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�So come on Andie, we�ve been talking about us all night- lets hear about what�s been happening in your life over the last 2 years.� Joey turned their attention to their friend.

The five of them had spent the evening filling Andie in on everything that had happened since she�d left. Movie night had been abandoned as catching up had been prioritised as the evening�s activity.

Andie squirmed slightly as she felt herself under the gaze of her four friends. Her life was just so different over there, she didn�t know where to start, or even if they would understand. There was so much she wanted to tell them, but even more that she couldn�t. Feeling herself burned by eight curious eyes she knew that she had to give them something. They knew her too well for her to be able to dodge the inevitable.

�Well�ummm� I don�t really know where to start. I mean�there�s nothing much to tell.� she stammered unconfidently, immediately pricking the ears of Jen�s naturally curious nature.

�Oh come on Andie- you were in Europe, that must have been an amazing experience� Joey continued to persist. �You know my dream has always been to study in Paris.�

�Oh and you should� Andie perked up. �Paris is beautiful, definitely my favourite European city."

�Do you hear that guys- she has a favourite European city- how uncultured are we?� Pacey joked. �Just how many European cities did you actually get to explore?�

Andie smiled, relieved for the opportunity to keep her experiences to general geography rather than the personal.

�Well I traveled around quite a bit. I was basically based in Italy with my aunt, and I traveled all over the country- Naples, Rome and Venice- Joey you would love Venice.� she gushed, �But I also traveled to France, Germany and Switzerland. I even spent a weekend in London.�

Joey was listening in awe, jealousy eating her up as Andie listed places she had only dreamed of ever visiting.

�Wow- it sounds incredible. I wish I had come to visit you. I was so tempted every time I received one of your postcards.� Jack intervened.

�And I can�t believe you didn�t visit!� Andie pouted. �I missed you guys so much it was horrible.�

�But you made friends, I seem to remember you telling me when you came for graduation.� Pacey pointed out.

�Yeah I made friends. But they were different to you guys. They didn�t know me like you do, they hadn�t experienced the same things as I have with you guys.� She told them regretfully. �It was lonely at times.� She stated simply.

�But what about the guys that you were raving about- all those Italian stallions?� Jen lightened the mood, smiling seductively.

Andie giggled. �Yeah there were a few who swept me off my feet. Those accents could make my heart melt� she told them dreamily.

�Hey!� Pacey protested, �Are you saying that if you had the choice, you�d pass over one of your home grown talents for a pretenscious European prissy boy?� he asked her jokingly.

A pained expression seemed to come over Andie�s face as she considered his remark, a raw nerve had been hit, Jen noted, but Andie overcame it quickly and answered him breezily, �Well of course there was no one there to compete with you Pace�. Her tone not giving away how close to the truth this statement actually was.

�I never doubted it� he grinned at her wriggling his eyebrows suggestively causing them to all erupt into hysterics.

�What about David?� Jack perked up as his laughter subsided. Ever since Jen had mentioned it earlier, it had been nagging at his mind. Over the last year Andie had been raving about this perfect guy she had met. She had seemed so into him and the last time he had spoken to her she hadn�t mentioned any problems. It was strange that she hadn�t spoken of him yet.

Andie flinched at the sound of his name, but had subconsciously been waiting for Jack to bring the inevitable subject up.

�Umm�well�we kinda ended things.� She mumbled as the others watched her squirm uncomfortably. Her body language began to change as she put her arms around her stomach as if protecting herself from their questions. It was obviously a sore subject, a newly opened wound that still hurt.

�Andie I�m sorry. I know how much you were into him, you were togethor for a year.�

�Actually a year and a half� she stated regretfully as the tears began to sting her eyes. She shook herself, suddenly aware of their sympathetic expressions and smiled as she pulled herself togethor. �Look these things happen. I�ll get over it.� She smiled stoically, putting on false bravado.

�When did you guys break up� Joey�s curious nature urged her to ask, but she immediately regretted pushing it as Jack shot her a warning glance. �Don�t worry Andie- you don�t have to answer that- I�m sorry.�

�No Joey- don�t worry- umm�well we broke up last week� she told them honestly, her voice trembling slightly.

Blue Eyes
PART 5