3rd P.O.V

"Hey, you're here pretty early" Natasha noted as Alex passed the front desk. Alex blinked, stopping as she turned back to Natasha going back.

"I can say the same about you- what are you doing here?"

"Well Madam told me if I receptionist early in the morning, I'm off the hook later in the afternoon" Alex hummed nodding. "You?"

"I got the rehearsal room but only at the earliest hour" Alex responded with a sigh. She caught the clock hanging above the desk, noting the time: 8:45. She was supposed to be practicing by 9 and only had the room to 12, and she still didn't do her stretches. Alex about to dismiss herself, stopped as she caught the teasing glint in Natasha's eyes.

"Someone's all dressed up" Natasha noted with a sly smile as she looked at Alex making Alex tense slightly. True to her word, Alex had taken precaution to getting herself ready, putting on light make-up and pulling her hair into a ponytail instead of the usual bun. She blushed lightly, hoping the blush she put on earlier was able to hide it. She cleared her throat as she gripped her bag slightly tighter.

"I don't know what you're talking about" Alex responded stiffly. She didn't want to tell Natasha about Seth- not yet at least. While Natasha was a good friend, she was- like Mandy, a big blabber mouth, especially when it came to a juicy topic or anything to do with Alex's love life- something Natasha had noted was 'dull' and 'no spark'.

"You don't now?" Natasha asked raising an eyebrow. She grinned realizing something. "It's for that Seth guy right- the one who came in with that sweetie Claire." Alex flinched, she guessed right on the nail. "Isn't it?"

"Did you say something?" Alex asked, pretending not to hear her. Maybe if she ignored it, Natasha would drop it.

"Oh it is for him!" Natasha exclaimed as Alex sighed, scolding herself for not remembering how easily Natasha could read her.

"Okay, okay it is" Alex confessed wincing slightly as Natasha gave a large squeal. "Don't you dare say a word" she warned.

"Oh don't worry- you're secret's safe with me" Natasha stated with a wink as Alex cast her a wary glance. "So spill, everything from the top- where did you meet him? Did he ask you out? Are you his girlfriend-"

"As much as I love to answer the questions" Alex cut in flatly. "I have to head to the rehearsal room- I've only got a couple of hours to practice"

Natasha huffed. "You better tell after those hours"

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything thing else" Alex responded, sarcasm lingering in her tone as she fixed her duffel bag, making her way toward the rehearsal room.


Alex eyes fluttered closed as she moved with the music echoing in her mind. Bending down, her leg went straight upward as she twirled, slowly and gentle as can be, before landing on her soles as she quickly pounced upward into a graceful leap landing softly as she spun herself in quick and small circles before going into another leap.

Alex loved doing leaps, it was her favorite part. She felt powerful, strong- like she can handle anything and nothing could stop her. When she first did ballet, she could never do it properly but once she learned, she never stopped, doing them over constantly. At times, she felt like she was flying and at others, she felt like complete. She knew that ballet was her thing that no one- no matter what can take away. It was as if it were her one true love.

Suddenly a picture of Seth appeared in her mind. Surprised by it, she lost focus and soon lost balance falling over. She blinked startled, as she ignored the sting of her butt wondering where on earth it had come from.

And more importantly: Why?

Seth P.O.V

"Are we there yet?" I asked as I watched the highway. Did it always take this long to port Angeles?

"No, and stop asking" Quill responded. "We'll get there when we get there"

"Fine" I huffed crossing my arms.

"Are we there yet Quill?" Claire asked from the backseat.

"Not yet" Quill sang with a smile. "But will get there soon, I promise"

I gave Quill a look and which he caught and frowned.

"What?"

I just sighed, shaking my head. Wolves and imprints… they had them whipped. I blinked realizing something. Was I going to be that whipped? Well even then I don't think Alex would ask something completely outrageous… hopefully.

"So… excited to see Alex?" Quill asked giving me a sly smile.

"Yes!" Claire answered before I had the chance to answer and I looked back at her. She had a big smile on her face.

"Well, I know Seth is too" Quills stated making me roll my eyes. "What do you like so much about her Claire-bear?"

"She's pretty and nice" Claire chimed. "And she's the best dancer ever!"

She spread her hands our wide to gesture how Alex is the best dancer ever.

"Well I'm definitely going to have to see her dance one day" he stated with a nod.

"You won't regret it" I agreed remembering the one time she danced.

"So… are you going to ask her out on a date?" Quill asked.

"date?" I found myself repeating as Quill nodded.

"Yeah, so you can ask her to be your girlfriend and then you can call your imprint… well yours"

"I was thinking of it… but I didn't know how to ask her out exactly" I admitted. I was thinking of it, but every time I did, I get all nervous and clammy- and I was looking at my own reflection.

"Just go straight out- girls like it when you're straight forward with them"


We were finally here. I raced out and slammed the door. Ignoring the yell from Quill- I raced up to the ballet studio. I couldn't wait to see Alex- I haven't seen her since I came to her house. Opening the door, cool air hit me as I saw the usual spotlessness of the studio.

"Oh hey Seth," Natasha greeted as another girl was taking her spot. The girl had wavy chestnut brown hair and ivy green eyes with pale skin, freckles dotting over her nose. She just looked at me before pushing hair behind her ear and smiling shyly. "This is Lilly, Lilly this is Seth"

"It's nice to meet you" she greeted, a southern accent noticeable in her voice.

"Nice to meet you"

"Alex should be done in the studio room" Natasha noted turning her head to the clock ahead: 12:04. Just as she said that, I heard footsteps and Alex appeared. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as a sweaty smell lingered around her as her hair was pulled into a high ponytail then her usual bun, and her eyes were framed by longer lashes and lips were a bit chapped.

