Camila awoke in her new room she was yet to tell her intrusive parents of, the walls comforting but scary while the sheets smelt rather unfamiliar.. she didn't mind that part however, it was new and she was aware of that. Surprisingly she'd had a pretty good sleep too.. she assumed it to be the calm when in reality it was her new bosses expert mouth.. she wouldn't admit that to herself though.. she wouldn't admit that someone else had helped her
She slid up in her sheets wiping at her tired eyes with a quick glance at her phone ignoring the notifications before walking to ready herself for the day.. the shirt on the chair Lauren had gifted her almost too scary to touch.. she picked it up staring for a moment before sliding it over her caramel toned shoulders.. looking in the mirror to examine the perfect fit..
Soon after she was ready to go, stepping out of her room and down the long quiet hall not yet filled with dancers all taking advantage of the free time, Camila didn't like relaxing.. she needed to be busy and active.. Her mind working in order to keep her steady..
"You're kind of early Camila? You don't have to be in here until 7?"
Emma spoke softly as she turned from the stereo to notice the young girl pacing quietly inside, with half an hour to go until class she wondered why such the punctual attendance.. Camila didn't respond however, only issued a half smile as she pondered the room with avoiding blank eyes, Emma knew this to be odd for the girl.. usually she was wildly enthusiastic ready and willing to fight for her wanted place.. she stood gently watching for a moment simply admiring the way she entertained herself by stepping along the lines of the wood plated floors
"Congratulations on the place by the way! Super exciting huh!"
"Yeah."
She responded bluntly, not rude nor evil just.. quiet.. Emma sighed continuing to watch trying to think up some kind of conversation starter she could engage the girl in
"You like the room? J told me she'd put you up on the elite floor? It's pretty nice in there.."
"It's ok.."
Sadness rode in her tone.. laced with want not to talk the choreographer quickly noted! Emma was sweet and observant.. she had qualities that many wished for in a friend and even Camila had taken them as beautiful upon first meeting her.. now those qualities bothered her.. agitated her.. they felt scary.. intimidating..
"Bad day? You know it's ok to be nervous.. finally landing here can be a lot! Sometimes it takes a moment to settle but-
"I'm not nervous! I'm gonna go get a coffee"
She mouthed back not lifting her eyes only darting quickly from the room as if avoiding the sympathetic outreach entirely.. Emma was confused.. the girl she'd been conversing with previously cocky and confident? Begging just for a conversation now uninterested and clawing to get away..
Across the halls Camila began drumming her fingertips along the counter waiting for the cup to fill with the hot steaming liquid.. behind a fresh smell she recognised but didn't entirely want to acknowledge..
"I saw your name on the door.. we're hall mates!"
"I guess"
She hummed back as Sam awkwardly entered in behind joining her side to grab his own cup noting the way she jerked to look away..
"Nice rooms huh.. way nicer than ours at home.."
Silence.. Sam huffed saddened by his own realisation.. he knew Camila better than anyone, they'd been best friends for years, the man being her only consistency in a whirlwind some described as simply being 'life'.. he knew she needed time.. but it hurt.. he wanted the funny perky girl back.. he assumed every bit of her mood to be his stupid fault
"I miss you Camila.."
He finally spoke up watching the way she closed her eyes with fingertips clenching into the counter.. the buzzing sound of the coffee finishing the only thing pulling the girl back to reality, she grabbed for her cup turning to walk away caught quickly by the man's continuing plead of conversation
"I know you don't want to hear that.. but I do.. you said you needed time and I want to give it to you but.. I miss you?"
"I have to get to rehearsals!"
She hummed continuing her leave only forcing Sam to lift his fingertips towards his frustrated sad brow..
________
Hours had passed with Camila managing an entire session without entirely loosing her calm, Sapphire had been busy for the most part which meant her practice could relax into perfecting her god given abilities.. she liked the way it felt to be left alone, not asked questions or provoked into her own mind.. Emma too backed off and gave her space which left the morning riding on a seemingly good start
She left the room hot and sweaty pondering down towards the entrance hoping to claim some fresh midday air, the brush sounds of the city wondrous and enticing but almost intimidating on her own.. little did she know approaching however the loudest mouth the academy had to offer
"Sewer puppy! You know the miserable look on your face is a little confusing.. you torture us all with your constant begging to be here and now you just look.. well.. ungrateful!"
"Fuck off Fallon!"
Camila hissed as she sat just beside the door over a sleek concrete step
"I'm just saying! Make your mind up! You either want to be here or you don't!"
