Playlist

14. "So Here We Are" - Bloc Party

"I miss you." Selene pouts, and she takes a drag of her cigarette. We're FaceTiming, and I hear Olive say, "I miss you~!" Selene turns the camera to Olive, and she's pouting, too. My heart aches a bit.

"It's been difficult without you guys. I miss you guys. It's nice out here, though. The air is different." I take a drag of my cigarette. I'm sitting outside of Carson's in the back where Luke said it would be okay for me to smoke. I'm on my lunch, and I'm trying to enjoy the sunny day we've been blessed with. I hear the back door open, and I turn the camera to show Luke standing there. He pauses for a minute, and I move the camera to face me again. Selene and Olive go silent, and I look up at Luke as he talks to me. "I have a favor to ask you."

"So it's not work related."

"Right."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Elera has a dance competition tonight, and I can close in time to be there for the actual competition, but-"

"She needs to be there early, and you need me to take her." Luke's mouth presses into a thin line, and I smile. "I don't mind. What time does she have to be there?"

He looks down at the ground then back up at me, making a face. "I can give you gas money."

I turn the camera towards him, and I try to stifle a laugh. "You look like the emoji. You know, the one you put after an awkward text."

He rolls his eyes and looks away, trying to hide a smirk. I shake my head and smile. "You don't have to give me gas money. Yes, I'll take her. I want to spend some time with her anyways."

He reaches in his pocket and hands me a $20. "Take it."

I pull my hand away and laugh as I fight him on his money. Eventually he sticks the $20 in my jacket pocket and walks inside, closing the door behind him before I can retort. As soon as the door closes, Selene brings the camera close to her face and raises her eyebrows. "Who dat?"

I laugh and reach down, lighting another cigarette. "Luke. He owns the shop I work at. His little sister, Elera, does ballet and absolutely loves me. She's a brilliant little girl, 11 going on 30."

"Oohh, that's Luke. Not the mountain man I imagined, but he's cute." Selene raises her eyebrows, smirking.

I laugh and shake my head. "It's not like that."

"Your face is as red as a damn tomato, Dakota. Don't lie." Olive chimes in, and I roll my eyes and look away as my face heats up. It's not like that.

❧

I'm sitting in the middle of the theatre, the red plush seat reminding me of the movies. Now I just need popcorn and a coke. I get a text from Luke saying he'll be here right before the competition starts. As I open Tumblr on my phone, I hear, "Excuse me? Are you with Elera Carson?" I look up and nod as I put my phone away, and the well-dressed lady asks me to come with her. My heart stops, and I follow her backstage. A bunch of girls and guys are dressed for their pieces, murmuring and laughing and stretching. I'm led to the girls' bathroom where the lady informs me Elera has been in for 20 minutes.

"Hey," I knock at the door lightly, leaning against the frame. "Elera, it's Dakota. Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Her voice is quiet, her answer short. She's been crying; I can tell from the sound of her voice.

"Not convincing. Why don't you let me in baby girl? Let me talk to you." Nothing - for a while. I hear the lock click open in the door, and I step inside. It's a single-person bathroom, and Elera is sitting on the floor, her knees pulled up to her chest. I sit next to her, taking a quiet, deep breath. "What's going on, hm? Talk to me, honey." I rub her knee gently, not wanting to overwhelm her.