No one answered Miss Laine's call, which meant that it was back to the drawing board.

Leonie practised in the music room while everyone was planning how to help Eli.

Amethyst entered, looking for her water bottle. "Thought you'd be in there... plotting to save Eli."

"They can handle it", said Leonie. "I'm so behind on these dances I-"

"- Yeah, ok. I didn't need your life story. You look pathetic, by the way. Moping doesn't suit you."

Leonie frowned. "Could you give me a break for a day please?", she asked, her eyes filling with tears. Her day was pretty stressful and she just wanted to go home.

"No", said Amethyst, sitting down. "You've been all 'woe is me' ever since you came back. Obviously, what happened to you sucks. But being sad won't change that. You need to work harder. That's the only thing that will help you right now. You don't want to let us down? Then push yourself, Leonie. No one's gonna hold your hand and tell you not to worry. If this show means as much to you as you say it does, then you'll get up off your a*se and do something."

Amethyst's words were harsh, but Leonie knew she was right. She just had to work harder. She learned dances in short amounts of time before. And she didn't have big acting scenes. She could do this.

She just had to work harder.

-

"Maybe they've gone on holiday somewhere?", suggested Kennedy.

"But he would've said something before he left, wouldn't he?", said Isaac.

His phone vibrated and he checked it, hoping it was Eli. "It's just Esther asking if I wanted anything from the shop."

Camryn frowned. "Oh. Well... what now?"

"What if we climb up to Eli's window?", suggested Darius.

"Serious suggestions would be good, dude", said Maxon.

"I am being serious. If he's at home and not answering, there's a high chance he'll be in his room."

Miss Laine shook her head. "No. No, absolutely not. That's too dangerous. We don't want to get Eli's Dad more concerned.

"Huh?", said the others. "What about his Dad?", asked Weronika.

"Well... his Dad voiced his worries before", said Miss Laine. "I told him not to worry though."

"His Dad must be involved in this somehow! Maybe his Dad doesn't want him here Any more", said Darius.

"Let's pay him a visit tomorrow", said Camryn. All of us."

-

Esther grabbed a pack of bananas, nearly dropping them when someone tapped her. "Oh!"

"Sorry", apologised the boy. "I should've just said hi."

"Who are you?", asked Esther, though he looked familiar. "Wait, Steven Mullagan?"

The boy grinned. "That's me! Fancy seeing you here."

"How have you been?", asked Esther. "Last I heard you left Moorside last year", said Esther.

"I'm back in town for a few weeks", said Steven. "I still can't believe it's you! Still as pretty as ever."

Esther was taken aback by the compliment. "Oh! That's... that's nice of you to say. Didn't know you used to think that."

"Oh come on, Esther. You were easily the prettiest girl in our year", said Steven.

Esther blushed. "Wow... thanks."

"Esther hey- oh. Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt", said Nico. "I saw you from the frozen food aisle and thought I'd say hello."

"Who's this?", asked Steven.

"This is Nico", replied Esther. "He's my friend", said Esther. "Nico, this is Steven. He came to school a few weeks after you left. We were just catching up."

Nico nodded and smiled at Steven. "So you went to Moorside after me? Tell me, was everyone mourning the loss off the coolest kid in school?"

"No, not really", said Steven. "Think they were relieved."

Esther and Nico laughed, though Steven didn't initially. After seeing the pair laugh, he quickly joined in.

Steven turned to face Esther. "Well, seeing as I'm in the area for a while... do you fancy grabbing a coffee tomorrow?"

Esther nodded. "Sure, sounds good."

Steven smiled. "Great. It's a date."

Esther's eyes widened and Nico looked just as shocked. Neither said anything and let Steven walk away.

"I didn't know it was a date!", said Esther.

Nico smiled to hide that he was sad about Esther having a date. "What are you gonna wear? Seeing as your clothes are sh*t", he joked.

Esther punched his arm. "Oi! Says the one who used to wear lego shirts on non- school uniform day."

"Hey! Fashion is an expressive art form", said Nico.

"Mhm yeah. And your shirts looked like someone had just expressed themselves over them."

Nico shoved Esther, making them both laugh. She reached forward to push him but he caught her hands. Their bodies were pressed against each other and their faces were inches apart.

Esther moved away and Nico cleared his throat. "I should uh... go pay for these", said Esther, lifting up the bananas.

-

Camryn watched as Leonie tried to learn the dances, but struggled. She knew Leonie was pushing herself too hard but didn't know how to tell her. She knocked on the door so that Leonie knew she was there. "Hey."

Leonie gave her a weak smile. "Hi."

Camryn held up the sandwich and water bottle she bought. "I don't know if you've eaten yet."

"I'm not hungry", said Leonie. "But thank you."

Camryn walked closer to her and sat down, urging Leonie to do the same. She held out the sandwich and water bottle. "Please?"

Leonie sighed, but didn't object. She took them both and opened the water bottle, lifting it up to take a drink.

Camryn noticed how her hair draped over her back when she lifted the bottle up. She was able to get a good look at her face. She couldn't help but smile. She thought Leonie was really pretty.

"Thanks, Camryn", said Leonie, a small smile appearing on her face.

"I actually came to see you. We're going to Eli's soon. Do you want to come?", asked Camryn.

Seeing the genuine look of sadness on Leonie's face made Camryn wish she hadn't asked. It was clear that she was torn between helping a friend and catching up with the show dances.

"Actually, too many of us are going", lied Camryn. "But I'll tell Eli you asked after him."

Leonie nodded. "Thanks, Camryn. I'm sure he'll come back. The Club wouldn't be the same without him."

Camryn nodded. "I've got some time to kíll so I thought I could teach you one of the dances?"

"You?"

Camryn nodded. "Yeah! Eli and Stanley have been helping me! I've gotten a lot better... apparently."

Leonie smiled, though she could tell it was awkward between them.

Camryn stood up and grabbed Leonie's hands. "Come on, let's do this."

Camryn did a pirouette and wombled slightly, but was a much better dancer than she was at the start. Leonie copied her and the pair danced together.

Camryn tried to do a dance move, but couldn't remember it. Leonie was able to deduce what it was and held Camryn's hand, positioning it in the right place.

As she moved away she tripped over Camryn's foot. "Wait, no-" . She bumped into her, sending them both crashing to the ground.

Leonie giggled and her face lit up, reminding Camryn of the old Leonie. After the adrenaline had worn off, they realised just how close they were.

Leonie had fallen on top of Camryn, with only her arms propping her up to stop their bodies from touching. Her hair draped over her face and Camryn instinctively reached forward to move it out of the way.

Leonie blushed and quickly got up. She walked towards the door. "I just have to uh... go."

-

The group have a plan to get to the bottom of why Eli left. Will they pull it off?

I've read the comments but I'll ask anyway. Do you think Esther and Nico's friendship will change now that Steven has asked Esther out?

Leonie's always been the person to make others smile. Who will make her smile when she's feeling low?

-cherrysvalanxe

ATHENA-yeonnie

CaptainHermioneSwan

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

LiaHook_Descendants

starryeyedturtle