-FIFTY SEVEN-

"Kyra, you're messing it up again!" Madison's voice reached my ears as I stumbled on a step of the routine for what seemed like the millionth time. Nothing was going my way today. I had already slipped in the bathroom, dropped coffee on myself in the morning, almost rolled down the stairs and barely made it to the rehearsal on time. This was just the cherry on top.

"I-I'm sorry," I mumbled before making a beeline towards the shelf holding the water bottles. 

"Everyone, take five!"

I didn't dare look up into Madison's eyes because I knew she was disappointed. I hadn't been in the right mind ever since the race I barged in on at the Trench. I don't even remember the rest of that day very clearly.

After the fight, all I remember was somehow making it back to the gates. It had helped that everyone was more focussed on the race that didn't actually end up taking place to even notice me in my disoriented state, which was kind of a blessing in disguise because I clearly hadn't been in the right state of mind to fend off anyone.

Lance had luckily found me before I ended up somewhere I shouldn't have been and taken me back. He had tried asking about the race and what went down but he probably sensed something was wrong given my puffy eyes and inability to hold a conversation. The only thing I had been able to tell him was that Kade didn't race. He didn't pry after that.

"Kyra, what is wrong with you today?" Madison's voice snapped me out of my trance and I looked at her, a little blankly. Her tone wasn't as harsh as I'd expected it to be. Her eyes reflected worry and frustration and I didn't like being the cause of it.

I had already created one big mess, I didn't know if I could survive making another one.

"I'm sorry, Madie. I'm just a little out of it today," I replied before chugging down half my bottle to avoid eye contact with her.

"Is everything okay?" Madison lowered her voice to avoid anyone eavesdropping.

I could only manage a vague nod.

How was I supposed to tell her what had gone down four days ago. I was honestly surprised Kade hadn't told the Elites anything. I had expected to be out of the group the very next day. I had been so antsy the two days after the race that every text made me jump in dread but everything had been normal.

I heard Madison sigh, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose. "I really didn't want to ask but did you and Kade fight?"

This made me freeze and immediately my mind was assaulted with a tornado of questions but I kept them at bay.

Instead, I chose to tread safely, trying to see why Madison asked this. "Why do you ask?"

Madison didn't answer immediately, trying to gauge my expressions to probably get an answer but I tried to keep them as neutral as possible.

"Kade has been acting super pissy and seeing you like this at the same time as him, it doesn't take long to join the dots," she replied and looked at me expectantly.

I bit my lip. I wanted to ask so many questions. Pissy, how? Did he look normal otherwise? Did he looked affected by what went down between us? Did he hate me?

I clamped my mouth shut before any of the questions came out. Moreover, it wasn't my place to tell the Elites about the Trench and I had a feeling that if I did disclose this before Kade did, I would probably lose the slightest chance of ever reconciling with him.

A thought that had already been creating a gaping hole in my chest.

"Sort of," I gave her a sheepish look.

She opened her mouth, to question me further no doubt so before she could ask, I spoke. "I think it's better if you hear it from him rather than me."

If Kade had chosen to not tell the group about what had happened, it was either because he was biding time or he wanted to lie about it. I didn't know which was worse at the moment.

Madison scrutinised me for a long moment before shaking her head. "Fine. But I need you to get your head out of your ass because the prelims are a week away and I can't afford to have any mistakes. Understood?"

"Absolutely."

***

Thankfully, after our little talk, I managed to keep my mind from wandering anywhere other than the rehearsal. It was hard but Madison was right. I couldn't let my own mess affect the whole team. Especially since I was supposed to be in a duet with Parker.

If I messed up, it would affect him too. 

I sighed and slumped on the bed, exhausted from the day. I wanted to go off to sleep so bad that I had a feeling that I would probably wake up the next day if I passed out.

I forced myself to take a bath and changed into comfy clothes. My mind was so blank right now that I found it hard to even think straight. I hadn't felt anything like this before, which made it even more disconcerting. 

But I guess it was a good thing. I'd call it progress, given how my eyes had practically started to ache with the loss of so many tears the past few days. After coming home, I'd had the unfortunate opportunity to replay everything that went down. 

There were things that had been haunting me until I felt like I couldn't breath. The look on his face when he gave up the race. The words he spoke. The words I spoke in return. The flinch he held back at them.

Every single thing felt like a stab to my heart. Adding on the fact that I might have ruined everything between us, forever. 

My phone buzzed, bringing me out of my daze. I picked it up to see that it was a FaceTime call from the girls. I almost wanted to not pick up the call but I didn't want them to realise anything was wrong so I quickly wiped the moisture from my eyes and sat up straight. 

With a practiced smile, I swiped on the call.

"Hey, girls! What's up?"

"Kyraaaa. I need your help," Allison yelled through the phone. Mae shook her head while Madison rolled her eyes. 

My lips curved a little at the antics. "With what?"

"What are you wearing tonight?"

I shot her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

Allison gave me an unimpressed look. "Have you even bothered to check the group chat?"

I wasn't going to admit it to the girls but I had put the group chat with all the Elites on mute. I didn't want Kade's name popping up there. It still felt raw.

"Uh, not yet. My phone died," I lied to them, feeling awful as I did. 

"Mae, fill her up. I'm going to look for an outfit," Allison said before leaving her phone standing and vanishing into her walk-in closet.

Mae just rolled her eyes. "Luke is throwing his annual themed party and this year his theme is - you won't believe it - 'Life is a Beach'. Like who keeps a beach themed party not on the beach?"

"He just wants an excuse to flex his body and to see girls in next to nothing," Madison added, her face said that she was probably questioning why she was even friends with him.

I had to let out a laugh at Mae's expression, she looked so done with the boys of our group. But my laugh didn't last long when I realised two things. 

One, if this was Luke's party, there was a very slim chance I could get out of it, especially since I had already told Madison that I had nothing else to do today.

Two, there was a chance Kade was going to be there too. And I wasn't too sure if I was ready to face him this soon. I hadn't even thought what I would do when I faced him.

I had a feeling that my 'flight' instincts were going to win out today.

But still, I had to give it a try. "Um, girls I'm not feeling too w-"

"Nope. Don't even try that. You're coming unless you're on the verge of dying and need to go to the hospital," Allison popped back into the screen to give me a quick glare. "Even Mae isn't getting an out from this."

At that, Mae gave me a sheepish look and shrugged. I didn't even have the energy to protest.

I took a deep breath. I bit my lip, hesitating on how to ask the very obvious question without raising any suspicion. Given that the two girls hadn't asked me about any fight with Kade, Madison hadn't told them yet. And I was in absolutely no mood to be bombarded with questions that I didn't even know the answers to yet.

"Uh, is everyone in the group going?"

Allison popped back once again to give me a flat look. "Duh. What kind of a question is that? If you would so kindly check the group, you'll see everyone has said yes. Not like they can say no."

I gulped. My heartbeat increasing at the many prospects of how bad this night could go. There wasn't a single scenario that popped into my mind that was even mildly positive. Other than the one where I didn't run into Kade at all, which was pretty unlikely but the one I was going to pursue. 

If I was going to end up at the party, might as well have a plan in mind.

Which as of now, was pretty straightforward. See Kade? RUN.

***

Hey lovely people,

I know this is more of a filler chapter but hopefully the next one will make up for it. How do you think the party is going to go?

Will Kyra be successful in avoiding Kade?

See you next chapter!