[ððððððð ðððððð-ððððð : ð ððððð ððð ððððððð ðððð]
" ðððð ðð ððð ðð ð ðððððð ððððð, ððð. "
â¯â¯â¯
ð ððð ððððð ðð ðððð ðððððððððð'ð ðððð as he packed his things. The man was tall with tan skin and slicked back brown hair. He was still in his suit from work, but his jacket had been discarded and the sleeves to his button up were rolled to his elbows. He was almost an exact copy of his son.
"Nice of you to finally visit, dad." Theo looked up without turning toward the door, "Sorry to break it to you, but I'm on my way to rehab." His tone was sarcastically cheerful, and Mr. Kensington caught note of it.
"You brought this on yourself." His arms were crossed, "Do you know how embarrassing this is for our family's reputation?"
"Family?" Theo turned toward his father, "You call us a family?"
"You're my son, and you have a mother-"
"Correction, I have a step-mother."
"Fine. That's fair." He replied, "I called... Abigail... by the way. She's taking a flight out here next week."
"Good. This is where she should be." Theo glared, "Not in Calabasas alone."
"How are you and the Dalton girl?" He asked as he took a seat in one of the chairs against the wall, "Still close?"
"I don't know right now." Theo zipped his duffel bag up.
"You better fix whatever problems you're having. The Dalton's run New York, Theo, we need to stay on their good side. Plus it's what her father wants, you two together," He leaned forward, "He thinks you two look good as a couple. The press eats it up."
"Let them go pick on the Kardashians for once."
"Don't be such a asshole, son." Mr. Kensington stood up, "I have to go, but a car is waiting for you downstairs. I trust you can make it back home on your own?"
"Whatever you say. As always."
Theo sat in the car alone. Like he always did. He walked into his house, not surprised it was empty. Like he always did. He got changed and immediately headed to his gym. Like he always did. Everyday was the same, and nothing ever changed. A part of him was actually thankful he overdosed. It gave him something else to do for once.
Once he was finished working out he went back up to his room to shower, but something stopped him at the door. Ella Ahmad was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for him.
"How did you get in?" He asked, and her head snapped toward him.
"You left the front door open."
"You never came to see me." He furrowed his eyebrows, looking up at her. She stood up from the bed.
"I... I don't-"
"You don't have an answer, do you?" He threw his towel somewhere across the floor, "I waited for you, but you never came, El! Did you even care?"
"I did care. I did. I just couldn't-"
"Couldn't what!"
"I c-couldn't see you like that again." She spit it out, "Mei and I found you in that lockeroom, Theo, I saw you with my own eyes and I thought you were dying. You were dying..." She was crying now, her hand over her mouth. Theo sighed and went over to hug her.
"I'm sorry." He apologized and she hugged him tighter, "I'm so sorry, El. I've just been so angry lately."
"Okay." She whispered, "I know." After a while Ella pulled away from him, "So... Bethany came to see you, huh."
"Yes?" He answered, confused on why she was bringing it up.
"Did she... seem different to you?"
"No... why..."
"Well, she stumbled during warm ups in class today. She never stumbles, and she just looked totally out of it. On top of that, she said she wasn't coming to the club today, using the excuse she had homework even though it's not due for a week. When have you ever seen Bethany do schoolwork early? Or... ever?"
"It does sound a little weird." He furrowed his eyebrows, "But you can't say something's wrong based on a few observations. She may just be having an off day."
"Maybe." Ella sighed, "Anyways, I didn't get the prima ballerina spot. Can you guess who got it?"
"Just tell me. I'm too lazy." He replied making her roll her eyes.
"Miss Bethany Dalton herself." Ella scoffed, "I worked so hard for that spot and all Bethany had to do was show up and she got it."
"Well, she is a Dalton, Ella."
"That shouldn't mean anything." She shot back, "It's stupid really."
"Whatever." He chuckled, "Hey, how 'bout we get out of here. I'll buy you a cream soda at the club."
"Aren't you supposed to be... you know, somewhere else?" She asked insinuating the fact he was supposed to be on his way to an institution.
"I am, but do you really think I care?"