CHAMPION

Chapter 41

Jake and Erika had gotten home finally, and we're rushing around working once again. It was in the evening and Jake had gathered team ten down to a venue for a huge photoshoot, where he left everyone mostly in the dark, as to what it was for at the moment.

"Its our turn - hurry up!" Jake shouted, Erika jumped looking up from her phone; The place was big, and there was a huge white wall and floor where they were all taking turns standing at to take the photos lights mostly shinning on that area, fans were turned on and off for wind effect or not, there were plenty of other people circling that area with cameras everywhere looking exhausted every time Jake wasn't looking at them.

Erika sat up walking over after fluffing her hair a little, she was dolled with makeup, a picked out outfit from the on set stylist, and her hair done in soft flowy curls. The day seemed so much longer then it was, picture after picture had been taken of them all, and Jake never seemed satisfied, he was so tense and irritable yelling at everyone making them all on edge everytime he was acting for his vlog , but no one dared say anything.

"Smile!" Jake told Erika as he posed with her, Erika tried smiling, although her stomach was quivering hoping he didn't start shouting again, Jake put his arm around her roughly, tilting his head sharply a smile plastered on his face, while Erika snuggled closer to him.

"Bigger! Show your teeth, stick your tongue out, eyes open, serious face!" Jake gave her corrections for every small gesture they did when rotating the photos and poses, the bright white lights constantly flashing in their faces, making Erika more and more tired, "Switch!" Jake shouted again, having them both down back to back instead, Erika continued trying to relax herself, she knew it was work and everyone needed to stay calm and professional, but there was only so much she could take, everyone was trying to do what Jake was asking, but every other correction was another tantrum.

"Okay move," Jake told Erika, she got up walking back to her spot, looking back at him briefly with a frown, Jake didn't see it though, he was already waving Chance and Anthony over, Erika watched, arms folded, she was so frustrated and tired, she just wanted to go home and have Jake finally calm down, she didn't even know why these pictures were so important...

"I said tilt to the RIGHT! Do you not know your right from your left!?" Jake shrieked getting everyone's attention on him again, the room was almost dead silent after that, Jake staring at Anthony, who looked back unsure of what to do or say.

Erika got a knot in her stomach seeing how helpless Chance looked beside him, and how uncomfortable Anthony seemed, she looked around at the rest of the team- they weren't gonna say anything, it wasn't them being yelled at this time, everyone was sick of it, but no one wanted trouble.

"I just got confused," Anthony tried explaining calmly, "There's no "I just" anything! You messed up where you shouldn't have, this photo needs to look good, you should be grateful I'm even letting you pose with ME!" Jake continued to rant, as he got closer stabbing his finger at Anthony's face, he shouts only got louder and more intimidating, he was more dominant, more furious and all around controlling the rooms energy.

"I'll tilt to the right," Anthony agreed trying to keep his voice level and calm, but it wasn't working, Jake was mad.

Jake heard every words he said as though Anthony was brushing him off, his opinion didn't matter, him as a boss didn't matter, and Anthony was gonna do what he wanted regardless of what he said...The rage boiled inside of Jake from these thoughts, every small thing seemed huge to him right now, he felt disrespected, spat on for helping him be a member on his team in the first place.

"Don't give me that TONE!" Jake demanded, he put both hands on Anthony's chest and gave him a sharp shove to the ground, a few people gasped watching as Anthony fell to the floor, squinting his eyes shut from the impact, he crashed there creating a thud, Jake's anger switched to a more satisfied look, he squatted down a little grabbing a handful of Anthony's shirt, he gripped it tightly making his veins bulge, before yanking him back to his feet with him.

"Take the picture correctly, got it?" Jake said through gritted teeth, "Yes sir," Anthony told him getting back into position.

The cameras snapped away, taking photos of the "three best friends" in between takes Erika would gaze at Tony, sometimes he'd look back, but he mostly focused on Jake's directions...Erika felt horribly for him, Anthony tried to stay out of the way and do as he was told most of the time, he didn't deserve this...Erika would never say Jake was totally in the wrong for things usually, he had a lot of issues afterall, a lot of them that could be fine if his friends gave him the effort he needed, but still, she felt like she should say something to Jake, Anthony was doing what he was asked, but Jake flew off the handle at him anyways.

*Is it me just trying to help Jake be better? Or is it a soft spot for Anthony now?* Erika questioned herself, as she watched from him to Jake cameras continued flashing. Saying something felt right, but she also felt guilty, feeling if she did, she would be taking a side...Erika had listened to the recording Jake made her on valentines day about a week ago, it was beautiful, heartfelt and sweet, Jake was hardly any of those things and often left her wondering if he even cared about the relationship that much, but it was obvious from that he did, so could she really, in good faith go confront him on being awful and having a bad attitude? Clearly he was changing, slow steps, but he was trying.

A few more hours later it was dark out, and finally time to go. Erika went out to the car waiting for Jake whom was finishing telling his editors about how he wanted the pictures to look. Erika rested a little on her dashboard, there was so much going on, between whatever Jake was planning for, her own work, the trips, Anthony, and Jake's fight coming up, she was overwhelmed, she just wanted to be home and forget about it all, but just as she was about to closer her eyes, she saw Anthony, he was alone now, in the side of the building by the trash cans, he seemed to be rubbing his chest with a pained expression, most likely from Jake's shove...Erika contemplated going over, Jake would be out soon, but at the same time, Anthony had gone out of his way so many times too help her, only right if she returned the favor, right?

A soft click of her door being unlocked sent jolts of nerves through her, however, she still slid off the seats, she watched the front door of the building like a hawk until she scurried behind the safety of the building with Anthony, almost all alone, in the dark...