Lacey
Wolf and I walk down to the studio and we get a few stares as we're going. I'm not surprised but it is still a little irksome. People are probably wondering why I'm within five feet of him when I make my disdain known. It's not that I actually hate him or even dislike him but he annoys me to no end. I also can't ignore the feeling that he just likes to tease me and play with my emotions. I have known him since he met Caleb which was when I was around six or seven and he was eight or nine. I wish I could trust him more but I don't know if I can forgive what he did years ago.
"Little mouse, penny for your thoughts." Wolf nudges my shoulder.
"You would have to pay me more to hear my thoughts." I say lightly smirking up at him mischievously. I don't want to bring the good mood down right now.
"How much?" Wolf asks and for once he sounds serious.
My smirk slips slightly as I furrow my brows and say. "I'm just joking." I put my hands in the pockets of my sweat pants because it's pretty chilly right now.
"Are you cold little mouse?" Wolf inquiries while slinging an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his warm side. If we weren't in public I would probably be thankful for the gesture but right now I just feel embarrassed. I shrug his embrace off and put more distance between us.
"I'm fine. Don't touch me." I say shooting him an annoyed look. I know that my face is probably some shade of red based on the embarrassment I feel.
"You didn't mind it so much last night darling." He smirks down at me.
"That was different and you know that. Also stop calling me darling. Little mouse is a bad enough nickname." I once again step away from Wolf so there is even more distance.
"If you keep moving away you're going to tumble off the side walk." Wolf warns me.
"I will not." As I am saying that I trip over my own feet and if it weren't for Wolf's fast reflexes I would have fallen off of the side walk. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me in close. He has my head tucked underneath his chin and I'm basically smooshed against his chest. When I'm this close to him, I can smell his cologne.
"I warned you." Wolf says. I can't see his face but I can hear the smirk in his voice.
"Let go of me you self righteous prick." I snap. I don't mean to be rude but I feel mortified right now. Not only did I trip over my own to feet but I'm now pressed against Wolf for anyone to see.
Wolf releases me without a word. I take a quick look at him and I can see that he's not sporting his regular goofy smile. I feel a pang of guilt. Maybe I was too harsh with him. I know that he was only trying to help. I just feel so embarrassed.
"Look Wolf I'm sorry. I just don't like people seeing me mess up." I say grabbing his arm. He stops walking and looks down at me.
"Yeah I know. You're little miss perfect. You think you're better than me and everyone else." Wolf snaps. I haven't seen him this upset ever.
"I don't think I'm better than you. Why would you think that?"
"Maybe because you hate the idea of dancing with me. You get upset at every little thing I do. Even last night. You needed me and I took care of you but all you did was deny what happened. I care about you little mouse, but I don't think that I can sit here and have you constantly tear my heart out and stomp on it." Wolf responds.
I just look at him. I don't know what to say to make things better. I don't know how to fix things. I act the way I do because I'm terrified but Wolf is right. I shouldn't have taken it on him. I don't know how to apologize though.
"I don't think I'm better than you Wolf." I mumble.
"It seems like it. Don't get me wrong you're the best dancer I've ever seen but you make it known to everyone else that you're better than them. Even if that's not what you think, that's how it comes off. Why do you even want a duet? Why not just go with the solo?"
"I don't think I'm better than anyone else Wolf. I just... There is so much pressure on me from everyone else. From my parents, my brother, and everyone here. Even from you. Everyone wants me to be a version of myself that I'm not." I say.
"I just want you to be yourself. Little mouse I just want you to be happy. That's all. That's all I've ever wanted." Wolf finally grabs me and pulls me into my chest hugging me loosely enough that if I want to escape I can.
"I'm sorry I've upset you." I mumble.
"You're alright. I just worry about you. You put too much on your plate. You just need to get out of your own head." I releases me and we begin walking again.
"Yeah. Would you still want to help me practice for the duet auditions?" I ask looking up him.
"I would like that." Wolf smiles softly at me.
"Sounds good. I have a free period after lunch. We could meet up then and practice in the studio I was in last night." I suggest.
"That works for me." Wolf responds. We have arrived at my class so Wolf waves goodbye and walks away. I take a deep breath and walk into the room. Today's class will be intense because we are learning the choreo for the auditions. I set my bag down and get ready.