Ballet And The Beast

Chapter Eighteen

The rest of the week drags and I walk out of ballet on Friday exhausted. Mason hasn't said a word to me unless it's absolutely essential and it's been slightly awkward with us all hanging out together.

I head to the gym for a lengthy workout, the one thing I do have control over at the moment. The first hour of my workout is spend on the treadmill, then a full body weights routine then another hour of cardio. It's time to get back in shape. I'm just about to leave when Shane walks in on his own.

"Hey Brookie, how are you?" He greets. It's nice that I've still got the guys and Alice to talk to whenever.

"Yeah I'm ok, you?" I return.

"I'm good, you look exhausted. How long have you been in here?" He asks as he looks me up and down.

"Only an hour or so." I lie before continuing. "How's Mason?"

"He's moping around like a sick puppy, which I think he deserves." He growls out. Turns out Shane had heard our whole argument the other day.

"I was just trying to help." I explain to him.

"I know, that's why he has a very angry best friend right now." He chuckles as he pulls me in for a hug.

"I just don't know what to do Shane, he won't talk to me and to be honest I'm absolutely fuming he spoke to me like that." I mumble into his chest as he squeezes me for comfort.

I feel my emotions start to get the better of me but quickly compose myself. At least I've got friends to help me through this. The strange part is I don't even know if we're still a couple.

"Oh shit." Shane mutters, pulling away from our hug. I look up at him confused.

"Don't turn around, but Mason has just walked in and he doesn't look happy." He mutters quietly so only I can hear.

"Right I'm going, thanks Shane." I smile briefly before walking off, not even bothering to turn around and look at Mason. I hope he was jealous.

The next day of shooting flashes by in a blur. I didn't eat anything the day before or that day to ensure I'm looking my best and I have to say the photos came out great. They weren't quite up to Dean's standard as I'd never worked with this photographer before but he got as much out of me as he could.

Today is the interview and we decide to have it in the college gardens. They wanted everything done here so they could catch a glimpse into my life at the moment.

"So Brooke, how are you finding time to fit everything in?" Anna asks with a smile.

"It's difficult." I admit before continuing. "But when you love something so much you make it work."

"Are you missing doing all the concerts and so many shoots or are you happy to have a break from it all? I can imagine it can be very overwhelming, especially at such a young age."

"Of course I miss the shoots and the concerts always make me feel closer to my mum. That's what she did and it's why I do what I do. You're right though, it can get very overwhelming and being here has made me realise how lucky I am." I tell her truthfully. I love my work but I don't love all the shit that comes with it. I couldn't quite say it like that in an interview though.

"Speaking of overwhelming, tell us more about this man you've been photographed with. People's comments have been very controversial." She laughs.

"It's not what it looks like." I laugh along with her and how out of control it has gotten. "Mason and I have been dating for a while and as we had a week off, I went to Bath with him instead of going back to the states."

"So you met his family?" She questions and I nod.

"We spent the week with his family and on our last night before coming back here, he took me on a date. Which obviously ended in a few drinks." We both laugh and she encourages me to say what the date was.

"To begin with, we went to the Roman baths which I would highly recommend. It really is breathtaking." I tell her thinking about how beautiful it was. "Then he took me to a really nice little bar and I think everyone knows what's happens from there." I roll my eyes as she giggles.

"So it wasn't just a random night out like people have assumed, you really care about each other." She suggests with a smile. It breaks my heart knowing that Mason doesn't seem to care anymore but they don't need to know that. Smile for the camera eh.

"Yeah. He's one of the most incredible people I've ever met and really doesn't deserve people tearing him down. We're just trying to work our way through the ups and downs of love and don't need people meddling." We're currently in a down point and it makes me think, does he really love me?

"It must be difficult everyone jumping to conclusions. What would you say is the most important part of a healthy relationship?" She asks which makes me think for a moment.

"Trust and communication." Something Mason is currently lacking. "I'm a firm believer that as long as you trust one another and you communicate any problems, you can work through anything." I tell her with a smile although I really wish it was that simple.

"Thank you Brooke, it's been great speaking with you. Thank you so much for opening up." We continue on for another hour or so talking about work and she asks a few questions about mum which I try and avoid but I'm just thankful she doesn't ask any more about Mason. We say our goodbyes and I make my way over to the gym.