Miss Laine stared at the empty Theatre Room, once all the students had left. She did this often. She imagined every Theatre Club student she's taught. She thought about what they'd be doing now, not in a creepy way though, she was just curious to know if they had achieved their goals.

Her mind wandered to the other day. After Camryn had given her the dr*gs.

Miss Laine marched over to Ernesto, showing no signs of being scared. "Excuse me, Sir? Are you Ernesto?"

Ernesto spat out the finger nail he had chewed off. "Maybe. Who is asking?"

"I'm a Teacher at Camryn's school. I found out you've been giving her dr*gs to deal", said Miss Laine. "Does it make you feel good? To get kids to do your dirty work?"

Ernesto smirked. "Guess it's true what they say... red heads have anger issues."

Miss Laine didn't flinch. She just stared at him, unable to believe he wasn't taking this seriously. "I will take great pleasure in handing these to the Police."

"You have no proof that it was me. Besides, you don't think I have other people working for me? Go to the Police and little Cami won't be at your school for much longer."

Miss Laine frowned. She looked into his eyes, searching for any signs of weakness. "They're just kids."

"I was just a kid when I first started too. It's a cruel world out there... no place for kid's to be wrapped in bubble wrap."

Miss Laine shook her head. "It doesn't have to be like this. There are other ways!"

"What ways? Huh? You have your nice job and go home to your nice house. You do your way, and I'll do mine."

Miss Laine clenched her fists. "I know you didn't ask for this life. And neither did Camryn. So I sure as h*ll won't let her stay in it. So you're going to leave her alone. Leave all my kids alone."

Ernesto chuckled. "Or what, little lady?"

Ernesto stepped closer, but was surprised when Miss Laine didn't move. She grabbed his arm, twisting it back. "I think I know your type. Brains over brawn? Use that to intimidate? Get others to fight for you?"

Ernesto winced in pain.

Miss Laine moved her mouth near his right ear. "Don't go near Camryn again. Don't go near any kid again. You don't want to see me when I'm mad."

-

The next day, Kennedy walked to school alone. Maxon started later than Kennedy. On the day she planned to walk with Leonie, she ended up walking alone.

"Hey, Kennedy! You ok?", called out someone. They were jogging but slowed down to reach Kennedy's pace.

Kennedy turned to face them. "Oh! Hey, Meredith. Yeah, I'm fine."

"You don't look fine", said Meredith. "Is it to do with the meeting today?"

Kennedy shook her head. "No. Just friendship stuff."

"Does it have something to do with Leonie?"

Kennedy's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"You two were practically glued at the hip. It's been really weird to see you both barely interact in rehearsals."

Kennedy frowned. "It's my fault. I overreacted and pushed her away because I was scared."

"Do you want my advice?", asked Meredith. She continued when Kennedy nodded. "You did the right thing. If Leonie didn't fight for your friendship... then maybe it's been one- sided for a while."

"So you don't think I should make up with her?"

"Well I definitely think you should talk. But... friends grow apart, you know? We don't keep the same friends forever. I think this is one of those times."

Kennedy nodded. "Thanks, Meredith. I needed to hear that."

Since distancing herself from Leonie, Kennedy struggled to feel like there was someone in her corner. Even Maxon, as supportive as he was, wanted the two to make up.

Hearing Meredith's words made Kennedy happy. She had someone in her corner again.

-
Camryn and Leonie decided to have their date before the meeting. Truthfully, our girl Camryn had no idea what to do. How to dress. What to bring? Did she need a helmet?

Her phone vibrated.

Esther: Hey it's Esther. Don't know if you saved my number but heyyyy.

Camryn: Hi. Yeah, I did.

Esther: Just wanted to check in on you. Nico's lost his phone so we retraced all his steps. We should still be back in an hour though.

Camryn: Ok, cool. Will you both be coming to the Theatre Meeting?

Esther: Yeah, course! How are things for you?

Camryn: Actually I've got this date

Esther: !!!

Esther: AHHHHHH

Esther: WHOOOOOP

Esther: That's great! From someone in the Theatre Club?

Camryn: Promise you won't tell Isaac?

Esther: Woah. Uh, bit worried here. He doesn't know?

