From Eden

eighteen

IMPORTANT: TIME SKIP EIGHT DAYS TO FRIDAY JUNE 30
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Waking up to work for Abby Lee Miller at seven thirty in the morning was never going to get easier...and the rising and shining at seven thirty wasn't even the issue for me; it was the fact I would have to go into the studio, teach kids to dance, and be belitted by an overweight, miserable lady in a wheelchair.

Actually, my feelings about waking up early completely shifted. I was on the verge of waking up naturally before my alarm even rang. With the fading effects of my withdrawal, I was able to sleep at least six hours a night, and could keep down two small meals a day. I could feel myself growing stronger day by day, and honestly, my spirits were lifting. I guess everyone was onto something when they said all the pain would pass.

Though I'd like to give myself most of the credit, I have to admit that Chloe was a huge part of my growing happiness. We practically spent every day together since roller skating, and numerous nights at both our houses. I was almost sure she returned my feelings for her, which I decided were, in fact, romantic. It was a hard pill to swallow for a moment, considering I had never had feelings for a woman before, but what else could I do besides accept it? There wasn't a bone in my body that could push her away.

The only issue was that she would be leaving soon, to go back to Los Angeles. She still had one semester of college left, and there wasn't a way I could convince her to stay in Pittsburgh for that amount of time. It hurt my heart to hear her say I couldn't make her stay, but again, what was I supposed to do? Keep her from her degree?

"Hey," I smiled tiredly, hopping out of my car at the studio. I had waited for Chloe to get there before I decided to walk in, and thanked God we only had a six hour shift that day. Alas, it was a hip hop shift. "Did you have a good night?"

"Yes I did," She answered, a small smile on her face too. "Clara and I played these video games until like twelve. I barely got any sleep, but come on...video games, man." Chills climbed up my spine at how raspy her voice was.

"Were you yelling a lot?" I asked, eyeing her lips. I did that a lot recently, and every time I caught myself doing it, I would mentally give myself ten push ups. I was becoming too fucking obvious. I swung my head in the other direction just then and hoped she didn't notice.

"Can you tell?" She laughed, sounding hoarse as ever.

"What game was it?" I asked, opening the door to the studio for her. The clock read eight on the dot, so I hurried and clocked in before waving to Sharla, who was working the desk that morning.

"I don't wanna say," Chloe closed her eyes in embarrassment, and I bit the inside of my lip when I saw her cheeks flush. "Hey, Sharla."

"Hi, Chloe." Sharla answered nicely as she tapped away on her keyboard.

"Please, tell me," I pleaded with my hands in a prayer position as we walked into the back room to set our stuff down. "You know I won't judge you."

"Yeah, right," She rolled her eyes, and I shrugged in amusement. I would totally judge her.

"Please," I moaned, throwing my dance bag down on the table.

"Fine," She sighed, avoiding my eyes. After placing her bag down as well, she took a breath, and mumbled, "Fronike."

"What? Couldn't hear you..."

"Fortnite!" She said, louder.

I tried my hardest not to laugh at her, but the mental image of Clara and Chloe screaming into headsets playing Fortnite, out of all games, was quite amusing. I let out a big breath of air and laughed, and she covered her face. "I told you I didn't wanna tell you."