NOTE: We are nearing the end so chapters might be longer to tie some storylines together. Otherwise we'll have a lot more chapters in this book. This might discourage some people but please try to read all the way through or you might miss something important! Thank you!

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The next day, a confused Theatre Club assembled in their usual room. Miss Laine had emailed everyone, though she kept the nature of this meeting hidden.

Eli's eyes met with Amethyst's. He hadn't spoke to her since rehearsals were cancelled. Amethyst couldn't understand why Eli was being like that, but to Eli, he was more angry with himself.

He truly believed he had made Amethyst understand the true meaning of family. For all their differences, Eli felt like he had something in common with her. That they both felt out of place.

He wanted to help. He thought he did help. But he didn't. And that devastated him.

Surprisingly, Darius didn't say a word to anyone. His eyes didn't seem as bright as they usually were. When questioned on it by Stanley, he just said he was tired.

Kennedy was with Maxon and Leonie was with Camryn. Neither of the former best friends had spoken to each other, besides when Camryn and Maxon hung out. Their future as friends looked bleak.

The ghosts of their memories frowned down on what they had become.

Miss Laine entered the room. She took a deep breath. "Carrie and I were best friends. Inseparable. We'd do everything together. I could go out and face life, safe in the knowledge that my best friend would always support me."

Camryn smiled at Isaac, who returned the smile. Eli saw this and beamed brightly at the pair.

"There was an upcoming Theatre Production that our school was putting on. Carrie wanted to audition but was nervous, so she asked me to audition as well. I ended up getting the part Carrie wanted."

"Dámn. No wonder she's píssed", said Amethyst. "Her so called friend stabbed her in the back."

Miss Laine didn't tell Amethyst off. Instead, she just nodded. "Yes. That's what she thought. I tried saying no but it was a main lead and everyone was telling me how this production had to go well. Before I knew it, I was this integral part of the play that had to fit all the pieces together."

"You felt pressured to be the best and to play your role perfectly", said Kennedy.

Miss Laine nodded. "Yes. I didn't have much growing up. I was known as the poor kid with nothing to offer the world."

Miss Laine looked at Camryn. "But that wasn't true. The Club made me realise I was more than just some kid with nothing."

Camryn stared at Miss Laine, the woman who used to be like her. The woman who was now a Teacher. The woman who didn't stay as some useless nobody her whole life.

"I'm guessing Carrie didn't like all the attention you got", said Weronika.

Miss Laine sighed. "No. No she did not."

"But if she was your friend, shouldn't she be happy for you?", questioned Leonie.

"Maybe she felt like you had become someone else entirely. Someone who didn't care about her", said Kennedy. Though she looked at Miss Laine, it was obvious that her words were aimed at Leonie.

Miss Laine shrugged. "Maybe she did. She had to work harder than most. She wasn't the most talented at certain areas so she felt like she had to prove herself. I get how me getting the role she worked hard for would hurt her."

"Didn't you try to talk to her about it?", asked Isaac. "Maybe if you explained-"

"-Have you met Carrie?", questioned Amethyst.

"She wasn't always like this. I tried to explain but... she felt like I had betrayed her. We spoke in the halls sometimes but... our friendship never really recovered."

"She was prepared to throw away a strong friendship over a role?", questioned Eli.

"People used to say I was always the one who gave more in the friendship. I don't know if I believe that. But it wasn't just a role, Eli. To Carrie, it was her chance to be someone. "

"That's quite important, I believe. Everyone wants to be someone", said Eli.

Miss Laine nodded. "To me, Carrie had always been that. But she had a lot of inner demons."

"I know what that's like", said Stanley. "I mean, it's not exactly the same but my sexuality battle was so hard. But I don't think her demons give her a right to treat people the way she does."

Miss Laine nodded. "I agree. Nothing warrants that behaviour."

"So why have you basically spent the last few minutes saying semi nice things about her?", questioned Amethyst.

Miss Laine frowned. "Because I remember the person she used to be. And it hurts. To see how much she's changed."

Everyone remained silent. They had all known Miss Laine for a while, but they didn't know much about her. Teachers don't really open up about their pasts.

"Why are you telling us this?", asked Meredith.

"Because I want you to know how Theatre changed my life. But how it also damaged other lives. We let the drama get between us and it cost Carrie and I a friendship. I'm not giving up on you guys. I'm not having a repeat of my time in the Theatre Club. "

After a long moment of silence, Darius stepped forward. "We put you through it, didn't we?"

Miss Laine chuckled. "I almost broke."

"Nothing could break you, Miss Laine", said Leonie. "I'm sorry we stressed you out."

"You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, you know", said Maxon.

Miss Laine smiled. "Thank you. Now, I've emailed your parents and guardians. I have gotten their approval to take you all on a trip tomorrow."

"A trip?", questioned Kennedy. "What about rehearsals?"

"This trip will help with that", said Miss Laine.

"Well this is all rather ominous", said Eli.

______

Miss Laine finally opened up to them about her past with Carrie! Did she do the right thing or should she have kept them in the dark?

It seems like Leonie and Kennedy's friendship is well and truly over. What's been your favourite moment from their friendship?

What does Miss Laine have planned for the Theatre Club?

What's going on with Darius?

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

gillioddities

Descend_Into_Fandoms

DoodleYeet

yeonskosmos

starryeyedturtle