It's For the Pack

7. Can't Let Go

Meanwhile, Eldon had gone off to the park to have a date with Michelle.

"You made these yourself?" Michelle asked, biting into her sandwich.

"Yeah, I know that ham and cheese is your favorite."

Michelle smiled at him, and Eldon's stomach twisted into knots. Despite having dated for several months already, she still made him feel like a nervous boy talking with his crush for the first time. He loved watching her get excited over small things, like pink flowers and puppies and the simple sandwich he had made for their picnic lunch. He smiled as he watched the breeze blow her golden hair about playfully.

Michelle saw him looking at her, and reached over and took his hand in hers. "I'm so lucky that you're my boyfriend."

Eldon shook his head decisively. "No, I'm the lucky one. I don't deserve someone as perfect as you." He pushed her hair behind her ear lovingly.

Michelle blinked in embarrassment at the compliment, but then she smiled. "Thank you. But I think you're pretty amazing too."

Eldon laughed, and then turned back to the picnic basket. "I brought dessert as well," he revealed, pulling out strawberries.

"Oh! My favorite!" Michelle exclaimed. Eldon grinned contentedly in the knowledge that he was able to make Michelle so happy.

Watching Michelle devour the juicy strawberries in obvious delight, Eldon wondered what was in store for their future. Provided he won the dance battle, of course. He had decided not to tell Michelle about his little deal with Hunter. It didn't seem like something she should know about- not that he was keeping secrets, or anything. He just didn't want Michelle to know that their future together was based on the outcome of a dance battle. But Eldon was confident in himself- weren't his friends always telling him that he was the "best dancer in the studio?" No, whatever else happened, Eldon was sure that he would always have Michelle in his life.

-
That evening, Hunter was taking a stroll to clear his head before the day of the dance battle. Despite feigning bravery in front of Emily, Hunter still couldn't help having some misgivings about the upcoming dance battle. Perhaps she was right. No, having a defeatist mindset was exactly what was going to make him lose! But, just in case, maybe he should take some precautions to ensure his win. He looked up at the sky. Yes, it was about the right time of month. He smiled. It looked like he was going to need to change the time of the dance battle.

-
The next day was Saturday, and the dancers had to show up to practice early in the morning.

"Change of plans," said Hunter, surprising Eldon at the door.

Eldon jumped with fright. "Don't do that!"

Hunter ignored him. "Dance battle, tonight at midnight. Oh, and don't tell anybody else about it." He swaggered off.

Eldon blinked in surprise. Midnight? Was this guy crazy? Probably, realized Eldon, if he thinks he could beat me in a dance battle.

The rest of the day passed without any significant event, besides Ms. Kate announcing that the following Monday would see auditions for the male and female Nationals solos, and also the duet. An exciting prospect, to be featured in a dance like that at Nationals, that Eldon was relatively hopeful of securing.

But first, he needed to win that dance battle, and show Hunter who was really the best.