Problems

2. Ashlee and Tears

Eldon's POV
I walk into studio A for rehearsals, the first to arrive. I put my bag in my cubby, followed by my shoes and my left sock. I slide onto the dance floor and turn to face the mirrors. I start warming up.
"Um, are you in A-troupe?" An unfamiliar voice says. I turn to see a girl with dyed blonde hair and big, blue eyes. She's tall, slim and a perfect figure. Woah.
"Yeah, I'm Eldon. And who are you?" I say, slowly, completely memorised by her.
"My name's Ashlee. I just got into B-troupe. Kate invited me to watch your rehearsal," she says sweetly. I do remember Kate saying something about a new girl...
"Oh, that's cool. You can put your stuff down by the barre," I tell her. She smiles at me, walking over to where I told her. I smile awkwardly back. What?
"Hey Eldon!" I hear from behind. it's James.
"Hey man, how's it going?" I ask my best friend back as he packs away his stuff into his cubby. Next thing I know Ashlee is right next to me.
"So, are you going to introduce me?" She says excitedly.
"Oh, yeah! James, this is Ashlee. She's new to B-troupe. Ashlee this is James," I say. Ashlee willingly shakes his and, taking James by surprise. Then there's an awkward eye contact between them.
"Eldon, can I talk to you for one second?" She asks. Before I can say anything she drags me aside on the other end of the studio.
"He's your best friend?!" She whispers.
"Yeah, we've been friends for as long as I can remember," I tell her.
"Woah, he's HOT," she says. It hits me. First disappointment, but then fear for James's current love life...
"Dammit," I say under my breath.
"Sorry what was that?" She asks me.
"Oh, I um..."
"Hey James!" I here a girl's voice. It's Riley. James walks up to her and he wraps his arms around her waist, planting a soft kiss on her neck. I smile to myself, realising what luck has just struck upon me. Then I see Ashlee's face, filled with disappointment, but mostly just anger. She looks at me, and I try to play along with her. Then it changes to something more...revelatory.  
"Hang on a second....they're dating?!" She whispers. I nod, "And, they're the duet that WON Internationals?!" I nod again, "Seems pretty obvious once you think about, doesn't it?" I nod again, "How long have they being going out for?" 
"Since like a month before the last Regionals. So like a year ago. But they broke up in between then and then they got back together but none of that matters," I say quickly. I look back a Riley and James; laughing together, then I see Ashlee quickly walking towards them. I can see where this is going, so I follow behind. 
"Hey!" She says to Riley, standing in front of James, breaking apart their conversation. She's looks so tall right next to her. Riley quickly scans her body from toe to head.

"Hi! You must be Ashlee!" Riley says, "Kate told me about you. Welcome to the studio!" 
"Thanks! You must be...Riley? Was it?"she says. 
"Um, yeah, how do you know my name?" Riley replies, confused. 

"Oh I saw your Internationals duet on the title tiebreaker! I loved it so much!" she says, looking back at James. 
" Aww, thanks! I'm sure you'll do great here, by the way," Riley says sweetly, looking up and down her body again. James looks at me awkwardly, almost like I plea for help. I decide to help him, as well as his girlfriend. And maybe me...

Amanda's POV
It's 3:45pm. My mom should be home by now. I'm standing by the front door, my dance bag slung aimlessly over my shoulder and I'm leaning against the wall. I need to leave now. Rehearsals start at 4pm. I'm checking my phone, spamming my mom with texts about where on earth she is. So far, I've had no reply. Well, you can't exactly leave several screaming kids on their own.
Then, I hear a painful screech from the living room. I drop my dance bag, groaning to myself, running to the room opposite me. There, on the floor, hot tears dunning down her face, is Melissa, holding her cheek, toy robot on its' side next to her. And Alfie, his face red with rage, throwing the toys, plastic and soft, around the room. I run over to the two of them, no time to think about who to attend first. I mindlessly run over to Melissa. Her mouth is wide open with saliva drooling down her chin from the tears. I gently move her hand away from her cheek bone, trying to ignore the chaos from Alfie happening behind me. I pull her hand away, to see a red, bleeding bump. I pick her up, running to the kitchen and placing her down on a dining chair. I try to calm her with shhes, but none of it works. I then realise that my brother is still wrecking the house in the next room. I run over to the fridge and grab an ice pack, heading over to Melissa and placing it on her cheek. I tell her to hold it there and she obeys, raising her hand. I sigh.
I then race back to the living room, where my brothers screams get more intense as he throws more toys around the room. 
"Alfie! Stop!" I yell, furious at what he has done to my sister. But he doesn't stop. He screams at me, aiming the same robot he hit Melissa with at me. A shot of fear shocks my abdomen, and I bend down and turn round towards the kitchen door. I take my chance and slide into the room, slamming the door behind me as a loud bang hits it. I sigh to myself and see my little sister, still sniffing, her face still red even though most of her crying has seized. As I get up I hear the door open then shut and the clinging of keys. I speed walk across the kitchen and I brush past my mother's tall, athletic body.
"I'm late for dance," I mumble as I pass her, leaving her in the mess she has put me in.

So that was that chapter!! I'll introduce more of the problems the characters have in the next chapter (Riley's, maybe Emily's and Stephanie's)

Please let me know if you're enjoying this book!! Also, in case you are wondering, this is like my IDEAL season 4 troupe. Cuz I need to dream.

Koalacheesexxxx