DANCING ON MY OWN (Charlie Puth)

S E V E N

I ended up being able to put my focus into my note taking. Eventually Charlie stopped staring at me. Thank God. I was beginning to feel extremely self conscious. Right before the end of class, my phone buzzed in my back pocket.

Josh: I can't practice with you today. Sorry.

I read his text at least five times looking for an error. It never fucking ends. This stupid cycle of being ditched over and over and over again. I literally have not seen Josh in at least two weeks. Would it be such a pain for him to put some effort into our relationship?

Me: Why not? What's so important?

Send.

I've never questioned Josh. I've never even raised my voice at him. I have always just accepted anything he says without putting up a fight. I guess I'm just scared that I'll be the one to ruin this. But now that I think about it, I don't think I am the one ruining it.

Josh: Really? Why are you making such a big deal about it? We'll be fine. We know it like the back of our hand anyway.

I can not believe this asshole. We've only practiced a few times. He fucking knows how important this is to me, it could literally help me jump start my career, my freaking passion.

Me: What are you doing that is more important? What will you be doing instead???

I wanted a fucking answer.

Josh: Enough Mia! Seriously, mind your business.

I feel the tears start to sting my eyes. I turn my phone off without responding, and toss it in my bag. I put my face in my hands in order to hide my eyes until the class is dismissed. Finally, after a few agonizing minutes, I hear my professor announce that we were finished for the day. I quickly blink my tears away and stand up, determined to be the first person out of the door. I wait for Shawn to exit the row and then I quickly race past him and everyone else out of the door.

I'm not going to my next class, but I know exactly where I'm going. I grip the straps of my backpack tightly, determined to keep my tears in until I'm completely alone. I walk briskly, the autumn air stinging my lungs with the fast shallow breaths I've been taking. I hear nothing but my own thoughts, but faintly behind me I notice footsteps.

"Mia!"

I keep walking.

"Mia wait up!"

I keep walking.

A hand reaches out and grabs my shoulder lightly. I stop to look at the imbecile who's disrupting my meltdown right now. Charlie.

"Hey, I've been yelling your name. Why didn't you wait for me?" He pants, obviously out of breath from attempting to chase me down.

"What do you want?" I spit at him. I immediately regret my hostile tone, seeing as Charlie is not the one who has put me in such a bad mood.

He looks hurt at my tone but brushes it off. "I uh... I thought you looked a little upset, and I just wanted to make sure that you were okay." He scratches at the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I'm fine." I mutter and turn to continue walking.

"Wait." He grabs my shoulder once again and spins me around.

"What Charlie?" I ask, starting to get annoyed. Why can't he just let me deal with my emotions by myself?

"Um... Where are you going?" I pause, debating on whether to tell him where I'm really going or not.

"Tooooo my next classsss." I drag out the words as though it's obvious.

"Well, that's bullshit." He says.