In Your Dreams

31 || Phoebe Summers

This is strange. I feel strange. Everything feels strange.

How come I can only feel strange whenever Emmett fucking Larkin does something unpredictable? Normally, I would be pissed and ready my hands to square up, but lately, it's been different. Something had changed between us.

I kept singing my part, ignoring the way Emmett watches me. Despite my eyes being focused on nothing in particular, I can feel his eyes on mine, boring directly into my soul. I'm here wishing that he'll look somewhere else before I get so pressured that I mess up.

The goal here is to impress my friends who are playing pretend audience towards us. I'm not here to impress Emmett Larkin. Though I wouldn't mind if that happens in the process. A slow smile forms on my face at the thought of seeing Emmett's awestruck expression again. I've already seen it during last night's antics. It wouldn't hurt to see it again.

My emotions took over, and I found myself getting carried away from it. I couldn't control how my body moved. I was surprised that my head suddenly turned to glance over at Emmett. His eyes met mine—a sign that I should probably stop staring at him—however; my body didn't listen and kept staring at him until my part was over. I watch in silence as he takes over and begins singing his part. His eyes hadn't left mine for a few seconds.

I feel soft inside as our eyes stare at each other, not until something shifts inside his pupils and a twinkle of something negative sparkles in his eyes. He tore his gaze, snapping his head suddenly.

At least one of us had control over our body. Although, it's strange that he did that with a furrowed eyebrow as if it's my fault we were stuck in a trance together. Even after he snapped his head away, I can still see the frustrated expressions he was wearing. There's no doubt that frustration is aiming towards me.

Typical Emmett Larkin. And here I thought we'll be civilized with one another. I guessed wrong—what else should I assume towards him? Emmett Larkin finally being civil and friendly? Not in a million years.

My eyes twitch for a quick second. Not sure why though, but the urge to rub them is unavoidable. I slowly lifted my hand and used a finger to rub the underside of my eye. Curious to feel something wet, I lift the finger I've used to rub my eye to see there's a glint of a wet spot on my skin beneath the bright light above us.

Am I tearing up? Wow, the song must have taken a toll to my emotions. Like I've said, it got the best of me and was able to control my body. That's the only explanation I can muster up, so that must be it. So if anyone asks—definitely Lilian since all throughout this rehearsal, her eyes are on mine, assessing every little movement I do—I already know what to answer.

Weird how the tears are forming now. They could have formed earlier before any of my friends showed up when we were rehearsing this song. But why now?

I thought of it for a second until I felt someone nudging the tip of their foot on the back of mine. Looking down to see which direction the foot is coming from before glancing over my shoulder to see Alecks worried expression. He didn't say anything, just gestured a hand around his face before nodding his head to the direction of Emmett.

It doesn't take a genius to decipher what he's saying. I'm certain and sure that he meant that I should fix myself and get ready for my part of the song again. Yeah, he meant that and nothing else. I played it cool and lifted a thumbs up at him before mustering up the energy to smile. By the time Emmett had sung his verse, I joined him in the chorus, my eyes aiming towards my friends.

This is my chance to let them know it was the song that made me look like I'm tearing up. I need to let them know that since I still have no idea what's happening to me. I may have some idea, but I would rather not admit that it has anything to do with Emmett. The smile on my face twitched as if it's struggling to maintain its shape and form as I forced myself to never admit what I'm feeling right now is about Emmett. I would never admit such things.