A Love as Hard as This

Chapter 2

Noah's Perspective:

Today's my second day at the studio, and I'm a little bit nervous because I figured out that I like Richelle yesterday. It's weird, I've never had a crush before, not even a small one. And it's even more weird that my first crush happened to be Richelle, the one girl that I was told to stay away from.

I arrive and, once again, am met at the doors by Miss Kate. She seemed nice yesterday, but I'm not sure about her quite yet. I need to get to know her a bit better first.

"So, Noah, are you excited for your second day?" She asks.

"Yeah, I am." I'm half-lying when I say that. I am genuinely excited for the rehearsal, but I'm definitely not excited about seeing Richelle again.

I still don't get why she didn't like me so much yesterday. I didn't even say much to her, and we spent about an hour together. She doesn't know me, but has already made up her mind to hate me. I don't get it.

As I approach Studio B with Miss Kate beside me, I notice Richelle outside the door. Perfect. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk to her, and maybe even smooth things over between us.

Her lips purse as Miss Kate goes in and I stay out, near her. "Really, Noah? Didn't I make it perfectly clear yesterday that I don't want anything to do with you?"

Wow. She's pretty harsh, I get what Josh told me. But for some reason, I don't believe it for a second. I think it's some sort of wall.

"You did. But I still want to talk to you." I say.

"About what?"

"Why you don't like me." I answer simply. I'm not exactly a waiting person, much more get-to-the-point.

"Noah, I told you yesterday. I have a feeling that you're going to be bad for me." She tugs at the sleeve of her hoodie and puts her head down.

"That's not it. There's another reason, isn't there?" I press.

"No, there isn't. That's the reason, Noah. I'm good with assessing people, and I know exactly what you're up to. I know why you're talking to me right now. And I don't want any part of it."

With that, she walks away, leaving me thinking in the hallway. What did she mean by that? All I want to know is why she doesn't like me. Those are my intentions, aren't they?

Maybe I want to find out so I can know more about her, but that's just because she's mysterious. I can feel that there's something more about her. And I just want to find out what it is. That has to be what she means.

But what if it isn't? What if she means something entirely different? Oh no. I think I know what it is. She knows that I like her. But why is that so bad, then? Why does she hate me so much if she knows that I like her? And why is that bad for her?

"Noah!" I hear Miss Kate call from inside. "We're waiting for you!"

"Coming!" I yell back, scampering into the room, putting my things down, and going to stand near Miss Kate. The 5 other people that I met yesterday are here too.

"Guys, today we're going to do something different. Duets." She says. "And before the whispering starts, I'll be picking your partners."

I glance around me, and notice that Richelle's beside me, looking to the opposite side of the room. She's purposely trying to avoid me.

"Camille and Josh, Ethan and Gabby, and lastly, and lastly, Noah and Richelle.

I can almost feel the tension radiating off of Richelle; she's not happy. A smile grows on my face as I think of what it would be like dancing with her, but it quickly drops when she turns around.

The dirty-blonde locks she has are a little bit wavy today and they frame her face perfectly. But when I look at her face, her lips are pressed together in a fine line, and her eyes are once again narrowed at me. I'm beginning to wonder if she ever even smiles.

"So..." I begin, trying to break the tension. "Our duet's gonna be awesome. Should we get started?"