!💗💗