Your smile - The Next Step

trying times

Life at the studio was completely different for Harper. Noah was still ignoring her at all costs and Richelle was making it her personal mission to make her life a living hell. Just the other day she had spilt a juice over herself and told Miss Kate that Harper did it just to get her in trouble. It was beginning to really affect her, but that was the very least of Harper's problems.

She still had no idea what was going on with Noah. Every time she tried to talk to him he ran away from her like she was the plague. It had reached a point that he wasn't even trying to make up excuses anymore, it was like he just wanted her out of his life.

Obviously, she still had Michelle and a few other people at the studio to hang out with, but with the drama concerning 'the challenge' for the Nationals team there was a lot going on. Harper had considered auditioning for the nationals team but she didn't feel confident enough to go up against much older and more experienced dancers. Not to mention Richelle was also competing so she'd probably end up ruining it one way or another.

She had been sat in Kate's office since she arrived at the studio as there was something they apparently needed to discuss. Her fingers were crossed that it wasn't Richelle-related as Harper had noticed that the studio head had taken quite a liking to her. She could only pray that Richelle hadn't done something else to get her in even more trouble.

As Kate walked in, Harper felt herself tense up as she nervously chewed on the inside of her cheek. She smiled at the younger girl but that somehow didn't make her feel any better.

"So, what did you need to see about?" She asked cautiously as she could feel her heart beating loudly in her chest.

"Don't look so nervous Harper, I just wanted to ask you if you'd come and watch the auditions for the nationals team later on." The girl frowned in confusion, that was the exact opposite of what she expected to hear. "I know you're not auditioning this year and I think that's completely fine as you need to feel ready enough, but I think by observing the auditions it might be a good exposure to what the process is like and hopefully when you're a little older you'll feel more ready."

"Uh, okay. Yeah that sounds great." She replied releasing a small sigh of relief. She wasn't overjoyed about having to sit through the entirety of the auditions, but she was overall just glad that she wasn't in trouble again. As she stood up from her chair, Kate placed a hand on her shoulder making her pause.

"Oh and Harper, you know you can always come to me. With any problems or worries you have." Kate told her with a gentle smile. "Is there anything going on that I should know about?" Harper had a feeling that Kate was suspicious about herself and Richelle's difficult relationship and as much as she wanted to tell her the truth, she couldn't. She knew that telling Kate would only make things ten times worse, so all Harper did was shake her head. Kate sighed but allowed her to leave anyhow.

As Harper made her way to exit the office, Noah entered and they both froze face to face. She desperately wanted to say something to him but she also desperately didn't feel like being ignored again. Without even looking up to meet his eyes, she sighed and walked past him. Not having Noah around anymore made everything feel weird at the studio. Richelle seemed to have been right, was it really worth it without her best friend.

Strolling aimlessly down the hallway allowed Harper's mind to wander. She first thought about Richelle and if there was any possible way she could get back at her, but then again she didn't want to stoop to that level. Then her mind drifted to Noah, and an odd memory came flooding into her head as she thought back to the last time they had properly spoken, at regionals.

She remembered just after she had made up with Michelle, he was acting really weird. Noah couldn't even meet her eye and James, West and Eldon were definitely trying to cover something for him. Then Noah spoke a lot about cucumbers for some reason. And then it hit her. James had said, "all in good time" which meant he must have known what was going on with Noah.