Disclaimer: All characters are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers.
Author's Note: Andie faces a painful truth in order to make things right.
Chapter 7: Making Amends
Andie woke up in bed, a yawn gracing her features. She turned on her side and stared at her closed window. A gnawing feeling gripped her stomach as she slowly sat up in her bed. Pushing the covers away from her body, Andie pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. Again the gnawing feeling pulled at her, trying with all its might to make her remember. Remember what? Harsh words from last night tumbled back into her memory.
A small sob, barely audible, escaped Andie's lips. Chase had been angry and upset at her. No . . . he had been disappointed. That look in his eyes clearly showed it. He had thought her better than to make a cruel assumption like that. But it wasn't true. She knew he was better than that. Why hadn't she said something? She let her feet fall to the carpeted floor, enjoying its feel beneath her toes. Slowly standing up, she made her way into the bathroom.
Andie was grateful to feel the warm water hitting her skin. Her muscles instantly relaxed, although her mind was far from it. She couldn't comprehend how she could be so stupid. Just as she had finally accepted her feeling for Chase, she had once again buried them deep inside her. It was as if she were scared to feel this way. Why couldn't she let him in? He meant no harm to her. He cared for her deeply, that much was clear. As yet she found it difficult to return his affections.
She blushed, remembering the tender kisses they had shared. Three times now she had kissed Chase Collins. Each one had been just as wonderful as the next. Obviously she had no problem kissing him. It was what came afterward that terrified her. The uncertainty of where each kiss would lead caused her to feel suffocated. Why was she so afraid to love? But even before the question had been made in her mind, she knew the answer. Because Andie had already loved, and she had already lost.
As the shower continued to pour water over her body, Andie felt tears threatening her eyes. Images of her mother flashed in her mind. Yes, she had loved deeply already. It had been an unconditional love that only a mother a child could have. Her heart still ached from the loss. It had been only a year. One significant year in the life of Andie West. She knew her mother would be proud. Proud she had overcome her guilt and sorrow to finally embrace the one true gift she had. She also knew that her mother would be pained to know she had held on this tightly for so long. That she had closed herself off from loving again.
Andie silently turned the shower off. Once the comfort of the warm water was gone, the tears fell freely. She knew this day would come. But if she were to honor her mother's memory, it had to happen. The time had come to let go. She had to open her heart to the people in her life, to those who cared about her. She needed to stop pushing her friends away. If anything, her mother had taught her to love. Andie would always have the memories of her mother with her. But the time had come to move on. She had so much to look forward now, so much to live for.
Her eyes opening through the tears, Andie smiled. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was ready. She slipped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. Making her way into the bedroom, she felt her hair dripping onto the carpet. After drying herself off thoroughly, she contemplated what to wear. Considering the situation, Andie concluded that great impact would be needed to make amends. She smirked as she reached for the back of her closet. She knew what she had to do now.
- - - -
It was a lovely Saturday morning, but Chase could hardly have noticed it. He gloomily got out of bed that morning and trudged down into the kitchen. After Andie had left last night, he had been so overwhelmed with a sense of loss. She hadn't even attempted to defend herself from his accusations, which could only mean that they were true. It could only mean that she indeed thought him to be as superficial, malicious, and unkind as he had accused her to believe. He had lost Andie to the influence and preconceptions of others.
His shoulders sagged at this thought. How could she think that? How could she let herself be so easily swayed? His fist hit the kitchen counter involuntarily. Chase jumped at the noise by this act, realizing how deep his anger ran. He sighed sadly. He could never stay angry at Andie. She had given him too much to give up on her this easily. He had to make her see that he was nothing like what she has allowed herself to believe. This would be a complicated task; Andie could be quite difficult and stubborn. But he had to try.
Satisfied with this decision, Chase strode over to the refrigerator and opened the shiny metal door. He stifled his hunger with a healthy serving of fruit accompanied with two large bowls of cereal with milk. As he stood to take his bowl over to the sink, the doorbell blared loudly throughout the house. He knew Blake was most likely off meeting and sucking up to important high society folk with hope of a contribution to MSA. Why would someone be at the door this early in the morning? It was not even eleven o'clock. Curious, Chase made his way through the living room.
As he pulled the front door open, nothing could have prepared Chase Collins for the sight that awaited on the other side. Standing there in a brightly colored sundress, looking as beautiful as ever, was Andie. For a moment, Chase thought he had fallen into one of his dreams. Surely it couldn't be Andie West at his door. Especially not after the events that has occurred last night. And yet, there she was, looking a little nervous and hesitant to speak.
