Leonie didn't have to think hard about what she should do. She did have to think about what her actions would mean for Camryn.

Help Camryn and risk her hating Leonie forever? Or say nothing and let something potentially dangerous happen to Camryn?

Leonie made her way to the Theatre Room. "Miss Laine? Can I talk to you please?

-

Maxon decided to walk Kennedy home. "It was cool how everyone came together like that."

Kennedy nodded, though it was obvious that her mind was elsewhere.

"And that dragon coming in last minute was amazing, right?"

"Yeah", said Kennedy.

Maxon raised an eyebrow and stopped walking. He turned to Kennedy. "What's up?"

Kennedy sighed. "Nothing. Just thinking about what Leonie would be doing right now. We used to hang out after rehearsals."

"You miss her, don't you?"

"Maybe a little."

"Well there's an easy solution. You go to the same school and are in the same Theatre Club as her. Talk to her."

Kennedy didn't reply immediately. "I think I'll sleep on it."

-

Eli, Darius and Stanley walked home together.

"Today was good", said Stanley. "I felt like I was part of a proper family."

Eli smiled. "I truly think there's no greater feeling than the feeling of belonging to a family."

Stanley smiled. "That's true. Right, Darius?"

Darius shrugged. "Families aren't all that great."

When the others stayed quiet, Darius continued. "But today was something special."

-

Amethyst's brother picked her up from school. "So, how was Theatre Club?"

Amethyst never usually answered when he asked, or just gave a vague response, but this time it was different. "It was... actually pretty good. We saved a girl from getting kicked out. We did a performance for her. I chose the song, but don't tell anyone I did."

Kayden smiled. "My lips are sealed. I'm glad you had fun, Amie."

Truthfully, Amethyst chose that song because the message was similar to how she really felt. She wanted Weronika to be her friend again but that idea scared her- she didn't want to lose someone again.

-

Camryn walked over to the usual spot, so Ernesto could tell her who to give the packet too.

To her surprise, Miss Laine stood there.

"M-Miss?"

"Give me the packet, Camryn", she said. "Just trust me."

Camryn handed it to her. "H-How did you know?"

"That doesn't matter", said Miss Laine. "You shouldn't be doing this."

"I know but... I didn't have a choice!"

"You always have a choice", said Miss Laine.

"You don't get it. It's different for people like me."

"I'm not saying that it isn't. But the choice is still there."

"Like your choice not to turn down 'Carrie's' role?"

Camryn frowned when she saw the look on Miss Laine's face. "I'm sorry! That was out of order."

"No. You're right. I had a choice. But I worried too much about letting others down", said Miss Laine. "Don't be like me. You're so much better than this."

"It's not about being better. It's about doing what needs to be done to protect the people you care about."

"This isn't the only way. In fact, this way puts you and them in danger. It's a neversending spiral."

"I don't know what else to do, Miss."

"You lean on the people who care. That's all we can do. In life, to get through it, we need to lean on others."

Camryn nodded.

"So I'll deal with this. You go home."

-

Isaac was snapped out of his thoughts by a loud knock on the door. He rushed to it, looking through the small hole to see who it was. He sighed in relief when he saw Camryn. He opened the door. "Camryn! I was so worried."

Camryn pushed him further inside and closed the door. "Did you tell Miss Laine about Ernesto?"

Isaac's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No! I promise I didn't! I only told Leonie-"

Isaac covered his mouth when he realised what he said.

"What? Leonie knows?"

"I didn't mean to tell her! I was just so worried and I thought something bad would happen to you and she came and comforted me and I-"

Isaac was cut off by Camryn hugging him. "I'm so sorry, Isaac. I didn't mean to put this pressure on you. I was trying to protect you."

"I appreciate it. But I don't need protecting. I just want to know that my friends are ok."

Camryn smiled. "Well, I am. Thanks to you. "

"Well it was Leonie who-"

"- Will you just take the praise please?"

Isaac chuckled and nodded. "Ok. Sure. You're welcome, Camryn. We're still best friends, right?"

"Always."

-

Camryn needed to walk to clear her head before going to see someone. Butterflies jumped around in her stomach when she saw Leonie sat by her tree, Bess.

Camryn sheepishly approached the girl. "Hey."

Leonie jumped. "Oh! Sorry... you scared me. Uh, hi."

"Sorry. Room for one more?"

Leonie shrugged. "Sure."

Camryn sat down and the pair sat in silence for a bit. "I know you told Miss Laine about the dr*gs."

Leonie's eyes widened but she didn't try to hide it. "Did she tell you?"

Camryn shook her head. "No. I found out by accident. Why'd you do it?"

"Camryn, you could've gotten seriously hurt!"

"I know about this lifestyle though. Like I've said before, it's the DeRosa-"

"- Camryn will you just shut up about that? You're more than some twisted legacy."

Camryn was taken aback by this. "It's hard to change a legacy."

"But you can still do it."

Camryn sighed. "You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"I'm never going to be seen as more than a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, ok? The sooner you accept that, the better. Trust me. I did a long time ago."

"I don't see you like that", said Leonie, leaving Camryn momentarily stunned.

"W-Well, you're different."

"Different? Different how?", asked Leonie. She tried to hide that this hurt her.

"You see people... differently."

"I think I see people for who they really are. I see past the walls they put up. Or try to", said Leonie.

Camryn just sat there in silence for a few seconds. "I could've hated you. For telling Miss Laine. Weren't you worried about that?"

"I was. But if I have to lose you to make sure you're safe then I'd do it."

Camryn was shocked by this. She couldn't believe Leonie would sacrifice her happiness just for her. "That's... really sweet. No one's ever done that for me before."

Leonie blushed a deep red.

"But you don't have to risk that anymore. You can just talk to me."

"Would you have listened?"

"Ok... probably not."

Leonie giggled and Camryn couldn't help but smile at this. "I thought... I thought you didn't care about me", said Camryn.

Leonie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Why would you think that?"

"Just with the whole... you know, not liking me any more."

Leonie looked at her hands. "Oh. Right. I can still care about you as a friend."

Camryn didn't want to tell Leonie she knew she was lying. If Leonie was going to admit her feelings, Camryn wanted it to be on her own terms.

Leonie looked up at her. "Actually, I wasn't being... entirely truthful. Or truthful at all. I was just worried I was too broken to fix."

"Because of the fire?"

Leonie nodded.

"You're not broken. Just bruised."

Leonie smiled as Camryn echoed her words. "I've learned that bruises hurt too. But they can heal. It might take your whole life... but they will heal."

Camryn smiled. "Exactly."

"Promise me you won't try and deal again", said Leonie.

"I promise."

Leonie and Camryn smiled at each other, and for a moment time seemed to freeze. Leonie felt a spark and wondered if Camryn felt it too.

"Camryn..."

"Yeah?"

"I lied. I really like you", said Leonie.

Camryn smiled brightly. All she wanted was for Leonie to feel the sams way. And she did. "I really like you too, Leonie. And... I want to try this properly."

"What, you mean go on a date?"

Camryn nodded. "If you want to."

Leonie beamed brightly. "Only if you let me plan it."

Camryn grinned. "Deal."

-

Hi.

I wonder what Miss Laine will do?

Isaac and Camryn are friendship goals.

Kennedy's missing her friend... is there any hope for her friendship with Leonie?

Leonie admitted her feelings for Camryn. Do you think they'll make a good couple?

-cherrysvalanxe

ATHENA-yeonnie

CaptainHermioneSwan

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

LiaHook_Descendants

starryeyedturtle