Halted Rhythm

Chapter 1: What Friends Are For

Camila Gomez has never had the time to lay down and relax, with ballet competitions, school and extracurricular activities. She's never had the time to sustain friends while doing these activities. They either stop being her friend or started gossiping about her.

Bridget O'Conner and Tyler Reid were the exceptions. They stayed with her through it all. Through childhood, the accident that made her lose her dad, her having to give up her beloved ballet and her surviving a terrible break up that almost broke her. They've been with her through it all.

Now, in university she not only has Bridget and Tyler but also, Chloe Lin and Damilola Olanrewaju. Two lovely girls that made a wonderful addition to the trio.

She has now fallen into a new rhythm with her new friends as she tries to do better for herself.

Camila Pov

The early morning daylight has always greeted me with its warmth, at 6:15 in the morning you would expect calming silence, and birds singing lustily but not in this house. I could already hear Dami and Chloe arguing yet again about a sweater. 'It isn't even sweater weather. I swear these girls will kill each other before we finish our third year'. There will never be a dull moment or an uneventful day living in this house with my girls.

"ISSA, breakfast will be ready in 15 minutes." I heard my favourite person, Bridget, yell from downstairs.

" I will be down in 20. Make mine last, okay." I yelled back. Before I could even step into the bathroom to start getting ready Dami and Chloe rushed in.

"Cam. Isn't this my sweater? I bought this green one when Dami said and I quote "I don't think forest green will look good on me.", Right after I told her it would look fantastic on her dark skin." Chloe rushed, more annoyed that Dami did buy what she picked.

"Number 1. I did buy it even after my comment. Dat is why it is here. Also, to my knowledge you bot de boh-gundy one that was right nex to it." Dami began, "Number 2. How would Camila know which one is yohs, sef? When she was not dere with us." Dami continued. Even though Dami has been in Canada for two years I can still here hear accent, especially when she is arguing or stating a very valid point.

"Well.... I do know that green sweater is Dami's because Chloe wouldn't shut up about it. She went on about it for a week."

"Oh. Now I remember. Sorry Lola."

"It is okay but do not enter my closet again." Dami instructed before both girls left my room. Now, I can finally get ready for the day.

I looked in the mirror and realized that this bathroom mirror makes me look like shit. I took a shower, brushed my teeth and washed my face before doing my skincare.

'Time for some music'

I turned on one of my favourite songs, Burning Blue by MariahTheScientist, and started getting dressed. I decided to wear a navy blue and white tank top with a pair of blue wash out jeans and a matching washed out blue jean jacket. To complete the look the look, I put my hair into a ponytail, I wore minimal gold jewellery, and I put on my favourite Miss Dior floral perfume.

By now it was 6:40. Making my way to the kitchen I caught the scent of fresh pancakes. Bridgets signature breakfast.

"Is that pancakes, eggs and bacon I smell?" Chloe asks as she enters the kitchen with Dami a few steps behind.

"How can you smell that already? You just entered the kitchen." I asked causing Bridget to snicker.

"It's because she is a f**king big back." Dami teased, making me almost spill my tea.

"Very funny Lola." Chloe said saractically as she passed the plate of pancakes to Dami.

Knock Knock Knock

"Dami, can you answer the door?" Bridget asks.

"On it."

"Hey Tyler" Lola said unimpressed by the smiling Jock in front of her. "Bridget your boyfriend's here." Lola called out, now letting the now grinning boy in.

"Hey ladies, I brought iced coffee. Iced latte for princess Camila, vanilla iced coffee for Chloe, mocha iced coffee for Dami and a caramel iced coffee for my girl Gracie." Tyler said has he walked into the kitchen towards Bridget.

"Back up, Tyler. I am not your girlfriend."

"Everyone thinks we would be the perfect couple, right girls."

"No." we all said in perfect unison. I noticed the time and shit, it was already 7:30.

"Girls. We have 30 minutes to get the school." I notified the girls.

"Chloe and I will go in my car. What about you Bridget? Cam has an 8:00 class and you have a 9:15 class." Dami asks as she urged Chloe to hurry eating.

"I will go with Tyler. He also has a 9:15 class but Camila will have to pick me up because Tyler has practice in the evening." Bridget answered.

"Okay. See you later then."

"Later guys." I said walking towards the garage.

Timeskip

I got to class at 8:15 and thank God the professor was late. Class ended at 10:00 but later I had another class at 12:00. So, I used my free time wisely and went to the cafe nearby for a little snack and to complete some assignments. The route to the cafe was only a 10-minute drive. There is this ballet studio along the drive, I always get to see the little girls in their tutu's walking into class. Brings back memories.

I ordered a black coffee and a chocolate croissant before starting to work on some assignments. 30 minutes in I heard the cafe bells chime. Four people walked in, 3 guys and 1 girl.

'I can't imagine her life being friends with 3guys. It must be a pain.'

They looked like the type of kids that would bully the nerds in high school but the one that caught my eye was the Asian guy. He was pretty tall but he had the prettiest eyes that also carried the sharpest gaze, it really suited his vibe though. On their way out I caught his eyes. It was almost like he was assessing me, almost judging; it made me so overly aware of where I was, and I could swear he smirked at me. It was only for a few seconds, but it made me wonder

'why the f**k he was looking at me like that and that he definitely was trouble'.

My 12:00 class was boring but overall, just okay. Now I have to pick up my girl Bridget.

