Flashbacks Of The Heart:
(This chapter will be of Andros and Latia's past...as requested by AA Lover...the 1st ofa fewpeople on this site who have actually given me good reviews. And a note to The Last Temptation Of Homer: It is rude to ridicule someone who is only posting their stories for the first time. I say to you, if you do not like them then do not read them. I do not mean to be rude, but I do not appreciate reviews that say my stories are crap when I spent months working on them...and that was when I was writing them on paper.)
(It's taking me a long time to write this, so please bear with me.)
Part One: Spending time Alone:
Andros sat alone in the park. In the same place that Karone was taken from. He hung his head, wishing that he could have done more.
"I do not know why you cry so much," said a young voice.
Andros turned to see 11 year old Latia standing behind him.
"This is where my sister was taken from, Latia," Andros sniffled.
"(sheepish) Oh...I did not know," Latia turned to leave.
"Do not leave...I mean that I would not mind the company right now," He smiled to her.
Latia sat down next to Andros on the grass, staring out at the wide open space.
"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Andros asked.
"It is. I always loved the out doors, Andy," She sighed.
"What is bothering you, Latia?" He asked, staring at the young girl.
"I just wish...that...it is not important, Andy," She shook her head, "At least it is not right now."
Andros didn't understand the girl. But he did enjoy the time that they spent together.
"You know, Latia, if your brother knew you were out here...alone...with me...he would hang me from the nearest tree," Andros tried not to laugh.
"I know that, Andy, but Zhane is too busy being yelled at by mother for ruining my dress for the Winter Solstice feast," She smiled.
Andros and Latia broke out laughing at Zhane's sad fate. Andros could just picture it. Zhane hanging his head as Grenna yelled at him for purposely spilling a juice on Latia's dress, it made Andros smiled widely just imagining it. Latia looked at the handsome young boy smiling at her dear elder brother's misfortune. It had always been quite a sport to see Zhane get in trouble. But it had not been when they got caught for it. But, then again, they barely ever got caught. Andros looked to see Latia watching him, making her blush.
"Latia...I would...like to know...if you would...join me for the feast...to let me take you to the feast," Andros blushed deeply.
Latia smiled greatly at the boy. She projected her answer to him, I will go with you, Andros. Although, I do not know why you blush so red. The answer only made him turn even more red.
"I will come to your home in the morning...as I always do," Andros said, his words rushed as he stood quickly.
Latia reached her hand out to him, waiting for him to help her up. Andros took her hand, feeling her tiny hand in his.
"Andros, if I did not know better I would say that you have a crush on me," Latia smiled as he helped her up, "And I would not have it any other way."
Andros let out the breath that he was holding in.
"I am afraid that if I showed an interest in you, that your family would not approve," Andros said as they walked to a bench a couple hundred yards away.
"My mother would approve of you greatly, Andros," She smiled, "And if my father did not, my mother could make him see where he was wrong."
Andros realized that he was still holding Latia's hand.
"I still worry, Latia," Andros sighed, brushing Latia's knuckles.
"You worry because you are 13 and I am 11, Andros. There is not that much difference between us. We can carry the facade of platonic friends until I turn 13 if you wish," Latia sighed, looking into his eyes.
"Latia, that would please me greatly," Andros smiled, raising her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles lightly, "Now lets get you home before our parents accuse us of mischief."
Andros and Latia walked home hand-in-hand, stopping at the front door.
"I enjoyed spending time alone with you, Latia," He said, kissing her cheek.
"And I you, Andy, and I you," She kissed him on the cheek.
Latia went inside, the door closing silently behind her. Is it possible for me to love him so greatly now? Latia wondered.
Part Two: The Winter Solstice Feast:
Andros arrived on time, dressed in red and green velvet robes, as was the tradition for the Young Father Solstice role each year. This year was Andros' turn for Young Father Solstice and it was Latia's for Young Mother Solstice.
(A.N.: Young Father and Young Mother Solstice are known to us Earthlings as Santa and Missus Claus.)
Grenna opened the door, beaming at him.
"Come in, dear. Latia is upstairs. Her Aunt Justice is doing her hair. If you wish for it, I can do yours," Grenna said as Andros walked in.
"I would appreciate it, thank you," Andros said to her as they went into the living room.
It took Grenna half an hour to do Andros' hair for the feast. When they were ready to go, Grenna took Andros to the door.
"Latia, come down now," Grenna called upstairs.
Latia took a deep breath and looked back to her brother.
"Now or never, Zee," Latia sighed.
Zhane smiled at her, taking her arm. Andros sucked in a breath when he saw Latia coming down the stairs. You look beautiful, He said.
Thank you, She smiled.
When Latia and Zhane reached the bottom of the stairs, he handed her off to Zhane.
"Stand together for a moment," Grenna asked.
Andros and Latia stood together. Latia's golden blonde hair was up in a bundle of curls on her head, a few hanging down. They were held up with red, green, and gold ribbons. Andros had his hair down, held back in an elaborate braid that was held with red, green and gold.
Latia's outfit consisted of a thin green velvet under-dress, the bodice stitched with gold and red. Over that was a red robe, held closed with a green and gold sash tied around her waist.
Andros' outfit consisted of green velvet slacks and shirt, covered by a red robe also tied with a green and gold sash. Latia and Andros had on matching gold slippers as well.
"You both look perfect," Grenna smiled.
"Thank you, Mother," Latia smiled.
"Thank you, Ma'am, but we must be going. Everyone will be there before us, seeing as we have to arrive by carriage," Andros nodded politely.
Grenna and Zhane went to meet Latia and Zhane's father at the feast. Andros and Latia stood outside the house alone, waiting for the carriage. Latia laid her head on Andros' shoulder.
