A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. A little reminder: if it seems like Andy acts older than she should be, that's because she's older than the boys. The boys are 12 going on 13, and she is 13 going on 14.
The sun began to rise. Andy cocked her head at the beautiful sight in front of her. She loved sunrises and sunsets. Somehow, in a weird twisted way to her, they showed how pure and breathtaking the world could actually be. She never got enough proof of the world being a great place; everything and everyone seemed to be screaming at her constantly, "No, the world sucks and it sucks to live here and it sucks to be alive and it sucks to be trapped in this hellhole we call Earth!". But now, as she sat on the railroad tracks, staring at the sun rising, she felt "the butterfly effect" in her stomach. Everything was perfect. The sunrise washed away her unwanted emotions and sculpted her desired ones.
"Mmmm….soldier, finish your pie!"
Andy had to stick her whole fist in her mouth to keep herself from bursting out laughing from Teddy's sleep talk. He had been doing that for awhile, and how he continued to say the most hilarious things, she never knew. Sometimes she had the strangest suspicion that he was doing it on purpose.
"Suther, what the hell could possibly be so funny at 4:30 in the morning?"
Andy whipped her auburn head around. Gordie was making his way towards her, stumbling up the hill in a sleepy manner. He plopped down on the rail next to her, rubbed his eyes hard, and looked at the sky.
Andy shifted her eyes back and forth between him and the rising sun. Now more than ever, she was starting to feel apprehensive around him. She honestly felt bad that she had liked him as more of a friend. She felt as if she had a duty to keep Gordie with her always, and she knew that if she liked him in that way and something happened, he'd never speak to her again. Besides, she was a tomboy and Gordie's best friend, wouldn't it look like she was starting to go girly? But there was just a glimmer of hope and pleading inside of her that was begging for her to stay like her old self and let Gordie like her. God how she wanted him to like her….
"Do I belong in a sunrise too, Gordie?" Andy asked him, with no trace of sarcasm or mocking.
Gordie didn't dare look at her. He kept his huge brown eyes focused on the sun. "Yeah, yeah you do," Gordie answered, pretending to consider, "There's some auburn in the sunrise too."
Andy now looked at him full on. Why not try and see what Gordie's feelings are? It was only Gordie, her best friend in the world; it wasn't like he was going to parade her feelings around to the entire school. He understood everything, and he'd forgive her. Why couldn't she just try?
"I heard you talking to Chris last night," Andy began, coming from a far-off approach.
"Yeah, let's not talk about that. It's between me and Chris," Gordie told her.
"I talked to him too, you know," Andy snapped, her voice getting deeper like it always did when she was annoyed, "And he said he'd give the college courses a shot."
Gordie seemed to perk up at the news. This was totally unexpected. He had succeeded in getting Chris to start his new life! "No shit?"
"No shit man, honest. He wants to try."
Gordie smiled. "That's my boy."
Andy laughed. Gordie wasn't gay, was he?
They became silent, and stared at the sunrise. What was the deal with silence lately? That same quietness from last night came creeping back, and it was weird. Andy had to think of something else to say, or nothing would happen.
"You know," Andy started, still gazing at the sunrise, "Everything's about giving someone a chance. Everyone deserves a chance, even if it is only one. Like Chris, he deserves a chance. I deserve a chance. You deserve a chance."
"Wait," Gordie interrupted, his eyes now on her, "What do I need a chance for? What do you need a chance for?"
"Gordo, you really need a chance man. From your parents. Your parents need to open their eyes up and see what a great son they still have. You and Denny were both great. You still are. They just don't see it, and they need to give you a chance, now more than ever," Andy informed him firmly.
Gordie's eyes misted over and he crossed his arms. She had to bring Denny into it. Everyone always had to bring Denny into every single little thing, even things he had nothing to do with. Did she remember that the slightest mention of Denny could drive him berserk? Did she even care?
"You don't know a thing about Denny," Gordie snarled, swiping his eyes, "Not a thing at all. Everyone just saw him as "The Athlete", or "The Jock", or something. But you know, he wasn't just an All American football star. He was so much more than that, but no one else saw it either, so I guess you're not alone. But he did a lot more than play football and make good grades. He was the only one who cared for me. Now there's no one here for me anymore."
