"Sshh, it's okay, honey, it's okay. I'm here now, you're okay."

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 Andie couldn't return to slumber, not after the events that had unfolded at the witching hour. She laid on her mother's bed, eyes wide open, unable to forget. Forget, forget, forget. That was the only thing she wanted to do now. Forget the look of her dead father and mother, whether they be real or not. Forget the look of the tall clown with it's spiky orange hair, wide creepy grin and it's teeth of thousands. Forget it all. She looked to her right and see her mother sleeping peacefully, causing Andie to smile at the sight, even as tears welled up the brim of her eyes. When the first tear left her eye, she gasped, unaware of it's fall. She looked back to the ceiling, letting her mind wander, with hope to something better. It didn't work, not at first. Until somehow, someway, her mind drifted to the curly haired Jewish boy whose company Andie had grown to enjoy; Stanley Uris. 

 When the sun crept it's way to the sky, Andie went for a hot shower to help ease her nerves, which much to her dismay, had failed. How can a simple thing help in forgetting something so haunting? Her head began picturing once more the look of her once handsome father, now rotting and decomposing, being consumed by the earth. Then, she did the only thing she thought would bring back the good memories of her father; making breakfast and a stroll in the park. She began putting on a pale pink short sleeved plaid crop top, paired with light blue jeans, wearing her hair down. She went to her mother's room and left a note regarding her whereabouts. 

 When Andie made her way outside, she began her walk. Unsure of the directions, she just continued walking until the vision of the park entered her eyesight. She went to one of the benches set at the center of the park but instead of an empty seat, she was met with one of her friends; Eddie Kaspbrak. 

"Early morning, Eddie?" 

The boy turned his head and gave her a small smile, "Hey, Andie."

"May I?" Andie asked, pointing to the empty space beside the boy. He nodded and sat in silence.

 It wasn't an awkward silence or anything, it was peaceful and sweet. Andie took a good look at the boy beside her, he's small, with light freckles splaterred on his face, round his nose. He had neat brown hair, but dark. The same goes for his eyes. There was fear in it. His nose, like he himself, was small but defined. Not wanting to make him uncomfortable, Andie looked away to the view of the park. 

"Andie, I want to apologize," the boy spoke, breaking the silence. 

"Whatever for?" Andie furrowed her brows.

"At my house, yesterday, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just my mother-"

"I know, Stanley told me. Don't worry about it," Andie interrupted Eddie's ramble, flashing him a smile to which he returned. 

"Oh okay, then. I think I should go now. I'll see you later at the quarry?" Eddie, asked as he stood up.

"I'll be there," Andie nodded.

"You're cool, Andie," Eddie said before waving goodbye to the girl who smiled wide. 

 Not long after Eddie was out of sight, Andie decided to head home as well, feeling calmer than before. When she arrived, she started making scrambled eggs for her and Linda. During the process, Linda came down the stairs and flashed a comforting smile to her child, with memories of her daughter being struck in fear, haunted. She poured a cup of coffee for herself and brought out plates for the two of them and placed it on the kitchen table. Once Andie had finished, they sat down and began eating, Linda eyeing Andie with worry.

"Mom, I'm fine, you can stop gawking now," Andie spoke, not once making eye contact with her mother. 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, mom, it's just a nightmare," Andie shrugged, still looking down at her food as she eats. 

They finished their breakfast and after cleaning up the table, Linda got ready for work. Andie stayed in her chair until the ringing of the phone broke her trance of void. She got up and answered, "Hello?"

"It's Beverly," the voice of the redhead heard through the telephone.

"Oh, hey."

"Can I come over and we can go to the quarry together?"

"Oh yeah, of course, come whenever," Andie smiled. 

 They said goodbye and hung up the phone. Andie walked to the front door, to say goodbye to her mother who kissed Andie's forehead and told her to be careful when she goes out later. Andie watched as her mother reversed her car out of the driveway and into the street, then noticing her friend in front of her house, Bill. Andie smiled and walked out to the boy who was still on his stopped bicycle. 

Andie raised her eyebrows, still beaming at the boy. "I was just wo-won-wondering if you want a ride la-later to the quarry," said the flustered boy. 

"Oh no, it's okay, I already have a ride," she answered, her mind remembering Beverly's offer. 

"Oh, cool," the boy nodded slowly. "I'll see y-you later, then."

"Yeah, see you," Andie waved to the boy and walked back into her house.

 She waited until Beverly arrived, bringing the redhead up her room to get ready for their activity with the boys.