#camine

Camden shook her head as she started to stand up as well. "I have no clue. The last thing I remember is you showing me the white glow on Sasha, and then I woke up here with you." Camden gestured around her, seeing more white sand emerge in the sea of petals. "I think we should walk that way since that's where the sand starts." She pointed out as she and her partner began walking together.

As they walked further through the sand, a dark spirit traveled slowly through the air next to them. Camden felt alarmed when she first noticed, but it didn't seem to notice the duo. She watched as Jasmine tried to get the spirit's attention but continued to ignore her. "They look like they are looking for something, or maybe looking for someone." Camden mused as they watched the spirit together. The spirit flowed ahead of them as the wind picked up the petals and formed into a shape in the distance.

"Let's go see where it's going," Jasmine said as they both quickened their pace. The petals began to form two figures, looking towards each other in an embrace. The spirit flew around the figure and pointed its tail at the petals, trying to ask one of them to reach out and touch it. The two looked at each other as Camden took the lead and reached out to touch the figures.

The petals instantly turned to sand and fell to the ground as the figures emerged as a young Kerri and Sasha came to life. Their voices seemed slightly distanced and they appeared translucent, like a hologram. Camden and Jasmine stood silent as they watched the scene unfold before them.

"Kerri, it's finally official! The judge signed off on your adoption!" Sasha beamed at Kerri, as the young girl smiled back.

"Yeah! You're going to be the best mom I could ever have!" Kerri giggled in Sasha's arms, as the dark spirit carefully sat on Sasha's shoulder.

Sasha's eyes dropped slightly, but tried to keep her voice upbeat for Kerri "You think so?"

The figures turned to sand, falling to the ground as the scene ended. The spirit flew to another set of petal figures several feet away from where they were standing. As the duo followed in that direction, Jasmine turned to ask Camden "Are we watching Sasha's memories?"

Camden tilted her head in thought "Maybe, but I think that spirit has something to do with it." They reached the second set of figures, and Jasmine reached out to trigger the scene to start. Kerri was older in this scene, appearing to be in her pre-teens.

"Ugh! You never let me do anything fun!" Kerri was stomping across the sand, with Sasha following close behind. The spirit looked bigger, holding onto Sasha's shoulders like a cape.

"Kare-bear, could you please stop and listen? I don't think you should be going out this late with your friends." Sasha tried to keep her voice even as she spoke.

Kerri spun around, glaring at her mother "Do not call me that. You know I hate it when you call me that." The sound of a door slam rang out, and Kerri turned to sand. The spirit grew to envelop Sasha more as her face fell and she also turned to sand. 

Camden looked at Jasmine as they walked to the third and final set of figures. "I think this is how Sasha got corrupted. That spirit has been by her the entire time."

Jasmine pursed her lips, and asked "Do you think there's a way for us to save Sasha? You know, without having to kill her?"

Camden looked at her partner, unsure what the correct answer was "Only one of these figures left, then we might know." She and Jasmine reached the last figure, and she looked at her partner "Should we do this together?"

Jasmine nodded as they reached out together, and the petals turned to sand as the last scene started playing. Kerri looked to be well into her teen years.

"Mom?" Kerri walked through towards Sasha, who was kneeling down with her head bowed. "Mom, what's going on?"

The spirit was completely surrounding Sasha, as the dark dust started to swirl around her. Her eyes flashed a glowing green, as her voice slowly became distorted. "K-Kerri...I need you to run...I really don't want to hurt you...okay honey?" 

Sasha stood as the spirit became absorbed into her body. Her witch form stood tall as Kerri ran out, and turned to the other side of the sand plot, waiting for them.

"We have to save her. I know it hasn't been done before, but she needs us, Cam." Jasmine said to her, her eyes earnest.

"How do you think we're going to do that? She's still corrupted." Camden pointed out.

Jasmine looked over to where the witch was standing, unharming to her surroundings. "That spirit didn't hurt us before, I think we are going to be safe here." She looked around them "Wherever this place is, I'm still a little lost on what this place is supposed to be." she sheepishly admitted.

