Behind The Camera

Chapter Nine.

I look up from my laptop, rubbing my eyes in the process, I had ended up getting lost in the valleys of YouTube videos of dancing and interviews, anything related to Perri I had probably watched. I stand up from the floor of my bed and stretch my arms over my head, my body feeling stiff from being sat in the same position for hours. My phone lights up from my dresser and makes a 'ding' noise indicating I had a text, I shuffle over my floor realising that I couldn't really see the floor from the clothes and blankets that was scrawled all over the floor. 'hi.. they'll be a car waiting for you by the green at 7, if you don't come I understand Pel x'. I sigh and turn my head to the clock, 6:49pm. I rum my temples and sit on my bed. When did life get like this? was it when I wanted to have a life like in a book that ive read a thousand times, or was it when dreams started to become better than reality. If you had of told me a year ago that I would be falling for a guy I barely knew, who then turned out to be a famous dancer I would of laughed in your face and told you to keep dreaming, but here I am living it. I throw my hair up into what looked like a pineapple and pulled on a hoodie. "now or never" I muttered to myself pulling my shoes on, grabbing my bag and phone from the side and walking out of the dorm room.

The walk to the green felt like it took forever, it was only five minutes, but I guess the thoughts spinning around my head made it feel longer. The Perri that I knew didn't seem the same as the Perri that flipped around the O2 Arena. The smile I had seen him do hanfuls of time wasn't the red carpet smile the world knew. His wild afro the world knew as his trademark was always in an neat bun, topped with a beanie. As I walk over the green I spot a black UV. I take it that was my ride to whatever Perri had planned to explain. "Tee?" A voice asked when I got closer, and sure enough it was the same male I had seen the night of the dance show. "Yup, lets get this over with shall we?" I muttered as I stepped in the car.

The ride to wherever we was going was quiet, apart from quiet music playing. It was a comfortable silence though, I could deal with that. "So, Perri said you guys met in English?" The male asked, looking in the rear view mirror at me. "Yeah, we had different opinions on the same book, ended up being partnered together for our mid term essay, then found out his a famous dancer and here we are" I whisper. "Perri isn't a bad kid, his reasons for doing this are in your best interest no matter how hard it is to accept that" the male replied, I just nod my head, not really sure of what to say, I mean people who know Perri are bound to defend what his done and the repercussions his actions have caused, so who was I to believe? "My names Dave by the way" the male, who I now knew as Dave said. "Tee Smith" I nod, not that he needed clarification of who I was. "We are here, when you're done inside I will take you back to campus, just try to listen to him" Dave said, turning the car engine off. I nod, again unsure of what to say and step out of the car. We was in a car park, a small carpark at that. I had no idea where I actually was but it looked like a small industrial estate with warehouses flowing off into different directions. I pull my hoodie around me tighter, aware of the cold air. "It's just that building there, I'll be right here" Dave encourages from behind me. I turn and give him a small smile. I take a deep breath and begin my walk over to the building. "Dance Studio" I whisper under my breath as I get closer to the signage around the building. "Of course he would bring me here" I mutter, opening the door to the studio.

"I am afraid the studios are closed for a private meeting tonight, if you would like to leave your name and number I can give you a call in the morning for another booking" A female voice calls from behind the desk. I look over, shes a youngish woman, I would say early thirties or late twenties. "I'm actually here to see Perri, Dave has just dropped me off" I whisper, stepping closer to the desk so she can hear me. "Oh, yes Tee isn't it? Just go straight through that door, Perri and the guys are in there" She beams at me. I nod my head and say a small 'thank you' before walking up to the door. I stand at the door peering through the small window into the studio, the studio itself looked like it was covered in mirrors. There was a small group of people sat on the floor in the corner whilst another group walked through steps in the mirror, I wanted to move my feet and go into the room but part of me felt it was just rude to barge in. "They are expecting you, youre not inturupting anything" The female called from the desk, almost as if she read my mind. I take a deep breath and push the door, I didn't expect the door to be so loud, but it made a banging noise and I felt everbodys eyes on me as I closed the door. I stood there awkwardly, twirling my feet and moving from one foot to the other whilst everyone looked at me. I recgonised faces from the videos I had watched previously. "I didn't think you would come" the voice I had dreaded so much to hear said, appearing from the back of the room. "Well, here I am" I state, taking a bow earning a few chuckles from around the room. "You never said she was feisty" A male called from the staircase. "Right, erm well. Tee this is Mitch, Sam, Warren, Jordan, Adam and that's Ashley" Perri spins pointing at people saying names. "And Diversity, this is Tee" He finishes, grabbing a bottle of water. "Okay, not that I'm happy that she's not screaming but why did you need to introduce us, surely she knows who we are" The male called Adam chuckles. "Actually as of two hours ago I had no clue who you guys are, for the last month or so I've had no idea who Perri was so sorry for not being a screaming fan girl" I mutter, pulling my bag up higher over my shoulder. "Burn" A voice said. I shrug my shoulders and look at Perri who looks like an awkward turtle. "Well, I think that's my cue.." Perri mutters, picking up a hoodie and his classic black beanie. "I'll be back later for rehearsal" He states to Ashley. "Take as long as you need" Ashley replies, fist pumping Perri before he makes his way over to me. "Lets get this over with then shall we" I mutter, walking out of the studio.