How Eden Got Her Groove Back

Eden's head popped up at the sound of the door opening; she'd been sitting there for what seemed like hours while everyone else in the room was called before her. The same girl stood in the doorway like every other time it had opened, only this time her gaze landed immediately on Eden's fidgeting hands. Her fingers released their hold on the sash tied around her waist.

"Eden Burrows? Lucky you, you're the last to perform. Do you need a bit more time to ready yourself?" The girl gave Eden a kind smile, but her tapping foot told another story.

Eden remembered the warning about tardiness and stood up, "I'm more than ready."

"Good. Sorry, you had to wait in here all by yourself. Master doesn't like his performers to return to these quarters after their sets. If there is anything, you'll need right away then please bring it with you."

"It's fine." Eden cracked her knuckles out of habit and took one last lingering look in the mirror and at her clothes.

"No need to worry about those." The girl caught Eden running her hands over her clothes, "You personal items will be taken to your room."

"Okay." Eden caught sight of her reflection.

You got this. Show Declan exactly what he's missing. Her red lips parted, forming a sly grin. She straightened her outfit one last time, making sure the panels of her robe ran smoothly over the curves of her slim body. She tightened the sash around her waist and turned toward the girl. "How do I look?"

"Marvelous." She beamed then a shadow past over her features. She bit awkwardly at her bottom lip and glanced down the hallway, "Don't tell anyone I told you this but your friend had a little accident."

"What?" Eden rushed towards the door. All thoughts of her performance vanished from her mind, "Is Diamond okay? Where is she?"

"She had a bit of a tumble backstage, but I assure you she's perfectly fine. A medic is tending to her needs as we speak. She's just a little shaken up is all." The girl placed a small, yet surprisingly cold, hand on Eden's arm and smiled a thin-lipped grin up at her, "No worries dear." She reassured Eden again. "Your friend is in good hands. And I'll personally see to it that you're taken to her after your set so you can see for yourself. How about that?"

"Thank you."

"Now follow me-" The girl turned on her heel and started down the hallway.

Eden followed close behind, "Does Declan know about this? We were-"

"Master Declan is quite aware of the current situation and isn't too pleased." The girl cut Eden off with a small laugh, "Please excuse my rudeness." She glanced back behind her shoulder. "That man has a way with the ladies, as you probably already know." She giggled, "You're going to love it here, the two of you. What exquisite additions you'll make to his house."

Eden rolled her eyes at the thought of another girl falling for Declan's fake fuckery. She was so enthralled with wanting to one-up Declan Payne that she didn't realize the signs that were all around her. These beacons of warning went unheard, as Eden was oblivious to everything and everyone that wasn't him, making her the perfect victim.

But it wasn't a fond feeling to have. It was an irritating one at best and downright unbearable at the moment. Eden shouldn't be worried about her stupid performance for a man that didn't give two shits about her. She should have demanded to see Diamond right away to make sure she was okay.

But she didn't, and that spoke volumes.

"I need to make him see me," Eden, lost among her thoughts, mumbled just loud enough for the other girl to hear.

"Oh, he's quite fond of you, you know. We've all heard about you, Eden." The girl giggled again and put a finger to her lips, "But you didn't hear it from me."

It was Eden's turn to laugh. "Well, he does a hell of a job at hiding it. By the way, what's your name?"

"Rose. I belong to the Killian house."

"Can I be a Hufflepuff? I've been told I look great in black and yellow." Eden ran into the girl's back when she stopped short.

Rose stared up at Eden with an odd expression. "Hufflepuff? I haven't heard of that house. Is it new?"

"Hufflepuff. You know, as in Harry Potter?" When Rose's frown deepened, Eden continued her explanation in an obnoxious British accent. "Yer a wizard, Harry!" When the girl still looked confused Eden gave up. "Never mind."

"Are you feeling ill?" Rose placed her wrist against Eden's forehead. "Want me to fetch you a medic?"

"I'm fine." Eden brushed the girl's hand away from her face, "You seriously haven't heard of Harry Potter?"

"No. Haven't a clue who that is." Rose led them down the hallway again, "Is he nice like Master Declan?"

Eden burst out laughing, "No. Not even close. I think Declan would be more of the Lord Voldemort type."

"This Lord must be so handsome then!" Rose gushed.

Eden didn't respond and dropped the subject.

Up ahead was a door marked storage and Rose paused.

"We have your song of choice ready to go. But are there any props you need me to grab for you?" She smiled up at Eden, "Our prop room is right in here." She reached into the shadowy darkness and flicked a switch.

The caged overhead light flickered to life and cast them both in a soft yellow glow. The room itself was tiny, packed full of random junk that no one would ever think twice about using.

Well except for that. Eden's gaze landed on the oversized martini glass shoved in the back corner. She would give anything to own such a masterpiece. You'll be 40 grand richer after tonight, so maybe you can buy one yourself.

Eden abandoned the oversized glass and gazed about the room, taking in all the randomness at once. She stops short on a stack of foldable chairs tucked behind some boxes near the back.

"A chair would work." Eden shrugged, "Do you have any in there?" She asked, knowing full well they did.

The girl beckoned Eden into the room, "We have plenty." She pulled a collapsible white chair out from behind a tall box and opened it with a little effort. "Will this one work? We may have some in other colors if it doesn't."

Eden ran her fingers over the crushed red velvet on the seat, "It's perfect. Declan won't see this coming."

"See what coming?" The girl asked, frowning up at her in confusion.

"I'm going to need something else for my performance."

"You name it and we probably have it in here somewhere."

"You won't find it in here." Eden's lips curled up into a Cheshire style grin.

"I don't think I follow where you're going with this." Rose's brow furrowed, "Everything we're allowed to use is in this room."

"I'll need a volunteer from the audience."

"Oh, miss I wouldn't do that." The girl was quick to warn Eden who was now two steps ahead of her and walking briskly towards the stage. "Master Declan isn't too fond of surprises." She quickened her steps to catch up with Eden.

Eden stopped a few yards from the stage entrance, "He hired me for a performance, and that is what I plan on giving him. It'll be a show he'll never forget." She eyed Rose a second longer before opening the chair. He'll never be able to forget me now.

"If you insist." The girl's shoulders slumped in defeat and motioned Eden towards the stage. "Don't say I didn't try to warn you though." She whispered as Eden passed.

But once again, Eden wasn't listening. Her thoughts were focused solely on the task ahead of her. Make Declan see you. Make him want you and turn him down. Humiliate him in front of all of them.

Eden took one last calming breath before counting back from ten. By the time she reached one, she had slipped into her stage persona and stepped out of the wings.

When she opened her eyes and entered into the spotlight, it was to the sound of mumbling voices.