She always does it just right...
Her singing makes my knees weak and my ears are ringing from the headrush i'm experiencing. I try to focus on my dancing but my arms and feet feel like lead. My breath hitches and I feel my heart flutter and skip beat after beat. I swear I'm sweating. I feel like everyone is staring at my blushing face, but I know they aren't, but it sure feels like they are. My mind starts racing miles per second and I just want to collapse. I can't tell anyone else about this; Not Minka, or Pepper, or even Vinnie, and especially not Zoe. Please, God, let Zoe never find out. I try to calm myself down, they aren't looking at me, see! Sunil and Vinnie are trying to impress Russel and Pepper is distracting Minka and Zoe is… I swallow my nervousness as best as I can and try to spin. If I get dizzy enough maybe I'll just pass out or lose my ability to hear and I'll never have to worry about admitting to anyone about- "Penny, dear, you look a bit pale. Are you feeling alright?"
"LOOK AT ME RIBBON DANCE!" I blurt out before clamping my paws over my mouth and tensing every muscle in my body. I feel the heat in my face build until I'm (or at least it feels like I'm) gushing concentrated embarrassment. I stumble forward with my ribbons, every step weighing everything I've ever known. It drags on for what feels like forever, although it may be only twenty seconds before the attention was back on Zoe. Maybe this is okay? I think to myself, shushing it down immediately. I can't date Zoe, she'd never settle. She's told me many times about how when she's a true celebrity and not just the second-choice model she'll be "independent, single, desirable" and that relationships just cause more drama in an already dramatic lifestyle. I've seen the type she goes for anyway, and I don't exactly fit the ancient Greek statue bodytype. I'm not strong, I'm not that brave, I'm not even half as confident as the dogs she lusts over. Besides, when it's not a dog, it's a hedgehog. I've seen the way she looks at him, lights up around him. I'm not even a good Russel substitute, so that reserves me top spot on the undesirable list. It's okay, though. I'm sure this is all just awestruck wonder and jealousy. She's so talented and pretty, maybe I want to be like her? Maybe I just want to be famous, too, and I'm subconsciously only friends with her to give me a better shot. I mean, who wouldn't want to be close to a pretty, talented, showstopping singer?
"Um, hello?" Her voice pierces my heart like ice and then melts, leaving me feeling warm and at home but oh, so nervous. I feel blush returning to my cheeks as I process the situation around me. The pets are no longer swaying or bobbing their heads to the beat from the radio or humming along. The show must have ended? A purple paw graces my vision and I slowly come to my senses. "Darling, are you sure you're okay? You look ill, would you like me to fetch you some water? Of course, not fetch just because I'm a dog, but, really, are you getting any of this?" I jump back to full attention and the blush has completely taken over my face. "A-ah! I-I hear you. Really, Zoe, I'm okay. Just," I yawn and stretch to help push my lie, "My owner got a new heater, it's really messing my nap schedule. N-nice singing, by the way," I laugh weakly and avert my eyes. Zoe seems to have bought it. "Oh, darling, you flatter me. I'm still a bit worried, just give me a yell if you need me, alright? I'm gonna scope the kibble, I'll just be across the room!" She gives me a soft smile, be still my heart, and starts to make her way over to the feeding area. "Stay safe, alright?" I nod weakly and let a little smile come out, hiding the beam and kiss-wait, no, like...friend kiss. Like, on the cheek, not her lips or anything. I watch her go, and the warm feeling freezes again. She's talking to Russel and she's smiling so big. He's a lucky pet. I wish she could look at me with those eyes, that smile, that wagging tail and her soft ears and-I mean, Russel's a good kid, he deserves some attention, I guess. Zoe could actually talk to me more, though. I mean, it's...okay. It'll be okay, I guess. Sure.
I pick up my discarded ribbon and try to turn again. I trip over my own feet and fall on my stomach. No one else notices, which isn't unusual, really, but it kind of hurts to see Zoe so wrapped up in her conversation with Russel. I feel tears pooling in my eyes, so I do what everyone else does- I go into the fire hydrant. It takes me a bit to get up the slide, what with it being a slide and my legs and arms not exactly at peak working order, but the moment my rump hits the red floor I sob. I hold my ribbons close and let all hell break loose. I keep my crying relatively quiet, thank goodness, but there is nothing holding back my tears. My silk ribbons are spotted with hot, wet tears and my body is shaking. Holding back noises keeps me hidden and lets me lament alone, but if Zoe walked in she'd think I'm the most disgusting being on the planet. "Penny? You in here, dear?" I freeze up, mid sniffle. I don't dare to breathe for fear of any noises coming out, and I don't want to move in case she sees my ugly face. I let out the breath I've been holding slowly, letting out a shaken "Uh-huh" as I try to calm myself as quickly as possible. I glance over my shoulder, and her beautiful face is haloed by the light. Her paws are crossed and rubbing against each other, she looks a bit nervous, a rarity. Her mouth opens and she slowly speaks, "I've been having a little...well...crush trouble, think you could help?"