Well, I'm about a week and a half later, but I finally got the darn chapter finished today. I have to admit, one I got passed the block, I actually enjoyed writing this quite a bit, especially the ending.
The door swung shut behind Andromeda as she and Aunt Marge entered the Curtis house. It was a couple hours before her aunt had to get to the airport, and she'd asked to have one last visit before she left. Andromeda had agreed, and they'd walked over. A couple of the people there greeted them as they sat down. Andromeda eased herself into a chair as she let out a breath. Some of the uncomfortableness had faded since she'd told the group about Persephone, but not all of it.
Her aunt squeezed her shoulder comfortingly which caused Andromeda to smile back before she pulled out the essay that had been giving her pains all week.
It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to anyone, but at that point, she wasn't quite certain what to say really.
Aunt Marge fussed slightly over Johnny who she was certain was being mistreated by his parents even though the attention made him uncomfortable. Soda and Steve were having a conversation about something, they were too far away for her to make it out. Pony was also working on homework as Two-Bit goofed around, and Dallas smoked. It wouldn't be long before Darry arrived. Andromeda glanced back at her paper and smiled. There was something pleasant about everyone being there doing random things. Around them, she didn't have to put up a mask, or pretend to agree with opinions she didn't.
The door open, and Darry walked in having had to start work earlier than usual that day. He sat down, and had a brief talk with Pony regarding his homework before he joined in what Steve and Soda were talking about. After a minute, Andromeda restarted progress on her homework as she hummed the melody of that new song on the radio.
A minute passed, and she excused herself to the bathroom before she washed her hands and returned. As she just got back, she heard her Aunt Marge say, "Well, I have to leave in a few minutes, but there's something I would like to say first."
Andromeda hesitated just outside the doorway as her continued, "I want to thank you for being there for my niece. I couldn't tell you how relieving it is to have seen her change from that scarred little girl to someone who can smile again. And I mean a genuine smile, not the type you put up to to trick people. So, thank you."
There were some replies and Andromeda hesitated by the door a few minutes more before she reentered the room like she'd heard nothing at all.
She chatted for a minute or two before her aunt got up and said, "Well, It's time for me to go. Andromeda dear, will you walk with me to the airport?" Andromeda nodded and packed up her work before she followed her aunt with the promise to be back in a few minutes.
The walk was quiet, but peaceful. When they got to the entrance, aunt Marge turned towards Andromeda and said, "Well, this is it. I'll visit as soon as I can, but it'll be a while." She hesitated then added, "I won't say that you should steal Dallas from his girlfriend, but I don't think you should give up on him altogether." A small smile pulled at Andromeda's lips as she hugged her and mumbled, "I'll miss you." She heard her aunt reply, "I'll miss you too." As she returned the hug. They separated a minute later, and her aunt smiled one more time before she entered the airport.
Andromeda turned and left. She began to head towards the Curtis house when she paused, thought for a few minutes, then headed in another direction with a plan in mind.
Luckily, finding Sylvia wasn't a difficult task. Andromeda knew she liked to stop at The Dingo for drinks around that time. Andromeda usually avoided the place, it was rough and several of the customers had a low view of women. But today she'd just have to ignore that.
Sylvia was sitting by herself that day, and only looked up when Andromeda approached.
Sylvia eyed her before she looked away disinterest clear on her face. Andromeda's lips thinned and she said, "There's something I need to talk to you about." Sylvia looked up long enough to say, "You know, it's Dallas I'm dating. Not you." Anger began to well up and Andromeda as she snapped back, "I'm not an idiot Sylvia. The only reason I'm here is to tell you I'm through with you beating the shit out of me."
Sylvia's mouth curled into a smile as she sneered, "So the little sweetheart can swear. That's so cute!"
Andromeda resisted the urge to punch the girl as she insisted, "This isn't a joke. I swear if you don't leave me be, I will make sure that Dallas hears about every terrible thing you've done for ... no reason really." Sylvia's smile faded as she shot back, "He won't be believe you." This time, it was Andromeda who smiled as she said, "Maybe he won't, but I'm sure he'd believe any of the rest of the gang, and I have no doubt they'd back me if I needed to. So Sylvia, do you really want to risk being exposed."
Sylvia was on her feet in seconds, hand in position to slap her. Despite that Andromeda continued to smile as she said, "Go on, It's not like I have anything to lose."
She watched as Sylvia trembled before she spat out, "Get out." Still, Andromeda persisted, "Only if you promise to leave me be." "Fine!" Sylvia spat, "Alright! Just leave me the fuck alone!"
Andromeda smiled sweetly, then walked out the place. She got a couple blocks away before she let herself release a shaky breath. The entire encounter had been nerve wracking, but she'd succeeded.
A second later, she looked around herself and frowned. She couldn't help feeling like someone was watching her, but she couldn't see anyone. After a minute, she shook her head and kept walking. Her friends would undoubtedly wonder what had taken her so long to get back.
Yep, Andromeda finally told Sylvia to leave her be. On a side note, I don't intend for Andromeda to pick up cursing as a normal part of her vocabulary, but she will do it if she's angry, upset, or trying to look tougher than she feels.
The next chapter will be one that wasn't in the original script, but it'll lead into one that was in it. Also, I'm trying to drop small hints in the story about something that did pop up in the original version.
The next chapter should be up in a week. (hopefully)
