The group had assembled for rehearsals after school, yet the only thing on their mind was Eli's wellbeing.

"Gather around, everyone!", called out Miss Laine, her eyes starting to fill with tears. "Um...the Doctor's have said that Eli has a meniscus tear. It's quite severe."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. The students looked at each other, all sharing their surprise and sadness.

"How long will it be until he heals?", asked Weronika.

Miss Laine's bottom lip started to tremble. "Uh...", she muttered, before exhaling sharply. "They think it'll be 6 to 8 weeks."

Shocked gasps erupted in the room and some people started talking to each other, clearly alarmed.

"Well, can we see him?", asked Darius.

Miss Laine nodded. "Of course! In fact, I think he'd like that. Maybe we could start off in smaller groups though, so we don't overwhelm him?"

"I don't mind going to see him another time", said Darius. He looked at Leonie. "Do you want to go? You've had the same injury."

"A pipe's burst in my house so we've had to move in with Kennedy. My Mum still needs help bringing the stuff later so I can't come today. I'll try to see him tomorrow though", said Leonie.

"What about rehearsals?", asked Amethyst.

"They'll have to be on hold. Just until we figure out what to do about the Eli situation", said Miss Laine.

"Miss Laine?", asked Meredith. "If you're ok with us going now I can drive a group to the Hospital?"

Miss Laine smiled. "Thank you, Meredith. That would be great. Who wants to go?"

"I'll go", said Stanley. He looked over at Darius who nodded in agreement. "I'll go too."

Isaac raised his hand. "I-I'll go as well."

Maxon looked at Camryn, assuming that she'd want to go. When she stayed silent, Maxon decided to ask something. "What about the rest of us? Do we practise our own parts?"

"Well the Club will still run until 7, like usual, because I know some of you use the school bus to get home. I'll stay here to supervise but there really isn't any specific thing I need you to do", said Miss Laine.

Meredith smiled. "Ok, to the Batmobile!", she grinned.

"Ok I know we don't really know each other but you just got, like, ten times cooler!", exclaimed Darius.

Isaac, Darius, Meredith and Stanley walked away, leaving the others behind.

"I'll only be here for an hour or so. Can I go to the Music Room please?", asked Leonie.

Camryn wasn't sure what to do. Without Isaac, she didn't have a person to talk to. I mean, there was Maxon or Leonie but she didn't want it to seem like she was only talking to them now because she was alone.

"How are you holding up?", asked Maxon, leaning on the wall next to them. "I thought you'd want to see Eli?"

Camryn sighed. "I do. I just... I don't really do well with talking to people when they're in pain. I'm not a big fan of Hospitals either."

"Hey, I get it. You don't want to make him feel uncomfortable, not that he would if you were there. You're proper chilled out all the time."

Camryn smiled at this. It was nice to be reassured. "Thanks. Why didn't you want to go?"

Maxon shrugged. "I don't know him that well. I thought it'd be better if his closest friends went first."

Camryn nodded. "Oh. I thought it was because you didn't like Hospitals too."

Maxon shook his head. "I practically grew up in a Hospital. My Mum works there as a Doctor and I spent most of my childhood sneaking in to the relative's room so I could talk to the staff there. They're like my second family."

"I've never heard of someone liking Hospitals that much. It's nice that you had that kind of experience growing up", said Camryn.

Truthfully, Camryn hated Hospitals because her mother made frequent trips to them following an overdose. There were only so many times Camryn could watch her Mum in so much pain. Camryn never understood why she kept subjecting herself to it.

Maxon smiled at her. He caught the eye of Kennedy, who waved to him. He smiled and waved back, watching her as she left the Hall.

Camryn noticed this and looked down, a little embarrassed. She didn't fancy Maxon or anything, no. Definitely not. I mean, he was cute and seemed like he had some kind of interest in Camryn's life. But it was too soon to tell. Yet, she still felt her heart ache a little as Maxon's attention turned to Kennedy.

Of course it would. She's Kennedy.

-

Amethyst scrolled through pictures on her phone, deleting the worst one's- so, none. Ok maybe one but that was when Kayden photo-bombed it.

"Hey, Amethyst?", asked Weronika, slightly apprehensive.

Amethyst looked up, quite surprised to see Weronika speaking to her, though of course she didn't show it. "What?"

"I...I just wanted to say your earrings are really pretty", complimented Weronika. She wasn't saying it to get in her good books, she genuinely liked her earrings.

Amethyst touched one instinctively, as if she were protecting it. "Oh. Uh, thanks." Amethyst knew they were pretty, of course she did. But she didn't expect to hear it from someone else. Maybe she'd make an active effort to remember her name now. "Weronika right?"

Weronika nodded. "Yeah. How are you feeling about playing Mo?"

Amethyst shrugged. "Everyone thinks she's so complex but she's pretty basic. I could play her in my sleep."

Weronika was taken aback by her cockiness, though didn't question it. "If there was some way you could relate to Mo, it might help make your performance more authentic. "

"I'd say I appreciate your advice, but I don't. Look, I'll be fine. It's acting, Weronika", said Amethyst.

Weronika sighed. "If you say so."

-
[Play the song above during Kennedy and Leonie's part if you'd like]

Leonie started to play the piano, a small smile on her face as she immersed herself in the music.

Kennedy started to sing, her powerful voice amplified my the slight echo in the room. Not once did she miss a note, and even when Leonie found it difficult to keep up, Kennedy matched Leonie's pace.

Kennedy didn't sing with as much emotion as Leonie though. Not because she couldn't- believe me, Kennedy definitely could. But because she never once had to think about Leonie leaving.

