Dance Till You're Dead (ON HOLD FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE)

Chapter 5

Despite having to sit out multiple times and feeling a permenant ache in her back, Ella was in high spirits when she left the dance studio, arm in arm with her re-united best friend and standing as close as she dared to her love interest. She barely even thought about the possibility of Lanelle stealing her role, but she barely thought of anything when Ryan was smiling at her. She felt Carys pulling her away, and awoke from a haze of white teeth to realise it was time to say goodbye to him. They decided to walk back to Ella's house for an hour before they went to work. Ella loved the fact that she saw her best friend everyday, not just at college and ballet practice, but at their waitressing job too. Carys tried to convince her not to go work, not today. "You've just been dancing for an hour Ells, surely that's more than enough stress on your back for one weekend."

"I need the money Cary, you know how expensive dance school is even with a scholarship! If I get one that is..."

"Don't even doubt it for one second, you will get a scholarship. You're the most amazing dancer I know, even with your injury!"

"That's very sweet Carys, but it's so competitive. If I can't be a dancer, I don't know what I'll do with my life." Carys looked down, seemingly full of a distant sadness.

"You ok C?" She flicked her head back up instantly.

"Yeah. Sorry Ells, zoned out. But you have nothing to worry about, just..." She looked over her shoulder quickly and then grabbed Ella, turning her to face her.

"Just promise me you'll watch yourself Ella, from now on. After what happened..." she trailed off again, and looked over Ella's shoulder. She lowered her voice.

"You don't know who could be after you, but you might be able to guess why they are. Like I said, you're the best dancer I know. There are plenty of people who'd want to take your place." She squeezed Ella's shoulders and then pulled her along the path once more.

"Carys, what are you..." Ella started, but Carys interrupted her, still striding onwards and not looking at her.

"I just don't want to see you hurt again Ella. You're my best friend. Come on, we'll be late for work if we don't get back to yours soon." Ella trailed after her, her head full of white teeth, pink haze and wide, worried eyes.

-----

The figure watched the two girls cross the quiet street. What had Carys told Ella? She couldn't have admitted her secret, she wouldn't dare. They would have been able to tell if she had, Ella's reaction would have been big enough to give it away. They'd get it out of her. Carys had squealed easily enough before. The figure remembered back to that night. How she had cowered in pathetic terror at the sight of a knife, and how the information had practically flooded from her mouth the moment she did. But she hadn't recognised them, or connected that her information could lead to an attack on Ella. Not then anyway. They knew that Carys wasn't as silly as they'd first thought. She'd made the connection now. Now she was scared. Not scared of them though, scared that Ella would find out the truth. The truth that Carys has aided the attack that had left her fighting for her life. But she would be scared of them again, they'd make sure of it.

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 "You know what I just realised?" said Carys as they changed into their work uniform, "Josh wasn't at dance today! Funny, I never thought he'd miss the opportunity to spy on his one true love...I'm talking about you Ells."

"I know. I havn't seen him since he turned up at my door the other day." said Ella.

"Don't sound so sad about it! I'd be keeping as far away from him as possible if I was you!" laughed Carys. Ella laughed too, but felt guilty about it. She really pitied Joshua. He must be so missunderstood, if only someone took the time to know him better perhaps he'd get a better deal from everyone else.