Drama
Chapter 25: Shouldn't Have Left
REMEMBER, THE FIRST HALF OF THIS CHAPTER IS IN NIALL'S P.O.V, AND THE SECOND HALF IS IN LEILA'S P.O.V.
__________________________
Niall’s P.O.V.
I end the video chat on Leila’s smiling face, grinning too as I finally got to speak with her about this issue. I’m so done with Spencer’s bullshit. So fucking done. I don’t care if she goes for me again, but she won’t be attacking Leila anymore.
I have to get back to LA.
“Niall?” Greg’s voice calls from behind the wooden door to the family room. I sigh and open it for him, immediately turning around and slouching into one of our couches.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asks, padding inside and joining me.
“It’s a long story,” I say, lost in my thoughts.
“I’ve got time,” he delivers, getting comfortable on the couch.
“You remember Spencer?” I start.
“That bitch who controlled you back in LA? Yeah, why?” he answers.
“She’s on the same show as Leila,” I respond. “Meaning I get to see her every day…”
“Has she been mean to you or something?”
“Not to me, but to Leila, and it’s killing me on the inside,” I admit. “And now I’ve had to leave Leila for a few days and who knows what could happen if I’m not there!”
“Calm down, calm down. What happened?”
“Well, I was just on Twitter this morning and I saw that Leila and Spencer had a Twitter fight and it was about me and I’m just scared for what’s to come today for Leila. She’s a sweet, innocent girl and I’ve been noticing that it’s hard for her to handle this since she’s never had to deal with this stuff before, whereas I have, and I don’t want her to fall into that trap that I did!” I continue, on the verge of tears.
“You really love her, don’t you?” Greg replies quietly.
“With all my heart. Every time I’m with her, I feel alive. It’s so different from anything else I’ve experienced. She’s changed me, in a good way, and I’d never trade that for anything,” I reveal.
Greg is silent for a few moments as we both take in my confession.
“I hate all of this. I just wish there was some way I could be here and there at the same time. I need to get back to her, but I also need to be here for you,” I linger.
“Well, you’ll be back with her in no time. I promise you everything will figure itself out. You’ve just got to give it time. While you’re waiting, though, fight back. Spencer can’t get away with all of this, so try fighting back. Don’t stoop to her level and do the dirty work, but some simple, small challenges might help. I would also advise telling Uncle Jack because he might be able to do something,” Greg suggests.
“Oh, did I mention Sierra’s back, too?” I add.
“What?!” Greg exclaims, coughing a little. “No, no you didn’t.”
“Yup, her and Spencer are back,” I repeat.
“Shit,” Greg sighs, slapping his hand against his forehead. “I thought she would’ve been in jail by now.”
“Don’t you remember? We didn’t file anything against her,” I state.
“Wait, I thought you did!”
“No, because I’m not a legal citizen of the States,” I answer.
“Uncle Jack can!” Greg implies.
“Yeah, he could’ve, but the lawyers told us that they still would have let her off because I’m not a citizen,” I explain.
“That’s bullshit.”
“That’s America.”
“Greg! Niall!” I hear my mum call.
“We better go,” Greg declares, standing up. He walks to the door but before he pushes on it, he turns around and faces me.
“You’ve got a great life ahead of you. Don’t let this little thing cause you to fall,” he encourages, and then exits the family room, leaving me alone.
I stay put in the room for a bit, thinking. I do love Leila, so much it actually hurts. I just met her about a month ago, but already she’s invaded my mind. She’s so different from all of the other girls I know, especially my ex, Catherine. She was a great girl, too, but then I found out she was the jealous type and she was very clingy and I couldn’t take it. That’s why I’m glad for Leila. But at the same time, Leila’s got something that I haven’t seen in anybody: dedication. She loves what she does, and even if Spencer gives her a hard time, she still wakes up every day and goes to the studio to live her dream.
All of a sudden, Greg bursts back in the room.
“I just figured out what you can do. I don’t know how you’re going to take it and if you’ll do it, but I think this will be the only way to get Sierra in jail and stop all of this mess.”
