[Center][H1][B]ANDREW[/b][/H1][/Center][hr]

[h3]LARISSA   |   Grimm University Main Campus[/h3]
[INDENT][I][B][sup]May 2016 - Two Days After The Explosion[/sup][/B][/I]

[INDENT][b]“Opa! Hey, hi, d’you hear? Yeah, no, it’s a little crazy. I’m fine though, and Janelle. She’s waiting for the phone, yeah. Few other people, too.”[/b] 

He glanced over his shoulder briefly, wondering if his grandpa could hear the understatement in his voice. It was like a hyped up video game or book release was going on the way that line snaked out the door. The feeling of eyes on his back was making his shoulders squirm and he figured he probably looked like he had to pee given how much he was fidgeting. But it was good to hear the old man’s voice. [b]“But hey, you’re alright? New Alexandria and that, the ferry wasn’t running, was it? Oh jeez, yeah, that’s good. Great. No, can’t get the news, power’s kaput, why I didn’t phone sooner. Mum and Dad’re-? Good, good to know, hey, hi, yeah. I can’t talk long, not my phone, just checking in. Make sure you’re doing good…”[/b] 

Andrew let his words trail off, sure they’d get the point. He hadn’t been certain about the extent of the power outage, so they might not have been alright, a thought he wasn’t used to dealing with. What he [i]was[/i] used to, was reassuring them about his health. He knew the routine that kept them from worrying. Well, from worrying [i]too[/i] much. 

Make sure they could hear him say the words. Give them a smile if they could see him, and be honest about the little things they could help with. Be honest about the big things too, of course, but not over the phone when there was nothing they could do, just with his doctor for now. Only got the one phone call though and he’d had to choose between their worry and making an appointment. Things were probably backed up with emergencies anyway, he’d hold out fine. 

So, he didn’t mention the way his heart had jumped with the explosion. He just smiled into the phone and smirked at his dad’s jokes for another minute or so before he figured things were good on their end. It was relief enough to know they hadn’t had nearly as much trouble. Though there’d been some near misses on the bridge, apparently, but not with them. Frightening, but mixed emotions, mostly, he was just grateful.

[b]“Ha, no? Really? That’s a good one, yeah. I’ll tell her. Got t-Oh, what else d’you think? Barbecue chicken, duh, use up as much as we can with the fridge out. Sure, yep, I’ll call again as soon as I can. Have to get my phone back to working. You too. Take care. Love you. Allright, bye.”[/b]

He hung up. 

Instantly regretted it. 

It was just one of those automatic movements that was far too easy to manage. They’d sounded fine though. Happy to hear from him, but otherwise no complaints or concerns to be dealt with. Unless they were pulling the same stunt he was, since he’d obviously had to learn it somewhere. 

Shaking his head at himself, Andrew let his hand drop and gave Janelle two thumbs up as he turned around. She grinned and slipped past him. Already dialing. [i]“Meet you there, Cherry.”[/i]

Yeah…

He moved off to their usual spring lunch spot, making use of the cloudy day to snag a usually already spoken for picnic table (though it might have been the recent happenings that left it empty) and wait there for Janelle to join him. A sandwich and an apple, saving the rest for snacks, and plenty of time to watch and listen in on other people’s conversations. Most of it was the same. Classes cancelled or continued (and students happy or sad about either), someone mentioned being in a bus crash which must’ve been terrifying at the time, and everyone had theories or questions or an opinion to add about the whole situation. Plenty had stories (or complaints) about how they’d spent their powerless night, and he was fully prepared to join them when Janelle sat herself down across from him.

[b]“So, apparently they’ve figured out what it was. Dad says,”[/b] And if that wasn't enough warning, then she obviously didn’t know his dad. [b]“aliens are invading.”[/b]
[/INDENT][/INDENT]