She worried about people leaving her all the time, but Leonie was the one person she was certain would always be in her life, right by her side.

As the song finished, Kennedy rested her head against Leonie's shoulder, a smile on both of their faces.

Kennedy looked up and saw Camryn standing by the door. The older girl quickly looked away. "Uh, s-sorry to interrupt. I thought the room would be free now."

"It's ok", smiled Kennedy. "I only stayed for one song. I have to get going now", she said. She gave Leonie a quick hug. "See you later?"

Leonie nodded. "Bye, Kenny."

Camryn gingerly approached the piano, rubbing her hands against her jeans. "Hey. I didn't know you played the piano?"

"I play a few instruments. The good thing about being an only child is that you have a lot of time on your hands", said Leonie.

"Have you and Kennedy always been that close?", asked Camryn. She still wasn't sure about how she felt towards Kennedy, but didn't want that to jeopardise her possible friendship with Leonie.

Leonie nodded. "Since she moved here almost 5 years ago. I spilled juice over her dress and I was so embarrassed. She just laughed and said I made it look better."

Camryn was taken aback by how calm Kennedy was then. Maybe she was dying inside but didn't want to make Leonie feel bad. "That was nice of her."

Leonie nodded in agreement. "Yeah. She's the best. She's actually spoken about you."

Camryn's eyes widened. "She has?"

Leonie nodded. "She heard you sing to Isaac one time and kept saying she wished she could do a duet with you for the Musical."

Camryn was not expecting that. It made her feel bad for thinking Kennedy was just another popular girl. She didn't like judging others but she really did think Kennedy was a stereotypical popular girl. "Oh! I mean, Stella and Olivia seemed like good friends in the movie so maybe we'll get to sing together. She has a great voice."

Leonie smiled. "I know, right? I keep telling her she's destined for Broadway." Her smile fell as she contemplated asking Camryn a question. "I-I was wondering... if you wrote original songs?"

Camryn froze. Did Isaac tell her? Her original songs were so personal to her, like a baby she wanted to shelter from the world. In all honesty, Camryn didn't think she'd ever be able to share her music with someone other than her brother, no matter how close they got.

Leonie must have sensed her discomfort, because she spoke again. "Oh, I was only asking because I'm having trouble with a song I'm writing so wanted some help."

"Oh! You write songs?", asked Camryn.

"Well, kind of? I've written about 3 songs before but couldn't get past the chorus part. I know what I want to say but I don't know how to put the words on the page", explained Leonie.

Camryn had to fight the urge to jump up in agreement. Her first time writing a song was painfully long and she went through several pieces of paper. "I could help you if you want?"

Leonie's face lit up. "Really? That would be awesome. If we swap numbers I can text you when and where we should meet up?"

Camryn nodded. "Sure", she said, before getting out her phone.

-

ELI'S P.O.V

Thing's were going so well. I got my own solo, befriended a little human, started to make more friends.

And now this happens.

Whenever I'm stressed, I dance. I don't know what else to do. I've never known any other way. I couldn't talk to my parents about my struggles growing up because my worries always seemed so miniscule compared to theirs.

I appreciated Leonie's efforts to comfort me but I don't know if anything could've put my mind at ease.

Dancing is such a big part of who I am. Without it, Eli Brandt isn't complete. It might sound cheesy but it's how I feel. Dance speaks for me when my words can't.

I don't know what I'm going to do without it.

A nurse walked in, a small smile on her face. She's not the same one I saw when I first came in, but she has a kind face. "Some people are here to see you."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, not expecting for anyone to come. I didn't call anyone.

"Hey, El!", beamed Darius. He was his usual hyper self, but he seemed to have reigned it in. I could tell he was upset.

"Hi Eli", said Isaac, a nervous smile on his face. I wasn't expecting to see him. Maybe he felt obligated to, as a fellow dancer.

Stanley waved. "How ya doin' El?"

I smiled at them all. Even though I was in quite a bad mood, they still managed to make me happy. Even if it was only a little.

"Meredith's in the car cos she wants to pick up some food for you", said Stanley. "What's your favourite snack?"

"Cinnamon rolls", I said, simply. I wasn't even hungry, but Cinnamon rolls was the food that never failed to lift my spirit up.

Darius nodded. "I'll text her now."

Isaac approached my bed, looking like a frightened mouse. "I-I know we're not really friends but... I'm so sorry you got hurt."

He was trying. This boy who I never really spoke to before was trying. I might want to be alone right now but... I can't let him know that. "It's alright. It's no one's fault but mine."

Darius turned his head so fast, it reminded me of the Exorcist. "H*ll no, dude. This isn't your fault. It was an accident."

"Yeah injuries are part an parcel of life as a dancer", said Stanley.

Darius looked at him in shock. "Wow. You're saying words that make sense. This Club is changing you."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. But Stanley was right. By choosing to be a dancer, I put myself at risk of possibly getting injured. I've always known this. Yet I continue to dance.

Why? Because I love it too much.

I sighed. "Look, I really appreciate you guys coming here, truly. I just don't think I'm ready to talk to you yet. I need more time."

The other guys looked at each other, and I felt like the biggest a**hole ever. I just need more time. I will not hurt other people because of my pain.

-
Poor Eli! He's going through a rough time. Will the Theatre Club have enough? Or will they stand by him?

-cherrysvalanxe

ATHENA-yeonnie

CaptainHermioneSwan

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

LiaHook_Descendants

starryeyedturtle

Song sang by Kennedy and Leonie is Space Between from Descendants 2