Andie's POV:
I danced my way around the studio at Maryland School of the Arts, danced to forget things, to forget what came of one fateful night after school was over. I spun around in the way my mother had showed me, danced until I was out of breath. Leaning against the mirrored wall I gasped for air, my eyes closed and my head leaning heavily back against it. I heard the door creak open slowly, and my head shot up, adrenaline zinging through my veins.
"Andie, there you are." A man's voice said.
"Tyler." I gasped, breathing raggedly.
"You okay there, Andie?" Tyler inquired.
"Yeah, you just scared me." I replied.
"Why are you here so late?" Tyler asked.
"I could ask the same of you." I said.
"I was looking for you. Sarah suggested that you'd be here, practicing." Tyler answered. I nodded, thinking about why I was practicing, but not saying anything. I knew my voice would crack if I spoke, which would immediately alert Tyler to the fact that something was wrong. As it was, his eyes raked over my face, settling on my eyes. He may have noticed that they looked upset or something, because he started to open his mouth.
"Director Collins wanted me to get more practice in." I muttered wearily.
"Is that all? Is there something you want to tell me, Andie?" Tyler inquired.
"Well, no...not really." I answered.
"Is there something you need to tell me?" Tyler replied.
"No...yes...but I don't really want to." I said.
"What happened, Andie? You look so worried." Tyler said.
"I'm...I'm...pregnant." I muttered.
"What? Who did that to you?" Tyler asked, shocked.
"It doesn't matter who. What matters is that I am in a lot of trouble." I answered.
"Sarah is going to flip out." Tyler said.
"Don't tell her." I begged.
"Are you planning on telling her?" Tyler inquired.
"Not really. I'm planning on staying with my baby's father." I said.
"Does he know yet?" Tyler asked.
"No...but I'm going to tell him tomorrow." I answered.
"Well, if he doesn't take it well, you have options." Tyler responded.
"What options?" I asked.
"You could come live with me." Tyler said.
"With you?" I wondered.
"Yeah, with me. You and a friend, if you wish. I'll be touring with Nora, and I don't want you too be alone." Tyler said.
"Thank you, Tyler. That means a lot to me." I answered, hugging him. Tyler hugged me back.
"The only thing I'm glad of is that you are eighteen, and not younger. This is a pretty bad thing to have happen, but at least you're not that young." Tyler said.
"Yeah, that's true. Tyler…are you going to ask Nora to marry you?" I ask.
"Uh, yeah. Why?" Tyler said.
"Just wondering. She's really nice, Ty." I replied.
"Yeah. Andie, are you ever gonna tell me who the dad is?" Tyler inquired.
"You can't freak out, okay?" I whispered.
"I won't freak out, Andie, I promise." Tyler answered.
"It's Moose's baby." I whispered.
"Moose's baby? I would've thought it was Chase's baby." Tyler said.
"Nope. It's Moose's baby." I answered.
"Are you guys dating?" Tyler inquired.
"No, we aren't." I said.
"How did this ever happen, then? I thought for sure you and Chase were in love." Tyler said.
"I do love Chase, I just don't think he feels the same way. Moose and I made a mistake-that's for certain. I never thought that I'd get pregnant, Ty." I whispered.
"It'll be okay, Andie, it will be." Tyler said.
"Thanks, Ty, for listening." I replied.
"Anytime, Andie. Are you ready to go home?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah, I am. I feel a lot better." I said.
"I'm glad." Tyler responded, smiling. We walked out of MSA together, and turned towards my house. I felt safer in the dark, where people couldn't see who I was. I folded my hand over my stomach, wondering what it would be like in a few months when the baby bump was visible. Who would shun me? Which of my friends would prove that they were really my friends or not?
"Ty-do you think Director Collins will kick me out of MSA for this?" I worried.
"Andie, he won't. It'll be fine. Stress isn't good for the baby, so stop worrying." Tyler said.
"Okay, Ty. Thanks." I replied, his words soothing me. Tyler knew MSA, knew how things worked, and he knew that it would be all okay. We walked up my front porch stairs, and I took my key and unlocked it. The house was dark, silent. I assumed that Charlie and Sarah were asleep, which made me glad.
"You're going to be okay, Andie?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah, I am. Do you want to just crash here tonight, Ty? It'll be safer." I replied.