Tyler Pov

With my Babygirl on the bleachers, I have to show off a little. As I entered the locker room, I could already hear Cole yelling at the new guys.

"What's up team? Are y'all ready for the today's practice?" I said trying to lighten up the locker's atmosphere.

"You're late, Tyler." Cole scolded.

"Sorry man but I had business to attend to." I said, walking to my locker and grabbing my practice gear. Later, we all left the lockers and headed to the field. I spotted Gracie and waved at her. Surprisingly she waved back.

'My moves are working' I thought to myself. I was about to turn into a giddy idiot, but Cole just had to appear. 'I swear this guy is like a weapon formed against me'

"That's the business you just had to attend to. Is that what she calls a hairstyle, it looks more like a forest on her head. Are those spots on her face contagious? Be careful dude." Cole mocked.

I have learnt that revenge is best served as a surprise, thanks to Dami. Listening to this idiot talk about Gracie like that really pissed me off. I don't want to deal with disciplinary actions taken against me again because I am quote, "bullying Cole again". 'What a snitch' but sometimes you gotta take the risk.

"Everyone split and get into position. We'll have a scrimmage to analyse everyone's skillset, so keep your eyes open Captain." I said as I gripped his shoulder

"Ouch"

"Sorry, Col-I mean Captain. Sometimes I don't know my own strength." I apologized as I walked to my position.

1... 2... 3... Whistle blew

The game kicks off with the guys slamming into each other. After about 15 minutes the atmosphere on the field was starting to get intense. With all the new guys trying to best the older guys and prove to coach why they were meant to be on team. Of course, they couldn't beat my excellent defences, but I had other things to worry about. A few "accidental" hits on Cole didn't satisfy me, so I decided it was time. I rammed myself into Cole so hard it almost knocked him out.

"What the f**k Tyler. You're pushing it now. The whole game you have been purposely ramming into me" Cole said throwing his helmet to the ground in a fit of anger.

"You have no proof of that." I mocked; I couldn't help but smirk at his pathetic excuse at intimidating me.

"I know why you're mad. Is it because I talked about that redhead? You can't seriously be mad about that. I wasn't wrong." He said placing his hand over my shoulders. "You should date a girl of your level man." he tapped my shoulder and stepped in front of me before whispering, "She's probably an inbred freak anyway-

The next thing I knew, I was on top of him as he tried to wiggle his way out, but I held him firmly under my grip. A few blows, a busted lip and a black eye later he managed to get back up and land a few blows on me before our teammates pulled us apart.

"What the f**ck is happening here? All of you get to the lockers NOW." he ordered.

The coach started telling us off in the lockers, but I was too busy smiling at Cole's busted up face.

"Are you smiling Reid? Do you find this funny?" The coach asked furiously.

"No, Coach and I am truly sorry for making trouble." I stated before turning to Cole, " I am so sorry to you, Cole. You can't defend the things you say, after all." I mocked.

"You boys need to get your shit together especially you two." Coach said pointing at Cole and I. "You might be the bests at this school but if this behaviour continues. I will have to take severe disciplinary action on both of you, and you might not just lose your positions as captain and co-caption but also your scholarships. We need to qualify for regionals in order to destroy Saint Ophilia's University. No. More. Fights." he scolded.

"Yes coach." the team said in unison.

" Now, you two go to the campus nurse and get back to practice. "Both of you have 20 laps after" He shouted out

Camila Pov

I finally got to the Football Field and I haven't been here since Tyler's last game. I texted Bridget and she said that she was coming out. A few minutes later she came running out.

"Cami, hurry and take me home I am so tired." Bridget whined as she hugged me.

"Okay, let's go"

"Did you see your boyfriend practice?" I teased.

"No. I left and went to wait elsewhere after Tyler and certain someone came onto the field." she said annoyed.

"Okay. Calm down tiger." I consoled.

"I honestly don't know how you do it, Cam." she questioned.

"I don't know either." I shrugged

The drive wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. Before we even passed the threshold of the house, we heard Chloe and Dami at it again.

"What are you girls arguing about now?" Bridget asked, " And why are the groceries on the ground?" She realized and turned to face the two.

"Oh. We were packing them away but then we got sidetracked because we were trying to pick a place to use for our market research project." Chloe explained as she began packing the groceries into the fridge.

"I am too tired for this." I stated heading towards my room. " If you need me, I will be in my room doing assignments. Night girls"

"Night"

By the time I finish my assignment It was 10:00 pm. I was getting ready for bed when I heard my phone ring. Initially I was annoyed but then I realized it was my mom.

"Hola mama. How are you?"

"Hola, mija. I am good. what about?"

"I am good. Why did you call?"

" I got a call from your old dance teacher, Ms. Prince. She wanted to know how you've been."

"Mama"

"I know but can't you give ballet one more chance. Your dad wouldn't have wanted you to give up."

"You don't know what papa would've wanted because he isn't here and if he was, he wouldn't let you keep forcing me." I said not realizing how harsh I was.

"J-just think about it, okay." she replied sounding defeated, it made me feel more guilty than I was before. "And mija, please know that the accident wasn't your fault. I don't blame you. None of your family blame you for it and the sooner you realize that you will feel better. Okay." she said trying to console me.

" I am sorry about that mama but I can't say I believe you. Goodnight, mama." I replied before ending the call.

For the first time in a long time, I cried. Not because of the past memories rushing back but at the realization that my actions might actually be doing more harm than good.

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