Camila although barely able to sleep with the excitement of new acceptance woke up fresh faced and blaring to go almost running along the hot Miami concrete to greet the large building she'd been begging to be inside of invited.. she didn't know what Jauregui had intended when asking her back.. whether it meant a place or simply another bout of humiliation.. it didn't matter.. she was there.. that's all that mattered
She smiled to herself gratefully glancing down at her short shorts and skin tight black tee bending over to check her sneakers were tied tight before bouncing up towards the doors let in without hesitation to breathe in the thick expensive air that flourish around her nostrils
"Well look who it is? Number 24!"
"Dinah right? Hi.. wow"
Camila stumbled in awe as the hiring face that landed her the spot back into the academy walked powerfully past her body recognising her enough to stop, she smiled with a beam lighting up the space while the lioness haired woman rolling her eyes up and down the girls body drinking up the talent she now knew to have proven Jauregui wrong with
"I hope this little visit follows an invitation girl, no offence but I've heard about your habit of just.. showing up"
"It was an aggressive invitation but.. yes! I'm not sure why though.. probably just wants to humiliate me again.."
She huffed defeatedly with a tinge of nervous excitement the lion woman could only laugh sympathetically at, she knew her boss better than anyone.. the ways in which she showed her wrong doings and more so the defensive and covering tones she'd use to hide her rarely made mistakes, Dinah was kind.. enthusiastic but sweet.. She had to be with the other two roaming on their power trips..
"Whatever she wants it doesn't matter, you have a problem you come to me! My advise? Hide your back! These bitches like to stab them! Jauregui and Fallon will only watch.."
"That's Uhm.. thanks? I guess?"
"I'm serious! It's like a pack on pack kind of thing here.. don't get it twisted either.. boys can be bitchy too!"
The woman spoke forcing a twinge of anxiety deep into the girls veins as she glanced around only now noticing the dagger eyes that came from every dancer privileged in their previously earned places.. Camila didn't have a place yet, maybe she never would but? The tension could already be felt.. it was an intense feeling like every eye was out to scrutinise her, Dinah too didn't take long to notice the stir
"Look 24.. this place is only rough if you let them get to you.. there's a super sweet girl in room 107.. her name is Ally, whenever the slave driver gives you a moment I suggest you go and make friends! She seems to be someone you'd get along with.."
"Thank you.. not just this- You gave me a chance.. nobody has ever done that before.."
"Just don't screw this up? It's enough I even put you front of her show after your little run around.. I like you but she doesn't yet! Keep the sympathy begging on a low and don't be afraid to talk back.."
The woman finished walking away with a powerful strut she couldn't help but follow with her eyes.. the final statement although blunt somehow majorly comforting? It seemed everyone in this place took the more direct approach even the body that had landed her back here after knowingly being kicked out.. Dinah was a hidden support network for many.. she offered justified and honest advise that rarely left the other pairs mouths..
Camila rolled her eyes out towards the large gold clock that sat upon the wall above the front desk noticing her 5 minutes spare to quickly make her way up to the office she'd assumed never to be again, the space felt different this time, more intimidating and worthy of her anxiety as she stepped out almost trampled by the busy bodies roaming the woman's floors..
She began to walk towards the large open plan office drinking up every corner and length the space had to show, expensive computers and high profile names dotted around the walls amongst pictures of the bosses face.. standard she thought... of course she'd make her employees stare at her dumb face all day..
Camila's POV
My heart once again thumped from its surrounding walls as I stood now outside of the green eyed woman's office, I knew she was in there, the scent of her perfume unmistakable while the one time click of her pen sounding from behind the half cracked door.. I don't know what I was waiting for.. maybe a sign? A simple nudge-
"Hey! Watch out?"
"Well don't just stand there! What are you a coat rack?"
Fallon alarmed pushing me half into the office with a giant slamming thud.. I knew she didn't like me, probably more so than Jauregui.. the way her eyes sat over my body while her tone dug deep into my throat.. it was obvious.. I was a jealous threat!
"Get the fuck off of my floor and be quiet! Fallon, I need all seasonal dancers up in the view studio by 11, make sure they're dressed too!"
Her raspy morning voice struck immediately dismissing my presence with an order to ignore the pain felt inside of my knee caps.. I stood with a furrowed brow backing into the corner of the room while the mousy brown gathered some given folders, she left shortly after but I could still feel her even without the physical presence.. finally attention was on me when the green eyes angry from last night rolled up to meet my unimpressed stature for only a second before seemingly loosing interest back into her paperwork
"You will be training with the other girls today, 7am start.. 9pm finish! To get one thing crystal fucking clear? This is not a place! You're here simply to stop you turning up uninvited!"
