Beyond Eight Years - Chapter 2
A/N: Thank you guys so much for the warm responses. I really do appreciate it. I hope you'll stick with me until the end. I decided to have a standard pacing on when I'll be updating: once a week. I hope that's okay with everyone. I like the suspense and thrill of waiting, I guess. (I know, I'm mean.) I promise though to have an update, every single week.
This chapter, you will learn more but not everything about Elizabeth and Andy, just so you'll have some sort of idea. Please don't hate me. Again, I ship Miranda, so ... chill. No hate, okay? Lol.
This chapter is still beta-virgin and after tweaking and countless tweaking, I decided to just be a woman enough, stop, and just post it.
Hope you'll like it.
Suggestions, comments and constructive criticism (especially the latter) are STRONGLY REQUESTED.
Please do not archive.
Andy had vague recollection of what happened after Elizabeth touched her arm on the street. She vaguely remember agreeing to having coffee despite her running late for work. Oh well. What the hell, right? It's not like chances like this happen a lot.
So there she was sipping coffee in Starbucks, trying her might not to fidget while Elizabeth's smile was blinding her. Yeah. Elizabeth's smile. One of the first thing Andy noticed about her when she passed by the store where Elizabeth worked nine years ago. She was just a happy-go-lucky teenager, minding her own world when fate had her glance sideways and saw Elizabeth smiling at someone. It was love at first sight for Andy. Young and love struck that she was, she'd had the guts to tell Elizabeth 'Love at first sight, that's what you are. What you did to me.' Elizabeth gave out a hearty laugh. When the laugh subsided, she kissed the young woman, and the rest was history.
"So.. how've you been?" Elizabeth asked before lifting her cup to her lips.
Andy couldn't help but stare. Focus.
"Umm, okay. I guess." Tell her you now have a girlfriend. "I mean, great.. Everything's been great so far."
Elizabeth nodded, "Glad to hear that. You've changed a lot, huh." She said, then added, "I mean, in a good way. You've grown into a beautiful woman." She finished with a soft smile playing on her lips.
Andy couldn't help but blush at the compliment. "Thanks." For some reason, her mouth worked faster than her brain, so she heard herself saying, "And you haven't aged a bit. God, you're even more beautiful than I recall." And though she was the one who gave the compliment, she blushed thoroughly and cursed herself. She couldn't believe she actually said the words out loud.
What in the freaking hell are you trying to accomplish here, Sachs? You are digging your own grave. Jesus.
Elizabeth smiled warmly, "Thank you."
Andy tried to work up her courage to steer the conversation away. Apparently, her tongue's playing tricks on her and well working, even before her brain could send a signal of what she should be saying.
I need to just relax and calm the fuck down. I can do this.
"So.. staying here in New York for good?" Really, Andy? I thought we were trying to stray the conversation away. Your question seemed loaded. What the hell. She couldn't seem to think straight. What was wrong with her? Was she this pathetic even before? No wonder Elizabeth decided to call it quits. She wouldn't want to have a psycho girlfriend. But she endured her for eight years. God. What about Miranda? Does she find Andy pathetic too? But really, what was so pathetic in asking if she's staying in New York for good? Grrrr.
"Maybe. Not sure yet. The shop opened a branch here and Donna wanted me to manage it. We'll see how it goes. No definite plans yet. I mean, don't get me wrong, New York is amazing, but you know, small town girl here. I miss home already." Elizabeth sighed before taking another swig at her cup.
Elizabeth works for a flower shop back in Cincinnati. That was where she first met Andrea. Andrea who had been watching her for weeks prior to getting her nerve to finally approach her and talk to her. They were all friendly at first but when Andy learned that Elizabeth wasn't so much into boys, Andy who had no clue what-so-ever about wooing an older woman didn't waste a single moment to win Elizabeth over. The age was a major issue at first, but thank heavens, Andy worked her charm and won Elizabeth over, by trying to act as mature as she could manage. It was harder when she was in college, long-distance relationship and all. But thankfully, Elizabeth was as monogamous as Andy was, so all worked out fine. That's why it puzzled Andy greatly why when they were finally together, when she got back from college, Elizabeth decided to end their almost a decade relationship.
She didn't provide Andy with much explanation. She just said that it's not working between them anymore so she thinks it'd be best to end the relationship rather than both of them suffering in the long run. Andy didn't understand Elizabeth's reason for one bit and was so mad, at first. Then was really sad. Then was deeply depressed… and so the begging and the shouting outside of Elizabeth's door. It was painful and most of all, embarrassing with a capital E. It was hell: what Andy did for love (or stupidity) back then. Despite all of Elizabeth's words and reasons, Andy had always felt there was more to it. Elizabeth never gave her a definite reason. Andy was sure Elizabeth wasn't seeing anyone as she managed to keep track of people who'd been interacting with Elizabeth, to the point of her being a stalker, almost. Thank God, Andy managed to get a grip. But still, so many questions were left unanswered that had kept Andy wondering.