"No, don't say that," Andy ordered, "Don't you dare say something like that! Yes, I know Denny cared for you a lot, he loved you so much Gordie. He probably loved you even more than he loved my sister. You meant so much to him. It might feel like no one else cares for you since he died, but people do. Chris cares about you more than he cares about anyone, you are special to him. I care for you."
"How much?" Gordie asked, his voice quiet, "A lot?"
"You have no idea," she answered bitterly, "And I suppose you never will."
"Why?" Gordie asked, becoming more curious, "You can't tell me how much you care for me?"
Andy grabbed a rock and threw it hard, surprised at how arrogant that had sounded. "I can, I guess. But you're too worried about yourself though, aren't you? When are you ever gonna ask if anyone else is ok?"
"Hey, I asked if Chris was ok last night!" Gordie exclaimed, like he couldn't believe Andy was accusing him.
"That's not good enough!" Andy lectured, "You're saying 'Oh no one cares about me anymore! Oh no!' Blah blah blah! Gordie I like you and all man but….get over yourself!"
Andy scowled to herself. Why did he have to go ruin things like that? He was always talking about how no one ever appreciated him. It's not like he was doing anything at the moment that would call for appreciation! Anger was rushing through her veins.
"Andy! Come on, I just-"
"You'll never know how much I care!"
"Andy-"
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"Andy-"
"I've done nothing but good for you, and what do I get in return?"
"Andy-"
"IT'S BECAUSE I LIKE YOU, OKAY!" Andy screamed at Gordie.
Gordie scooted away from her, but his big brown eyes were wide with shock. She…she liked him! And he just went and ruined it. Great job Gordo.
Andy stood up angrily. He wasn't worth her time anymore.
"Fuck you," she sneered, and then spit at his feet.
She turned on her heel and stomped back over to the campsite, where the other three boys were still sleeping. She flopped down on her sleeping bag, and pounded her fists onto it. She wanted to hit him so bad…. But honestly, how could he do this to her? She had helped him through so much already, and he still had a long way to go to recuperate after the death of his older brother. But he just stepped all over her, and told her flat out that she didn't care, and that she never would. Now he knew that she liked him. And she couldn't really give a damn.
"Andy, Andy, Andy!"
"She's dead, I know it!" came the voice of Vern, "She looks dead!"
Andy opened her eyes weakly. She had barely gotten enough sleep, and she felt like the sun was going to make her into a raisin. Vern, Teddy, and Chris were all crouched down in a circle above her head, making her a little dizzy.
"Wow, she's sweating up a storm. Must be dreaming about me," Teddy concluded with a smirk.
"Andy, are you alright?" Chris asked worriedly, his hand on her forehead.
"What happened?" Andy questioned, starting to sit up. Her somewhat sickness began to leave her as she did so.
"Well, actually nothing," Chris admitted, "But the train passed by, and you didn't wake up, so we -oh sorry, correction- I was worried about you."
"I was worried too," a voice grumbled from behind.
There was the two-faced son of a bitch himself, standing in the background, his arms folded, but his adorable brown eyes concerned.
"Anyway, you alright?"
"Yeah…I dunno why I'm sweating…"
"You did not have sex behind our backs, did you?" Teddy mock gasped, putting his hand to his mouth.
"Come on, Teddy, knock it off," Gordie ordered, "It must have been the sun. It's beating down pretty hard now."
"Yeah," Chris agreed, "That's why we better start going. The longer we wait, the worse it's going to be later on."
Everyone nodded, and got their stuff packed up. They got on the train tracks and began to walk again. As Gordie started to walk past Andy, she rammed her shoulder into his.
"Oh, I'm sorry, didn't see you," Andy apologized sarcastically through her teeth.
"No need to apologize, I don't care," Gordie seethed.
Chris turned around and asked, "Is anything going on between you two?"
"Nothing at all," they both answered in unison.
Chris raised an eyebrow at Gordie and turned back around.
"Gentlemen, the Royal," Chris pointed out, as if he were introducing everybody to the river, "Oh, and lady," he added, noticing Andy's glare, "If we go across the field right here we'll be there in an hour."
"I think we should stick to the tracks," Vern put in.
"I say we go across the field," Teddy said, dignified.
"Field," Andy told them simply.
Once they got Gordie's approval, Teddy's "TAKE NO PRISONERS!" cry, and Vern's final feeble attempt to talk them out of it, they all raced across the field and entered the swamp. Castle Rock wasn't usually full of swamps, and as dirty as the group were, they didn't go into swamps often. But this was just miserable. Vern actually seemed rather smug, because he was actually right about something…..for once.
