Brave

He Probably Hates Me Now

|Eldon's P O V|
I walk into Culture Shock to pick up a bottle of water. I'm feel pretty good today. I feel great about getting Emily and Michelle together, but I can't help but wonder why I'm so good at setting up other people yet I can't do the same for myself. I mean it's just so-
"Watch where you're go- oh, hey Eldon."
I look up to see Hunter, great.
"Sorry for bumping into you, I was just a bit distracted with stuff." I say lacking confidence.
"Oh, well it's all cool dude. Wanna head to Studio A? I know it's a bit early but hey, practice makes perfect." Hunter gives me a small smile and I agree to go to Studio A with him, I mean why wouldn't I want to go to Studio A with him, alone.
"Yeah, yeah that sounds good bro."
As we're walking up to Studio A I realize I forgot to get my water, oh well, I can drink from the fountain if I need to.
"So, you thinking about auditioning for male solo?" Hunter asks.
I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know yet."
"C'mon Eldon man, you're the best male dancer at this place. You should do it."
I immediately get a warm feeling in my chest when he compliments me, but I know that Michelle wants to do our duet for Nationals, I guess I'll have to talk to her about that. Plus, if I go for the solo I know Daniel will get mad, and he knows my secret, and it could ruin everything if he tells.
"Thanks, but Daniel wants it more and he's better, so he deserves it."
Hunter rolls his eyes at this,
"Eldon, it is so obvious Miss Kate views Daniel as damaged goods, even if he does dance better, there is no way she'll ever pick him. So you have an advantage. Please audition for it. Don't be selfish dude."
Hunter puts his hand on my shoulder,
"Please Eldon."
I can't help but give in, "Fine, I'll audition."
Hunter pats my back and smiles, "I knew you would."
I laugh, "Why don't you audition too?"
Hunter freezes momentarily, then he begins to laugh, "There's no way I stand a chance against you. Besides I don't even want to solo." he says.
"How 'bout we dance battle, full out, if I win, you have to audition, if you win, you don't have to." I suggest.
Hunter shakes my hand,
"Fine, but I know you're gonna win. This is just a trap so I have to audition, isn't it?"
I like how Hunter's hand fits so well in mine, I like how nice this feels... shit, I'm still holding his hand. I quickly pull my hand away, I wish I didn't have to, but I know I do.
"Maybe, but it'll be fun. Maybe after practice we can meet in the music room to dance battle? Studio B and A are booked."
Hunter nodded, "Sounds good, I can't wait." Hunter laughed.
I cracked a smile, "So, how do you like it here so far?" I ask him.
"It's good. The people are cool here." Hunter says.
The rest of the A-Troupe dancers fill the studio, West and James come up to us.
"Hey guys, ready to rehearse?" West says.
"West, bro, this routine is so easy, we don't even need to rehearse it. Of course we're ready." James says.
Hunter and West laugh, but I across the room I see Daniel looking at me. I leave the boys and go talk to him.
"So, you and Hunter?" Daniel says nonchalantly, looking down at his fingernails.
My eyes widen, how does he know that I like Hunter?
"What? N-no that's ridiculous." I say, completely failing at staying cool.
"Please, I'm not stupid. I saw you two in Culture Shock earlier. Sparks were flying everywhere." Daniel smiled and rolled his eyes, "Eldon, it's okay to like someone. It's normal."
I sighed, "Whatever, yeah I do like him. It's killing me because I don't know if he's ya know... or not."
Daniel shot me an amused smile,
"There is no way he likes girls, look at him. It's so obvious, at least from what I saw when he was with you... not to be creepy or anything."
"Well, I can't be too sure, but thank you anyways." I give a small smile to Daniel, he nods back.
I walk back to my friends, as I'm walking I see Emily and Michelle talking on the bench by the cubbies. I smile, I guess things are going well for them. I wish I could say the same for myself. I mean I guess things are going good for me, but I guess I just want to be with him, I don't know. I just feel kind of empty right now.

|Hunter's P O V|
As James and West are talking to me, I can't help but take brief looks over at Daniel and Eldon. I wonder what they're talking about?
"So I learned this new flip, right, and-"
West was interrupted,
"Everyone in positions, rehearsal is starting." Emily called out.
I'm kinda thankful Emily interrupted our conversation, I don't know how longer I could pretend to be interested in what they were talking about. I walked over and sat down into our starting position. It's awkward when Emily isn't dancing because I have to pretend to lift her and the arm movements and spacing are just awkward when she isn't dancing. For the first and last dance of the rehearsal Emily looks over us to make sure everything is good. She's also in charge of choreographing this dance and don't get me wrong the dance is good, but it's just the fact that it makes it harder for me to learn when she isn't beside me that kinda sucks.
I keep messing up on moves, partially because of Emily, but mostly because I keep thinking, wondering, what were Daniel and Eldon talking about? I know it's none of my business but I can't help but be curious.
"Hunter? What are you doing?"
The music stopped and I heard Emily yell at me, I must have spaced out.
I look up at Emily who is giving me an impatient look.
"S-sorry. I just, I was just messed up from that one part, sorry I think I got it now." I could feel my cheeks on fire from embarrassment. I could hear quiet muffled laughs coming from some of the other dancers.
"It's okay, let's just run through it again. I'll join in this time." Emily said sternly.
Emily took her place beside me and mouthed the words 'are you okay?' to me, I simply nodded back, but she did not look like she was convinced.
We went through the dance at least 10 more times before we finally got to leave. I was able to get the choreography the rest of the times only because I knew Emily was watching me like a hawk. Emily didn't bother speaking with me after rehearsal, she just went off with Michelle.
Whatever, I'll just go home I guess.
"Hunter you ready to battle? Or are you too chicken?" I heard Eldon call from behind me. His voice seemed to make my heart beat faster than it already was, if that was even possible.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."
I totally forgot we were battling after rehearsal, I almost missed out on a chance to spend some alone time with him, thank god he caught me before I left.
We got into the music room and put our stuff down.
"You ready man?" I said.
"Yeah, let's do this." Eldon turned on the music.
We're going back and fourth with tricks, we we're laughing and having fun. Eventually somehow I end up winning, wow I got lucky.
"That was good, you put up a fight." Eldon said laughing and out of breath.
"Thanks bro. You too." I said trying to catch my breath.
Eldon pulled me in for a hug, it wasn't a bro hug, it was a real hug. I couldn't help but hug back, the warmth of his body and just being so close to him felt so good. After we realised what was happening, we broke apart, there were several seconds of awkward silence after the hug, but finally I spoke up.
"So, I guess I'll see ya tomorrow at rehearsal and stuff."
Eldon nodded, "Yeah, yeah see ya."
Eldon picked up his bag and headed out the door, I picked up my stuff and I left too, I can't believe that I hugged him for so long he's probably creeped out and this is all terrible. Way to go Hunter, way to ruin things with Eldon and come off as a massive creep. I can't believe I fucked up everything, he probably hates me now.