It's For the Pack

10. Heartbreaker

Michelle thought that everyone was acting very strange. Eldon was avoiding her. Emily and Hunter were suddenly really close, always talking and laughing together. Something was definitely going on, and Michelle felt that everyone was aware of it but her. Right now, however, she needed to remove all those distracting thoughts from her head, and focus on auditioning for the Nationals solo. In spite of not actually auditioning against anyone, Michelle still wanted to prove that she was a very accomplished dancer, and that she deserved the solo. She also kind of wanted to show off to Hunter, just so that he could see why she had needed to leave, and why she now needed to stay. Mentally preparing herself, she went out into the middle of the floor. She danced from her heart, and did really well.
   
“Nice job,” cheered Hunter, when she had finished. Out of breath, Michelle nodded gratefully at the compliment. She then looked over at Eldon, but he ignored her gaze.
   
Next up were the duet auditions. Michelle watched Hunter and Emily dance together. Somehow, Hunter’s aggressive dance style matched well with Emily’s sass, and Michelle couldn’t help admiring the obvious chemistry between them. She wondered if they saw it as well. She hoped so. Emily had been really shook up when Eldon had broken up with her, and perhaps a new guy would be good for her. Michelle smiled to imagine Hunter, of all wolves, in love with a human girl. Stranger things had happened. But, of course, Michelle was probably just reading too much into it. Nothing like that would ever actually happen.
   
She was reminded of her own problems when she looked across the room at Eldon, who was looking everywhere but at her. Michelle shook her head, confused. Had she said something wrong? She decided that she was going to talk with him, right after practice was over. She needed to know what was going on.
   
   

Emily was packing up her stuff to leave for the day when she heard two people talking. Emily herself was there late as dance captain, but who were these other people? She crept up to the corner, and furtively peeked around it. It was Eldon and Michelle.
   
“Why do you keep avoiding me?” Michelle demanded.
   
“I really should go…” said Eldon, trying to get past her.
   
“I’ll come with you,” offered Michelle.
   
“No, it’s okay.”
   
Just break up with her, already! thought Emily, annoyed.
   
“Why, Eldon? Why are you staying away from me? Are you mad at me?”
   
Eldon hesitated. “I wouldn’t say that…”
   
“I don’t understand. Why did you not want to do the duet with me?”
   
He took a deep breath. “I need to focus on just dance right now.
   
“Eldon! The duet is dance.”
   
He shook his head. “I need to focus on my dance.” He hesitated before adding, “I think that… we need to break up.”
   
Michelle wasn’t sure if she had heard correctly. “You think we need to break up?”
   
He nodded.
   
“Fine, then. Consider this relationship over. Forever.” She stalked off, fuming. How could he do that to her?
   
Emily, however, was elated. Finally. Finally, Eldon was single, and she could get him back. She couldn’t wait to tell Hunter.
   
Eldon leaned against the doorway, defeated. Emily briefly considered going over to comfort him, but she didn’t want it to look like she had been spying, or anything. She decided to talk to him the following day. Right after speaking with Hunter.