"I hate this shortcut," Vern declared.
"I hate this shortcut!" Teddy copied, mocking Vern in a babyish voice.
Vern proceeded to put his hand in front of Teddy's face, and it was the happiest Andy had ever seen him on the whole trip.
"HAHA! YOU FLINCHED, TWO FOR FLINCHING!"
And as Teddy hit Vern twice on the arm, Vern looked confused and scared.
"But, you flinched!"
"I know, two for flinching," Teddy told him smugly, walking on.
Soon, the group came up to a dreaded pool of swampy water.
"Great, how are we going to get across this?"
Chris broke a stick off of a low hanging tree and stuck it in the water.
"Hey you guys, it's not that deep," Chris informed, "We can walk across."
As the five of them stepped into the swamp, they all fell into the water. They all stuck their heads out, shivering.
"Told you we should have stuck to the tracks," Vern scowled.
Teddy turned to him slowly and asked, "Is it me, or are you the World's Biggest Pussy?"
"And I suppose this is fun for you?"
"No…but this is!"
Teddy jumped up and dunked Vern's head under the water, leaving Vern gasping for air, and Teddy laughing his head off.
"Come on, Teddy, act your own age!" Chris ordered.
"This is my age! I'm in the prime of my youth, and I'll only be young once!"
"Yeah, but you're gonna be stupid for the rest of your life!"
Soon, Chris, Teddy, and Vern were all dunking each other in the water, laughing and splashing around, having a great time. Andy began to tread water, staring at them, until Chris brought her into it. Soon, she began to have fun with them, but she couldn't help but notice Gordie walking off to the other side.
They all ended up following Gordie and tackling him, even Andy. Sure, she was angry with him, but that didn't mean that she would pass up an opportunity to lie on top of him. Whoa. Her hormones were really starting to kick in.
"Hey Vern, there's something on your neck," Gordie warned.
"Yeah, like I'm falling for that one Lachance!"
"No Vern, there is something on your neck!" Chris exclaimed.
"It's a leech….LEECHES!" Teddy screamed.
Then everyone screamed and scrambled off of each other and onto the shore. Clothes began to fly off, and Andy didn't care. She'd rather walk around in her underwear and bra forever than have leeches on her. But it had to be the most disgusting thing that had happened to her. She pulled the leeches off quickly, and got Teddy to do her back. She double checked herself, and just as soon as they were on, they were off. She breathed a deep, shaky breath and looked around at everyone else. Apparently, they were all ok. They were ok, and they were staring at her. Her in only her bra and underwear.
"Holy shit girl, why have you been hiding that from us?" Teddy said eagerly, his eyes moving up and down.
"Whoa. How'd you get those?" Vern asked.
"Shut up!" Andy commanded, and she turned to Chris, "Chris…come on…"
Chris gave her a weak smile. "Damn…" he muttered under his breath.
"Oh Chris!" a voice suddenly squeaked, "Oh shit Chris, oh shit man!"
The other four turned and saw Gordie, and they realized where that last leech was. Gordie was breathing heavy, his face full of panic. His adorable brown eyes widened at Andy and pleaded with her to help. But she couldn't. No one could. Gordie was on his own. He reached down into his underwear, and suddenly there it was, in his hand. The leech burst in his fingers, blood spewing all over his hand. He stared at his fingers hard, and suddenly…he hit the ground.
Andy was the first to reach him, Chris coming right behind her. She felt like crying, something she rarely did. She felt so bad for him. They knelt down next to Gordie, and Teddy and Vern kept bickering.
"Wow, I never met anybody who fainted before," Vern breathed, while Gordie's eyes were beginning to open.
"Maybe he made a bad mistake and looked at your face!"
"Shut up Teddy!" Chris and Andy ordered in unison.
"You ok, Gordie?" Chris asked him as his eyes opened wider. He grabbed a hold of his hand and pulled him up.
"Gordie, Gordie, are you sure you are alright?" Andy asked worriedly.
Gordie just looked at her. She couldn't decipher what was in his face at that moment. But his look just mesmerized her, and left her wondering for a long time after what he was feeling while he did this. But it was the biggest mix of love and hate she had ever seen. And that was the way she felt at the moment.
