A/N: Ok, I admit it, I'm a Brandrea shipper, I have been since back in 1990, and was always disappointed that nothing ever developed and I was upset that nothing happened in Too Little, Too Late, after Its a Totally Happening Life and the Senior Prom. I am the one who always roots for the underdog because in HS, I felt like Andrea at times, which is why as a 30 year old, I don't live with What ifs.. This is my what if story which takes place during the Too Little Too Late episode..
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING EXCEPT THE PLOT.
Reviews are greatly appreciated, especially since I am on the fence whether or not to write more..without further adieu...
Cabana 33
"Break it." he said huskily as he grabbed her arm.
His touch was far from the friendly one she had always been accustomed to at school and most recently at the beach club. This touch was warm and electrifying to her skin, even more so than the kiss he planted on her lips a few moments ago.
"What makes you think your so damn irresistible?" she asked looking into his blue eyes. There was a fire in there that was unfamiliar to her. He was jealous. Inwardly she laughed, if she had known all it took was another guy to take interest in her, she would've done this a long time ago. Her thoughts were broken by the sound of his voice.
"Fine. Go." there was defeat carried in his voice, but he still had her arm in his grip, although it was a lighter than before, but still as warm and electrifying . "But..if you change your mind-never mind."
With that, he released my arm and she turned on my heel to head to the parking lot to meet Jay.
She still felt his stare. But she did not turnaround. Yes, he held a special place in her heart, but why now? Why did it have to be after she finally met someone? Her curiosity consumed me as it always had and she caved deciding to turn around.
He was no longer there.
"Andrea?"
"Hmm?" she asked, coming out my daze.
"I asked if your going to finish that?" Pointed Jay towards the salad on her plate.
Andrea looked down at my dish and realized that she had taken only about three bites of my dinner. "Oh..I'm sorry."
"You came in and said that you really didn't eat all day and you're barely eating. I told you you should've ordered something less..." Jay smirked, "Green."
"What are you talking about?" She chided playfully, "It has chicken. And its healthy, compared to what your eating." I pointed at his bacon cheesburger.
Originally, the plans were supposed to take them to the Peach Pit. But after than heated conversation and knowing that there would be a strong possibility that Brandon would head there after the Beach Club, she wanted to avoid him at all costs till the morning...
or as late in the day as possible.
"Andrea...what's up? You are drifting tonight." Jay inquired, "I knew we should've gone to the Peach Pit-"
"NO!" Andrea replied quickly, then bit her lip seeing the wide eyed look my boyfriend had given. "I mean..we always..."
"Its ok..Its ok.." he said, touching her hand gently. "I just try to load up on megaburgers till I have to go back to Northwestern. And you always seem to want to go..."
"I'm sorry I'm ruining everything Jay.." Andrea began, "Its just...I wanted sometime outside.."
Jay gave an agreeing nod, and called for the check. "How about we catch a movie?..."
"Sure." Andrea nodded, but rubbed her temples absentmindedly.
"Maybe we should call it a night."
"Why?" Her voice sing-songed.
"You seem so out of it. I know you were working with the kids all day and under the sun.."Jay began.
"No! No! I've been looking forward to this all day!" she said.
Until he kissed you.
"Let's go to the movies." She insisted, trying to block out what the thoughts developing in her head.
And see a romantic movie...so you can picture the kiss, over and over..
Andrea had almost expected a little devil to be sitting on her shoulder at that moment, but there was nothing there. Why was my mind doing this? I was with Jay, I was happy to be here, she thought, over the pounding that was developing.
Happy to be here? Seriously...
Andrea closed her eyes trying to block out the voice and when it stopped, despite the fact the pounding that continued, she opened my eyes, they were met with Jay's and he had a confused look on his face.
"Maybe, we should..do this some other time." he said and before a protest could be given, "You do look tired. I could tell when you met me in the lot that you were. I'm sorry. I'll take you home."
–-
When Jay dropped her off at her grandmother's condo, she was greeted by her grandmother's bridge team, just about to start their game. Andrea tried her best to smile pleasantly at the older women. She realized it was why she met up with Jay in the first place. A bridge game at her grandmother's meant loud banter and gossiping. She'd be trapped in her grandmother's room most of the night. So rather than being able to sit and quell this nagging headache and gather her thoughts, she'd have a headache most of the night and probably wouldn't sleep at all.
"Hi Grandma." she said, upon entering the kitchen reaching for the aspirin in the cabinet and a glass of water.
"Andrea!" Rose replied in shock, "I thought you were going out with Jay tonight. He's such a nice boy.."
"We, uh decided to call it an early night." She smiled slightly and leaned against the counter. "I was tired and it was a long day that's all."
"Maybe your getting too much sun." Rose walked over and touched Andrea's forehead. "The sun isn't all that its cracked up to be."
"I wear my hat all the time Grandma. The kids...wear me out." Andrea answered dismissively waving her hands. "I think I'm gonna take a shower and call it a night." she proceeded towards the bathroom. She knew if she even brought up what had happened earlier, Rose would somehow mention it to the bridge team and she'd never hear the end of it. Just as she was turning the doorknob to the bathroom, her grandmother grabbed her arm gently.
"Andrea, I forgot to mention that your friend, Brandon called a little while ago."
"Brandon called?" Andrea squeaked, avoiding eye contact with her grandmother knowing all too well Rose would pick up on something.
But avoiding eye contact was the giveaway and Rose, although older, knew her granddaughter all too well."He just asked me to give you this message.. He said you'd know." sensing the hesitation from Andrea, she took her hand off the doorknob of the bathroom and placed the paper in her hand. "The ladies and I are going to start the game."
Andrea nodded and once her grandmother left her side, she headed into the bathroom and leaned against the door. She tried to debate whether or not to open the message, but she shook her head deciding that she needed to know what the message was. What did he mean exactly by you'd know? He knew she went out on the date. She had avoided the Peach Pit with Jay, so there was no way he heard the conversation they'd had. But her inquisitive mind got the better of her and she began to open up the message with shaky hands.
BHBC, 8:30, Cabana 33
With those words alone, her legs became jelly and she sunk to the floor.
He was right, she did know.
So what do you think Andrea will do?
