Finding out the Truth

**************************Shan's Room********************************

Andy knocked on the door “Shan can I come in....” Before he left he would just knock on the door and walk in flop on her bed. They talked about everything this new quiet sister was bothering him. What had happened that was so bad to cause such a drastic change. He heard a sigh for a few seconds he was going to knock again when he heard her.

“yeah come in....” Shanell's voice came through the door.

He walked into the room grabbing the chair by her desk sitting on it backward watching her writing on a notebook wincing the whole time. She had changed out of her skirt into a pair of black bell bottoms After watching her try to write for a minute he grabbed the pen. “are you alright...”

She rolled her eyes “Yes I'm fine Andy …. I have homework to do ….. not that I don't mind visiting with you or talking to you …. but...” She sighed it was like she was making excuses to avoid him. She knew if she didn't then he would have her spilling her guts in minutes. It was best to keep just how bad it was getting in school especially from him. She went to grab the pen but he kept out out of her reach. “Andy.....” She looked at him.

“no talk to me Shan … we've never had problems talking to each other before …. talk to big brother.....” He turned her chair so she was facing him. “now talk to me …. what's going on that head of yours?” He asked softly. When she didn't say anything just looked at him with an eyebrow raised. “by the way we got some ideas how to fix this … but I want to know what's really going on...” When she still kept her mouth shut. He sighed looking around the room when he hit on an idea seeing the picture of them riding horses. “come on... “ He grabbed her wrist.

“where are we going.....” She shook her head “I have work to do....”

“nope it can wait you need some fresh air and it doesn't look like you have gotten any lately we are going for a ride....” He grabbed her coat and pulled her out the door with him. “mum me and Shan are going for a ride .. we'll be back in a few ….”

Barbara nodded “alright dear dinner will be later … “ All of them could hear Shanell trying to argue her way back into the house but they also know Andy was on a mission and nothing was going to change his mind.

“Andy how am I going to ride … my hands...” Shanell stumbled behind him as he tugged her gently behind him. She rolled her eyes knowing when he had his mind made up there was nothing changing it. They walked into the stable in the back where Andy and the rest of her brothers had bought some horses for her and their parents. She sighed as he saddled up one horse. “And are you....”

“I am listening we'll ride double … come on Starlight you need some air …. and we need to talk.... or I can talk and you can relax....” He quickly had her horse saddled before lifting her up onto the saddle and climbing behind her and grabbing the reins. “now just relax...” he clicked and they headed out of the barn.

They rode for a bit the fresh air did make her feel better but she knew what he was up to. She knew that what usually happened if he wanted her to get to talk he'd get her to relax. She sat up straight but soon was leaning back against his chest. “isn't gonna work And.... you aren't going to get me to talk by riding...” She sighed relaxing slightly his one arm wrapped around her waist to keep her safe. It was a lie it usually worked every time no matter what. It was what they usually did after she got home from school or he was frustrated with something. She leaned her head back against his chest as they rode her eyes closed enjoying just being with her big brother.

Andy looked down at the blonde head resting against him. “Shan …. talk to me .. what's going on … its got to be more than just the kids in school bothering you …. like that...” He kept his arm around her waist. “In order to help I have to know what's going on … like I said we have some ideas how to help but if I don't know what's going on I can't figure out if the ideas would work...” he kissed the top of her head.

She opened her eyes and sighed knowing he was not going to give up till he got all the information from her. He was stubborn like that she shook her head “Andy....”

“nope I know somethings bothering ya..... you've never been quiet …. not like this … come on Starlight talk to me I am not going anywhere … Barry, the twins and I are going to be here for a bit...” he tightened his hold as they bumped along.

She shook her head leaning back against him trying to fight the tears from coming knowing that would give him a true indication just how bad it was getting. She never really cried, ti was just not something she did on a whim. She sniffed “its f fine...” When the horse stopped and he got down lifting her off the back she knew he had heard her. She set on the rock wall he knelt down in front of her looking up into her eyes. Her brown eyes larger than they appeared because of the tears. “I can handle it Andy you …..”

