Page 43 of Freestyle (Academy of Stardom 1)

For the first time ever, Clancy drops the smiles she wears so beautifully and shows me her real face. Beneath the optimism is a girl with insecurities no thanks to her evil stepsister. I understand only too well what it feels like to live with someone who takes pleasure in making you feel unloved. How can I deny her now? Besides, I’ve always wanted to see what the Pink Albatross was like inside.

“Okay…” I say, hoping I don’t regret this.

“Okay, you’ll come?”

“Yeah, I’ll come.”

Clancy squeals and reaches across the table to hug me. “We are going to have so much fun!”

“Let’s not get too carried away…” I grin, but my smile fades when I see Zayn and York stroll into the dining hall with Tiffany and Sophie. Great, that’s all I need. Clancy follows my gaze, then stands abruptly.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” she says overly cheery. “For the next hour, it’s just you and me, babe! We can discuss what we’re gonna wear tonight and you can spill your beans about those hotties that have got everyone in such a tizz. I’m a good listener, I promise.”

“Sounds like a plan. I need to pick up some supplies anyway.”

Making a quick exit, Clancy and I head out. Ten minutes later, we’re sitting on a park bench watching some toddlers and their mums have a picnic on the green. On the way, Clancy insisted on buying me a latte and a bun after she bought the same for herself in the coffee shop opposite the park. I try not to inhale the bun in one mouthful, and take measured bites instead, so it doesn’t look like I’m as hungry as I actually am.

“So, you were going to tell me about your…friends?” She screws up her face, not sure what to call them. I don’t know what to call them either. Actually, that’s a lie. I know exactly what I want to call them. Arseholes. They’re arseholes. Coming back here and fucking me with like this. This was always my dream, attending Stardom Academy. Theyknewthat.

“We used to be.” I sigh heavily, and force myself to take a sip of the sweet coffee before continuing. Clancy remains quiet, probably realising how close I am to clamming up. “What I said in the dance studio was all true.”

“You mean about the crew you danced with…” Her voice trails off when realisation dawns. “Oh,theywere your crew. Zayn, Xeno…”

“York and Dax. Yes.”

“Fuck me. You lucky cow,” she exclaims, her eyes gleaming. The swear words sound funny coming out of her mouth. She’s kind of posh. Well, maybe not posh, she’s just more well-spoken than I am. Which isn’t all that hard, I suppose.

“Iwaslucky to have them as friends.”

“Was…?”

“Yeah, was.” I sigh heavily. “Something happened three years ago. Something big. I can’t talk about it.”

“Because you don’t trust me?” she asks, cocking her head to the side. She doesn’t look hurt, just trying to understand.

“No, I think I can trust you. It’s just… It’s complicated. Actually, that’s not the exact truth. It’s dangerous. Ican’ttell you. It’s better that way.”

“Fuck. Are they gangsters or something? I mean they look the part, but I thought that was just their thing. You know, badass dancers with tats and mean scowls, all mysterious and broody and sexy as fuck. Gets all the ladies hot under the collar, if you know what I mean?”

I raise an eyebrow, but concede her point. “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. They look the part because that’s exactly what they are, gangsters.”

Clancy grins, her pretty white teeth gleaming in the sunlight. “Holy shit, girl. So what the fuck are they doing at Stardom Academy? I mean, I’m happy I get to ogle them and all, but…” I give her a look, and she holds up her hands. “I solemnly swear I won’t touch any of them with a bargepole,promise! Chicks over dicks, right?”

I’m more relieved than I let on. Clancy is definitely a keeper. “I don’t know why they’re here, honestly.”

“I bet they want you back in their gang. Are you living a double life too? Is my new best friend a gangster’s moll?”

I can’t help but laugh, but it comes out sounding a little strangled. “We’re not in the States, Clancy. This is London, we don’t have gangster molls.”

“Shame.” She grins at me, but her smile drops when I remain quiet.

“So, let me get this straight. You were in their gang as kids,” she begins but I cut her off.

“No, theirdancecrew. I was never in any gang.”

“Okay, so you were in their dance crew. Something heavy went down which you can’t tell me about because you might have to kill me if you do…” she smiles again, but it drops when I wince.

“I would never hurt you… not intentionally anyway,” I add, trying to make her understand what I’m mixed up in without having to spell it out.

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