WARNING: Mentions of buļìm*a— not detailed.

NOTE: PLEASE READ THE PART AT THE END AND PLEASE DO THE INTERACTIVE PARTS!

Darius waited outside the gym, scrolling through messages on his phone.

OG'S MINUS L

GOAT
Hey guys I'm here

PRINCESS
Have I mentioned how stupid this gc name is?

STAN THE DANCING MAN
Only every other day

SINGING SWEETPIE
Guys, this feels wrong

CAMRYN
We're doing this for Leonie, Kennedy.

THE BABYSITTER
Yeah, Kenny. We just want to make sure she's not over-working herself again.

SINGING SWEETPIE
I know bb. I just hate going behind her back.

SHAKESPEARE'S PROGIDY
We aren't. We are just sending Darius to join her so he can keep an eye on her.

CAMRYN
Yeah. It's what friends do.

RONNIE
Just don't be too invasive, Darius. Hang back a bit and just look out for her.

PRINCESS
So just watch her? Borderline creepy, Ronnie.

TAP QUEEN
Just borderline?

RONNIE:
You know what I mean

GOAT
GSHYSBSIHSBS SHE'S HERE

"Darius?", questioned a surprised Leonie.
"What are you doing here?"

Darius widened his eyes to appear surprised.
"Leonie?
Yo, I didn't know you went here!"

Leonie nodded.
"Yeah, I go every two weeks.
I've never seen you here before."

"Oh!
Yeah, well... I thought I'd change my gym."

"Why?"

"The old one had... lice."

Leonie's eyes widened.
"Lice?"

Darius nodded.
"Yep. Giant, ugl-"

He saw the confused expression on Leonie's face.

"-under a microscope.
You know?
Not like, actual giant lice, that would be weird."

Leonie slowly nodded, though she looked around, as if to check she wasn't in an alternate reality.

"So!
Wanna train together?"

____________________________

After getting some chips with Isaac, Eli made his way to Smoothie Moves.
With the club disbanded, Eli found that he spent most of his time doing what he deemed 'meaningless wandering.'

"Hey, Julliard!", called out a familiar voice.

Eli lifted his head, and saw Clarissa behind the counter.
She grinned at him, before whispering something to a fellow worker and making her way over to him.

"I didn't know you worked here", said Eli.

"I started last week", said Clarissa.
"I'm actually on my break now.
I could get you your order and then we could hang out for a bit if you want?"

Eli nodded.
"I'd like that."

After getting Eli his usual order, Clarissa joined Eli in one of the booths. Eli ran a hand through his hair, which made Clarissa chuckle.

"Bet your glad to see me", she teased.

Eli blushed.
"Well, I must admit, I was intrigued by the blue haired girl that said she loved my dancing."

Clarissa chuckled.
"My Dad told me he gave you a Julliard card.
You thinking of going?"

Eli sighed.
"I-I don't know.
I really like it here."

"In Moorside?
You're not seriously thinking of staying here your whole life?"

Eli started to question whether he was being stupid by hoping to stay in Moorside forever.

Clarissa shrugged.
"Just think about it, yeah?
You'd be wasting your talent here."

Eli blushed a deep red once more, which made Clarissa smirk.
"I well, oh I yes, I-um... thank you."

Clarissa laughed.
"You good there, Julliard?"

Eli just nodded.

"I'll put in a good word with my Dad for you, if you like?", offered Clarissa. "Well... if he's ever away from his new girlfriend."

"Oh, I'm sorry–"

"–Why?
You didn't have an affair with my Dad, did you?"

Eli spluttered, his smoothie dribbling down his chin.

"It's fine.
I mean, the separation was actually for the best.
I changed my name back to my Mum's maiden name and everything."

"Oh yes, I was wondering... your surname is Kahale now, right?"

Clarissa grinned.
"Yeah!
Cute and a good listener?
You probably have loads of girls after you."

_____________________________

Darius' face turned a deep red, and sweat gathered in his hair, as he tried to keep up with Leonie on the treadmill.

"Let's do the fastest setting", suggested Leonie.

Darius' eyes widened.
"I don't think–"

But Leonie had already selected the fastest speed.
Seriously questioning his life decisions, Darius selected the same speed, and prayed to Jim Parsons- his favourite character in the Office.

Darius almost choked on his own saliva as his legs battled to keep up with the speed.
"Woah–"

Darius landed face down on the treadmill, his face covered by his hands.

"Darius!", exclaimed an alarmed Leonie.
She quickly jumped off her treadmill and turned Darius' off.