“no Shanell if its making you cry its not something you should have to handle …. what is going on …. mum and dad are worried what is going on that you skip school and ...” He rubbed the back of her hands. “talk to me....” he brushed the tears off her face.

She took a shaky breath why was it so hard to tell him just how awful her school was. It wasn't just the kids in school. IT was the teachers that gave her a hard time. If she didn't try out for the choir, try out for solos she wasn't living up to her potential. If she did then she was trying to show everyone that she was better than the other soloists. She stared down at eyes that mirrored her own. She closed her eyes as the tears of having kept this to herself falling down her face. She didn't even move as he sat by her and pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest sobbing softly as he rubbed her back. Between the kids that just wouldn’t leave her alone to the teachers she didn't know what to do anymore. “I didn't want to bother you with this Andy....” her voice soft. “you have so much go g going on right now with the record, the tour and everything else … “ She sighed finally getting herself back under control. She leaned against his shoulder.

“hey hey... its my job as your big brother for you to come to me with anything doesn't matter if its the latest boy you like …. to how to tell mum you got an F in history ….” He tilted her head to look at him. “its my job to make things better but in order to do that you have to tell me … please...” He used his thumbs to remove the remains of her tears. She stared into his worried eyes, she closed her own eyes. All her plans to just deal with it herself not telling anyone washed away by one caring brother. She sighed and told him everything. The more she told him the angrier he seemed to get about it. He pulled her back against him. “we will fix this Shan I promise ….somehow ….we will okay you count on me okay … “ he leaned down to look into her eyes. When she just nodded and leaned against him he hugged her again sighing. Hearing her talk about how the kids and the teachers treated her brought back a lot of the memories of what he dealt with when he was in school.

“What idea did Barry and the twins have Andy?” She looked up at him. “do you think it will help....” She was worried what those three might have cooked up. Its not like Andy and she were that innocent when they thought up ideas but those three especially the twins had devious minds.

Andy relaxed on the stone wall. “now its just an idea Shan nothing is concrete okay we are just trying to come out with ideas to help.....” He sighed “and this idea was Barry's so don't go blaming Robin or Mo...” He smiled causing her to smile back.

“okay what was Barry's idea ..” She settled against him resting her head on his shoulder. For a few minutes she listened to what he had to say about it. A concert would that help or would that cause her even more problems. She knew they had other ideas to go with the concert and that she wasn't going to know what they were till the day of the concert. The idea had merit after all her Big brother was smart he wouldn’t have gotten Robin Maurice and him where they were if he wasn't. When he finished explaining everything she tried to process it. She looked back at Andy “And what if that doesn't work then what....” She swallowed “what if it just makes it worse.....I am not saying it won't work … but what if it just makes them even worse.”

Andy sighed “if it does then we will figure something out Shan... “ He pulled her back into a hug “but I promise we will find a way to fix this problem.....even if you have to come live with me....” he would have to talk to Barry about that later but he didn't see that be a problem with their older brother though he was only staying with Barry till his house ready to be moved into. He saw how angry the oldest Gibb was after seeing what those girls did to their baby sister.

Shanell sat up staring at him “mum would never go for that Andy …. there is no way she or Dad would allow that to happen....” She shook her head. The idea had sent a shard of hope into her heart. To get away from that school and this town would be a dream come true for her.

“Starlight you leave mum and dad to me okay ….” He looked down at her. “I'll try to find a way to make this better ….” He kissed her forehead “now come on before mum sends someone out to look for us ….” Soon they were back on the horse Shanell relaxed as they rode she had exhausted herself crying the way she did. But yet it had felt like a small weight had been lifted off her after she let Andy know what was going on. It didn't take them long to get back to the house she helped Andy put the horse away and head inside. The smell of dinner was wafting through the house. She wondered how long they had been if dinner was already done.