Page 10 of Upgraded Friendship

“Thanks again, Josh.”

“You’re welcome, Andrea. I’m just glad I could help. I have to get home…try and get some rest, okay. Goodnight.”

Chapter four

Josh

As I stand in Andrea’s doorway, the weight of the evening’s events is heavy on my mind. I can’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me as Andrea accepts the wallet Alice had found. Her gratitude is palpable, each word filled with genuine appreciation, and I can’t help but smile in response.

“You’re welcome, Andrea. I’m just glad I could help. I have to get home…try and get some rest. Goodnight,” I reply, my voice soft with sincerity.

As she takes the card from my outstretched hand, a sense of peace settles over me, the tension of the evening slowly melting away like ice under the warmth of the hallway light.

“Goodnight, Josh. And thank you again,” Andrea replies, her voice tinged with warmth as she offers me a grateful smile.

With a final nod of acknowledgment, I turn to make my way back down the hallway, a sense of contentment settling over me like a comforting embrace. As I step out into the crisp night air, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be there for her when she needed me.

As I step into my apartment, I can’t shake the feeling of annoyance that Andrea ever had a crush on Jeremy.

How could someone as amazing as her still be hung up on someone who is...such a jerk? I mean...I don’t know Jeremy much, but the descriptions from Tanya are enough.

I make my way to my bedroom, sitting down on the bed as I kick off my shoes, the weight of the evening’s events still bothering me.

“What was she thinking?” I mutter to myself, the bitterness in my voice mirroring the bitterness in my heart.

Jeremy has always been nothing but trouble, and yet she still pines after him like some lovesick puppy. It’s infuriating.

But even with the unfairness of it all, a sense of resignation settles over me like a heavy fog. Andrea is her own person, with her own thoughts and feelings, and no amount of frustration on my part will change that. All I can do is be there for her, support her, and help her navigate the rocky waters of life.

With a weary sigh, I rise from the bed and make my way to the bathroom to wash up before bed.

***

I’m at work early the next morning, trying to focus on my tasks but finding it difficult with the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind. Tanya walks in, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.

“Morning, Josh,” she greets me, her tone somber.

“Hey, Tanya,” I reply, trying to keep my own worries at bay.

We exchange a brief nod, and then she launches into the topic that’s obviously been weighing heavily on both our minds.

“I don’t know what to do about Andrea, Josh. She’s been so down lately, and I feel like I’m failing her as a friend,” Tanya confesses, her voice tinged with regret.

I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering what little comfort I can. “Hey, it’s not your fault. We’re both doing the best we can to be there for her, and that’s all we can do,” I reassure her, hoping to ease some of her guilt.

Tanya nods, but I can see the worry still etched into her features. “I just wish there was more we could do,” she murmurs, her gaze drifting to the floor.

“We’ll figure it out, Tanya. We’ll be there for her…no matter what,” I promise, hoping to offer some semblance of hope in the face of uncertainty.

Tanya gives me a grateful smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she admits, her voice thick with emotion.

Before I can respond, she straightens up and clears her throat, as if trying to shake off her melancholy.

“Anyway, I was thinking...since it’s been a rough couple of days, maybe we could all use a little distraction tonight. What do you say? Care to join us at the bar?” she suggests, her eyes lighting up with anticipation.

I can’t help but smile at her suggestion, grateful for the chance to lighten the mood and spend some quality time with my sister and our friend.

“Count me in,” I reply, the prospect of a fun evening offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak day.

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