"Just leave me alone! I came out here for some quiet!"
Fallon smirked.. walked down a few steps to sit in front of the girl very blatantly annoying her fragile temper.. her eyes rolling while her arms folded hoping in every sense the woman would leave..
"So did I! But your face put me off! Not just that.. your tone is bratty.. like a child!"
"Fuck off! I'm serious!"
"No need to be so rude.. rat.."
Camila screwed her face up instantly lunging forwards with both fists shocked wildly as before she could even blink her wrists flew caught between the two pale palms.. Fallon was smiling.. holding her arms only inches from her face while the Youngers jaw part in surprise
"So it's a rage issue! Got it! *wink* just so you know I was pissing you off on purpose! You're not a rat.. I just wanted to see what was going on.. LJ doesn't tell me much!"
"Let go of me Fallon!"
"Promise not to break my nose?"
"Pretty tempting.."
Camila scowled with rolling eyes sitting herself back down taking Fallon's random attempts as a given.. something about the woman gave her comfort.. like a work friend that she could take her snarky attitude out on without any punishment.. she was almost like a verbal punching bag?
"So.. what is it? Bullied? Did you used to have acne.."
"What kind of question is that.."
"I'm trying to figure out what started this little.. medical tantrum.."
Fallon pushed back, her choice of words strange but not to the younger.. she hated being questioned, hated the 'who hurt you' and 'what happened'.. Fallon didn't ask those kinds of questions..
"I'm not talking about this with you!"
"Fine! But you can at least tell me how it works.. do you black out or something? Have you killed someone?"
"FALLON!"
"IT'S A VALID QUESTION!"
Camila only shook her head not able to help the small exhausted laugh that tumbled over her lips as the woman flashed her expensive heels towards the sidewalk.. she liked how expensive she looked.. she didn't care about much especially not her well-being.. for some reason it was soothing.. she didn't have to try and dig for an answer..
"I just get angry, can't calm down! That's it.. you done?"
"Why don't you talk? I mean even that crazy bitch up stairs talks.. it helps you know!"
"I don't need help!"
"Tell your face that.."
Fallon challenged forcing Camila to shake her head as she linked her fingertips over her knees with a loud sighing huff, the view across the city beautiful with the sun beaming over the dirty cracks in the hard white concrete, it only made the moment that much easier to swallow
"Let's be real here sewer puppy.. you waltzed into this building with a stick up your ass demanding your place like a warrior.. attitude and pushy behaviour? You got what you wanted and now you're.. loosing it?"
Her tone changed, it was now calm and soft.. enquiring like she really cared.. Camila didn't like that! It felt threatening and disarming like being stripped of her walls and presented on a platter.. She squirmed.. normally she'd lash out and loose it.. with Fallon she could only sit and hunch over her knees..
"Stop asking questions! My emotional state doesn't concern you.. you really don't care!"
"No.. I really don't! You're correct! I couldn't give a shit actually? I guess I'm just nosy.. so.. you gonna spill or am I gonna have to find some drama elsewhere?"
Camila's ears spiked.. her anxiety shifting.. Fallon didn't care.. she didn't want to fix her or help her.. she just wanted to know.. it soothed her! The girl lifted slightly parting her lips to speak before the same closing feeling in her throat began to build..
"Find it somewhere else! I'm sure Miss J has a boat load of drama just for you asshole!"
"Cute! But fine.. I'll go and poke her with a sharp stick or something! Enjoy sewer puppy! Don't let the floor bugs bite!"
"Fuck you!"
Camila laughed as the woman stood to brush off her expensive skinny suit pants, her presence leaving nice but now for some reason missed.. she was confused.. she felt alone but she wasn't, her task to tell her parents later of her new place terrifying while her best friend sat heavy in her heart.. now she had a majestic powerful woman claiming to 'own' her when really she felt useless to all.. to herself.. it hurt!
Later that day after the hours more rehearsals she decided to bite the bullet and leave.. join her parents for dinner to break the news in hopes they'd somehow be happy.. it was awkward at first, her ability to speak crawling away as she spooned food into her mouth scripting out a sentence that would hopefully ease the tension
"I got a job.."
"You did? Wow baby! We are so proud? Where.. what company.."
Her mother asked gently while placing down her drink to stare on with a gleaming teeth filled smile, her father rather suspicious however at the abrupt fearful tone..
"Karla.."
