Page 78 of Breakers (Academy of Stardom 3)

I hold my breath and wait, half expecting the answer to be no, but I care about River and Clancy a lot and they deserve a night out after everything Tiffany has put River through recently. Not to mention Clancy who’s had to deal with the bitch most of her life.

York: I don’t see why not.

Xeno: Sure.

Me: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!! Can you tell I’m excited! Argh!!! I love you all. Be safe tonight, okay?

Zayn: Right back atcha Pen.

York: Love you too, Titch.

Dax: Love you, Kid.

Xeno: Everyone delete this message.

I smile at Xeno’s abruptness, my thumb hovering over the delete button when three floating bubbles appear once again.

Xeno: I love you.

I smile, then press delete.

“I’m telling you, Clancy, I’m gonna knock your sister out one of these days. She’s being a complete fucking bitch!” River complains the second he’s within hearing distance.

Clancy pulls a face. “What has she done now?”

“How about not turning up for any of our goddamn rehearsals for a start. Today’s the last fucking straw. She no longer has a partner in me. I’d rather concentrate on the group dance than be fucked over by your sister one more time. She can go fuck herself. After lunch I’m going to speak with Madame Tuillard and explain my situation.”

“Oh shit, I’m so sorry, River,” Clancy replies, pressing her hand against his chest.

“It’s not your fault. You’re not responsible for her actions. She’s a spoiled little bitch and you’re the complete opposite. You’re my little tapper.” His eyes soften as he looks at her.

My little tapper?I hold in a giggle at the affectionate nickname. I mean I can hardly talk. I’m known as Kid, Tiny and Titch....

“You keep talking sweet to me like that and a girl could get used to it,” Clancy replies, her cheeks blushing pink. He grins at her then meets her lips with a kiss as she pushes up onto her tiptoes.

“Oy, oy! You two wanna get a room?!” Someone in the canteen jeers as their kiss deepens. I flick my gaze away from their public display of affection whilst Clancy lifts her middle finger to whomever called out and then jumps up into River’s arms, continuing to kiss him passionately. I chuckle. There she is, my little exhibitionist. By the time they pull apart, all flushed cheeks and lust-filled eyes, the whole canteen is cheering.

Clancy smiles broadly, and so does River.

“I’m sorry about the whole Tiffany situation,” I say to him.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. You were always supposed to dance with Dax anyway. Besides, I’m still a winner. I’ve got my little tapper right here.” He grins at Clancy who presses another kiss against his mouth before he lowers her back to her feet.

“Come on, let’s eat. I’m bloody starving,” Clancy says.

We pay for our lunch then find a seat in the canteen. Ten minutes later, with a full belly and a grin spreading across my face at the affection between my two pals, I mention Jewels nightclub.

“Wait, you know the location ofJewelsnightclub? Fuck me, that’s like the best kept secret in the whole of London.”

“Yep, I do.”

“How…” She narrows her eyes at me, then widens them suddenly. “Wait a minute,that’swhere Zayn took you on the date wasn’t it? You were cagey as fuck about where you went and now I know why. That’s like THE MOST exclusive club in London ever. The rich and famous party there,” she explains to River, happiness flooding her face as she bounces excitedly in her seat.

“Cool,” he replies, shaking his head and laughing at her enthusiasm.

River isn’t the type of guy to be easily impressed by exclusive clubs or famous people. He’s the type of guy who takes people at face value regardless of their background or baggage. I love that about him. He’s not judgemental in the slightest. River is one of the few people at the Academy purely here for dance and doesn’t give a flying fuck about fame and fortune.

“I wasn’t being cagey about it,” I protest with a smile, and a roll of my eyes. “Just because I didn’t want to give a blow-by-blow account of what went down doesn’t mean I was being cagey.

---