New Steps
A few weeks after the barbecue…..
MSA's Talent Showcase.
Andie smiled brilliantly as she stopped revolving and jack-knifed from her position on the floor. Chase and she had just finished their routine and the stage spotlights blazed down upon them. As Chase flipped into his finishing pose, Andie spun and supported herself on her hands as she undulated above him. The pounding beat crescendoed, and Andie glided into her final pose, one hand raised to her face, a finger against her lips.
Applause exploded from the watching crowd, and Andie felt relief surge through her as she and Chase relaxed from their positions, bowing before they ran quickly off stage.
"That was brilliant, Andie!"
"You go guys!"
"That was soo dope, you two!"
Ecstatic cries came from all around them, from their crew, performing for the first time on stage. Kido and Smiles had done their own old-school routine, whilst Monster, Cable and Hair had done a stunt/break-dance routine. Moose had done his freestyle solo. All had been a success after the old-school ballet routines and contemporary styles.
Andie felt a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to look into Blake Collins' smiling eyes.
"Excellent, Andie. You too Chase," he said, clapping them both on the shoulder. They stared after the Director as he moved off, congratulating their crew in turn, giving out compliments and criticisms. Onstage, Sophie pirouetted and twirled with the other ballet dancers, as the final act went on. The showcase had been a huge success.
"Did someone hit him on the head?" Andie asked, looking at Chase questioningly.
"Nope. He's just trying to be more easy-going. Maybe he's realised that there are other ways to get things done other than by shouting and being Mr Perfect," Chase shrugged. "You coming to the after-party?"
"Sure. I'd better go see Sarah first," Andie said, grabbing a towel and wiping off the sweat running down the back of her neck.
"Ok. I'll see you at the Dragon," Chase nodded as he and the crew moved off. Andie waved and ran further backstage to get changed.
"Andie, you were so great! I'm so proud of you honey," Sarah grabbed her surrogate daughter in a one-armed hug.
"Thanks, Sarah." Andie said warmly, returning the hug. Things had calmed down between her and Sarah since the Streets, and they were a true family now. The 410 had left Andie alone, surprisingly, and Felicia had even called her to congratulate her on winning the Streets.
Life was good.
"Are you coming home now?" Sarah asked a shrewd twinkle in her eye.
"No, if that's ok. There is an aftershow party at the Dragon. I promise I'll be back before-"
"Andie it's ok. I know you'll be responsible. Come home when you want," she said.
"Thanks Sarah." Andie smiled. Her surrogate mother turned away with a smile as she disappeared into the crowd.
"Andie, you headed to the afterparty?" Blake suddenly appeared beside her.
"Yeah, you?" she said.
"Sure, need a lift?" he offered as they moved through the crowd of parents and students.
"Yeah if you're offering." Andie shrugged. They pushed their way out of the crush and into the crisp Baltimore night. Andie's breath fogged in front of her face as she shivered, in her tank top and dance pants. A moment later Blake's jacket dropped onto her shoulders.
"Here," he said as he led her over to his black Mercedes.
"You didn't have to-" Andie began to say, but Blake cut her off.
"Andie we don't need you freezing and catching a cold. Where would we be without one of our star dancers?" Blake said jokingly. Andie shot him a surprised glance as she slid into the passenger seat. "What?"
"I'm one of your star dancers?" she asked in a small tone.
"Sure. You're versatile, talented and passionate. Just because I've never told you before doesn't mean I don't think it," he said, as he started the car.
"Thanks," Andie smiled.
"Don't let it go to your head," he chuckled.
Silence reigned in the car as they drove, the city lights flashing past.
"Right here," Andie said occasionally, giving him directions. Blake stole occasional glances at her out of the corner of his eye.
Eventually they pulled up outside the Dragon, Andie and Chase's favourite hangout.
"Nice," Blake murmured, as he and Andie got out of the car. Andie looked at the heaped trash and overflowing dustbins, smiling.
"It has its charm," she replied as she led the way towards the two bouncers.
Inside the club was a heaving mass of dancers and strobe lights as the best street dancers battled for supremacy on the dance floor. Andie spotted Chase and Kido and rushed over to them, dragging Blake with her. He clung to her hand, keeping her by his side in the crush.
Finally they made it over to Chase and their friends, as a new song started up.
"Hey look who's all grown up now?" a voice said in her ear. Andie turned to find Tyler Gage, her childhood friend and the reason she went to MSA.
"Hey!" she grabbed him in a bear hug. Tyler nodded to Blake and Chase whom he knew from MSA.
"Hey guys," Andie released him, and introduced him to the crew. When the crew dispersed to get drinks or to dance, Andie turned to her old friend, noting his smug smile.
"So you gonna admit how grateful you are that I got you into MSA?" Tyler asked jokingly. Andie punched his shoulder.
"You so didn't. I got myself into MSA," she retorted. He mussed her hair playfully.
"Oh you gonna be soo sorry you did that, Ty," she growled.
