I can’t speak.
My heart beats wildly against my chest.
“Answer me. You’re scaring me.”
Claud turns in my lap and grabs on to me tightly; that move is the wake-up call I need.
“Fine. I’m fine.”
“Jules?” Claud whispers in my neck. “I want to go home.”
“No, sweetheart,” I choke out. “I’m okay. I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m much better now.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am.” I kiss her forehead. “Thank you for caring. You’re a sweet girl, Claudina.” I maneuver her so she can see the dancers again.
Annalise comes over to us, up on point, and I know Claud is probably wide-eyed in awe.
Discreetly, she runs her fingertips along Hunter’s arm as she settles next to him. Hunter’s eyes shoot to me. If I were more with it, my eyes would be rolling.
I couldn’t care less about them as a couple, but as dance partners, it makes me sick to my stomach.
“Juliette, what a surprise,” Annalise’s annoying, nasally voice mutters through a fake smile. “Or maybe not. You can’t be a dancer anymore because of yourdisabledleg, so you what…come here and watch little kids dance? That’s kind of creepy.” She turns toward Hunter. “Right, Hunter, babe?” Hunter shoots her a look to shut the hell up. She misses it, though, and continues talking. “I mean, we all feel bad for you, but god, Juliette. Have some self-respect,” she mutters with disdain, hoping others won’t hear.
Except I can already hear the whispers, wondering what we’re saying and who I am.
The tears burn, but I will not let them drop, not in front of her, Hunter, and especially not in front of Claud.
I’m stronger than this.
“Enough, Annalise,” Hunter snaps, then turns toward me. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
“Jules, I know whatfinemeans.”
“Whatever. Can you get her out of my face?”
His shoulders drop, and he nods, then turns back. “I’m sorry, by the way. For the bar and today. She’s still jealous of you.”
“I thought ballerinas were nice. You’re nice,” Claud mumbles. “She was very mean. I don’t like her.”
“Me neither, Claud.”
She’s an ex-professional ballerina.
I feel bad for her.
Why is she here?
Poor girl.
Who does she know here?
She was dating the blonde.
Who is better? Her or Annalise?