"Don't freak out! I got a job at the academy.. full scholar program with living privileges and it's paid bu-
"You got a job in a dance school!"
The man interrupted dropping his fork with a dark furrowed brow, his eyes harsh and unhappy only forcing Camila to sink down against her chair..
"It's a real job dad-
"I told you no more dance Karla! You have blatantly disobeyed me! You will not take this job!"
"Alejandro.."
"My word is final!"
He slammed his fist into the table standing now out of his chair to tower across the table while Camila too slid back her chair with an angered but more so saddened glint sitting behind her eyes.. Sinu only dipped her chin.. knowing the man to be more stubborn in his wishes than anyone she knew..
"I already took the job dad! You can't stop me! I live there now!"
"You live here and you will get a real job Karla!"
"IT IS A REAL JOB!"
Camila yelled now standing fully much to her mother's upset.. the pair had never really gotten along.. never shared the same views on life but there was good reason.. he wasn't a bad man nor a threat to the girl.. in fact he saved her.. in many ways she never spoke of! The girl clenched her fists feeling the rage build as the man continued to look down on her with a disappointed gaze..
"No it isn't! There is no guarantee they can get you work Karla! No perspective for the future! What if you injure yourself! Huh? What will you do then!"
"I'll be careful! I'm not a kid anymore I can make my own decisions!"
"I won't hear it! I have told you time after time this is not going to happen! Get up stairs and call whoever it is offering you this position! You are not stepping foot in that place again do you understand me?"
"Papa.."
"NOW!"
The room fell silent.. Camila's heart broke.. she dipped her head and walked around the table towards the stare case.. she was an adult of course but her fathers demands were never something to ignore.. he was everything to her.. her entire world and more? She didn't understand why he didn't want her to dance.. it didn't make sense in all honesty but she slumped into her bed grabbing for her phone anyway.. she didn't have her bosses number.. only Sam's.. as much as she hadn't wanted to give in, the internal pressure of the argument only left her angrily making a decision she knew she couldn't keep
She pulled up the contact swiping her finger over the call button before holding the phone against her ear.. she hung up instantly.. rolled her eyes and lifted her fist against her head frustratedly with a harsh heavy grunt
"Stop it Camila! Just be a normal fucking person!"
She yelled to herself.. unable to calm enough to simply speak to her friend she should have by now forgiven.. she couldn't.. she struck to text instead.. it wasn't the best option but it would work..
Camila: I'm not coming back to the academy. Please tell Miss J :(
She typed now crying gently as she hit send against the screen..
Sam: WHAT.. Camila?! If this is because of me I'm sorry! You can't leave!
...
Sam: Camila!
Sam: Answer me!
*missed call*
Sam: CAM! PLEASE..
*6 missed calls*
....
Camila didn't answer.. she turned over her phone on silent and simply laid in the dark room.. her eyes damp and her cheeks burning with a devastation so deep her body trembled in agony.. it felt like hours she'd been laying there.. days almost.. it had only been 45 minutes.. the only thing snapping her from her tears the sound of a familiar voice just downstairs.. it wasn't Sam.. nor azalea?
She jumped from the bed to gently open the door creeping outside to immediately inhale a deep shocked gasp.. it was Miss J.. standing out front on the porch while her father hosting folded his arms.. Sam.. he'd told her.. but why was she here? Why did she care..
Lauren's POV
Call me bitchy but the last thing I'd wanted tonight was a runaway dancer distracting me from the bottle of whine sitting over my glossy countertop.. I can never make fucking plans! Instead I'm stood now repeating my name to a man I knew to have ruined my evening with his petty little ego trip on how his daughter should or shouldn't be living her life.. my money is now paying for her living and I won't be leaving without her!
"I'm sorry who are you? It's late! Whatever you're selling I don't want it!"
"Your daughter is a dancer of mine! I've come to collect her!"
The man rolled his eyes at me giving me an instant indication on the kind of personality I'd be dealing with.. daddy knows best.. trust me they don't! I glanced up examining the space quickly noticing the escaped girl in question hovering behind her door looking almost startled to see me.. I liked that.. the red damp cheeks however not so much..
"She lives here! She wants no part in your little company child! I'm sorry but you're going to have to leave!"
"That girl came to my studio every single day for almost 2 weeks dancing for free and sticking her neck out just to prove she wanted to be there! Let's not assume what she wants.. or better? Let's not force what you want!"
"I am her father!"
"I am her boss!"
