Of Paper Girls And Puppeteers (Book 3)

What You Started

•V•

"You will never believe what just happened!" C exclaims, storming into the studio. Beckett, Mindy, and I all turn to see a very frazzled looking C, stocking over.
"Let me guess, my mom is frolicking around the school in a pink tutu?" Beckett responds sarcastically. C stops her rampage for a moment to glare at my boyfriend.
"No," she replies indignantly.
"I'm not sure I want to know," I reply, watching her warily.
"Austin is doing a film study on the Primas. Like today," C states.
"What? He can't bother us during practice! He didn't get it approved by me. And also, since when does he even go here?" I ask. C shrugs.
"Apparently he never left."
"Who's Austin?" Beckett and Mindy ask in unison. Oh yeah. I forgot neither of them were here when all that went down.
"He's C's ex."
"He's a trashy film maker." C and I say simultaneously.
"So... C dated a trashy film maker?" Beckett asks carefully, earning himself a whack from C. He looks at me for defense.
"You had it coming," I tell him.
"Yeah that's what you were saying this weekend too," he snickers. C and Mindy raise an eyebrow at this.
"I would be more surprised if they hadn't done it already to be honest," Mindy says dryly. My jaw drops.
"Mindy! We haven't done anything!" I defend. Beckett opens his mouth.
"Not. Another. Word. Bradstreet," I snap. Beckett just laughs. Pulling me into a hug which I grudgingly allow.
"Austin is supposedly one of the best film makers at Keaton, but he had a curfuffle with some of the music kids freshman year and he dated C for a while. Bottom line, he's mean. And he's manipulative," I tell them.
"Exactly. Now back to the actual problem. What are we going to do about Austin?" C asks.
"He can't do it. I'm the dance captain, and he didn't approve it with me," I tell her.
"Okay, but what if he does it anyway?" C asks. I grin at this, an idea forming.
"He can't make a film about dancers if the dancer don't cooperate," I say slyly.
"I do not trust that smile," Beckett says.
"Won't Ms. Helsweel be upset if we sabotage his video?" Mindy asks.
"Right. Helsweel will be so upset with her future daughter in law for being vaguely uncooperative," C responds. I smirk.
"We all know I'm the real favorite child," I gloat, smiling innocently up at Beckett who just rolls his eyes.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," He replies.
"We all know what helps V sleep at night," Mindy cuts in, giving Beckett a grim once over.
"Moving on!" I exclaim, cutting her off. I did not need to go down that tangent again.
"If film boy somehow manages to get his video approved, we make it as hard on him as possible," I tell them. As soon as the words leave my lips, the doors of the studio swing open once again, and in walks the devil himself.
"Suds, what a coincidence seeing you here," Austin calls with a self satisfied smirk.
"Get lost film boy, are you lost are did the tumble you took freshman year effect your head that badly?" I retort. Austin gives me a sly once over before leisurely making his way over to us.
"Calm down princess, I'm just here to talk to your little dance captain. Gotta get their approval before I start my project. Know where they are?" Austin asks condescendingly.
"You're looking at her," Beckett replies, coming to stand next to me.
"And who are you tough guy?" Austin asks.
"Her boyfriend," Beckett replies looking down at him.
"Wow. Over protective boyfriend part three," Austin quips, glancing over at C. I roll my eyes at the boy in front of me.
"Enough. You came here to talk to me? Then talk. Convince me to let you disrupt my practice so you can get some footage for whatever trashy project you're doing," I tell him unimpressed. Austin has the audacity to roll his eyes at me.
"Look princess-"
"Don't call me that," I snap.
"I gotta do a film study on a student group here at Keaton, so I figured, the best film maker should film the best club right? Worth 40% of my grade. You don't want me to fail a year do you?" He asks. I glare at the egocentric boy.
"I couldn't care less about whether or not you fail a year. Request denied," I state.

Word Count: 754