Bash makes Andy a target during their next PhysEd class.

Her team knows better than to pass her the ball, but even if she is passed the ball, squealing when it almost hits her head, fumbling with her hands to catch it—Johann's there to take it before she's tackled by the other team.

She stays out of their way, mostly, but today, they're doing drills, and Bash seems to want to have fun with her.

"Three members in a group, people," their professor announced with a clap. "Get in the water, pass the ball clockwise with your right hand. Fifteen rounds, go."

Johann was by her side immediately. He grinned. "Ready?"

"I'm sure you'd rather be in a group with someone else, Johann," Andy said sheepishly, dipping her feet in the water. "I'm no good at this."

"I wouldn't go up to you if I didn't want to be in your group, Andy," answered her friend, who jumped into the pool and offered his hand out to her. Andy winced at the coldness of the water and took his hand. Slowly, Johann helped her in. "Plus, don't worry, it's just drills."

"Got room for one more?" asked a deep voice, and Andy twisted her head around to find the other team's captain standing near the gutter, a wicked smirk on his face.

Johann shrugged. "Sure. I'll go get a ball."

Bash got in the pool, eyes on Andy. She hugged her arms around her torso and smiled at him. "Hi again."

"Hi yourself," he said. "You and him together?"

"What?" Andy wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "No, that's absurd. We're just friends."

Bash's smile grew wider. "Cool."

"Um, I'm really not good at this," Andy mumbled. "Maybe you can find another group? Um, you're captain, and all, so this'll be really embarrassing—"

The brunet laughed. "You're cute, Andy, but I don't care. Least I'll have fun with you."

Andy didn't know what that meant. "Huh?"

Bash didn't bother giving her a response, and Johann came back with a wide smile and a ball in his hands. "Ready?"

The fun Bash was talking about meant being ruthless to her with his passes.

Johann's careful—when he throws the ball over to Andy, he makes sure it doesn't come close to Andy's head or even her shoulders or face or chest. The passes are so gentle Andy's starting to get annoyed, but some part of her is grateful—Johann's usual play is actually really powerful.

Bash, however, doesn't have a problem hitting her. As soon as he has the ball, he doesn't give Andy time to prepare before he flings it in her direction.

Andy surges forward to catch it, but it hits the side of her head. "Ow."

"Hey," Johann says with a frown. "Careful."

"Not my fault she didn't catch it," Bash answers with a shrug.

Andy knows he's right. She grasps the ball with her palm and passes it to Johann, who snatches it with ease.

Bash almost hits her neck next. Then it bounces off her shoulder. The next hits her arm.

Johann looks annoyed, but he doesn't say anything else because while Andy winces, she shakes it off and takes the ball into her hand again. It is her fault, anyway. Bash shouldn't be holding back just because she isn't good.

But the next ball Bash throws takes Andy by surprise—it smacks her right in the face.

"Andy!" Johann calls out worriedly, and Andy knows he's swimming towards her. She can't register anything else, though, there are black dots surrounding her vision, and her hand is holding her nose—it hurts. "Hey," her friend says, grasping her shoulder. "Fuck, she's bleeding."

Bleeding?

Bash is on her other side. When did he get here? "Keep your head down," he instructs lowly, fingers on the back of Andy's neck, gently pushing it downwards. "Get her a cloth. Hey, Andy, pinch your nose and hold it there. Breathe through your mouth."

A towel is handed to her, and she holds it against her nose and follows Bash's instructions. His other hand helps keep the towel to her face.

Andy wants to die.

This is the most mortifying thing that's ever happened to her. She keeps her eyes closed so she doesn't see the spectacle she's made in her class. Her neck is flushed red and she can feel the heat rise up to her cheeks from humiliation.

"She good?" the professor calls out somewhere behind her. "Do we need to bring her to the clinic?"

"Yes," says either Johann or Bash, Andy doesn't know, but she yells, "No! No, please, I'm okay. We can keep going once this stops."

"Enough water polo for you today, kid," her professor says. "Get that treated and go home."

Andy really, really, really wants to die.

A hand grips her shoulder. "Andy," Johann says softly. "Can you open your eyes? See if you're feeling dizzy?"

"Are there still people around?" she mutters.

"Coach told 'em to get back to drills, you're fine," Bash answers, taking the cloth away from her face, just to press it back again gently.

Carefully, Andy opens one eye, then the other. Lets her vision adjust again to the light. Bash and Johann are staring down at her, eyebrows furrowed in worry. "I think I'm okay now."

"Are you sure?" Johann asks. "I can bring you to the clinic if you feel like you're going to pass out."

"We can," Bash agrees, but it seems like he was trying to correct Johan's statement.

"No, I'm good," Andy says. "I need to get out of the pool and take a shower."

The brunet takes the towel away. "Bleeding stopped." He tucks one finger under her chin and leans in to inspect her nose. Andy's too out of her head to be embarrassed about his proximity. "Looks like there's no swelling. You can take a shower, just don't use hot water. Come on."

