"Mates, I think that's enough trials for today," Trott muttered, leaning back in his chair and rubbing at his eye with a hand. He looked quite disheveled and even a little stressed after that long recording session. Because the Witcher event was coming up, we had been working hard to bulk record for all our series, and that added onto an influx of trailers had us all feel the pressure. Hopefully our mini holiday will help with that, and even with all the stress we managed to still be excited.

"I'm going to go grab a water bottle," I said, standing up and stretching my back. I quickly stopped and saved our recordings, telling myself I would get started on editing them right away as soon as I returned.

"Could you grab me one?" Smith asked, looking over his partitioner at me.

"Sure mate," I muttered, stumbling a little as I made my way to the door through the mess that was our office. Costumes were laid across the sofa, having arrived yesterday from some cheep Halloween site. I knew I still needed more convincing before the other two would get me in some stupid knight outfit and a very Beatles-looking wig.

I gave a quick hello to Turps as I passed him in the hallway, and stopped suddenly as I noticed someone in the live stream room. "Uh, hey," I said quietly, trying not to startle Amanda as I knocked on the already open door. "When did you get in?" I asked her as she smiled and motioned for me to join her.

"'Bout an hour ago?" she hummed, raising an eyebrow at me as she thought about it, "You were busy recording so I couldn't say hi." I pulled up a chair and sat beside her, glad for the distraction from work. Today was the first day of the semester, which meant Amanda was back in her dorm room. I had to admit, it was hard watching her pack all her things and drop her off this morning; I had gotten used to having her there with me in the evenings and it would be weird to go home alone tonight.

"Right," I muttered, looking at the editing software on screen, "What are you working on?" I nodded towards the various video clips that showed Amanda sitting in front of the green screen.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I'm working on that introduction video I was talking about. Do you want to see what I have so far?" She turned the monitor so I could see it better.

"Sure," I shrugged, knowing Smith or Trott would probably come looking for me soon anyway. Amanda brought up the video and clicked a button in the corner, filling the screen with her face. It was odd seeing her from this viewpoint, and with this kind of lighting her makeup wasn't very good at hiding the faint, white scars that still dotted her face from the accident. I cringed internally; I had gotten so used to them that seeing them in that sort of light was unnerving.

The video didn't get any better after that. It wasn't very finished and she needed to work on a few cuts, but what really made me uncomfortable was the way she talked. She seemed nervous and jittery, like she wasn't used to being on camera, even though I knew she had done various vlogs and challenges with Nick (Not that I had watched them all in a jealous ferment). I glanced over at the small girl to see that she looked as uncomfortable as I felt.

"Um, I think I'll need to see the finished product before I can give an opinion..." I said, avoiding what I was thinking.

She suddenly gave out a groan and let her head fall down to the table. "Ugh, Ross Hornby, if it's that bad that you can't even lie to me then I might as well jut delete it," she said with a huff, sitting back up and crossing her arms over her chest.

I looked over towards her as she continued to glare at the paused video. She looked healthy today, and I hoped it was because she had eaten something this morning. She had on a long sleeved Hat Films shirt that Smith had given her, and her brown curls seemed to have more life to them as they fell over her shoulder and down her back. "Maybe you just need to finish editing it?" I suggested, not really knowing what to say. I shuffled my chair closer and threaded a hand around her waist, trying to give her some silence reassurance.

"It's so boring though!" she exclaimed, "I wouldn't want to watch this stupid girl talking for 15 minutes if I were a fan." She buried her face in her hands and then leaned into me as I rubbed her back gently over our hat logo.

"You're an artist," I insisted, "Come up with something creative. Try to work you're skills in there somewhere."

Amanda gave a snort. "What skills?" she asked through her hands.

"Stop that," I sighed, wishing I could give better advice. "Maybe you should go talk to some of the other content creators and get their opinions?" I added.

She pulled her head out of her hands. "Yeah..." she muttered, straitening a bit but not really looking at me, "...Yeah I could do that. I remember Kim Richards had a really good introduction video."

I flinched instinctively at the mention of Kim's name. I had yet to tell Amanda about my... escapade with her a year or two ago. The subject had been avoided so far, and Amanda really hadn't had much contact with Kim directly, but I knew one day someone was going to mention it and I didn't want her to worry about it.

"Mm," I muttered, still rubbing circles into her back, "Anyone really. Sjin is pretty creative, as well as Simon. We can even phone Sips if you want; he's always a fan favorite," I pointed out, my hands bumping along her spine, ribs, and shoulder blades that were only made more prominent with her slouched position.