“How?” I ask.
“Tell the public about the rape,” Greg announces, and leaves the room.
Leila’s P.O.V.
I follow Mr. Conners into his office, feeling a bit strange but alright. The minute I step in, I’m mesmerized. It’s huge, complete with a set of couches and a TV with obviously a desk and a computer, but it’s like it’s not even an office.
“Feel free to sit wherever,” he suggests, so I plant myself on one of the couches and set my lunch on the coffee table in front of me.
“Wow,” I say, admiring all of the TV posters in his room. They range from shows to movies to even a few Broadway plays.
“Surprised?” he asks, grabbing his lunch and joining me on the opposite couch.
“Uh, yeah! Have you done every single one of those?”
“I’ve had some part in them,” Mr. Conners admits. “Whether it’s directing, producing, or even being in it.”
“Dang,” I declare, biting into my sandwich.
“So how long have you been acting?” he asks me.
“Basically my entire life,” I answer.
“I can tell,” Mr. Conners implies. “I’m very glad to have you on this show.”
“Thank you,” I reply, smiling.
“I’m hoping you’ll join us for other projects in the future, now that you’ve got a great understanding of what our studio is like,” he comments.
Yeah, about that. Honestly, I don’t really want to come back here unless Spencer’s gone, and knowing that her dad is the manager, she won’t be leaving. But I didn’t tell Mr. Conners that.
“Um, yeah, sure, that would be great,” I respond.
“Speaking of which, there’s a commercial that my good friend is shooting down at the other end of the building and I recommended you to him. They won’t start filming until after this half-season is done, so you won’t have to worry about missing our rehearsals or anything. Would you be interested?”
“Sure, thank you!” I exclaim.
“Great, I’ll give him a call then,” he replies.
“I’m afraid to ask you this, but why did you give me the punishment when it was Spencer who set the whole thing up?” I question.
“Well, honestly, I don’t know it was Spencer. You have no proof that she did set it up, whereas we found proof for her side. The necklace was found in your bag, Leila. That you cannot deny, and therefore you are the one responsible,” Mr. Conners explains.
“But it’s still not fair! You know I would never do that!” I argue.
“I don’t know you well enough to know that, Leila. I’m just a person,” he calmly defends.
“But then why did you compliment me and offer me to do more for your service if I’m such a ‘troublesome’ kid?” I ask.
“This isn’t too severe to get you kicked out of our studio, but it is a serious crime that needs attention. If this happens more often, then yes, we may ban you from here,” Mr. Conners informs. “But I place my trust in you that nothing like this will ever happen again.”
I sigh and finish my sandwich in defeat.
“And anyways, lunch is pretty much over. I hear the guys in the hallway,” Mr. Conners adds. “You should get ready.”
I stand up, take my lunch, and walk out of there fast. It started off good, but then stupid me had to bring it up. And with just my luck, I run into Spencer in the hallway.
“Hey, Leila. Have a good time eating lunch with our director and not hanging with your friends in the great outdoors?” she sneered. One day, I’ll get her back.
We enter in the dressing room and begin to get ready. Alexa isn’t in the room when I come in and I wonder where she could be. Spencer and I continue to get ready, but time keeps ticking away and she’s still not here. Now Spencer and I are ready and Alexa still hasn’t shown up.
“Where is Alexa?” I ask Spencer.
She shrugs at me and heads to the set. I follow after her and we are greeted with members of our cast circled around a TV screen in the main hall. The TV is set on the news and the headline reads: Two teenagers hit by car on Broadway Ave.
“Two teenagers who are unidentified have been hit by a drunk driver this afternoon on Broadway Avenue,” the anchor reads. “Police say the driver started driving on the sidewalk where the two teenagers, one guy and one girl, were walking and hit them from behind. The teenagers are in critical condition and have been taken to St. Nicholas Hospital.”
Pictures of the accident appear on the screen and the two teenagers look very familiar to me.
