A/N: All about Camille in this chapter. My reason for her absence in Step Up 2 is also in this chapter.
Xxxxx
"Yo Cam," yelled Tyler Gage, from the kitchen of the condo he shared with Nora. "Are you ready yet?!"
After the successful 2006 showcase, Tyler and Nora toured with a professional dance company and fell deeper in love. Any time off they got, the two returned to their hometown, Baltimore, and gave back to the community. For example, they made appearances at MSA functions, raised money for various charities and taught classes at local dance studios. Recently, the couple found out they were expecting. They decided to purchase a condo, a place to call home and raise their bundle of joy, and Nora opted to not extend her contract with the company, but Tyler would still tour to bring in income.
He planned the dates with the schedule coordinator and made sure he would not miss the birth of his first child.
Before resettling in Baltimore, Tyler petitioned the courts for him and Nora to become the primary guardians to his little sister, Camille. He kept in touch with her long after he left Lena and Bill, their foster parents. He adored her like she was his own, and he genuinely wanted the best for her. Although she was doing well at the new school district the foster parents transferred her to, he believed his sister would do even better at the Maryland School of the Arts. It would help her, as much as it helped him. Plus, the moves she exhibited in the front yard, from two years back, was not some fluke.
She was born to dance.
It took some time for the courts to grant them custody, since they were young, only 20, and Tyler's juvenile records, though expunged, were taken into account. Letters of recommendation from various people, Miles, Lucy, Katherine- Nora's mother, Director Gordon, others they toured with and even Lena and Bill, poured in. They supported this was the best decision for Camille.
Just last week, the judge approved.
Camille exited her new bedroom casually dressed in a jean vest, black top, red shorts and Adidas. Tonight, her brother was set to take her to teen night at the Dragon to meet with Andie, her new boyfriend and a mutual friend.
"And what the hell are you wearing," Tyler was the protective older brother per usual. He scrutinized her outfit. "Put your arms at each side of your body."
She followed begrudgingly. "Tyler," she complained. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?!"
Nora emerged from the living room with a bowl that used to house chocolate covered pickles, after she heard her soon to be hubby. She became confused. "What she's wearing is fine, tasteful; it doesn't show too much skin." She thought he was going crazy.
"It's too short," he commented, seeing her fingers reaching below her shorts.
"Well, that's what they're called, shorts," Nora remarked, as she scrounged the fridge for the chocolate and pickles. "Besides, it gets crazy hot in the Dragon. She just wants to be comfortable."
"Thank you," Cam acknowledged Nora.
"Fine," Tyler caved, "but, if I see one guy, one grimey guy at that, hit on you, I'm bashing skulls. No, ifs, ands or buts about it."
Nora and Camille rolled their eyes simultaneously.
"If you're going to do that, can you wait until after you bring home a pint of Green Tea ice cream with vanilla wafers," his fiancee mocked begged. Her arm swung around his burly neck.
"You're so lucky I love you," He kissed her on the lips.
Camille watched them interact. She was happy for her brother; he found the love of his life. She had to admit he was more sensitive because of Nora's influence. One day, she hoped to find a love like theirs.
She also hoped Nora's influence would cause Tyler to be a little more lenient.
Nora grinned at her soon to be husband. "Cam, you look amazing. Have fun tonight!" She waddled back to the living room.
"Remember, you're only there to meet with three people," he still cringed at the thought of Andie, his little 'sister', dating, and he couldn't get over the way his 16 year old sister was dressed in front of him. He laid down the rules. "So, Imma tell you this, right now." Camille listened carefully, but from the look on his face, she wasn't going to like what he was about to say. "I don't want you shaking your pom pom, dropping it low or like it's hot, getting low, giving it up to anyone, I don't care how many times they ask when you gonna, and please don't back that thang up."
"So, I'm supposed to stand like a statue," she deducted from that statement with a weird facial expression. "You know, we're going to a dance club, right?"
"Go to the car," Tyler ordered.
Xxxxx
Barely a foot inside the club, people, left and right, converged to welcome Tyler to the Dragon. He made quite a name for himself, both, in and out of Baltimore. He clamped hands with the people he knew and introduced himself to the people he didn't know, but wanted to know him. Though he acquired some type of status, he still remained humble and wasn't an egotistical jerk. He moved through the crowd, already noticing dudes stopping Camille to try and talk to her. He saw 'the eyes' they were giving her. He intervened with an intimidating presence.
As he helped move her along, Camille couldn't help but feel he was taking on both roles, guardian and brother, way too far. He could give her the benefit of the doubt.
At one of the VIP tables, Andie sat with her boyfriend, Chase, and Missy.
Andie immediately got on her feet, when she saw them coming. "Oh my God, Camille," she squealed like a little school girl. It had been two and a half years, since she last saw her. The teen has grown into one good looking person. She embraced her. "You look so good tonight," she parted and took a better look.
"Thanks, Andie, you look good too," Cam complimented, surprised that Andie was beginning to sport a more feminine look. The last time she laid her eyes on her, Andie was donning track suits. Tonight, she had on a midriff top, skinny jeans and Jordans.
Afterwards, Andie greeted Tyler. "It's so great to see you! How's Nora doing?"
"She's hungry," Tyler quipped with a laugh. He saw her two companions. "Are you going to introduce us or what?"
"Yeah," Andie said above the music. She brought him closer. "Guys, I'm sure you've heard about Tyler Gage. Well, this is him." She gestured for him to come closer. "That's Missy; we used to be in the 410 crew together, and, now, we're in the MSA Crew with the 'prep school wannabes'."
"I never said that," Missy denied in a joking manner, as she gave a hug to Tyler. "It's nice to meet you.