Camden nodded, "Okay, I trust you. Here goes nothing." she and Jasmine began walking towards Sasha, who kneeled in the sand.

Sasha's voice went in and out of distortion as the dark dust around her picked up in the wind. She looked like she was in a trance, mumbling something incoherent.

Jasmine peered closer as they both knelt down to Sasha's level "I think she's trying to fight it." She reached out into the dark dust, and a pair of green glowing eyes looked back, filled with fear.

Camden followed and reached out her hand as well. They both felt a pair of hands grab onto them. The touch wasn't harming, instead, it felt desperate for a human's touch. She wasn't sure if Sasha could hear them, but she had to try something.

"It's okay, you can fight this."

The two became surrounded by the dark dust as each put a second hand out to keep hold of Sasha's touch. The dust created a strong whirlwind around the three, and Sasha's eyes eventually lost their glow. Camden felt the sand she was kneeling on and turned to asphalt once again.

The dust eventually disappeared into the night atmosphere, and they were all back in the alley. Camden heard Bosco and Daya jump off the dumpster they were waiting on top of and heard one of them speak into their earpiece. She and Jasmine were hardly paying attention, as their focus was still on Sasha.

Sasha was back to being mortal, her hair was in loose curls and she appeared slightly shorter than before. She relaxed her grip but still seemed to close herself off.

"T-thank you for saving me, I never thought that I would become human again." Sasha slowly admitted, looking up at the girls around her. She seemed apprehensive when she saw the two other girls that joined were still in their magical girl forms.

Daya passed Camden her brooch, which she gladly accepted. Before she could transform back, she saw Jasmine decline taking her brooch back for the moment.

"No, it's okay." She looked back to Sasha, looking at her in the eyes. "I trust you."

Sasha paused momentarily as Camden and Jasmine re-inserted their earpieces, insisting to Deja and Kerri that they were both safe and Sasha was still with them.

"Jasmine, was it?" Sasha spoke up to the girls in front of her.

"Yes?"

Sasha tried to straighten up from where she sat and asked in a small voice, "Is it okay if I talk to Kerri?"

There was a moment of silence from the earpiece, and Camden wasn't sure if the other side heard Sasha speak until Kerri's nervous voice broke through.

Yeah, I can talk with her.

Jasmine took off her earpiece and passed it to Sasha, who gladly accepted it and put it on.

She took a deep breath before speaking "Kerri? Are you there?" she pressed the earpiece closer as she waited for her daughter's voice.

I'm here, Mom.

They watched as Sasha's eyes' welled up with tears and walked away to give her privacy to talk to Kerri.

Jasmine turned, spun, jumped flawlessly across the room.  She never missed a hit, turning beautifully, the music swelling just so perfectly that Jasmine was transported somewhere else.  Somewhere her heart didn’t hurt for Daya, where her body didn’t ache for the one person the universe wouldn’t let her have.  Suddenly she wasn't in the dance studio, she was back in her childhood dance studio, twirling in her worn out dance shoes.  She had not a care in the world, her heart was full and pure.  It wasn’t hurt like it was now and she didn’t need to worry and protect herself.  She felt so light and free.  She forgot about the printing and just danced how she wanted to, her body following the music. 

“You fell out of the turn.”

Jasmine is ripped out of her fantasy, her perfect childhood world crumbling before her.  She’s standing back in the dance room, the lights now on as she gasps for breath.  She can feel her sweat trickle down her face, her chest heaving as her eyes tried to focus on the voice.  She wipes her brows and finally focuses on the woman standing against the mirrors.  The familiar red curls and quirky smile brings her back to the present.

“Camden?”

“It's been how many years and you still can't find your mark.” She jokes.  Jasmine wrings her hands as Camden sees how tired she must’ve looked. 

“How did you know…”

“Please Jasmine.”  Camden scoffed, her lips still in that unmistakable smile Jasmine knew.  “We’ve been friends for almost a decade, I know you inside and out.”

