Project Hero

by Briar Prescott

“Sure,” I say. “I’ll just eat that chicken alfredo myself then.” Andy glowers at me. “You evil bastard.” I grin as I watch him pull his sneakers on. “It’s my grandma’s recipe with extra cheese.” Andy shakes his head. “Keep talking. But just remember, people have gone to hell for less, and God is always listening.”

“I think it makes perfect sense. First of all, exercise is good for you.” He gasps. “You take that back.”

“Relax. We’re just going to do some light running.” “Oh, okay. See, I should have told you before, in my religion it’s only acceptable to run when somebody’s chasing you.” Law looks me up and down. “I mean, I guess I could run behind you if that’s what you need.” “Cool. Thanks. Could you also emulate an angry carnivore, like a tiger or a bear or a T-Rex? It helps if I feel like my life is in danger.”

“Three days and a short hike,” Law says. “Fine,” I grumble. “You get three mornings, a hike, and my eternal hatred.”

Law tells me that under no circumstance am I allowed to shave your head.”

You’re a good person, Andy Carter, and as far as I’m concerned, that makes you a hero in my book.”

It’s endearing to see another person early in the morning when the matter-of-factness that encompasses people’s everyday lives hasn’t settled in yet. It’s like I get to peek at something sacred. Something most people don’t get to see.

“Must be rough.” “You have no idea.” “None whatsoever. My parents are super supportive of everything I do,” he says, and as per usual, the unexpected thing that comes out of Andy’s mouth makes me laugh out loud. “I can’t believe you just said that. Rubbing your great family in my face like that.” “What can I say? I’m a shitty friend.” I bump my shoulder into his as I shake my head. “No, you really aren’t.”

This right here, though? I think I could fall on my head and wake up from a coma two years later with amnesia so bad that I couldn’t remember who I was, but this kiss would surely stay with me.

Andy points to the table with the spatula. “Sit. Let me take care of you.” I blink, suddenly overcome with emotion because I don’t think anybody has ever said something like that to me.

He doesn’t make me feel like I’m a hero either, but the thing is, with Law, I don’t really care about being a hero at all. With Law, I’m just me. Just Andy. And with Law, it’s enough.