So, around that time when she met Nate. She decided, heck, after being lesbian and faithful and loving, her relationship, along with her heart still went to pieces. Time to change the game. It was almost out of the blue when she decided to run off with Nate to New York to start anew. She needed to get away from Elizabeth and her ever confusing answers. Her parents were doubtful and were sure Nate was a rebound but she just shrugged them off. Of course, her thing with Nate didn't work out, just as her parents had expected. It wasn't that painful though. In fact, it was almost a relief when it ended.
Miranda of course entered the picture and before Andy even had a moment and the time to process it all, there she goes again, falling for someone who's almost the opposite of Elizabeth, but in ways, are also the same. As a precaution, prior to acting on her feelings for Miranda, Andy decided to have some serious self talk and even went for a shrink. She didn't think she needed a shrink, really, but then, it couldn't hurt. By shrink, of course, doesn't necessarily mean it's the professional one. Why waste a hundred bucks an hour when she's got Doug. Doug who never failed to lend an ear, or a shoulder or a hanky whenever Andy needed him. Lilly on the other hand, stepped out of the picture the moment she decided Andy was some glamazon who she can no longer recognize. Oh well. Can't please them all-Doug casually said while munching on come Chinese take out one night.
She was sure with Miranda. Really sure that she's willing to cut her legs and arms to see the menace-of-a-woman happy. Of course, she didn't think first hand that she could make Miranda happy. Her main goal was just that: make Miranda happy and see her smile. She and Doug had serious and long talks over these two women that managed to rattle Andy's whole being. In the end, she decided Miranda's worth every risk. She was of course afraid that Miranda might not give her a chance, or hell, do what Elizabeth did: leave her high and dry, with not only a broken, but an almost pulverized heart. Then again, she realized, if she'll forever be afraid, she will never be happy. Anyway, what are the chances that Miranda will be as heartless as Elizabeth? Right. So, she pushed her demons away, but decided to chase the Devil. And boy, she won-with flying colors, in fact.
"I see. New York is not so bad. Just a little." Andy couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yeah. So I've noticed." Elizabeth said smiling, but was fidgeting and playing with the tissue in her hand. "It's not so bad, especially now that I've seen you."
Andy was shocked by the woman's bluntness but didn't quite know what so say, so she found herself uttering, "Yes, well.." What? What the fuck was that? You are misleading her again Andy Sachs. You have a girlfriend, for fucks sake.
"So.. I was thinking.. would you like to have some dinner tonight?"
"Sure." Holy shit. You are in big, big trouble Andy. You and your stupid mouth. She mentally thought if she and Miranda had prior arrangements. No. Miranda's having dinner with John Galliano tonight and she said she'd be home late. Yes. Safe. Really, what's the harm or having dinner with an old friend, right?
Right.
"Great. Umm, let's exchange numbers then so we could work it out. I have to run back to the store. I didn't mean to be out this long.." she stood up and hand Andy her business card, "It was a pleasant surprise though."
Andy took the business card, careful not to brush fingers with Elizabeth. Too much. She could only handle so much.
"Nice to see you again, Liz.. Err, Elizabeth." Liz was what Andy used to call her when they were still together. Elizabeth hated the nick name and always insisted on people calling her her full name. Only when it comes to Andy that she endured being called Liz.
Elizabeth smiled again and gathered her bag. Andy was also on her feet and was trying hard not to fidget or sweat or act any more stupid than she already felt.
"I'll see you then." Elizabeth said, and then kissed Andy's cheek before the latter had time to react. Andy blushed thoroughly and felt like her knees was about to give out on her. She needed a seat. Jesus.
What the hell.
No, she didn't feel any magic or that wonderful feeling she used to feel. She felt weak because.. because that instant, Miranda's soft smile flashed before her eyes. And Andy, poor Andy almost sobbed. She felt guilty right there and then. Like she'd just cheated on Miranda.
Fuck. This is not going good. And why had she agreed to have dinner with Elizabeth anyway? What the hell was she thinking? Oh right, she wasn't.
It took her a couple of seconds before she finally got her bearing back, and as if on cue, karma decided Andy needed more challenge. Her phone ringed and Miranda's name was on display.
TBC.