Alexa and Max.
__________________________
Niall’s P.O.V.
I end the video chat on Leila’s smiling face, grinning too as I finally got to speak with her about this issue. I’m so done with Spencer’s bullshit. So fucking done. I don’t care if she goes for me again, but she won’t be attacking Leila anymore.
I have to get back to LA.
“Niall?” Greg’s voice calls from behind the wooden door to the family room. I sigh and open it for him, immediately turning around and slouching into one of our couches.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asks, padding inside and joining me.
“It’s a long story,” I say, lost in my thoughts.
“I’ve got time,” he delivers, getting comfortable on the couch.
“You remember Spencer?” I start.
“That bitch who controlled you back in LA? Yeah, why?” he answers.
“She’s on the same show as Leila,” I respond. “Meaning I get to see her every day…”
“Has she been mean to you or something?”
“Not to me, but to Leila, and it’s killing me on the inside,” I admit. “And now I’ve had to leave Leila for a few days and who knows what could happen if I’m not there!”
“Calm down, calm down. What happened?”
“Well, I was just on Twitter this morning and I saw that Leila and Spencer had a Twitter fight and it was about me and I’m just scared for what’s to come today for Leila. She’s a sweet, innocent girl and I’ve been noticing that it’s hard for her to handle this since she’s never had to deal with this stuff before, whereas I have, and I don’t want her to fall into that trap that I did!” I continue, on the verge of tears.
“You really love her, don’t you?” Greg replies quietly.
“With all my heart. Every time I’m with her, I feel alive. It’s so different from anything else I’ve experienced. She’s changed me, in a good way, and I’d never trade that for anything,” I reveal.
Greg is silent for a few moments as we both take in my confession.
“I hate all of this. I just wish there was some way I could be here and there at the same time. I need to get back to her, but I also need to be here for you,” I linger.
“Well, you’ll be back with her in no time. I promise you everything will figure itself out. You’ve just got to give it time. While you’re waiting, though, fight back. Spencer can’t get away with all of this, so try fighting back. Don’t stoop to her level and do the dirty work, but some simple, small challenges might help. I would also advise telling Uncle Jack because he might be able to do something,” Greg suggests.
“Oh, did I mention Sierra’s back, too?” I add.
“What?!” Greg exclaims, coughing a little. “No, no you didn’t.”
“Yup, her and Spencer are back,” I repeat.
“Shit,” Greg sighs, slapping his hand against his forehead. “I thought she would’ve been in jail by now.”
“Don’t you remember? We didn’t file anything against her,” I state.
“Wait, I thought you did!”
“No, because I’m not a legal citizen of the States,” I answer.
“Uncle Jack can!” Greg implies.
“Yeah, he could’ve, but the lawyers told us that they still would have let her off because I’m not a citizen,” I explain.
“That’s bullshit.”
“That’s America.”
“Greg! Niall!” I hear my mum call.
“We better go,” Greg declares, standing up. He walks to the door but before he pushes on it, he turns around and faces me.
“You’ve got a great life ahead of you. Don’t let this little thing cause you to fall,” he encourages, and then exits the family room, leaving me alone.
I stay put in the room for a bit, thinking. I do love Leila, so much it actually hurts. I just met her about a month ago, but already she’s invaded my mind. She’s so different from all of the other girls I know, especially my ex, Catherine. She was a great girl, too, but then I found out she was the jealous type and she was very clingy and I couldn’t take it. That’s why I’m glad for Leila. But at the same time, Leila’s got something that I haven’t seen in anybody: dedication. She loves what she does, and even if Spencer gives her a hard time, she still wakes up every day and goes to the studio to live her dream.
All of a sudden, Greg bursts back in the room.
“I just figured out what you can do. I don’t know how you’re going to take it and if you’ll do it, but I think this will be the only way to get Sierra in jail and stop all of this mess.”
“How?” I ask.
“Tell the public about the rape,” Greg announces, and leaves the room.
Leila’s P.O.V.