"I thought that they would never leave," She sighed.
Andros smiled at Latia.
"Latia, I do have to ask you something," He said softly.
"What is it, Andy?" She asked.
"Never mind, Tia, it's not important...at least not yet," He replied.
Latia and Andros waited for the carriage to arrive.
Part Three:Latia's 13th birthday:
Latia was happy beyond belief. She and Andros could finally be open in their interest in each other. Andros sat at the table, fidgeting with his hair.
"I have never seen you this nervous, 'Dros. It's just Tia's birthday," Zhane groaned.
"It is none of your business, Zhane," Andros snapped.
Andros got up and looked around the house for Latia. He found her in the backyard, alone. He snuck up behind her, putting her hands over her eyes.
"Why, Nicholas, how did you know?" Tia said slyly.
Andros huffed. She poked him in the ribs.
"Andy, I know it is you," She smiled.
Andros moved his hands and straddled the bench in front of her.
"Hello, beautiful," He grinned.
"Andy..." Tia blushed.
Andros touched her flushed cheek.
Tia, I do not know about this...I mean...your parents...my parents...they might not react to this very well, my dear, Andros said as he stroked her cheekbone.
I do not worry about it, my dear, because...well, who cares what our parents think. I mean it is our lives. I am a teenager now. I can have a boyfriend my age or slightly older. It does not matter...because when they ask...and they have been asking...I will simply tell them the truth. That I love you, Tia assured him, tucking hair behind his ear.
I...you love me? Andros smiled a little.
Yes, I do, Tia smiled back.
Andros had a big grin on his face, causing Tia to smile more. Soon, they were both laughing heartily. Andros asked her if she was ready for the party. Tia told him that she was just as nervous as he was about it, but that she just hid it better. Andros laughed and smiled at her, looking into her eyes. No-one except for his sister ever made him smile this much...NO-ONE. Andros drew his thumb across her temple, sensing her headache. He just laughed. Tia gave him a scathing look. Andros shook his head and told her that he was just surprised at her for not saying anything about her headache. Tia groaned, knowing that her boyfriend was right. Andros told her to stay put and went and got something for her headache. He brought it back to her.
"Take this," He said softly, "You'll feel better."
Tia smiled at Andros and his attempt to be helpful.
"What?" He said to her.
"Nothing, Andy. It's just adorable how you do that, you know. Trying to be all helpful and everything. It's sweet," She kissed his cheek.
Andros smiled at Tia, watching as she took the pain medicine. He sat with her a while, both of them totally silent, not speaking, not even using their telepathy to speak. He loved her with all his heart and nothing was going to change that.
Part Four: Dealing with the parentals:
Tia sat with her parents in the living room, listening to their yelling and occasional insults. She was starting to get very tired of it.
"I can't believe you, Latia, seeing Andros behind our backs?" Her mother yelled.
"We waited until I turned 13 before seeing each other, Mother, I have tried to tell you that but you will not listen to me," She yelled back.
Grenna was angry. She pulled her daughter up from her seat. Tia's eyes were blazing with contempt for their treatment of Andros. Grenna glared at her daughter, still unbelieving of the young girls carelessness. Grenna raised her hand and slapped Tia. She slapped Tia so hard that it knocked her over the side of the couch. Tia looked up at her mother, scared and frightened. Grenna felt instant remorse for the act and approached Tia to apologize. Tia backed away, making her way to the front door. There was only one person that she could go to now...Andros. When Grenna got closer, Tia made a break for it. She bolted out the door and in the direction of Andros' home.
"What have I done?" Grenna asked herself, "What have I done?"
Tia kept running, the red handprint still bright on her face, bruises from her mother grabbing her arms fresh on her biceps, tears stained her cheeks. Tia breathed easier when she found Andros and his parents in their front yard. Tia ran to Andros, breaking down in his arms.
"What is wrong, Tia?" He asked as he sat on the ground, the crying girl in his arms.
Tia only had to look up for Andros and his parents to see the welt on her face. His parents were outraged.
"Why did they hit you?" His mother asked.
"Mother...she slapped me...because she...thought that...I was seeing Andros...behind their backs," Tia said in between sobs.
Andros held her tight, Tia burying her head into his shoulder. Andros' mother stroked her back, angry that Grenna would actually hit one of her children. She had known Grenna her entire life and Grenna had a temper, yes, but she would never hurt anyone...until now.
"Andros, let's take Latia inside," His father said, taking Tia from Andros long enough for his son to stand up.
"Yes, that would be wise," His mother agreed, looking around as if looking for Grenna.
Andros' father handed Tia back to Andros. Tia buried her head in Andros' shoulder, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Andros' father opened the door, letting his wife, son, and Tia go in before him.
"Andros, take her upstairs and lay her on our bed," His father instructed, "I'll send your mother up after you in a moment. I need to speak to her of something."
He watched as his son carried her up the stairs and out of sight. He looked to his wife, both of them utterly confused.
"Natasha, you know Grenna...can you believe that she would do something like this?" He asked his wife.
"No, Phinnaeus, I cannot," She answered, "I mean...We haven't spoken in years, since...since Karone disappeared...but...I cannot believe she would hit her own daughter for withholding the fact that she was with Andros. I mean...that just isn't like her."
Phinnaeus held his wife close and whispered, "I will ask Trinion if he knows anything...he IS her brother...maybe he can tell us what is going on." Flash to Andros laying Tia on his parents bed, watching her curl defensively into a ball. The sight hurt him greatly.
(Dealing with the Parentals will be finished in the next chapter, along with the rest of this set of flashbacks. Thanks to AA Lover for giving me the idea to do flashbacks.)