"And Tyler, this is my boyfriend, Chase Collins; his brother is Director Blake Collins."
Tyler shook hands with for Chase very firmly. He sized him up and down. He approved of the relationship the two shared. "This is my sister," his hand slipped to the small of her back, and he brought her towards them, "Camille."
Camille greeted them cordially and took her seat next to Andie. "This place is so cool." Her head bobbed and craned, as she saw people ripping up the dance floor. She combed through the sea of people, wondering if a certain curly haired kid was somewhere in there. As her upper body shimmied with the music's tempo, she thought about him.
Robert Alexander the III, better known as Moose.
They met in fourth grade, and she remembered when he picked her up from the cafeteria. She was so nervous and thought he was going to spurt hurtful things about her because she was stuffing her face and had on raggedy clothes. No, he never judged her. If anything, he helped her to be more comfortable with who she was. They continued to get close, but her foster parents moved elsewhere for a new job opportunity, she got transferred to a new school, and they lost touch. Since relocating near their old neighborhood, she's thought about him several times. She thought about getting in touch with him, but didn't know how.
She wondered if he knew about this place.
"Do you plan on auditioning for MSA, Camille," Chase questioned. His girlfriend told him about Camille's talent, and he was anxious to see it. He would make sure to put in a good word, the next time he hung out with Blake, which was tomorrow. He knew Blake was already scoping out prospective students, and he'd give him a brotherly hand by suggesting Camille.
"I would love to," she nodded, since hearing so many wonderful things about the school from Nora and her brother. "When's the next audition?"
Andie and Chase looked at one another, a light bulb going off in their head.
"How about right now," Andie thought out loud. This was a good of a time as any, the perfect setting.
Tyler chuckled. "Damn, you just spring that on her?"
"WHAT," Cam shrieked in surprise. She was not at all ready; this was too spontaneous. Her brother kept laughing. She smacked his forearm. "I can't."
"Mamacita, work it," Missy urged, believing she had what it took to enter the performing arts school. "If you're scared to go out there by yourself, I'll go with you. We can make it a fake dance battle."
Camille bit her lip, a bit hesitant, yet she agreed. If she couldn't dance here, where there were a couple of hundred people, then she had no business auditioning for, what, five or six faculty members. She got off her ass and followed Missy to the dance floor. She would be lying, if she said she wasn't nervous. Of course, she was. Fear bubbled, somersaults were continuously happening inside her stomach. In addition, this was a predominantly black club. The last thing she ever wanted to hear was 'oh white girls can't move' or 'what dat white girl tryna do out there'. Her eyes scanned around, and she felt the heat from theirs.
'Pop, Lock and Drop it' by Huey came on.
"Ignore them and concentrate on me," the sexy Latina advised. As she garnered a bigger circle around Camille, she added some flavor from her heritage. She started first, her allusive moves provoking cat calls from the males around her.
People noticed what was going down and peered to see what was to happen next. Andie climbed onto her chair to see, while Chase stood below her, his arm slithered around her leg. Tyler kept his eyes on Camille only. She wasn't moving at all; it was like a case of stage fright, which was mind blowing to him. He began to worry about her. Unable to stand back any longer, he stepped towards the main floor.
Andie's arm lunged to stop him right where he was. "You can't rescue her all the time."
Nora's fiance turned around, his eyes icy. "But she needs me," he insisted.
"Does she," she countered. She understood his need to be there for her, but she was bound to get on her two feet some time. She gave him some advice, since he's given her plenty. "This is her opportunity to showcase what she's got. Don't interrupt, intervene or save her, when she hasn't even tried."
"But-"
"No buts. You practically fed me to the wolves," she referenced her audition at MSA, "and, look, I stopped running with a rogue crew, made connections with people I never thought I'd hang out with, and I even gained a wonderful boyfriend. Camille's a big girl, she can swim."
Tyler heard. He hung back and remained where he was.
For a majority of the song, Camille spectated. The music aired around her, the cheers for Missy enveloped her, and she wanted to show every single person, doubter or not, what she was made of. First, she clapped to the beat. Second, she rolled her shoulders around, then, thirdly, like the ripple of a wave, she allowed herself to get loose. Her knees caved at a 90 degree angle, her hands contorted towards her then away from her like a traditional tutting routine. Erected to a starting position, she took the tutting a step further by making it more fluid and creative. Her legs and arms worked cohesively and choppily in layers. She was high, low, her body twisted and turned sideways, she went around in a circle. As the crowd began to go wild for her, she rocked her hips in sync with the song and Missy.
Missy smiled in approval. In her opinion, this girl definitely knew what she was doing.
At the chorus, the two began to pop, lock and drop it.
Toot that thang up mami make it roll
Once you pop lock drop it for
me baby get low
If your mama give it to you
baby girl let
it show
Once you pop lock drop it for me
maybe we can roll
Camille mimicked Missy, but she didn't stay in one spot. With each pivot of her hip, she heel-toe, stepped with her feet, her hands rose above her in every angle. That was her popping and locking. When she dropped it, she she did so twice and with a style she only possessed. She continued, her moves, her steps unpredictable, and were full of personality, and allure.
"Whoa," Chase commented, as he watched her. Not only, could she dance, but she had a stage presence. It was like someone else he knew, Moose, to be perfectly honest. He whipped his phone out and texted his brother he had a prospective student.
"What the hell is she doing," Tyler hissed, remembering her warned her to not drop it low, as he witnessed the intricate flurries. "She's not allowed to do that!"
Andie smacked his chest. "Quit it," she laughed. She whooped and hollered for Camille. She was a showstopper, possessed a star quality, and she was a guaranteed shoe in for MSA.
Tyler just had to accept that.