I follow Mr. Conners into his office, feeling a bit strange but alright. The minute I step in, I’m mesmerized. It’s huge, complete with a set of couches and a TV with obviously a desk and a computer, but it’s like it’s not even an office.
“Feel free to sit wherever,” he suggests, so I plant myself on one of the couches and set my lunch on the coffee table in front of me.
“Wow,” I say, admiring all of the TV posters in his room. They range from shows to movies to even a few Broadway plays.
“Surprised?” he asks, grabbing his lunch and joining me on the opposite couch.
“Uh, yeah! Have you done every single one of those?”
“I’ve had some part in them,” Mr. Conners admits. “Whether it’s directing, producing, or even being in it.”
“Dang,” I declare, biting into my sandwich.
“So how long have you been acting?” he asks me.
“Basically my entire life,” I answer.
“I can tell,” Mr. Conners implies. “I’m very glad to have you on this show.”
“Thank you,” I reply, smiling.
“I’m hoping you’ll join us for other projects in the future, now that you’ve got a great understanding of what our studio is like,” he comments.
Yeah, about that. Honestly, I don’t really want to come back here unless Spencer’s gone, and knowing that her dad is the manager, she won’t be leaving. But I didn’t tell Mr. Conners that.
“Um, yeah, sure, that would be great,” I respond.
“Speaking of which, there’s a commercial that my good friend is shooting down at the other end of the building and I recommended you to him. They won’t start filming until after this half-season is done, so you won’t have to worry about missing our rehearsals or anything. Would you be interested?”
“Sure, thank you!” I exclaim.
“Great, I’ll give him a call then,” he replies.
“I’m afraid to ask you this, but why did you give me the punishment when it was Spencer who set the whole thing up?” I question.
“Well, honestly, I don’t know it was Spencer. You have no proof that she did set it up, whereas we found proof for her side. The necklace was found in your bag, Leila. That you cannot deny, and therefore you are the one responsible,” Mr. Conners explains.
“But it’s still not fair! You know I would never do that!” I argue.
“I don’t know you well enough to know that, Leila. I’m just a person,” he calmly defends.
“But then why did you compliment me and offer me to do more for your service if I’m such a ‘troublesome’ kid?” I ask.
“This isn’t too severe to get you kicked out of our studio, but it is a serious crime that needs attention. If this happens more often, then yes, we may ban you from here,” Mr. Conners informs. “But I place my trust in you that nothing like this will ever happen again.”
I sigh and finish my sandwich in defeat.
“And anyways, lunch is pretty much over. I hear the guys in the hallway,” Mr. Conners adds. “You should get ready.”
I stand up, take my lunch, and walk out of there fast. It started off good, but then stupid me had to bring it up. And with just my luck, I run into Spencer in the hallway.
“Hey, Leila. Have a good time eating lunch with our director and not hanging with your friends in the great outdoors?” she sneered. One day, I’ll get her back.
We enter in the dressing room and begin to get ready. Alexa isn’t in the room when I come in and I wonder where she could be. Spencer and I continue to get ready, but time keeps ticking away and she’s still not here. Now Spencer and I are ready and Alexa still hasn’t shown up.
“Where is Alexa?” I ask Spencer.
She shrugs at me and heads to the set. I follow after her and we are greeted with members of our cast circled around a TV screen in the main hall. The TV is set on the news and the headline reads: Two teenagers hit by car on Broadway Ave.
“Two teenagers who are unidentified have been hit by a drunk driver this afternoon on Broadway Avenue,” the anchor reads. “Police say the driver started driving on the sidewalk where the two teenagers, one guy and one girl, were walking and hit them from behind. The teenagers are in critical condition and have been taken to St. Nicholas Hospital.”
Pictures of the accident appear on the screen and the two teenagers look very familiar to me.
Alexa and Max.
Notes
Sorry it's short and sorry to leave you with cliffhangers! I'm so excited for how far this story has come! Please keep sharing and voting! Thank you!Rachel :)
Make a Sequel please.
9/13/14