LEONIE'S P.O.V

I've always been a little... weird? I like dancing and spending time in parks. I like spending time with little kids on my street, especially if they have parents that are always busy. I'm a massive bookworm and never really saw the appeal of makeup.

But when I joined the Theatre Club at 16, I finally had a place where I belonged. I could be who I wanted to be, safe in the knowledge that I'd always have a home with a group of people who wanted me.

Then they left.

To further their education, to get jobs. To be adults. All grown up. I was the only one left. Miss Laine was the second mother I didn't know I needed. I could be upset and vulnerable around her.

I know everyone sees me as this bundle of happiness all the time, but  that's what I let people see. I can't let people see me sad, because then who will look out for them? Give them hope? I don't think anyone truly understands me. Not even Kennedy.

They all leave in the end.

Because I'm not worth staying for.

I sat down in the corner of the empty abandoned music room. Miss Laine lied to me. Like to us. I thought I earned her trust by now. I guess I was wrong.

"Leonie?", called out a voice, startling me. It didn't sound like Kennedy though. I looked up, surprised at who I saw. "Camryn?"

Camryn cautiously approached me. Like a hunter approaches a wild animal. "Hey. Mind if I join you?"

I shrugged, not wanting to talk right now. She sat down beside me and I have to admit, it felt nice. Just to have someone there.

"Miss Laine probably has a good reason for not telling us about the funding cuts", said Camryn. I noticed her head move closer to mine, as if she was inspecting something. Probably the tears on my face. "Are you crying?"

I quickly wiped my eyes, shaking my head at her. "No. They're tired tears", I replied, tugging on my earlobe.

Note to self: stop tugging my earlobe when I lie.

"I've had a few of them before", said Camryn. She exhaled, but her breathing was shaky. "I don't mean this in a rude way but... why does this club matter to you so much? You stayed in it all these years."

I didn't know how to explain it to her. Like I said, no one understands. "Uh,  have you ever felt... out of place?"

Camryn stayed quiet for a long time, so I looked at her. She looked back at me and just nodded.

"Well... this club gave me a place to stay. I place where I could be myself. A place to be free", said Leonie.

A small smile appeared on Camryn's face. "That sounds nice, actually. But... free from what?"

I frowned, fresh tears brimming in my eyes. Not yet. I can't tell her. "My past."

Camryn's nexts words surprised me. "I know the feeling."

"Wait, you do?", I asked.

Camryn took a deep breath. "My parents have... done things. Things that I've always been ashamed of. I grew up with practically nothing. If you left your arm out the window long enough someone would try to steal it. It's not a good place to live as a kid. Coming from that area, with family I have... it's not a surprise I'm damaged goods. Broken."

I didn't know Camryn would open up like this. I had so many questions but knew that now was not the time to ask them. That was her choice.

One thing she said annoyed me though. It annoyed me that her parents, people who were supposed to care about her, let her feel that way.

"You're not broken. Just bruised. And bruises heal."

-

The group sat on the floor, watching Miss Laine as she joined them, after wiping her tears away. "Ok... yes, I lied. As your teacher, you put your trust in me and I betrayed it. I should've told you sooner."

"So why didn't you?", asked Amethyst.

Just then, Weronika entered the room. This must have been the 4th time she was late. "Sorry I'm late."

"Come here, Weronika. Gather around for Confessions of a Bad Teacher", said Amethyst.

"Amethyst! You have every right to be angry but I'm still your teacher. Please... show some respect", said Miss Laine.

Amethyst just rolled her eyes when Miss Laine looked away. She quickly filled Weronika in on Miss Laine's lies, much to Weronika's horror.

"I didn't want to worry you! The competition is ruthless. I was worried you'd get nervous or you'd stop enjoying Theatre Club. This Club isn't meant to feel like a chore."

"Too late", said Amethyst.

"But surely the pressure would drive us to perform better, right?", asked Eli.

Weronika pointed to Eli's wheelchair. "With all due respect, the pressure probably would've pushed you over the edge."

Maxon nodded in agreement. "She has a point. Maybe not telling us was a good move."

"Well that's all gone out the window now", said Darius. "One of our best dancers is injured and we're being inspected."

"Not one of our best dancers", said Eli, making everyone looked at him. Eli looked at Miss Laine. "You said Leonie was a dancer. She's been in this club longer than the rest of us so she must be a good dancer, especially since you gave her a dancing role."

Miss Laine shook her head. "I'm sorry, but that's out of the question. Besides, we need a male dancer for this solo."

"Isaac can do it!", exclaimed Eli. Kennedy nodded at this. "He's an awesome tap dancer."

"I-I don't know if I'm ready for that", said Isaac.

"No, Isaac already plays a big part in some of the other dances", said Miss Laine.

"Well then why don't we just scrap the solo?", suggested Stanley.

"But my character still has group dancing parts", said Eli.

A light went off in Miss Laine's head. "I know! The group dances aren't too hard to learn... Maxon, you can do them!"

Maxon's eyes widened. "Me? The guy with two left feet?"

Kennedy smiled. "You'd be perfect! You're the same height as Eli as well!"

Maxon pointed to Isaac. "Let's just get him some stilts!"

"Come on, Maxon! I know you dance like a balloon in the wind but you'd make the perfect Charlie!", said Darius. "Like Miss said, the dances won't be too hard."

Maxon groaned. "Please find someone else!"

"I'd offer but I'm in a lot of the other dances", said Stanley.

"Come on, Maxon. Stay positive. You'll have more time on stage", said Weronika.

"Please, Maxon. We need you", said Eli.

Maxon looked at a hopeful Miss Laine. He groaned. "Ugh, fine!"

Everyone cheered, with Kennedy giving him a big hug.

-
How will Maxon do with the dances?

I know Leonie's in it a lot but this is mainly because of the storylines that she's linked with that are slow. Also, I planned out storylines for everyone but forgot to find a specific place in the story for Leonie's main storyline, so I'm kind of just doing my best to integrate it.

Please don't worry, I have something planned for all characters!

What are your thoughts on this chapter? Do you think Camryn opening up more will inspire Leonie to do the same?

-cherrysvalanxe

ATHENA-yeonnie

CaptainHermioneSwan

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

LiaHook_Descendants

starryeyedturtle