She jumped up. "I'll go check the common room and see if Kim Richard's around," she said, leaning down and giving me a kiss on the cheek before bounding out the door and down the hallway. I made it a point to shut down her computer and then wandering into the kitchenette to fulfill my original task.

"Took you long enough," Smith grumbled as I handed him a bottle of water.

"Sorry mate, Amanda needed me for something," I told him honestly, walking over and grabbing my tablet that sat on the couch. I wanted to see if Sips could play a game of hearthstone or some other game while I waited for Smith and Trott to get ready for an Old Fashion Bashin'.

"She needs you for a couple things, mate," Smith teased, giving me one of his devilish smiles that I was now immune to after all these years. He reached over to a box of old games and started digging through them while Trott grabbed a tripod and camera and set it up next to the tele in front of me.

I sighed, only half understanding his innuendo as Sips messaged me back and we started discussing possible hearth stone matches. "She needed help with her introduction video for the new channel," I explained to them absently. Smith started stacking games on the table as possible choices.

"Ah that's right, she's going to start making content soon," Trott muttered, hooking the TV to his laptop, "What does she have in mind for her first video?"

I shrugged, more focused on my game than the conversation. "Dunno mate, she's talking to Kim now for help on ideas."

Trott hissed through his teeth and gave me a worried look. "Ex-girlfriend and new girlfriend together?" he asked, voicing my same thoughts, "You sure that's safe?" He and Smith laughed at that, exchanging a knowing look.

"She wasn't my girlfriend," I muttered, trying to look occupied to hid my embarrassment when it was actually Sips' turn. "Besides, that was a long time ago. Kim and I are mates now..." I continued to mumble in mock disinterest. It was actually true that we were comfortable friends now. There wasn't any big fight or disagreement that ended our relationship; it was one of those casual things that kind of tapered off on it's own. I had almost completely forgotten about it before Amanda started working in the office.

"So Amanda knows about it," Smith said, cocking an eyebrow at me and grinning.

"Not..." I drawled, "necessarily..." which earned a laugh from Smith.

"Stop teasing him," Trott scolded, coming to my defense as he started up the PlayStation. "So whatcha got for us Smith?" he continued, looking at the top game on the pile.

"Wanna play Star Wars battlefront?" he guessed, "I think the fans might start rioting if we don't play that soon."

"Well, we do have five copies of it," Trott emphasized, picking them up from the coffee table.

"I wanted to do Star Wars Lego..." I muttered jokingly.

"No one cares what you want Ross!" Trott yelled, giving a breathy laugh afterwards as I grumbled under my breath.

We were just about to start recording when Amanda walked in. I searched her face for any sign of distress or confrontation, but she looked as she had 15 minutes ago.

"Hey, we were just about to Bash off!" Smith shouted as soon as he noticed her. Pushing over Trott so that he tumbled halfway off the sofa, Smith patted the space created. "Want to join us?" he asked over enthusiastically.

Her eyes seemed to widen a bit and a confused expression crossed over her face as she looked at the three of us. There was a pause, and then she eminently started taking large steps backwards, earning a laugh from all of us as she silently grabbed the door and closed it as she left.

—————————————————-

I rolled onto my side uselessly, noticing the clock that said 12:45 in bright, florescent light. I had actually decided to go to sleep early tonight after a busy day, but I couldn't get comfortable as I relentlessly tossed and turned for an hour. Everything reminded me of her, from the smell of her shampoo on the pillows to the extra blankets to the extra toothbrush that she left here for when she stayed over. I even kept over on my own side of the bed; it was like I couldn't reoccupy the space now that the thought of her was there.

This went on for another 15 minutes as I continued to debate over whether I should call or text her or not. When she was here she normally stayed up this late anyway, but I didn't want to seem so pathetic or desperate. I finally decided to text her a simple "Hey," and wait to see if she was still awake.

It didn't take long for my phone to start ringing and her Skype picture of us together at New Years to illuminate the dark room. I sat up in bed, ran a hand hopelessly through my messy short hair and tried to rub the tired sleep from my eyes before answering.

Her picture appeared before me, and I tell she was on a laptop by the way she was illuminated as she sat on top of the duvet with her legs crossed. "Hi," she tested, waving a bit before jamming her hands into her lap.

"Couldn't sleep?" I asked, not able to keep the grin from spreading across my face at the sight of her. She had on a pair of shorts and a sleeveless top, her hair tied behind her and spilling back over her shoulder to shine in the dim light.