"Is that a challenge?" He teased.
"Damn right it is," Andie replied. She turned to Chase on her other side, watching their conversation amusedly. "Tell the DJ,"
"Sure thing. This one battle I can't wait to see," he smirked as he disappeared into the crowd.
"Battle?" Blake asked Tyler.
"Me and Andie will dance off, and whoever the crowd thinks is best wins. It's pretty simple," Tyler explained.
"And you're going down this time," Andie interjected.
"Fighting talk. Hasn't MSA beaten that out of you yet?" Tyler teased.
"Bring it, Tyler," she replied, leading the way towards the dance floor as the music changed. Blake followed, curious to see how Andie danced alone.
Like an animal, Blake decided, as he watched Andie undulate and spin, glide and slide around Tyler. She was mesmerising.
The DJ had gotten the in-floor trampolines out again and Andie was more than holding her own. In fact she was using her limited ballet training to outsmart Tyler at every turn. As Tyler flipped off the trampoline, she jumped on, somersaulting into a stag jump, before landing and spinning into an arabesque and then dropping into a head spin. The crowd went wild, as Tyler conceded defeat.
"You definitely don't dance like a little girl," Blake saw Tyler say as Andie bowed teasingly. Her gaze touched his before Chase reclaimed his girlfriend. He felt his chest expand as Tyler made his way over to him.
"Sure is something, isn't she?" he said, nodding towards Andie and Chase dancing happily as the crowd surged back onto the dance floor.
"Yes. Yes she is," Blake murmured. Tyler watched his face as he watched Andie, and he frowned slightly. If Blake Collins had feelings for Andie, he wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"How's your tour with Nora going?" Blake shook himself from his reverie to ask.
"Oh great. We're dancing in Mississippi next week." Tyler kept Blake talking as the party wore on.
On the dance floor, Chase and Andie were revolving in a slow circle, as the DJ slowed the music down, and the party began to end. Andie rested her head on Chase's shoulder, sighing happily. For the first time in years, her life was unexpectedly complete. She had an incredible boyfriend, loyal friends and the chance of a future outside her poor neighbour.
Life was bliss.
It all ended when with a surge of horror, she heard gunshots suddenly erupt in the club. Chase shoved Andie behind him, as she peeked over his shoulder. Tuck stood there, a gun held in his outstretched hand, pointed towards Chase. In a blur she saw Blake and Tyler standing close to her, trying to get close enough to Tuck to take him down before he shot someone. Andie could see he was drunk; his speech was slurred, his eyes bloodshot and unable to focus.
"Not laughing now, are yer?" he said. As if in slow motion, Andie saw his finger creak back on the trigger. With a cry she threw herself at Chase, trying to pull him away, but he caught her waist and threw her aside just in time. She landed against a linen-covered chest; warm arms holding her protectively as a single gunshot rang out. Silence fell in the club.
Then the pandemonium broke its bonds. Screams filled the air as Andie looked up into Blake's brown eyes. She saw the horror and the pain in his eyes, as with a sinking feeling, she turned her head. Chase was on the floor, blood blossoming across his chest like a vibrant red flower.
"Chase!" she yelled, twisting out of Blake's arms. He let her go as she dashed across the floor. Tyler had disappeared into the crowd, chasing after the fleeing Tuck, who had run as soon as he had shot Chase. Andie cradled Chase's head as she searched frantically for his pulse.
"Come on Chase, dammit! Don't leave me, please," Andie begged him, stroking his cheek. His pulse was weak and erratic beneath her fingers, blood staining her hands, Chase's blood. Chase's hand felt blindly for hers, and she grabbed it, holding it like a lifeline. "Come on, Chase, stay with me,"
"Sorry Andie. You're a great little dancer, y'know that? I love you," Chase coughed out, blood peppering his lips.
"Come on, Chase stay with us," Blake bent over his little brother's body. Andie felt numb as she felt Chase's pulse flutter weakly. With one final surge of energy, he touched Andie's face and then looked to Blake. He bent his head, as Chase whispered something into his ear. Blake had to strain to hear him above the still pounding music.
"Take care of her, Blake,"
Chase slipped into unconsciousness.
"Someone call an ambulance for God's sake!" Blake cried, panic-stricken. He was not going to lose his little brother.
"It's on its way," Moose told him tremblingly, as between them, Blake and Andie cradled Chase's prone, bleeding body. Blake glanced up from his brother's angelic face to watch Andie's tear-streaked face, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears. Chase had ordered him to take care of her, and he would. He silently promised his dying baby brother that.
The ambulance came and went, Andie and Blake still holding Chase's hand as he slipped further and further away from them. Andie was shaking, struggling to hold in her tears.
Caroline and John arrived, stricken and worried.
Sarah came to take Andie home but she refused to leave Chase.
The MSA crew waited in the relatives' room, pale and silent.
Two hours later, Chase died.
Andie felt her heart die with him, as she cried silently in Blake's arms.