Camryn: No. I want to tell him on my own terms.

Esther: Ok, I respect that. I won't tell him.

Camryn: Thank you. It's Leonie.

Esther: Leonie Smith?

Camryn: Yeah

Esther: AHHHHHHH

Esther: I need to go congratulate her!

Esther: Wait am I allowed to?

Camryn: Yeah haha

Esther: EEEK THIS IS GREAT

Camryn: Thanks for being so chill about this haha

Esther: I'm noting the sarcasm. Want some help with what to wear?

Camryn: Yes pleasee

Esther: Your favourite clothes

Camryn: Huh? Isn't that too simple?

Esther: It's a first date. Comfort is really important. Wearing something you feel comfortable in can help with nerves

Camryn: Oh. Makes sense.

Esther: It'll be fine. Just remember to have fun.

Camryn: Thanks Esther. I'll try.

-

Darius rushed home to see if his parents were ready. "Mum, Dad! Remember it's that meeting?"

His parents were nowhere to be seen, but his siblings were in the living room, looking glum.

"Amarai? What's wrong?", asked Darius.

Amarai shrugged. "The usual. Dad called us useless again." Amarai looked over at Frankie, who had tears in their eyes.

Darius' face softened. "Frankie... he didn't mean it. You know he doesn't."

"Then why does he say it all the time?", asked Frankie. "Did he say it to you?"

'No', thought Darius. 'I just listened to everything they said. Like a robot. Fitting for a tech company.'

"He's just stressed", said Darius. "Mum and Dad both are. Go up to your rooms, yeah? I'll fix you up something good."

"You mean you'll order pizza?", teased Amarai. Darius nudged Amarai, making them laugh.

"Go on, both of you", smiled Darius.

-

Camryn and Leonie stood outside an art gallery. Camryn smiled. She had been so worried that she'd feel uncomfortable, but she didn't have to worry. "How come I haven't heard of this place?"

"It's new", said Leonie. "Dedicated to appreciating underground artists. Come on, let's go in."

They were hit with bursts of colours, shapes and images. Camryn was drawn to an imagine of a little girl, with her back to viewers. There was a circle of white around her, with eye-catching water colours everywhere else.

"Woah...", said Camryn, awe-struck.

Leonie smiled at the picture. "Guess it's true when they say a picture paints a thousand words."

Camryn noticed an empty display, with nothing but a frame. "What's that?"

"It's fairly new so my guess is they don't have enough artwork yet?", replied Leonie. Her face lit up. "Why don't you submit an art piece?"

Camryn's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Oh, no. Nope. No thank you, ma'am."

"Come on, Camryn! You're really talented", said Leonie.

Camryn thought back to all the times Eli had complimented her art work. And then Isaac. And to little Nicole, a girl too frightened of colours due to her past. "I... I'll think about it."

After a few more minutes of browsing, Camryn decided to get some churros from a stand. She handed one to Leonie. "Here."

Leonie shook her head. "Oh, I'm fine. Thanks though."

"Leonie, it's free. Not eating it is basically an insult", said Camryn.

Leonie chuckled and took the churro. Camryn tucked into hers, but Leonie chose to pick at hers.

"I had a really nice time", said Camryn. "I don't know why I was so worried."

"You were worried? I thought I was the only one!", exclaimed Leonie, making Camryn laugh.

"I feel ready for the performance today. And the actual show", said Camryn.

Leonie smiled. "Good. With a Group like ours, was there ever anything to worry about?"

-

Hi!

I'm so sorry for taking so long!

In regards to the Author's Note before, I've decided to copy and save any chapters I write. If this book does get flagged for any reason, I'll have the chapters saved and then maybe I could do something like send them in a group chat on snap chat or something. (Only if that's cool with you guys, no pressure!)

AHHH MISS LAINE DID WHAT? WHO KNEW SHE HAD THAT FIRE WITHIN HER?

Poor Darius. He's trying so hard to please everyone.

Thoughts on Camryn and Leonie's date?

Also, where can I find an Esther? Honestly, where can I find all these characters?

The Parent's Evening Performance is next! How do you think it will go?

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

Descend_Into_Fandoms

ATHENA-yeonnie

starryeyedturtle