Anger Issues

sixteen

Jessica

After cleaning the house, we both collapsed on the large couch. Austin rested his head on my stomach, while I gently ran my fingers through his soft hair.

"Austin, we have dance today," I realized, getting the reminder on my phone. He groaned for a few seconds in response.

"I don't even want to move," he complained. I smiled at his tiredness, finding it adorable.

"We have to," I said. "Plus today's our partner performances, do you remember our choreography?" I added.

"I think so," he said. "Thinking is not good enough," I stood up. "Come. We're going to dance."

I pulled him up by the hands, and dragged him to the basement. He opened the door, leading to the room with hardwood floor, and a wall with nothing but mirrors. He had his own dance studio in his house. It was amazing.

"Ready?" I asked, connecting my phone to the speakers. He nodded his head. I clicked play on the song and stood in my position.

(The first dance in the video above is the one they do)

"Have I passed your test?" Austin asked, as the song came to an end. I nodded.

"See, now you're energized," I smiled. "We should get going soon. Do you want to stop by your house first?" He asked.

"Yeah. I'll tell my mom you picked me up from Kayla's, that way she won't be suspicious."

I gathered everything I had brought, and waited for Austin as he got ready. His dance outfit was usually a T-Shirt and a pair of joggers, with random sneakers.

When he came down, we left his house and went to his car.

"I couldn't be happier to think that after this week, break starts," I mentioned. "Neither can I."

As he came to a stop in front of my house, I noticed that both of our cars were gone.

"I don't think anyone is home. Pull into the driveway and come inside," I said.

Austin was always shy when it came to being around my family. I understood why though, because they always radiated a bad vibe to him.

I dropped everything upstairs and changed into leggings and a cropped sweater, since we agreed that would be my outfit for this routine.

"I'm ready," I said, coming downstairs. Before leaving, I grabbed water bottles for us, and handed one to him.

"Can you make sure you're free on Friday night?" Austin asked, as we piled into the car.

"Okay.. why?" I asked. He smiled, his soft dimples flashing out, as he easily ignored my question.

It was a surprise. Anytime he had a surprise, he ignored my questions instead of answering or denying.

When we arrived at the studio, we waited for our coach by doing simple warm ups and stretches.

A few pairs preformed before us, and they all did amazing. Austin and I did, too. We nailed it.

We ended about three hours later, all exhausted and sweaty from what we practiced.

What got me nervous was the fact that for our routine- practice routine, I was partnered with Eric, a guy in our dance class.

For the dance, there was a move where he had to run his hands down my sides, and pull me really close to him.

From the reflection on the mirrors I easily saw Austin clench his jaw, while his expression changed in sync.

"Holy crap," I breathed out, chugging down water.

"Same," Austin, and my friend Julia said.

The car ride was fairly quiet, and I knew why. He was hiding his anger but I always felt like that was worse. For him, at least.

"Are you mad because of my dance with Eric?" I asked.

He shrugged. The moonlight shone against half of his upset face, while he stated hard at the road.

"Austin, it's just a dance."

"I know. And that's why I'm trying to push it off."

I didn't know what to say after that, so instead, I grabbed his free hand and softly held it in mine.

As he stopped in front of my house, I gathered my phone and water into one hand.

I opened the door, ready to get out, but was stopped by Austin keeping his grip on my hand.

He pulled me closer and gently kissed my lips, before letting go of my hand.

"I love you," he said. I smiled at him, looking at his eyes.

"I love you too."