Andrea's Revelation

Hespa and Nessa got separated at some point and poor Hespa arrived home quite late, and in a lot of distress. So much so that she fainted from the shock of having to travel by public transport.... with loads of other people!

She really needs to do something about her phobia of crowds. Seriously.

Anyways, Sophie and Andrea were catching up on old times. She missed him desperately and needed to see him asap to fill him in on all the goings-on. Of course, he was only too happy to pop across to see her too. In fact, he broke the speed limit in his rush to reach her doorstep!

Andrea: Hi.
Sophie: Oh .. hi.... that was fast!
Andrea: Yeah, I know. I kinda missed you.
Sophie: Did you get all my emails and texts?
Andrea: Yeah, I did. Each and every one of them.

She flushed slightly. Something that Andrea found endearing. Shuffling her feet, she couldn't quite meet his eyes.

Sophie: I feel so silly.
Andrea: What for?
Sophie: Um, well ... I felt like a stalker, sending you all those messages all the time.
Andrea: And you're one heck of a pretty stalker to me.
Sophie: Awww... thanks. Drea.
Andrea: I like that. Drea. Sounds much less girly than Andrea.

They giggled at this endearment, just as Pat made his appearance.

Pat: Yeah mates, laugh all you want, how come you never sent ME anything?

Sophie grimaced and muttered under her breath.

Sophie: Not now Pat.

Andrea caught her change of mood.

Andrea: You okay?
Sophie: I'm fine.

Her smile was fleeting as she cast a sideways glance towards Pat, standing there glaring through blue button eyes. There was only one thing for it.

Sophie: Drea?
Andrea: Yeah?
Sophie: There's  ... something ... I gotta tell you.

Andrea's face was inscrutable as he watched her. She felt really stupid at doing this, but she also realised that she had to face this inevitability eventually.

Sophie: I've ... um .... got a big ... problem.
Andrea: Aaaannnnnddd????

Oh to hell with it, she blurted out about Pat, her words falling out of her mouth as fast as she was thinking about them.

Sophie: I've got a childhood imaginary friend. His name is Pat. Nessa had one too, but hers grew up to be real. Mine? He's just a total pain in the ass. He won't listen to reason, he's clingy and he's always gotten me into trouble more times than enough.

She paused, catching her breath. Andrea just blinked. And then he grinned.

Andrea: Is that it?
Sophie: Yeah, why?
Andrea: For some insane reason, I thought you'd met someone at college and you were breaking up with me.
Sophie: Oh hell no. I've missed you loads whilst I've been away.
Andrea: And me too.
Sophie: Soo.... you're not freaked out at the fact that I had an imaginary friend/toy?

He laughed.

Andrea: No, silly. Coz I had one too. She was an evil little thing. Called her Ace. She convinced me that I was gay .. and I was severely allergic to shoes of all things. The amounts of times I was sent home because I'd gone to school without my shoes! I told her to take a hike
Sophie: And ... that was .. it? She was gone?
Andrea: Well ... sort of.
Sophie: What do you mean ... sort of? How did you get rid of her?
Andrea: I dumped her doll form in a dirty puddle, a dog came along and ragged her to bits. So mom just HAD to throw her away.
Sophie: Eww, that's a gruesome end.
Andrea: Fraid so.
Sophie: Hear that Pat? Just be lucky I don't do that to you
Andrea: Now, be nice Sophie. He might be an ass, but he was there for a jolly good reason. Maybe you should put up with him for a little longer. Eventually, he'll get tired of you.
Sophie: Yeah. I guess. You know, you're such a nice understanding guy. What would I do without you?

She impulsively planted a kiss on his lips, taking him completely by surprise!

He looked slightly take aback by her bravery, but then pulled her into his arms and kissed her properly!

Andrea: I'd forgotten what a Great Kisser you are.
Sophie: Shush, enjoying this moment!

Sadly, all things must end ... or in this case .. come up for air!

Sophie: Hey. How about a couple of selfies ... for posterity?
Andrea: Sounds good to me.... and Pat can join in if he wants. I know he's standing right behind us.
Pat: Am not.
Sophie: Drea! You blinked!
Andrea: Did not.

Sophie: Gah, I'll have to take another one now.
Andrea: How about a kissy one?

Sophie: That sounds cool!
Pat: I hate this.

They both checked Sophie's phone and grinned. Pat stalked off, not happy that he didn't show up in any of the pictures at all.

Yep, despite her misgivings and fears, Andrea completely understood about Pat.
He's a keeper!