"Wait- So what, you're using this as like a day care now? Humiliating me wasn't enough for you? I deserve a place and you know it! I killed your show last night!"
I demanded furiously shocked at how blatantly rude she was being before her body slowly lift from the chair seeming today more undoubtedly powerful than I'd ever seen her previous.. I think it was the hair.. it was ridiculously long and thick sitting over her hips with a glimmering shine that almost blinded me as she came closer..
"Deserved is far different than earned little girl! Deserved equals a round of applause.. a congratulations sticker... earned equals a prize! A trophy! Now.. you can stand here talking shit until you're blue in the face about how you deserve my attention like a thirsty little stray or.. you can grow the fuck up and train with every other person in this academy! I do not do handouts! I do blood sweat and tears!"
I couldn't help but choke on her words, they were heavy and restricting like a snake curling and weaving around my body.. somehow.. even with the extremely harsh tone however.. they made total sense.. I knew it wasn't a promise, but it was for sure a probationary warning.. if I had it right she wanted me to earn my spot, not just deserve it..
"Ok.."
Was all I could respond, she knew she'd got me I could tell as she stepped back now slightly to examine my body from head to foot.. my limbs tingling as her green eyes covered every inch.. the same look she'd given me last night.. cryptic but telling, either she was dumb bold or majorly analytical.. What happened next shocked me however even for her abrasive attitude.. she slid her fingertips up against my rib cage slowly allowing them to travel along my arm and down towards my wrist pulling up my arm to scan the length of its span with a cocked head and expressionless face..
"Weak arms.. I suggest you pay as much attention to them in training as you do your thighs! My dancers are sculpted not.. lacking.."
"I will.."
"Yes ma'am.. that is how you address me! Let's not make a habit of being lazy now?"
She hissed throwing my arm away to return to her desk leaving my body now notably sweating as if having done an entire workout already.. I couldn't say I liked her, in fact I really disliked her! She wasn't the kind of person I could relate to nor find palpable conversation with.. yet when she glared up at me with a raised brow my throat without warning let out a weak
"Yes ma'am.."
"B studio, 7am! You have 45 minutes and you will be being watched! Hands to yourself, no fighting!"
"Bu-
"Yes! Ma'am!"
She spat aggressively..
"Yes ma'am.."
I huffed backing out from the office to follow through the door we'd travelled the last time I was here.. I admit I was shaken by her presence but it was common sense to realise anyone with her stature had to be that way.. cold blooded.. abrasive like sand paper.. I didn't know what I was supposed to do for 45 minutes.. maybe I'd find the girl Dinah had told me about.. yeah? Ok.. I mean a friend wouldn't hurt on the inside right?
I ventured down into the living space admiring every door before finally reaching the told 107.. it was prettier than the rest? Decorated with a sunshine sticker while the number was painted over in glitter.. I giggled.. it reminded me of something Azalea would do? Before I could knock however the loud giggling from across the hall alerted my attention.. a common room as it was labelled... my attention stuck there for a moment, figuring if the giggles were kind or.. patronising?
"Hello? Can I- Can I help you?"
"Shit! You scared me.. fuck!"
"Sorry! Oh my god I didn't mean to! My names-
"Ally... right? I'm Camila!"
I spoke back trying to regain my breath as the short girl reached to shake back my hand, she was sweet just as Dinah had mentioned.. adorable actually which kind of shocked me given the green eyed woman's very blatant preference on cocky confident brunettes..
"Yes! Well Allyson but I prefer Ally! Wait? You're the girl from the club right? I saw the show it was incredible.. you're such a good dancer!"
"I am indeed.. thanks! I didn't realise it was her club actually.. long story.."
"We've heard it! The girls have their backs up about you already.. sorry! Not very reassuring I know.."
She giggled kindly, no.. it really wasn't very reassuring! I'd already had a run in with one of the girls a few days ago so having my profile out their for their torment was almost a kick in the stomach..
"It's fine.. I kind of guessed word would spread.. I'm not guaranteed a place anyway! She said I had to earn it.. I think?"
"She's not as bad as you think.. I know that's probably hard to see but she has her own ways of being kind! As long as you keep up with everyone else I don't see why she wouldn't give you a place.. if she was watching the same thing as me last night she'd be dumb not to!"
"You think?"
"I know! You're an incredible dancer Camila! She's not stupid.. stubborn.. but not stupid!"
_______
"Lauren!"
"Mommy! Again with the showing up.. you know it takes one whisper in my securities ear to stop you coming in here.."
"I'm not in the mood for your bitching today niña.."