I jumped back stepping further into the house before again taking another look up stairs.. the girl creeped out a little more closing the door behind her alerting the man's attention with a brief turnaround to follow
"My daughter will not make money dancing for strangers! She will get a real job like the rest of us!"
"A real job? Oh so you made 13 billion dollars last year? Dope! Hey Camila! Your dad is a billionaire! He knows what the fuck he's talking about!"
I challenged with a smirk as I watched her creep down the stairs nervously, the man in front of me quickly loosing his cool much to my joy.. I didn't take slam on my career nor the careers of my dancers.. it was art! Visual paint others only wished to be able to create! Soon she reached the floor timidly walking towards us not surprisingly taking my side which only led me to notice her more than tearful drained face
"Listen to me-
"No! You listen to me sir! Your daughter is a grown ass woman who has more talent in her little finger than you do in this entire house! She worked her ass off to be someone and now I'm giving her the chance! You need to do the same!"
"Camila go up stairs!"
"Don't tell her what to do!"
I snarled stepping forwards totally forgetting I wasn't exactly aloud to hit an old ass man.. I mean I could.. I'd love to! But frankly I wasn't keen on getting arrested so late in the evening..
"Dad please-
"QUIET!"
"NO! She's right! You don't give a shit about what I want? You want me to be you? I'm not you! I'm nothing to do with you?"
The girl finally spoke back shocking me slightly as the man unfolded his arms to drop his jaw.. struck a nerve obviously..
"Don't say that karla-
"It's true! I'm going with her!"
"Karla.."
"I'm going!"
She hissed with an extended raised finger before pacing back towards the door with a trembling lower lip.. easier than I thought? I was expecting more of a fight but it seems some kind of daddy issue had swiftly saved the day.. I walked back also grabbing hold of the door with an awkward wink shutting it behind.. she was already half way towards the car scraping her tired feet with a huffing slam
"You wanna talk about that?"
"No!"
"Ok.. you wanna fucking walk? Cut the attitude.. I saved your ass in there!"
I snarled back noticing the snappy attitude very blatant in tone and body.. it was uniformed to be hostile I could tell.. I only approached her from behind stopping as she reached for the still locked handle
"A thank you would be nice?"
"I didn't ask you to come and rescue me!"
"Yet you walked outside to come back! You know what just get in the car Camila! It's been a long day!"
I rolled my eyes walking towards the opposite side unlocking the door swiftly to slump down into the still warm leather seats.. she did the same.. ignored me for a while to simply stare out of the window into the deep dark night..
"Why would you listen to him.. you begged to be here for weeks but when daddy says no that's it?"
"You have no idea about my life!"
"Then fucking tell me! Don't sit here in my car with a face like a thunder storm expecting me to know what In the hell is going on!"
I felt her eyes rolling even while my own stuck to the road.. she was stubborn.. like me I guess but this was different.. I knew this wasn't just a bad day.. a bad week even..
"I don't need you to know what's going on!"
"I gave you an opportunity to dance at my academy Camila! You begged and pleaded with me! Schemed against me even yet I decided to let you stay! I have every right to know why you suddenly pulled out texting your little friend!"
I grumbled turning a corner while she took a moment to think.. honestly it was confusing, she was so consistent and confident in her efforts yet now she was easily influenced by a single man.. there was much to know about her I could tell.. hidden pasta and insecurities that made her so elusive..
"I want to be here! I didn't want to text him!"
"Then why did you! Why is it that I'm out here picking you up the day after I gave you a room huh? You really think that fills me with confidence?"
"I SAID I WANT TO BE HERE!"
She yelled loudly shocking me enough to tighten the grip over the steering wheel, it hurt almost.. the tone.. I knew she wanted the place, I could feel what it meant to her! But that hidden life time of insecurity only left me questioning her resilience.. not to mention temperament.. I remained silent for a few minutes after giving her time to cool down before drawing attention to the situation I'd walked in on for only a few moments
"Our parents decisions can taint what we think we need Camila I'm not stupid! I know you want to be here but.. you can't just give up because your dad doesn't believe in you!"
"Please just stop.. stop trying to comfort me and make me feel like you give two shits when you don't! Ive heard it all before.. I appreciate the place and I will make you proud in it but just- just stop.."
Her tone fell.. saddened quietly..
"I care Camila? I'm not a complete asshole-
"You don't! You don't care you don't even know me! People just say it to make you feel better but they never really mean it!"
"I mean it.. but I guess you're never going to believe that huh.."
"No.."