Dancing in the Rain | ✓

Chapter 25: Falling Apart

The loneliness was more overwhelming that Eli could have ever predicted. The apartment suddenly seemed way too big and specious. Luckily classes soon started again which gave Eli a reason to leave home and be surrounded by people once again. Unfortunately each time he spotted Sophia walk through the hallways with her satchel bumping against her hip, his heart would ache.

The girl would barely even look at him and each time she did so, a frown would appear on her face. She didn't talk to him at all and didn't reply to his texts. Eli really shouldn't have been expecting to get anything else than that but it still hurt more than he wanted to admit to himself.

He tried to spend as little time around Avery as it was possible without her suspecting anything but everything was suddenly much more difficult than before. Avery could clearly see that Eli was not as invested as before but she probably thought it was due to him finding out about her son. Eli felt bad about it but there was nothing he could do to make it better.

Singing classes were even more annoying and challenging than usual and Eli didn't have it in himself to even try. Other students would snicker and laugh at him but Eli didn't even care, he only was disappointed that the teacher looked as if he wanted to kick him out. Eli was painfully aware of the fact that he was still kept there only because of his dancing skills.

The rest of the classes were mostly boring and Eli couldn't bring himself to pay any attention since his mind was constantly somewhere else, more specifically in his own bedroom in Aspen with Sophia curled against his body.

During his dance classes with Mrs. Hudson he was completely horrible since suddenly dancing had become a torture instead of an outlet to his emotions. The woman could obviously see that something was wrong, as after two days of Eli sucking she stopped him after the class and invited him to her office.

Eli didn't even bother to change out of his gym clothes and just silently followed his teacher into her office. The woman kept sending him worried looks as he sat down on the chair opposite her desk. She also took a seat crossing one leg over the other. "Eli...it has come to my attention that you've been acting really weird since Christmas." Her blue eyes seemed to be piercing through his soul and looking at each aspect of it without the boy's permission. "You seem like you're not even here most of the time."

"I'm sorry." Eli said, not knowing what else he was supposed to say.

The woman titled her head to the side, clearly thinking hard about something. "Whatever it is you can always come to me and talk. This is what I am here for after all." Her voice was gentle but also firm. "You are one of my best students and you are very talented but if you carry on like that I will have to do something about it." She paused for a moment looking straight into Eli's eyes with such intensity that the boy had trouble maintaining the eye contact. "You wouldn't be my first talented student to get kicked out of the school for breaking under the pressure."

"I'm not like that." Eli quickly assured her, not wanting to chance losing such an amazing school. "I'm just dealing with some personal issues at the moment but I promise I will work everything out soon."

The woman smiled slightly. "I'm glad to hear it." She said, now looking a bit more pleasant. "I have to admit I'm looking forward to the winter competition." Mrs. Hudson admitted. "Both Avery and you are outstanding and I really can't wait to see the two of you shine together on the stage. I really hope you win."

Eli smiled back even though the smile was fake. "Me too." He said honestly, despite having mixed feelings about it. He wanted to get the competition out of his way and finally say goodbye to Avery properly. He knew it still would hurt both of them but there was no escaping it.