The top cymbal of the hi hat is attached to a rod, and when you press the pedal the chain pulls down that rod and therefore the top cymbal.
The bottom cymbal stays in place, all you do when pressing the pedal is basically pulling the top cymbal down.
When your foot isn't on the pedal, the top cymbal is high and the hi hat is open. When you press down, the hi hat goes against the bottom cymbal and it's closed.
Btw what hi hat stand do you have?