"What are you doing here?" Chase asked a little colder than he had meant.
The memory of last night was still fresh in his mind.
Andie looked a little hurt, but she quickly recovered, "I need to talk to you. Are you alone?"
Chase nodded. He suddenly felt out of place in his pajama pants and white t-shirt. His hair was a mess and he hadn't even taken a shower yet. After all, it was Saturday morning. Still, he made no attempt to move the conversation indoors. Andie realized this and nervously rubbed her hands, which were behind her back, together.
She finally gathered the courage to speak, "Look, I want to talk to you about last night".
Chase grunted, "I'd rather not. I think we said everything we needed to already".
"You don't understand. I didn't mean those things I said", Andie pleaded.
"I don't want to hear your excuses", Chase growled.
She lay a hand on his arm, "Please, you must listen to me".
Chase looked at the earnest look in her eyes and nodded his consent. Anide turned away from him, taking in a deep breath.
"I know it may be hard to believe me now, but I really didn't mean any of the things I've said. And I'm not even just talking about last night either. I'm talking about ever since what happened between us at The Streets".
She was looking out over the front lawn now. Her eyes were searching the horizon.
"I wish I could make you understand why I did it. I wasn't out to hurt you. That's that last thing I wanted and I'm sorry if you're upset with me".
She turned to face him.
"I was just confused. You've been a great friend to me and I didn't want to ruin that. Because if I mess this up, everything could change between us. And I couldn't bear the thought of being on bad terms with you".
Andie moved a little closer to Chase, her eyes fixed upon him. His glanced at her as well, but he wouldn't look her in the eye just yet.
"I guess we'll never know", he muttered sourly.
She sighed. This was going to be difficult.
"You have to know that I don't think about you in the way you believe. I never thought of you as just another spoiled rich kid. I know you wouldn't try to play me like that. After all we've been through, I thought you would know that I trust you. That was never the problem".
Chase crossed his arms over his chest.
"What was the problem then?"
Andie squeezed her eyes shut tight. Okay, here comes the hard part.
"I actually thought she would be ashamed of me . . ."
Chase gave her a questioning stare. She opened her eyes again and held his gaze.
"I thought she would be ashamed of me if I forgot her. I thought I would be dishonoring her memory if I . . . loved another".
Andie took the last few steps to him and placed a trembling hand on his cheek.
"I didn't mean to hurt you".
Realization finally dawned upon the teenage boy's features. This whole time she had been holding back because she felt guilty. She felt guilty about being happy when her mother was dead and gone. Andie had been keeping it all locked up inside. Hidden away for no one to see how she was hurting inside.
"I love you Chase", Andie stated.
"I've loved you since that night in the tree".
Chase wrapped his arms around Andie and hugged her tightly. He stroked her hair gently as she rested her head on his chest. They stood like that for a while before they broke apart. It had been a comforting position and they were both reluctant to leave it.
"I had no idea you were in so much pain", Chase said sadly.
Andie took his hand, "I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn't".
He nuzzled her cheek, "You don't have to be afraid anymore".
"I know", she replied.
She smiled up at him. He held her gaze for a brief moment before bending over and tenderly kissing her awaiting lips. Their affections continued for a good minute or so or more before they finally concluded.
Chase sat on a bench at the edge of the front porch and Andie happily sat on his lap. She looked at him lovingly as he rested his hand on her knee.
"You look beautiful today. Do you always wear dresses on Saturdays?" he teased.
Andie blushed slightly, "I had to make a good impression! It was either that or begging for your forgiveness".
Chase looked thoughtful, "I don't think I can picture you groveling before me".
"That's because it would never happen!"
"Are you sure about that?" Chase said with a wink.
Andie played a mock offended look on her face, but she couldn't hold back the laughter.
He pulled her in for another kiss. Once it was over, Andie started to giggle.
"What?" asked a curious Chase.
Andie grinned broadly, "You know the crew is never going to let us hear the end of this".
Chase groaned.
- - - -
THE END
- - - -
Well guys this is it. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I know it was fairly short but I only wanted to touch the beginning of their relationship. Hope it satisfies all your curiosities, but I guess if I ever feel Step-Up inspired again, I could write another fanfic about Andie and Chase.
- Lady Artemis -