Amanda gave me a guilty smile, rocking back slightly. "Yeah," she mumbled, looking away from the camera.

"Me either," I chuckled, overjoyed that I got to see her tonight. I knew at some point I would have to get over my love sickness and learn to sleep alone again, but right now I desperately wanted her here.

"I miss you," she said quietly after a few moments, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"I miss you too," I grinned, "Are you free tomorrow night? You could come over."

"I have class until 8 and then I really have to get started on this project," she said, giving me an apologetic smile, "I'll stay over Friday night, we can catch a movie."

"I don't think I can survive three days," I groaned, earning a giggle from her.

"Ross Hornby I was there last night," she laughed, her voice jingling like a bell through my speaker. She repositioned her laptop so that she was laying on her stomach, her head propped up on her arms.

"I need you here every night," I continued to tease, causing her to laugh again.

"Poor baby," she cooed, leaning towards the camera with a smile, "You'll live."

"I see the feelings are only one way," I grumbled pretending to be upset and pouting.

"Hey, who's up at..." she paused to squint at the screen infront of her, "...1:07 in the morning because she's missing her cuddle buddy?"

"That's why you need to be here," I told her, "How do I know you're not going to replace me if you get too lonely?"

"Wait one second, I'll go grab a 19 year old boy to replace you," she said sarcastically. It was my turn to laugh.

"You're right," I said, clearing my throat and lowering my voice to a comedically low level, "There's no one in this world that can replace this manliness." I leaned over and flexed my muscle, cocking an eyebrow at her.

I only earned an eye roll. "Speaking of manliness," she giggled, "When are you gonna shave the neck beard, scruffy?"

I rubbed at my chin reflexively, feeling the coarse hair that has started to crop up from sheer laziness. "I don't know," I shrugged, "I was thinking of growing it out actually..."

"Please don't," she wined, "It hurts."

"It's not that bad," I chuckled, running a hand across my mouth.

"At least shave the mustache," she said, pouting, "Or else you're going to keep destroying my lips everytime we kiss for more than five minutes."

"Maybe you should just... develop thicker lip skin," I suggested quickly.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Maybe I should just not kiss you until you shave," she joked, giving me a smug smile.

"I don't know what it's like in America, but torture is illegal here in the UK," I replied.

"You should..." she said, pausing to yawn into a closed fist, "...consider that the next time you want to make out Ross Hornby."

"I should let you get some sleep," I said after I was done chuckling at her comment. I was finally starting to feel tired myself, and Amanda looked ready to collapse.

"But my bed is so uncomfortable compared to yours," she complained.

"It's open any time," I told her, motioning to my surroundings. There was a pause as she sat back up again, and I blamed sleep deprivation as I quickly blurted, "Have you thought about moving in with me?"

She seemed shocked by the statement, and I quickly tried to cover my outburst. "I mean, I can only imagine what room and board costs, as well as... the meal plans..." I said, trailing off at the inappropriate mention of food.

She seemed to flinch, but recovered herself so quickly that I wasn't sure it even happened. "I really don't think I can afford that right now," she muttered, looking at something off camera and avoiding my gaze, "I have loans and co-pays that continue to pile up and-"

"Surely paying for half a tiny flat is less expensive than a university dorm-" I pointed out.

"We've been together for a little over two months Ross Hornby," she said sternly, cutting me off as I had done to her.

I flinched at the resolution in her voice, and I had to once again remind myself about how different our expieriences were those months in the hospital. It felt like I had known her for five months, but in reality she had only met me two months ago. Maybe I was pushing us too fast, but I had honestly thought she might have wanted to move in with me, even though our relationship had just started.

Her face softened almost as quickly as it hardened, and once again Amanda squinted at the screen. "Wow, I'm a lot more tired than I thought, I'm sorry," she apologized, rubbing at her face with a hand, "Listen, I'll think about it. Maybe for the summer, since I'm going to have to find a place anyway."

"Yeah, yeah alright," I said, trying to cover up my hurt, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight Ross Hornby," she said, giving me a small smile, "Just think, it a week we'll be in Scotland." She let out a tiny exclamation, but I could still see the regret in her eyes from her previous comment, so I made it a point to show I wasn't offended.

"Next week can't come quick enough," I grinned, trying to memorize the face in front of me before hanging up. "Goodnight Amanda Romeo."

I put my phone back on it's charger and pulled the duvet up to my chin, letting the thought of a week in Scotland with the girl I was head over heals for lulling me to sleep.