She looked beautiful.

"Oh Alex, you look beat" Lilly concernedly noted. Her eyes flickered to me before a blush appeared as she nodded turning to Lilly.

"Yeah… I've been practicing for a couple of hours"

"Straight?" Lilly asked surprised as Alex blushed looking down.

"Well she is the top- it would be a surprise if she didn't practice" Natasha defended.

"But that's so bad for the body and-"

"Lilly," Alex broke in. "I appreciate the concern and everything- but I know how to take care of myself"

Her voice was firm and a bit of surprise because I never knew of this Alex, she was shy and timid. Not that it was a bit thing- it was a good thing but I've always seen her as a shy and timid girl.

An awkward silence filled the silence before Lilly broke it.

"Oh… I'm sorry" she stated as she looked down awkwardly.

Another silence as Alex sighed.

"Look, I'm sorry Lilly-" Before Alex can continue, the door opened and raced in Claire who hugged Alex around the waist.

"Alex!"

"Oh, hi Claire" Alex greeted with a smile as she patted the young girl on the head. Why couldn't I just have gone and hugged her? It wouldn't be that weird, we have almost kissed 3 times. "Ready for today's lesson?"

"Yes, I've been practicing!" To demonstrate she has, Claire went on her tippe-toes and put her hands done taking a couple of steps. Alex giggled as she applauded Claire.

"Good job, now why don't we get ready before we can practice our stretches?"

"I've got that" Quill cut in making me jump startled. I didn't hear him come in. "You guys talk" he said giving me a wink as he took Claire.

"So…. Hey?" Alex stated with a shy smile.

"Hey" I greeted as an awkward silence filled between us.

"Well, I think the water needs re…watering" Natasha cut in catching our attention as she grabbed Lilly. "Why don't you come and help Lilly?"

"Oh… um sure-"

"Great, we'll just leave you 2 alone" Natasha stated with a smile before she dragged Lilly away.

"…."

"…."

"So, how are you?" Alex asked.

"Oh… I'm good" I answered with a nod. "You?" I asked in hopes to keep the conversation going.

"I'm good" Alex responded with a smile.

"How's Port Angeles?" I asked the first question popping into my head. The next thing that appeared was me hitting myself with a bowling ball for being so ridiculously stupid- could I have said anything lamer?

"Good" Alex answered, shifting awkwardly.

"…"

"…."

"Well…" Alex cut in, shifting on the ground awkwardly. "I guess I should get going- I need to go help teach and all"

"Yeah…" I agreed, wondering how our relationship dwindled so fast into something so awkward. "Wait" Alex paused as she turned back around, giving me her full attention. I took a deep breath remembering Quill's words.

"Just go straight out- girls like it when you're straight forward with them"

Straight forward. I got this.

"I like your hair" The first thing that appeared when I opened my mouth. Alex blinked, a bit surprised by the sudden compliment but smiled.

"Thanks" she said with a bashful smile, her cheeks glowing red as she ran a hand through her ponytail. The curls bouncing, her hair has so much volume and so shiny and looks so soft- I just wanted to reach out and curl one around my finger. "Well if that's it-"

"No, actually I wanted to ask you something" she blinked titling her head confused as I cleared my throat. Why did she have to be so cute? "Do… do you want to go on…" I took a deep breath- I can do this, I'll ask Alex on a date- no big deal. Just take Quill's word of advice. "…On… On… A walk with me?" I blurted out mentally smacking myself.

A walk? Another one? Oh geez….

"A walk?" Alex asked brightening up.

So maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

"I love to go one again" she chirped with bright smile and I felt my heart flutter. So I didn't mess up after all which was a huge relief and maybe I'll ask her out on a date on our walk. However her smile was slipping and my brain was sent into panic mode. "But I can't…"

"Oh…" I nodded trying to keep my cool on and my disappointment out. "How come?"

"I'm grounded" she answered with a small pout. Too cute, way too cute- the way her lips just turned and- I'm getting distracted.

"Grounded?" I repeated wondering why she was grounded. "Is it because of the bon fire?" I asked feeling the guilt wallow up.

"No" Alex answered quickly, waving her arms before stopping. "Okay... it might be because of the bon fire- but it's totally my fault"

I sighed running a hand through my hair.

"I'm sorry" she added playing with her tutu as her shoes awkwardly shifted around the carpet. "I really wanted to go on the walk"

"Well maybe we can still do so- when's your grounding let up?"

"… A month"

"A month?" I repeated surprised and she bit her lip nodding. Wow… a month of grounding because she snuck out to a supervised party with no beer. I don't even want to know what would happen if she did something worse. But the best part though is I know Alex won't do anything bad, so I don't have to worry that much either.

"I'm sorry…." She mumbled meekly closing her eyes. "I really wanted to spend time with you this summer but the 1st month is centered on books and ballet"

"Books?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's one of the places I can go because I'm studying"

"I thought you finished your homework"

"I did"

Wow… so Alex comes from a pretty strict family. I don't know what would of happen if mom tried to do that to Leah and I.

"So… I'm sorry" she repeated with a sad sigh.

"Don't worry" I waved off.

"Right, we'll I go…" she said pointing to the direction she was going to head too before I spoke up again.

"Hey… do you tutor in English?" I asked and she blinked a bit surprised before smiling.

"I do" she answered.

"Great, meet you tomorrow at 5?"

"Yeah, I like that" she answered with a smile before waving good bye and walking off.

Looks like I've got a tutor.