Clara scold as she stormed into the young woman's office to slam down a news article about the show last night miraculously making headlines with the new unnamed dancer flourishing across her expensive stage.. Lauren rolled her eyes down to see the face.. those features.. prized and place like a warning to her disgrace..
"What is this?"
"The show.. who is this girl Lauren?"
"She is a leach! Nothing for you to worry about!"
The mother rolled her eyes unfolding the bottom half of the paper to reveal an rather exposing headline.. one the daughter more than didn't want to see.. 'Where is she now.. the star of the show' Lauren gulped glancing back up at her mother who now displayed a look of impatience tapping her fingertips over the headline with a patronising paint at her stubborn nature
"The media has latched onto her Lauren! I warned you about using unnamed dancers for press! You have an academy FULL yet you hire out for temporary show stoppers!"
"They will forget about her mommy and you know it!"
"No Lauren they won't! Socials are going insane creating complications and edits of this young girl and it is all your fault! Do you even have her contact information? Because if she's not seen to be a paid worker within this academy pronto we will have a shit tone of press to figure out!"
Her mother slammed forcing Lauren to lean back laying fingertips around her shot glass to sink down her throat.. her eyes darkening with intent but to ignore with an attitude bread into her consisting largely of stubbornness.. Camila had been nothing but trouble for the woman.. drinking up her busy attention while distracting from her duties.. after being rejected she came back.. now made a name for herself
"I will not have her paid under this academy! She is bratty and annoying! She can dance sure.. but her little show stopper was a one off! She has nothing left to offer!"
"Then why the fuck is she here child! Huh? Fallon called me.. told me you were housing this little 'brat' just to keep her out of your way? What if the media see her walk in here? The next big name to come out of the academy not even on the payroll?"
Lauren now shuffled in her chair lining her shoulders with the edge of the seat to roll her eyes out across the room.. Fallon loved to talk to mommy.. loved to out Lauren for everything she did.. it was unfortunate however the elder friend didn't back down to the abrasive tones of her mother's voice.. nor her decisions made even wrong..
"I do as I please! My decision is justified and I am in no mind to explain it to you! She is here on a trial basis, with feedback and constant supervision maybe then will I consider offering her a place!"
"Oh you will be offering her a place my child! Fully paid and looked after in the top tier group do you understand me? I will not have another media explosion like the last! Do not drag our name through the dirt because of your own deluded misconceptions of power!"
Before Lauren could even respond her mother left swiftly through the half open door leaving her with her own rage to grab the nearest thing to her being the large pot of pens that now flew aggressively across the room smashing into a nearby wall.. scattered belongings and a heavy panting chest not soothes as she stood to press her palms into the desk.. dark striking green eyes staring out front with no intended view..
"Bad timing? I can come back ma'am.."
A soft spoken voice echoed before the peering gentle head broke through the frame of the door.. Lauren quickly stood straight flattening out her dress before nodding the woman in with a heavy sit down back against her leather chair
"No, come in Emma.. what is it?"
Emma.. Lauren's highest favoured dance teacher/choreographer named by her club in her wild industry experience.. she was young and petite, pretty to look at with delicate features that stood out to the green eyed woman since the day they had fist met..
"You wanted a run down on the new girl? She did great Lo.. seriously she even outran the elites in training.."
"Then push her harder! If she isn't clawing for her breath and crying to stop I'm not interested!"
"That's the thing.. I don't think she ever will? I mean I pushed her.. hard and she just kept going? Her technique is flawless too.. why such the harsh treatment.. if you don't mind me asking?"
Lauren sighed at the woman's soft song like tones.. as angry as she always appeared to be Emma was the one to soothe her without knowing.. her voice like therapy when she needed it most! Lauren was the boss.. the reigning supreme, all knew it and she liked it that way! But with Emma.. she didn't mind letting her guard down.. well.. as much as she was capable of..
"I turned her away at the regional auditions, she came back.. over and over again! She just won't leave.."
"But you want her too? Because.. You wish you hadn't?"
"Something like that.."
Lauren huffed now less angry more so distressed, she rose from her chair grabbing for the full open bottle of vodka that was more than too strong for the time of day.. she swigged it back screwing up her face only forcing the young choreographer to rise by her side laying fingertips around the neck of the bottle to drag away from her bosses lips..
"Maybe not the answer? .. Lauren shes incredible.. don't think of this as a mistake more so a hidden discovery? I overheard your mom and as much as she's a pain.. she was right about the media.. they love her and she doesn't even know yet?"
