I am really, really sorry for the long wait for the update. I've been really busy with school, and I was in the school play, which also took up a lot of time. But now I'm on vacation, which means update time. I'll try to update sooner from now on. Enjoy :)
"Okay everyone, take five," said Gary Wilde, host of Shake it Up! Chicago. The dancers were in the middle of rehearsal for that week's performance.
CeCe Jones turned to her left to smile at her best friend, Rocky Blue. They were both dancing great. At that rate, they'd have the spotlight dance in no time.
"We were amazing!" exclaimed the red head to the brunette, who was sipping her water bottle off stage. Ever since Frankie had been arrested, CeCe's demeanor had become brighter. She found herself dancing better, laughing more often, and even her grades were improving. Breaking up with the Complication was the best thing CeCe had ever done.
But the one thing that contributed to her change most of all was the blonde boy standing on the other side of the room, gesturing wildly to his sister. He made the world seem brighter to her, and he liked her, despite everything she'd been through.
"Earth to CeCe." CeCe jumped out of her daze, and saw Rocky waving her hand in front of her face. "What is wrong with you? Ever since Comp's been arrested, you've been acting weird. Should I be worried?"
CeCe wanted to laugh. Her best friend didn't notice when she was abused, but she noticed when she was falling in love. She wished it had been the other way around.
She then did laugh, disguising her hurt feelings. "I'm fine. I'm more than fine, actually. I'm great." One lie. "You always misread things." One truth. "Why wouldn't I be?" One question.
"I don't know, you just seem off. Kind of… spacey. You know?" CeCe knew exactly what she was talking about.
Are you even listening to me? Daydreaming about Gunther.
Why do you keep looking past me? Stealing a peek at Gunther.
Why are you always too busy to hang out with me? Sneaking off with Gunther.
CeCe knew what Rocky was talking about, but played dumb. Her specialty.
"You need to stop worrying, Rocky. I haven't been this good in a long time. In fact, I'm happy Frankie was arrested. He was just bringing me down. Now I can enjoy being a single, independent woman." CeCe grinned, and Rocky frowned.
"A single, independent woman? Who are you? Not that I'm not for it, of course, but you've been dreaming of a boyfriend since you knew what a boyfriend was. What changed?" The change that had occurred in her best friend had startled Rocky, and she didn't know whether it was good or bad.
CeCe looked past Rocky and saw Gunther was going backstage. The redhead knew it was her cue. "Look, Rocky. I am absolutely fine. And I like being single." But she hated lying to her best friend. "It's nice not always being afraid." CeCe didn't realize what she had said until the brunette in front of her gave her a questioning look mixed with concern.
"What? What do you mean? CeCe what's going on?" CeCe's eyes widened at what her words meant, and she tried to back track. "I just meant that it's nice not always being afraid that I would be dumped at any second." She smiled warily, but could tell Rocky wasn't believing her. At all. "Anyway, I have to go to the bathroom. See you when break is over." CeCe scurried off in the direction Gunther had left, leaving behind a very confused, and very suspicious Rocky.
The tiny redhead tried hard to not run to her favorite blonde, but as she neared her destination, she couldn't wait any longer. The fact that she had almost told her secret to Rocky made her want to break down in tears. She knew she had to tell her, but the thought terrified her. To reveal she was weak, abused. It was all too much. CeCe had been pushed off a high cliff weeks ago, and despite everything that may have happened, she was sure she would never make it back up to the top. Every time she progressed a few steps, things like deceit, secrets, and lies always pushed her back down.
"CeCe?" A concerned voice floated towards her, and the young teen looked up to see a blurred Gunther staring at her, worry in his ocean blue eyes.
She realized she was crying, and wiped away the tears. He had his arms around her in seconds. "What is wrong?" CeCe just buried her face into his shirt, knowing this was exactly what she needed. A warm hug, soothing words, a rush of affection. This cured her more than any medicine could.
CeCe just shook her head.
And Gunther just held her.
They remained like that for a few moments, the young boy rubbing her back softly. It calmed her down.
He hated to see her cry. He wanted to stop her eyes from drowning.
He hated to see her scared. He wanted to fight away her demons.
He hated to see her hurt. He wanted to hold her and never let go.
After her sobs lessened, Gunther decided to speak. "Hey." He pulled up her chin, and forced her auburn eyes to look into his. "What happened?"
CeCe sniffled. "I almost told Rocky what happened to me," she whispered softly, but Gunther heard it, loud and clear. He pulled her closer, if it was even possible.
"You know you have to tell her." CeCe nodded.
"I know, but I can't Gunther. She'll hate me." Gunther shook his head.
"You know that is not true. She is your best friend. And since I know she cares about you, you must trust me when I tell you Rocky will not hate you. She will still care about you CeCe. And even if she doesn't, you will always have me." The sincerity was so evident in his voice, CeCe could not argue. Instead, she leaned up to kiss him, their lips moving with an intense passion that had them gasping for oxygen moments later.
Gunther leaned his head against CeCe's. "I will always be here."
CeCe Jones smiled, feeling completely safe, ready to face her future.
"Tinka, have you seen CeCe?" Rocky Blue asked the foreign teen, walking up to her. The blonde was reapplying her makeup, which the brunette thought was pointless. It was all going to sweat off once they continued to dance.
"Why in the world would I know where she is? Isn't it your job to keep her on a leash?" Tinka turned to look at her, hatred dripping off her voice.
Rocky rolled her eyes, but continued. "Where's Gunther?"
"What does the whereabouts of my brother have to do with your missing annoying friend?" Rocky sighed.
"Because, Tinka, I saw them smile at each other earlier today, so I thought… maybe…"
Tinka's eyes widened. "You believe my brother is conversing with her? I thought you were the one with the brain. But I have been wrong before, as today proved." She paused. "Gunther would not be caught alive with her, as you Americans say it. He even told me last night, more or less."
Rocky suppressed a laugh at Tinka's miswording. She didn't want to anger her, although she silently admitted it was fun.
"I guess I'll just have to look for her myself." Tinka turned away, not even caring. "Thanks anyway," Rocky added, not wanting to be completely rude. No matter how much CeCe influenced her, she would always be a goody-goody.
Rocky wandered around the Shake it Up! Chicago studio a little while longer when she came across voices coming from behind the stage.
Intrigued, the brunette inched closer, and stood in the shadows, listening. She recognized the voices instantly, hearing her best friend talk with a voice thick with grief.
She scooted closer, and saw Gunther Hessennefer pull CeCe close.
Rocky almost yelped with surprise, but bit her tongue.
After a few silent whispers Rocky couldn't make out, CeCe kissed Gunther.
In that moment, Rocky's world stopped.
CeCe kissed Gunther.
CeCe kissed Gunther.
CeCe kissed Gunther.
The image replayed over and over in Rocky's mind, and fought back tears. All that talk about being single was a lie.
CeCe had lied right to Rocky's face, again and again.
Her insults towards him were fake.
Her teasing words, lies.
Everything was false. Everything they had shared with each other. Everything.
How could you keep this from me? Rocky wondered. They never lied to each other.
Ever.
But it made sense. The change in personality, the zoning, all of it.
CeCe's heart was mending with Gunther by her side, never letting go.
Rocky's heart was shattering with her best friend gone, slipping from her grasp.
Rocky Blue ran off, not giving either teen a second glance.
Hope you enjoyed! I love reviews :)
