Disclaimer: All characters are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers.

Author's Note: Tuck comes back into Andie's life full force and shakes things up . . . to say the least. What will Andie do?

Chapter 3: Family

"What are you doing here Tuck?" asked Andie angrily.

"Common, just chill. All I wanna do it talk to you", said Tuck.

Andie's eyes narrowed, "I don't have anything to say to you".

Tuck looked down at her, "D, I want you to come back to the 410".

Andie laughed, "Why would I wanna do that?"

"You really think you belong in that school with those people?" Tuck asked angrily.

Andie glared at him, "Those people care about me more than the 410 ever did".

Tuck took a step closer, "The 410 is supposed to be family D. You don't just walk out on family like that. Remember where you're from".

"The 410 was family . . . until you made it about you instead of the crew. All you cared about was your rep and winning The Streets. You never thought about us", Andie accused.

"You shouldn't be talkin bout people bein selfish. Seeing as how you all up in here with your nice little rich friends in their fancy school. D, you ain't foolin no one. You're always gonna be from the streets".

"They don't care about that. We're all the same . . . we all just love to dance", growled Andie.

Tuck laughed loudly, "D, don't be actin' like a fool. If you think that white boy of yours would give you a second look if he didn't think you were an easy street girl, you crazy. Your crew wouldn't give you a second thought if you hadn't been their 'in' to The Streets".

"That's a LIE!" yelled Andie.

"Woman, stop foolin yourself and face the truth. You'll always be from the streets, period. Don't let some rich white boy make you forget where you come from and who you are. He don't know nuttin bout you"

Andie moved forward as close as she could, "That white boy is more of a man than you'll ever be. I'll never go back to the 410", she whispered.

Tuck yelled out in anger as he pushed Andie back against the wall of the building. As Andie grunted from the force of the impact, her bag fell and some of her books spilled out. After regaining her balance, she was caught in the face by Tuck back-handing her. The force of the blow sent her to her knees. She cried out in pain and covered her face with her hands.

"Tell your crew and your white boy to watch their backs. The 410 is out for revenge", Tuck said as he ran around the corner.

Andie slowly crawled towards her books and stuffed them all back into her bag. Then she struggled to get up, stabling herself with the wall. Her hand went up to her cheek to touch the spot where Tuck has smacked her. She winced. She had to get back home.

- - - -

It was Friday and Andie pulled her hat farther down over her face as she walked down the hallway at MSA. She hadn't gone to school for two days. Sarah had been skeptical about her lame excuse about a dance accident for the huge bruise that now covered her right cheek. She thought the bruise would be gone by now, but unfortunately it hadn't. It was bad enough she had missed the past two days without missing the crew's first post-Streets rehearsal. There was no way she could miss that.

The day was long and stressful, but somehow Andie had managed to get through it without running into anyone from the crew. She was able to 'hide' in the back of all her classes and avoid getting called on. But, she knew there was probably no hope of escape in Director Collins's class.

She remembered how she had reacted to Chase getting beat up. 'Just leave it alone', he had said. And if she remembered correctly she had done her best to, but she knew that once he and the crew found out, all hell would break loose.

There was really no way out of it so she just had to suck it up. She adjusted her hat before walking into the dance studio. As expected, Director Collins was already there, shuffling through CDs. Andie tossed her bag and tried sitting as far back as she could without drawing attention to herself.

Just as usual, Chase was the last one to stroll into the class. As soon as he saw Andie, his head perked up and he made his way over to her.

Here we go . . . round one.

Chase slid down next to her and tried to look her in the eye, "Where have you been?"

Andie just shrugged.

"The crew's been asking me where you've been and I don't know what to tell them. What's going on?" he asked.

Andie shrugged again, "I just needed a break".

"A break from what? School? Dancing? Me?" Chase interrogated.

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Andie asked angrily.

Chase tried to move closer, but Andie leaned away, "I just wanted to know if you were okay. I tried calling you".

Andie nodded, "I know. I just wanted some time alone, that's all".