Lauren rolled her eyes shoving the bottle into her friends chest not reacting in the way you'd expect.. she never did with Emma.. she was always calm and collected even if a little grumpy on the outer.. as a matter of fact Emma was the only one that didn't get the brunt of the green eyed woman's wrath.. strange.. but it was true..
"Her ability doesn't match her attitude! I didn't make a mistake I made a judgment call which if she wasn't so rude and persistent would still be in place!"
"But it isn't.. is it? She's here and she's going to be in the press until they get what they want! I watched her dance earlier Lauren.. you watched her last night! You can't deny-
"I'm not denying anything! Fuck is everyone out to disagree with me lately? I'd have expected out of everyone you'd be on side Emma!"
Lauren spat back slamming her fist into the desk forcing the young woman back a few paces never reacting well with her anger.. she sighed.. brushed her dainty fingers over her thighs realising this conversation would be going no where soon..
"I'm on your side ma'am.. always!"
She began as she backed towards the door grabbing the handle defeatedly within her palm turning back only for a moment to make her final lasting statement
"Just open your mind to her? Even if it's brief.."
_______
"That was intense.. you do this everyday?"
Camila panted as the clock finally struck 9.. the long days weren't a constant but they were for sure penned into the dancers schedules.. Ally only smiled back breathlessly as she sat facing the mirror beside her new friend playing with the band of her sneakers while the other girls giggled and pranced to pack up their things
"The days aren't always this long don't worry.. they're called check in days, workouts and new choreography to keep us sharp!"
"I don't feel so sharp right now.."
"I'm not surprised!"
An unfamiliar voice spoke from behind forcing the girls to look up at the face now staring back at them in the mirror.. Ally rolled her eyes but Camila began to turn, her brown orbs lifting to meet the new face very blatantly not making an effort to be kind..
"Excuse me?"
"You don't belong here.. you're not built like we are! We're built for success and fame.. you? You're nothing! Just a sympathy card let in here to prove you'll never be like us!"
Ally immediately backed down at the spoken words while Camila stood to face her new enemy, the words harsh and slick but very similar to what she had heard from the green eyed woman.. it seemed they all followed a fundamental mimic of their boss just to keep face in a company that only used them for their money's worth..
"I deserve to be here, no! I earned my right to be here! Next I'll have a place and I'll outshine you and all of your bitchy little friends! You don't scare me!"
"Miss J hired us after one audition sweetheart.. it took you breaking and entering, storming a show and mouthing back to even land a probation.. tells you a lot.."
Camila wasn't violent.. she wasn't rude and she for sure wasn't mouthy.. unless pointlessly provoked.. she had friends with attitudes bigger than life which in turn often rubbed off unknowingly for moments such as this.. she paced forwards with darkening eyes forcing the girl back as she did so shocking even Ally while Emma returned back into the room after speaking with a colleague
"I'll tell you something.. when I danced last night? Miss J couldn't keep her eyes off of me.. see she had me around the throat yelling in my face while her eyes drank up this Cuban skin like a cocktail.. you make her money baby.. I? I make her fucking wet!"
"Ok girls break it up! Sapphire leave! Camila we need to talk! EVERYONE OUT!"
Emma called breaking up the altercation the younger had very obviously won.. Sapphire a known cocky bully never one to not mention the things primarily out of the ordinary.. the room quickly emptied leaving a shaken Camila and a collected Emma to stand vacant amongst the large floor before the door closed signalling their alone
"I'm sorry she just-
"She's a bully! I know.. listen if you want to get by around here you need to accept that not many will like you ok? You can be the biggest beam of sunshine going but these girls are used to rain! Fighting.. it doesn't work!"
She spoke softly shocking Camila as she was more than living by the assumption she'd receive a harsh scolding! The green eyed boss told her not to fight.. she may not of laid hands but she more than ran her mouth, little did she know however Emma only noted it as a positive.. Lauren doubted her attitude but here it was.. sharper than she'd ever know
"They are always going to see me as the weak bitch that begged for her spot.. it's like fuel for them.."
"So let them play with it.. fire burns mama? You just have to work on yourself, work on proving that you can earn this place.. you didn't come here for them! You came here for you!"
The woman winked before walking away to leave the room allowing the younger to stare back at herself in the mirror with a huffing gaze.. her eyes scanning onto her arms at the slam of the door remembering how Jauregui had called them weak.. skinny and limp.. after a few moments she took the empty studio as a warrant to exude some of the anger.. she began to dance.. swirl and spin with legs poised and precise.. she didn't need music.. just her mind..
Little did she know however.. she wasn't entirely alone.. just outside of the one way window a body stood watching.. it was Lauren.. rolling reluctant eyes and a back up in her stubborn mind.. still.. she was watching..