Third installment in the Four Elements series.
Andie and her friends finally reached senior year. But of course, when you're the living incarnations of fire, earth, water, air and light, peace can't last for long.
After everything they'd been t...
The rest of the day was easier for Andie, now she knew what was troubling Bane. He hadn't mentioned his mother at the cafeteria, so she hadn't either. He probably wanted his privacy. Or he'd not wanted to see more pity in their eyes than he'd already seen in Andie's... she hesitated on calling him after class or not, but decided not to. She had to respect his need for personal space. He would come to her if he wanted to.
As she walked towards the entrance steps, navigating through the other students, she paused at the top of the stairs to admire the sunlit campus. Just then heard him call her name. Looking round, she saw him hurry towards her.
"Andie, hold on!"
"Hey, I was just thinking about you, actually..." she told him as he caught up to her. "How are you holding up?"
He did seem just a little more relaxed.
"... Okay, I guess. I tell myself she wouldn't want me to be sad. And telling you helped, too."
Andie didn't answer and just squeezed his hand.
"Do you want to... I don't know, grab a coffee at the Fountain, or... do something else...?"
Bane smiled softly at her.
"No thanks, Andie. You're amazing for offering, though." Bane said.
He kissed her forehead. Andie tried to scan his face, but couldn't quite read it.
"Of course," Andie said. "But, are you sure?"
"I'll be fine. Me and uncle Rob'll probably spend the evening reminiscing."
"... Okay, then. But I'm just a call away, all right?"
"All right," he said and kissed her again, on the lips.
Andie watched him walk away. She bit her lip uncertainly, not sure whether she should try and insist or not. It was really unpleasant to watch the person she loved suffer without being able to do anything to help...
Suddenly, Bane paused and turned around. Andie blinked. Was he changing his mind?
"... Andie?"
She took a few steps forwards.
"Yes?" she asked.
"There's actually one thing I could use your help with," he said.
It was a little frustrating to not know where she was going. But Andie trusted Bane, so she didn't press when he said "you'll see". And soon enough, she did. They stopped outside some kind of park. Andie got out of the car and looked around. Just then, she realized where they were. They had arrived at the cemetery.
"... Why are we here?" she asked uncertainly.
"I wanted to visit my mother's grave with you."
Andie froze a few seconds.
"Oh... Bane, I..." She hesitated. "Are you sure you want me with you, here? It must be important to you and Robert..."
"It is," he agreed. "But so are you. And yes, I'm sure."
He took her hand and she followed him into the cemetery. They walked in silence past the rows of graves, passing few people as they went.
"... I thought you were born in England?" Andie asked quietly.
"I was, yes." Bane agreed. "But my mom and I moved to America about a year before she died. Here we are..."
They had reached the grave with Camille's name on it. It read:
Here lies Camille Delilah Davis.
Loving mother, sister, friend.
December 10th 1969 – September 9th 2001.
Beside it was a picture of Camille. Andie recognized her from the ones she'd seen in Bane's house. Bane was very silent for a moment. Andie squeezed his hand in hers, resting her head on his shoulder. She couldn't think of anything to say, so she didn't.
"... Hey, Mom..." Bane finally said. "... sorry I haven't been around in a while... I..."
He hesitated, gulping several times before continuing.
"It's just that I miss you so much... and I wish you could see me now... I fell in love, I have friends... and I just wish I could share it with you..."
He tried to go on, but couldn't. Andie's own heart broke for him. She had never seen him so vulnerable, even when Eric had been in the picture... She wanted to help. But she couldn't think what to say.
"You don't have to say anything," Bane said, as though reading her mind. "You're here, and that's already a lot."
Andie squeezed his arm without a word. Eventually, she said:
"I wish I could have met her... she sounded like an amazing woman."
Bane nodded.
"Yeah. She was. And I know she would have loved you."
"I like her already," she whispered.
Bane glanced questioningly at her.
"She's the reason I got to know you," she explained.
He smiled sadly at her then looked back at the headstone. Andie rested her head against his, her arms wound around his. She tried to convey all her love in her touch, as though doing so would somehow sooth Bane's broken heart.
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