Tent City

Chapter 22 - Andy

I needed to see Kelsie and needed to explain what happened between Marcie and I.

I cursed under my breath and gritted my teeth. I hated my inability to make a decision while distressed. A leader wouldn't react the way I had. A leader would know how to make a decision even if they were experiencing extreme emotional distress.

I decided that the best choice would be to finish my shift, then apologise to Kelsie. She probably needed the time to process, and I needed time to prepare what I was going to say so that I don't aggravate the situation more and find the words to say that would show Kelsie I did care for her, and what happened between Marcie and I was a mistake.

I arrived to do the remaining hours left of my shift, but to my surprise, I found that my soldiers did not acknowlede my position as a superior officer, disapproving looks, and Marcie, her back facing me, doing my job.

"What's happening here?" I asked, confused.

I was answered with silence until Marcie slowly turned around. She had a menacing grin on her face, exactly as you'd see a villain smile in a movie or comic of old.

"I'm now temporary Commander of the freedom troop, you have been relieved of your position." She said, bitterness edging in her tone.

"You have no authority to make that decision. You're third in charge. I'm your superior officer. Only I can make that decision or somebody else who holds a higher rank. Not you or anybody here." I replied, motioning around the room. Trying to control my anger at the turn of events.

"No, that is incorrect, Andrea. Rule 215 of the bunker's governing military laws, states: If a officer who holds any rank, believes that their superior officer is no longer fit to lead, has suffered injuries that has stopped their ability to make decisions, or if a superior officer has endangered their charges lives by negligence. Then, the next highest ranking officer can organise a vote to take over the position. I'm that officer in this case, and we have voted to relieve  you of your position.

You have endangered the lives of your charges due to negligence, and we feel you're no longer fit to lead due to the emotional distress you're under due to Commander Lees' injuries.

As I'm now your superior officer, Andrea, you will be placed on leave until we come to a decision about your future in this bunker.

You are to return to your room. For now, you are free to roam, but you can no longer make decisions and access restricted areas in this bunker, these privilages have been revoked. Good night, Officer." She said as she turned her back to me.

I was left speechless. She was right, but the reasoning behind this decision was not. She had made this decision out of jealousy, anger, and revenge. Not because I was unfit to lead.

I left, dazed, I was numb, I had suffered too much emotional distress for one night. It was like my brain had shut down.

I had no one to go to for comfort, help, or advice. Commander Lee was badly injured and remained in a coma. I had broken Kelsies heart, and I wasn't sure if she'd forgive me. Even though I felt I had lost her, I found myself at the front of her door..

My heart beat like drums, my  chest was tight, I took in some huge breaths and quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. The only thing that gave me enough courage to press the doorbell was the thought

"If she loved me, she would answer the door and would listen to my side of the story. If she loved me, she'd make a decision whether to pursue a relationship with me or not."  I crossed my fingers and took In another deep breath. With a shaking hand, I extended my finger and pressed the button.

The computer's mumbled monotone voice told Kelsie, who was at the door. There was silence, and the door remained tightly shut.

I sighed, defeated. I felt as though I would vomit up everything I had eaten (which wasn't much) in the last 24 hours at the front of Kelsies door. Now, I tried to hold down the rising vomit and the loud sobs that threatened to pass my lips and shake my body. I had truly lost everything that mattered to me in one night. I turned to leave and had my back to the door when I heard a swoosh. I stopped in my tracks, and I was too scared to look around. Was I imagining the door opening? There were a few seconds of silence, which felt like hours.

"Andy?" I almost collapsed in relief as I heard the high-pitched but boyish voice of Ben. Then I felt him wrap his arms around my legs.

" Are you here to see me? You should come in!" Ben said excitedly.

I turned around and saw Kelsie standing just inside the doorway. Her hair was a mess, her eyes bloodshot, her cheeks were red, and some clear snot glistened just under her nose. Her eyes were glazed and seemed shocked to see me.

"I'll come in, only if it's okay with big sis?" I asked while looking straight at Kelsie. I was fighting the urge to bawl and throw myself into her arms and beg for forgiveness but also to chuckle at the snot under Kelsie's nose.

Kelsie moved out of the doorway and motioned for me to enter. Ben reached up and grabbed my hand to lead me inside. I entered their room, and I felt a huge mixture of emotions, such as guilt, sadness, and dread. A heavy mist of awkwardness consumed the room.

Kelsie sat on her bed and stared at me. Her eyes still remained confused, but her face was blank. Ben also stared at me, but he was happy and had a smile on his face, his eyes full of adoration. He reminded me of a cute little dog like the ones I'd seen in books and on TV. Innocent, happy, and full of love.

"Ben, if it's okay with Big Sis, would you like to take a piece of paper and sit outside the door for a few minutes while I talk to her?" I suggested while looking at Kelsie.

Kelsie nodded,

"Okay, big Sis!" He said as he happily picked up his paper, and pencils took them out in the hallway and made himself comfortable while leaning against the wall.

Once he was comfortable and firmly told that he must not leave that spot. I went back inside and sat beside Kelsie, I wanted to grab her hand, hold it firmly, and never let it go. But I stopped myself.

"Kelsie....I can...explain." I said, trying to hold down the overwhelming emotions I was feeling, but I was not strong enough. They rose to the surface like a geyser.

"I'm so sorry. I l..o..ve you. Not her..." Was all I could manage before my voice became twisted and hoarse from the emotions, followed by an ocean of tears.

"Pl..ease, for...give me, Kelsie."

After I said that, it was like I lost energy and became weak. I was being vulnerable with somebody I actually loved. Somebody that I feared, would judge me for my weakness.

But now, all I could feel was her arms entangling me and pulling me into her chest. The smell of her hair as she embraced me, the feel of her lips gently grazing my head, as she kissed me. The feel of her fingers lifting my chin up and the soft brush of her lips against mine. The smell of her breath in between our kisses. Then, the overwhelming feel of relief and happiness as she whispered,

"Andy, I forgive you, and...I lo..ve you too." Then the feeling of her tears against my cheeks.

I paused from our kisses and wiped the tears from her rosy cheeks,

" Why are you crying?" I whispered.

"I'm crying because I'm happy. I've wanted this ever since I was told you hardly left my side when I was sick. I have loved you since those days. I suspected that even back then, you've loved me too." She whispered, her voice taut with emotion, as she resumed kissing my lips, a little more intense than before. In between breaths and kisses.

"I have."

I whispered back.