Rehearsal had been pushed back an hour so Miss Laine decided to let them get any food they wanted.

Camryn was at home, contemplating something. She called her brother in to the living room.

"This is formal, ain't it?", joked Nico. "What's with the theatrics sis?

Camryn took a deep breath, which worried her brother.

"Camryn, what's up?"

"I um... I need to tell you something. But you need to listen, ok?"

Nico nodded.

Camryn exhaled sharply. "There's this girl-"

"- What girl? Has someone said something to you?", asked Nico, sitting up.

Camryn shook her head. "N-No, no... just listen."

Nico nodded. "Ok."

Camryn pressed her hands together nervously. "There's this girl and she's... nice. And funny. And... and really pretty. And I think- I mean, I know that... I like her."

Camryn didn't dare to look at her brother as she spoke. But when she did, she saw that he was trying to process what she was saying.

"So... you like girls?"

"I-I don't know. I thought that maybe I just liked Leonie because she was really nice and not many girls wanted to be my friend."

"Ok, so what changed?"

"I...I have another friend. Kennedy. I don't see her in the same way that I see Kennedy", admitted Camryn.

When Nico didn't speak, Camryn frowned. "I-I don't know what to do! I just... I knew I needed to speak to someone but I don't have an-"

Camryn was cut off by Nico pulling her into a hug. He held her tight, as if he was protecting her from the world. "This is the sort of stuff Mum should be around for. You know, so you can talk about your feelings. I've always been rubbish with mine."

"I didn't know who else to tell. It's not every day us DeRosa lot let ourselves like people", said Camryn.

At that moment, Nico felt his heart break. Hearing his little sister say that, hearing her think she is so undeserving of love reminded him of how he was brought up to think.

Nico pulled away and looked into Camryn's eyes. "Listen to me, ok? You should never be ashamed of liking someone. Boy, girl, cactus, anyone. And never, ever think that you don't deserve love. Because you do. You deserve the world, Camryn. This society, the people that think they're better than us may not want to give it to you but I swear... I'll make sure you get it."

Camryn's eyes filled with tears. No matter how hard life was for her, she found comfort knowing that she'd always have Nico by her side.

That's why it's so important to her that she protects Nico from the life he was forced into as a kid. He never gave up on her. So she wasn't going to give up on him.

"And that's a big brother promise", said Nico, a small smile appearing on her face.

That was something he used to say to Camryn whenever he promised her something big. He hadn't said it in a while.

Camryn smiled, tears rolling down her face. "Thanks, Nico."

Nico smiled wiped away her tears. "No worries. I've got a question though."

"What?"

"If she breaks your heart, what do I do? I can't beat her up."

Camryn raised her eyebrows. "Come on, Nico. If it was a boy would you really beat them up?"

"Nah. I'm a pacifist at heart", admitted Nico, making Camryn laugh. "I'd give them a severe telling off though."

Camryn laughed. "I don't know what I was expecting but... I'm glad you reacted the way you did."

"Cam you're my little sister. Nothing you can do will stop me from caring about you. Besides, I just want you to be happy."

Camryn smiled.

"So, do you think you like girls then?"

Camryn winced. It's not that it was weird talking about girls with Nico. They just never really spoke about relationships in general. Still, there's a first time for everything. "I'm not sure. I've been doing research into it, when I didn't know who to talk to. And I think I might be bicurious."

Nico nodded. "Ah, ok. Good to know. I'm sorry I'm useless with this stuff. Well, with most stuff when it comes to lookin' after ya. It must suck not having a female figure around."

"Hey, I get it. You had to grow up faster than most kids. I'm just glad you stayed by me", said Camryn, before smiling. "Besides... Esther's a female figure, isn't she?"

Nico's eyes widened and he stared at Camryn, speechless. When he saw Camryn grinning, he reached for a cushion and threw it at her.

Oh our Camryn wasn't going to lose this battle. "You'll regret that!", she yelled.

-

Eli sat in the living room, staring at the book in his lap. All he could think about was how he let the Club down.

His Dad clapped a hand on his back. "Cheer up, lad. This is for the best. More Club has done more trouble than good. We're only looking out for you."

Eli frowned but nodded. He knew his parents were only looking out for him. But Theatre Club was where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be.

"Please let me see them tomorrow. To explain why I've left. My Teacher doesn't even know yet", pleaded Eli.

His Dad frowned and looked at his Mum, who nodded at him. He sighed. "Fine. You can go tomorrow. But then that's it, ok? You're done."

Eli nodded. "Yes, Dad."

-

Amethyst, her father and her brother were sat at the dinner table for their monthly catch up session. When their father had to focus on work, he scheduled monthly check ins so that he wouldn't miss out on what his kids were going through.

"Amethyst", said her father. "How is your Theatre Club?"

"It's... it's going. We're, we're doing quite well actually", replied Amethyst. "Things have been a bit slow lately but I used that time to catch up on my studies."

Her father nodded. "That's wonderful. I'm glad you're using your time wisely."

His phone vibrated. "Excuse me."

Kayden and Amethyst looked at each other, knowing that it was probably a business meeting.

"Excuse me, children. I must go to an important meeting with the Everett's. I'll be back in a few hours", said her father.

"But father I made the cookies!", exclaimed Amethyst, standing up.

Her father waved his hand at her. "This is important, Amethyst."

And with that, he left.

Amethyst stared at the plate of cookies, completely numb. Did he not remember they were the cookies his wife used to make?

Kayden approached Amethyst. "Hey, these are really pretty. Mum would love them", he said. "But let's give them a bit of colour. Come on, we can decorate them together."

Amethyst was reluctant at first, but when she saw Kayden enthusiastically decorate a cookie, she decided to join in.

"Oh Amie, you've got something...", started Kayden, before dabbing icing on her forehead. "...here!"

Amethyst's eyes widened as he grinned. She smirked. "Oh, that's it!"

She squirted the blue icing tube on his face and soon, the pair starting grabbing all the icing tubes and putting them on each other.

Their father may not have time for them, but Amethyst did appreciate how Kayden always tried to have time for her.

-

Before the Theatre Club rehearsal, Camryn decided to go somewhere. She knocked on the door, butterflies dancing around in her stomach when Leonie opened the door. "Hey."

"Camryn... hey", replied a surprised Leonie. "What are you doing here?"

"Well I'm going to rehearsal now but... I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

Camryn took a deep breath. "You haven't been returning any of my calls or messages. Things have been a bit... weird between us. I get that you obviously need time to heal and that's totally ok but... I just need to know. D-Do you still like me?"

Waiting for Leonie's response only made Camryn feel more sick. She didn't like opening up because she hated feeling vulnerable.

"No", said Leonie. "I'm sorry. I think it was just a small crush. Nothing more", she said, tugging on her ear.

Camryn's eyes filled with tears. She nodded, plastering on a small smile. "Ok, th-thanks for being honest."

Camryn turned around and quickly walked away so Leonie wouldn't see her tears fall.

-
Hi!

This chapter was one I really liked to write because of the family dynamics.

Eli's parents are worried about him and it's understandable, but how can he tell them he needs them to help him spread his wings, not clip them back?

-cherrysvalanxe

ATHENA-yeonnie

CaptainHermioneSwan

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

LiaHook_Descendants

starryeyedturtle