Dance For Me

Chapter 19

Camila

Isolation was something familiar to me by now, never fitting anywhere, never belonging with anyone. My whole life had been an example of just how easy it was to push people into an abyss of emptiness. Today too, Emma's finger pointing in my direction while Ella smiled with her friends in class, it hurt

I hated that I was always the one to be sat on the side lines for being too loud, too passionate, too damaged. I hated that no matter how long I kept my cool, the second I broke, I was the criminal. People develop a reputation and are treat in such a way as a result

I decided to get some air after having a shower, the front doors of the Academy a needed escape route even despite sitting just outside of them. I watched the cars go by with vacant eyes and a sore sensation in my stomach, I wanted to melt away, lose myself and pretend that I was wanted here

Nobody looked for me, nobody came to see if I was ok? I just walked away, fending for myself in a world that revolved around people tame and quiet. The summer air brushed against my skin as I lent back against the wall beside the doors, gentle prickles of heat dancing over my thighs while the city in front of me vibrated with life

I must have sat there for at least an hour, the base of my back aching from the concrete while my feet rested a few steps below. I couldn't bring myself to go back in, facing those girls who all would prefer me out of their way than anywhere close. I took a deep breath and sighed to close my eyes before the sound of a clearing throat forced my eyes up beside me

It was Nikki, standing with a cocked brow and flashing, confident smile "May I join you?" She asked, inviting herself beside me before I could even answer. She was stunning like Lauren, thick, curly black hair that sat below her ribs with winged liner and a set of the bluest eyes I'd ever seen "What are we looking at out here? Anything interesting?"

I shrugged with a small laugh, the woman beside me clearly not afraid of her own voice "I just needed some air" I admit, pulling my hands into my lap awkwardly "It's hard to think in that place at the best of times"

"I'm no psychic, but I'm gathering that we're having a bad day?" Her voice was bold but comforting, thick lashes of rasp mixed with the same Latin tint Lauren had only relaxing my tense jaw and neck

I nodded and laughed sarcastically "Something like that" I mumbled, noting the way she nodded back with a sigh "It doesn't matter though, you don't even know me so I'm not gonna push my shit on you"

Her brow cocked again "Well, lucky for you, we're going to have to get to know each other very soon" she explained "Given your new fame, my duties will soon extend to you, so! What's going on my darling girl?"

I couldn't help but sneak a small smile as she spoke, her energy consuming me with a new kind of safety "Some of the girls are giving me a hard time, my teacher too" I began "They think I'm getting handouts and when I react to their bullshit I get sent out and made to feel like a criminal" I laughed sarcastically, feeling rather sorry for myself "Feel like the runt of the litter!"

Nikki smiled and reached across for my hand to hold it within her grip "It's hard having a powerful girlfriend isn't it?" She chuckled, shocking me into a gasp that her smile curved against "There comes a great deal of edge when it comes to dating someone like Lauren, it's almost like sticking a target on your back with neon lights and a glittery font!"

I couldn't help but laugh with my red cheeks darkening by the second "She's not my- we'ee just-

"Seeing where it goes, yes, I know!" She rolled her eyes back at me "I've had the same talk with Lauren, but we digress! Having involvement with her is inevitably going to cause some backlash my love, the sooner you get used to that the better!"