Jasmine smiles at her friend, chuckling as she slowly starts walking to her.  Jasmine didn’t realize she was running, that the tears she had kept in for so long were now streaming down her face, maybe she did notice but she just didn’t care at that moment.  She crashes into Camden, wrapping her arms tightly around her and sobs into her neck.  Camden fully envelops Jasmine, sinking to the floor as Jasmine's knees give out.  They sat together against the mirror as Jasmine's body wracked with sobs and her tears soaking into Camdens sweater.  Now Jasmine was transported to a different time, one where she’s in the exact same spot; crying in Camdens arms in a dance studio. 

“She’s going to hate me.” A young Jasmine laments, her head buried in her hands.  Her white leotard was covered in smears of makeup from her crying, her hair had fallen out of its perfectly done up ponytail, her skin was red and angry from desperately trying to calm herself down.  Camden sits next to her in her own beautiful costume.  The dusted pink tutu, the crown atop her perfectly slicked back red hair, she looked nothing less than a prima ballerina.  But here she was, not on the brightest stage on the face of the earth to dance her feet off; she was sitting next to her best friend, letting Jasmine release whatever was eating away at her on the cold wood paneled dance room floor. 

“Jasmine, she’s your mother.”  She pushed, scooting closer to her friend.  The tutu bunching as Camden rested her hand on Jasmine’s arm.  “She could never hate you.”

“But I’m letting the entire show down.”  

“Well thank goodness you have a wonderful understudy to save the day.”  Camden jests, nudging her shoulder with Jasmine’s.  The blonde finally lifted her head, a watery smile meeting Camdens eyes. 

“God, that was so embarrassing.”  Jasmine mumbled, her arms crossed and her head leaning against the giant mirror.  “I can’t believe I fell on stage!  In front of those super important talent scouts no less!”  Camden rolls her eyes at how dramatic her friend was being but she relented and comforted her.

“Darling everyone falls, you just have to get up.  I’ve fallen before.”  Jasmine huffed.  

“But you made it work effortlessly, I looked like a dying fish.” Camden smiled seeing her friend's normal attitude return.  She bit her lip and giggled.  Jasmine turned and looked at what got her friend.  The toothy grin jasmine was so used to seeing was displayed across Camdens face before she said, “You said it, not me darling.”  

“Cam!”  The blonde exclaims, shoving her shoulder lightly.  The redhead giggled at how Jasmine seemed to smile, but it soon faded once again and left a frown in its place.  Camden sighed and pulled Jasmine into her arms, holding on tightly like she knew Jasmine loved. 

“All that matters is that you get up again Jas.”  Camden said, her tone inspirational but not full of the grandiose and pride the Brit normally carried.  “And I know you’ll get up.”  She rested her head against Jasmine’s as they sat together for the rest of the show, not caring for the angry Brooke Lynn pacing outside the door. 

“I don’t think I can get up again, Cammie.”  Jasmine said so brokenly.  Her mind brought her back to the present.  She’s resting back against Camdens chest, her hair taken out of its ponytail and pushed to one side as Camden rests her head on the empty shoulder. 

“Oh come on Kennedie,” Camden urged, her hands wrapped tightly around Jasmine’s chest just like when they were younger.  “You’ve gotten up after much worse.”

“Nothings worse than this.”  Jasmine said gravely.  Camden could feel her breath hitch at the confession.  A fresh wave of tears started as Jasmine blinked then away furiously.  “Daya was just… everything.”  

“Oh Jas.”  Camden sighed, pulling the girl in even tighter.  Jasmine's head was looking off up at the ceiling as she let the tears trail down her face once again. 

“Its stupid but I don’t think I was ever happier than when I was with her.”  Jasmine chuckled, her face painted with a sad smile. “Fuck it just hurts so much.”

“I know darling.”  Camden whispered into Jasmine's hair.  “But you have to get up, not just for you, for Ava as well.”  Jasmine nods, wiping her eyes and sniffling.