Bash lifts himself up on the gutter with no difficulty and extends his free hand, the one that isn't holding the cloth, to Andy. Johann places his hands on either side of Andy's waist to help her up while she grasps Bash's palm.

Both boys follow her to the locker room. "Thanks, guys," she says with a small smile, heaving a heavy sigh. "I'll see you both later."

"I'll drive you home," Johann offers.

"No, you have to finish drills," she says. "And I'll be fine, I'll be back later for class."

"Coach said you need to go home," Bash interjects with a frown. "That means not going back to school."

Andy doesn't want to talk about this anymore. She's grateful they're concerned for her well-being, but she can't miss class. So, with a small smile, she shrugs, gives them a wave, and heads into the locker room.

Her face still hurts a little, but the shower helps ease some of the tension from her body. Alone with her thoughts, she cringes at what happened, how everyone started fussing over her, the scene she made—Andy shuts her eyes and shakes her head.

When she's done, she dresses quickly, wanting to go home, and steps out of the locker room whilst drying her hair.

Johann's dressed, too. It looks like he finished showering just minutes before Andy. Bash is in the pool. "Ready to go?"

Andy blinks. "You don't have to."

"S'alright, I can skip one match," he says easily with a smile. "Besides, I'll feel better if I drive you home. Come on."

Andy doesn't argue anymore, and once she arrives in her dorm room, her eyes fall close as soon as her head hits the pillow.

That night, after Art Appreciation, Andy and Kat grab dinner at a casual restaurant across campus. Kat has another class from six-thirty to nine, and while she grumbles about it, she scarfs down her lasagna quickly and almost chokes on her food. Andy laughs at her, and they chat animatedly until she has to leave for her sculpture class.

She decides to text Johann and treat him to dessert as a thank you for the rides (and the Incident—Andy winces just thinking about it). He replies in no time and says he'll meet her at Dairy Depot.

She gets there first and orders two Skillet Cookie Meltdowns—half-baked chocolate chip cookies topped with vanilla ice cream, and hopes Johann likes it. While waiting, Andy texts Rhysand to let her know where she is (she still hasn't told him about the Incident).

His reply comes instantly. With?

Andy bites her lip. Johann Taylor. My friend from Lit and Water Polo :D

Rhysand takes a minute to reply. Just the two of you?

Yep. He's been driving me home from class :)

Another minute passes. Then, okay. I'll be waiting for you. Text me when you're home safe.

Andy's a little surprised Rhysand doesn't pull out his 'I don't like it' comment from her get-together last summer with Colin. Still, she's glad Rhysand doesn't have a problem with her having male friends.

Her order comes, and Johann walks in a few minutes later. His eyes light up when he sees Andy, and like always, he's smiling. "Hey, Andy. Thanks for the treat."

"No problem," she answers easily, returning his grin. "It's the least I can do. You want anything else? I can order more or something else if you don't like it."

"This is perfect, thanks," he says, taking a spoon. "How's the nose?"

"I don't want to talk about it," she grumbles under her breath, digging in. "Let's not talk about it, please, it's so embarrassing."

"It wasn't," the blonde assures her firmly. "You got hurt. What's there to be embarrassed about?"

Andy shrugs and points to his dessert. "Eat that or I will."

Johann laughs and holds up his hands. "Okay, okay. Zipping my mouth."

She shoots him a thankful look, and they eat their desserts in easy conversation. Andy likes being with Johann, he makes her feel comfortable and makes her laugh.

So lost in their own world, they order two more Skillet Cookies, Johann's treat this time—he insisted—and they don't notice how much time has passed until they're the only ones left in the shop.

Johann looks at his watch. "Oh, wow, it's nearly nine."

Andy chokes on her saliva. "What? Really?" Frantically, she fishes out her phone. Her face pales when she sees three text messages from Rhysand:

Having fun?

Sanford. Are you home yet?

You're pissing me off. If you don't answer me in ten minutes I'm going to drive over.

Andy scrambles to type a reply. The last message has been sent seven minutes ago. RHYS BABY HI IM OK sorry i lost track of time!!! I'm safe im still w johann pls dont kill me

She sends that immediately and waits. Stares at her phone.

"You okay?" her friend asks.

"Fine, my boyfriend was just worried," she says distractedly, waiting for her phone to light up with a response.

I'm coming to pick you up.

Andy groans. He's mad.

Johann raises an eyebrow. "Do you want to leave?"

"No, it's fine, he's coming to pick me up," Andy mutters, rubbing her forehead. "You can go ahead."

"I can wait for you," he says, but Andy's shaking her head. She imagines that Rhysand won't like it.

"No, it's okay." How does she tell him to leave without being impolite? "Really, Johann. Please."

The blonde looks reluctant. He searches her face for a moment and sighs. "Okay, fine. Text me when you get home. I'll see you on Tuesday."

She stands up to hug him quickly. "Thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed your company."

Johann grins and grabs his wallet and phone. "Not as much as I did. See you, Andy! Stay safe, okay?"

Andy nods and waves at him, then he's gone, leaving her alone with nerves.

She runs a hand through her face and sighs.