Chase tilted his head, "Why are you acting so weird? Did I do something?"

Andie shook her head, "Can we just get through this class, there's rehearsal later".

"All right everyone, class will begin!" Director Collins called out.

Andie turned towards the front of the class, ignoring the questioning look still on Chase's face.

"Since Mrs. West has decided to ignore the no hats policy, I think we shall begin with her today"

Andie groaned inwardly. Great. Now they're all gonna know. Round two.

She slowly stood up and walked to the dance floor.

"Would you be so kind as to remove your hat?" said Director Collins.

Andie sighed and looked at the floor. Her hand went up to her hat and she removed it ever so slowly. She tossed it over to the side. An audible gasp could be heard as people now saw the dark purple and blue welt on her cheek.

"Miss West, may I see you in private for a second?" Director Collins asked.

Andie nodded and followed him out into the hall. But not without looking at Chase, whose expression wasn't clear to her, but he didn't look happy.

Director Collins shut the door behind them before he spoke, "Could I ask you what exactly happened? You miss two days of school and then you come in with that on your face. What should I assume from this? Was it something at home?"

Andie shook her head vigorously, "No, of course it's not from anyone at home. Sarah would never . . . it was just an accident I had".

He looked at her hard, "What kind of accident?"

She shifted awkwardly, "Just an accident. It was a misunderstanding".

"Some misunderstanding"

Andie stared down at her feet.

Director Collins placed a hand on her shoulder, "Andie, if you're having any kind of problems at home or anywhere else, you can always come talk to me", he said gently.

Andie nodded, her eyes still on the ground.

"Alright, well let's go back to class. I won't call on you today. And you can wear you hat . . . just for today".

She gave him a grateful smile.

- - - -

After class, Andie practically sprinted out of the dance studio. But, Chase was right on her heels. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her by the row of lockers.

Oh no . . . round three.

"What happened to your face?" he questioned.

He ripped her hat off her head and pulled her chin up roughly with his hand.

Andie brushed his hand away, "Oww, you're hurting me".

Chase's features softened, "Sorry. But, that doesn't answer my question".

"It's none of your business. It's my problem and I'll handle this", she said firmly.

His eyes narrowed, "Someone did this to you?"

"Chase, just let it go".

"But . . ."

"I never questioned you! Please, just forget about this".

She put a hand on his arm. But her grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand off his arm.

"I can't just forget about it Andie. This is different than what happened to me. I got jumped by Tuck and two of his friends because they were pissed about the prank and about me going to the barbeque. And because of you"

Andie gasped, "Tuck jumped you? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't your problem. I survived. We beat them at The Streets. We're even now".

"It is my problem because it was because of me he got mad. How do you know he won't come after you again? I don't think he's over The Streets".

"What do you mean?" asked Chase.

Andie looked him in the eye, "We used to be a family. Then Tuck changed. It all got to his head. All he cared about was winning, he kept pushing us".

Chase was confused, "What are you talking about Andie?"

"I never thought he would go this far. I never thought he would hurt people. I didn't think he could hurt me. He always cared for me. That's why he jumped you. That's why he's so angry with me. He heard we were at the barbeque together, dancing. He saw us at The Streets", she said quietly.

It all made sense now. Tuck was jealous of Chase. He must think they were together. We wouldn't care if it wasn't true. He was angry she left the 410. That she started her own crew . . . without him. She started a crew with Chase.

Chase grabbed both her shoulders, "Did Tuck do this to you?"

Andie looked away from him.

"That mother . . ."

"Chase you have to let it go".

She grabbed onto his shirt, pleading with her eyes.

Chase shook his head, "Screw that".

He thought for a few seconds before grabbing her bag, "Common!"

Andie followed him back into the dance studio, where the rest of the crew was waiting for rehearsal. She slipped on her hat again as the walked in the door. Chase stormed in, getting everyone's attention.

"Listen up guys!"

Everyone stared at him.

"We're going to The Dragon tonight"

- - - -

Ah the suspense . . . best weapon a writer has! ;-)

- Lady Artemis -