She hooked her arms under his and lifted him up, struggling a little.
He helped himself up when he got over the initial shock, and Leonie leaned him against the wall.

"I'm so sorry, I–"

"–It's not your fault."

"No, it is.
I was trying to get you back for babysitting me."

Darius' eyes widened.
"Wh-huh?"

Leonie frowned.
"Come on, Darius!
I'm not stupid.
I know the others sent you to watch me."

Darius sighed.
"Leonie, we... we're just worried about you."

Leonie scoffed, turning away from him slightly.
"I just... I hate this."

"Hate what?"

"Being a burden."

Darius was about to object, but he noticed Leonie's distant expression.
His face softened when he realised what she meant.

"You mean, like you were a burden to your Dad?"

Leonie looked like Darius had just slapped her face.
She exhaled shakily, and nodded her head.

"Leonie... you weren't a burden to him."

"No, I know", she said.
"Look, I know it wasn't my fault he left. I'm realising that now.
But it doesn't change the fact that, to him, I was a burden.
Like, he came to the realisation that he was missing out on more with me in his life, than without me in it."

Darius watched as Leonie sat down on the floor.
He joined her.
"Being a Dad... it shouldn't be a burden, Leonie.
It's part of the job.
So no, it doesn't make you a burden to him.
It just means he's a sh*t Dad."

Leonie chuckled.
"Hm.
I didn't think of it like that."

"I know what you mean though.
I feel like a burden to my parents.
And to Eli's family."

"Oh, Darius, they love you!
And Eli seems happier as well", said Leonie.

Darius sighed.
"I just don't think I'll ever stop feeling like a burden."

Leonie waited for a few seconds, before smiling a little.
"Well, you know who you'll never be a burden to?"

"Who?"

"Stanley.
That boy loves you."

Darius chuckled, before shaking his head a little.
"I messed things up for him and Rhys though."

"No you didn't!
But if you want to help make things right between them, I think he'd appreciate it."

Darius nodded.
"You know what?
I think I will."

Leonie grinned.
"So, do you want another go on the treadmill?"

"H*ll no!", exclaimed Darius.
"Look, we really didn't mean to hurt you with the whole... well this thing."

Leonie sighed.
"I know.
I just wish things could go back to how they were, you know?
When I didn't have people glancing at me every few seconds when I ate."

"Well, we're only doing it because we care."

Leonie glanced at Darius' hand, and saw a few blood freckles on his right hand.
She reached for it, and placed his hand in hers.
"That must be from the fall.
Does it hurt?"

Darius just looked at Leonie's face, smiling to himself when he saw her scanning every part of his hand.
When Leonie looked up, a tinge of red appeared on her face.

"What?"

Darius shook his head.
"Nothing.
It's just cool to see you being so caring. It's like, after everything you've been through, you haven't lost what makes you who you are."

Leonie smiled at this.
Darius had no idea just how much that meant to her.
To know that, whilst everything in her life was changing, she hadn't lost herself.

Even if it didn't feel like that to her.

"Oh, and Darius?
You can tell the others that I'm taking it easy.
I just want to keep on top of my fitness for dance."

Darius nodded.
"Ok.
Camryn was really worried about you.
I mean, we all were, but it was Camryn who decided to send me here, and not Kennedy.
She didn't want you to get suspicious."

Leonie couldn't think why Camryn would suggest going behind her back for this.

Did she not feel comfortable telling her girlfriend how she really felt?

__________________________

Later that day, a message in the group chat gave the friends newfound hope.

Ronnie: Principal Reeves approved the activity sessions! We're going to be seeing a lot more of our Theatre room again!

_________________________________

Hi.

Often times, we feel like burdens to people in our lives. Whether it's our parents, friends, partners— it's common to feel like that, especially when it involved people who you turn to for emotional support.

But those who love you WANT to be there for you. I mean, there have been a few times when I found out a friend was struggling, and I was so upset that I couldn't helped them.

But it's also important for you to TALK about what YOU'RE going through too. Being a support rock for someone can be draining on your own mental and physical health, so it's important that you find a support system that you can turn to. Even if it's a friend outside of the group that is going through the struggle.

Darius and Leonie were both struggling with feeling like burdens, but now that they know each other's struggles, they can support each other.

Talking really does help sometimes. But so does listening.

This is the second time Julliard's been brought up! Will Eli consider Clarissa's advice? Do you think he should apply to Julliard?

Any theories?

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

yeonskosmos

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

The_Slytherclaw

gillioddities

DoodleYeet

starryeyedturtle