“She’s been crying all week for her and I feel so powerless!”  Jasmine shouts, her hands clenching the bunched fabric of Camden’s sleeves.  Jasmines stuttered breaths calm down before looking down at the ring on her thumb.  Daya gave it to her as a birthday gift.  It was a simple golden band with three butterflies next to each other, tiny jewels neatly placed in the wings.  

She still hasn’t taken it off.

She remembered how bashful Daya was to give her the gift, her cheeks a bright pink and her blue eyes not quite meeting Jasmines.  She loved how it matched Dayas earrings, the ones she got after their first date.  She hated the fact that she wondered if Daya had bought something for Ava, maybe a little charm or bracelet.

“Jasmine you’re so strong-”

“I’m not!”  Jasmine shouts again.  Tears freely down her face, Camden knew they weren’t tears of sadness.  Jasmine huffed and snarled just like she did when they were younger, her nose still scrunched up like Camden remembered, her fists were balled up just as tight.  She yelled again, it was pure and guttural from the depths of Jasmine's soul. 

“Because if I were strong, I would have gotten rid of her stuff by now, but I haven’t!  Dayas' stupid safety pin jacket is still in my closet in the same spot she always left it because she didn’t want the pins to tear my sweaters.  Her stupidly high heels she wore once after I called her short are still next to my heels.  Dayas stupid koala mug is still in the cabinet with her pink lipstick stains I can never seem to wash away and the blue marker streaks from when Ava grabbed a sharpie without either of us noticing which got us to sign our names on the bottom of the mug and of course I look at it to see the stupid little heart she put by my name.”  Camden listened as she rocked back and forth with Jasmine crying angry tears.  Jasmine's hands beating against the dance floor, as her heart yearned, it bled, it ached for what life could have been.  Her knuckles were bruised and nearly blood as Camden grabbed her hands and squeezed them so tightly, keeping her hands from smacking against the black floor once again.

“Why wasn’t I enough for her?”  Jasmine whispered, her hands squeezing back just as tight as Camden.  Her fingers locking with Camdens like her one lifeline in her world.  Now she let her real tears flow freely and Camden knew she couldn’t let Jasmine continue like this.  She couldn’t let her best friend sob in her arms like her world just crumbled before her.

“I don’t know Jas.”  Camden whispered into the hot air of the room.  “I don’t know.”

Deep down Camden knew the answer, but she didn't dare speak it aloud.  She didn’t even want to think that anyone but especially someone like Daya, someone so perfect and good and kind and loving would be so scared of her love that she would run away from it instead.  Camden sat with Jasmine for hours, listening to her cry on and off again until the tears stopped coming and Jasmine tired herself out, bringing herself to rest as Camden sighed.  She knew that Daya was good, that Daya was absolutely perfect for Jasmine and Ava, but if she couldn't see that in herself, there was no way in hell Camden would let her back into her friend's life.  She ran a hand through her hair and rested her head against the mirror.

She looked down in her arms and saw how at ease Jasmine seemed in her fitful rest.  She brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face and smiled.  She felt for her phone in her pocket and slipped it out, waiting to see if Jasmine would wake up.  She breathed in relief and quickly sent a text.  The messages were sent, and Camden closed her phone.  Jasmine stirred slightly in her arms but returned back to sleep.  

“Daya Betty, you better get your shit together.”  She spoke into the air, hoping Daya somewhere across the city could hear her.  She held onto Jasmine and squeezed tightly as she mumbled in her sleep, muttering words not meant for her to hear but for a center other blonde.   

“Or there be hell to pay.”  Camden vowed. 

Daya was busying herself around her apartment, trying to get her mind to think of something else than the one person she wants but can’t talk to.  She heard her phone buzz and was ashamed at how quickly she went to see the notification.  She went pale when she saw the texts and almost dropped her phone at the contact.  

“Shit.”  That was all Daya could say as the messages flashed on her lockscreen. 

Camden the British Bitch

Meet me at the shop tomorrow.