Your smile - The Next Step

the last straw

Noah couldn't quite put into words how guilty he was feeling. He was the reason Harper was so miserable, all because he couldn't keep his feelings to himself. Something had to change. James may have claimed to be a 'love doctor', his words, but this was making Harper upset and that was something he couldn't afford to do. 

The brunette had formulated a three step plan to get things back on track. He would firstly apologise to his best friend in the hopes of re-kindling their friendship. Then he would do everything in his ability to view her as just a friend. No shining golden hair, no bright green eyes that sparkled like the sea. Just Harper. And finally, possibly the most difficult task of all, was to take on Richelle. 

The two girls had developed a relationship full of nothing but hatred since she had arrived at the studio and Noah intended to remedy that. He didn't care if they were never the best of friends, but he would no longer tolerate the both of them being entirely too stubborn to start over. Things were about to change. 

Although the very first thing he needed to focus on was his A-Troupe audition. Himself and Richelle were the only two from J Troupe who wanted to try out but he was still scared senseless to dance in front of all those people. 

Harper sat beside her sister and Eldon who were warming up for the challenge to make it onto the nationals team, but her mind was elsewhere. She honestly felt at times that Michelle was the only person she could talk to anymore. She just felt completely alone at the studio, like nobody wanted her around anymore. Her eyes drifted over to Richelle who was practicing and sent Harper a glare before snapping her attention away. Harper truly had no idea what she had done to make Richelle hate her so much, but it was getting overwhelming. 

"Okay everyone, it's time." Kate called which was Harper's cue to take her seat on one of the benches off to the side as the other dancers gathered around. They all pushed back to the sides of the room as the music kicked in. 

Eldon was up first for the solos and Harper wasn't too surprised that he was doing amazing. She probably couldn't name a better dancer. Then came Hunter who also did a great job and it was refreshing to see him dance. He had been a 'close-friend' of Michelle's back in Madison, meaning they were basically dating, so it was nice for her to see him again. She just hoped there wouldn't be too much drama between the two guys and her sister, although knowing Michelle there most definitely would be. 

A few more dancers went, all doing a pretty great job, and then it was Noah's turn. Although seeing him made her feel a little down, Harper struggled to fight back her smile. He was just amazing considering how young they were. She'd probably never be able to dance to such a high standard. Following Noah came Richelle whipping out every trick in her repertoire. Harper felt incredibly intimidated by her, she was like a machine and the entire room releasing cheers of approval really didn't help much either. 

As the solo round came to a swift end with Giselle, the two dance captains went to deliberate in Kate's office with Kate and Phoebe leaving the other dancers to chat nervously as they awaited the final decision. Harper caught Richelle's eye once again and decided to return her glare from earlier to get even to which the shorter blonde rolled her eyes and returned to her conversation. Noah watched this and released an exasperated sigh. They really were as bad as each other. 

"So I was awesome right?" James' voice filled the girl's ears as he perched on the bench snapping her from her thoughts.

"You were great." She told him and although she wasn't lying, it didn't come across as a heartfelt sentiment. Her eyes drifted across the room to where Noah and Richelle were now chatting eagerly to Gabby and Camille who had come to see them and it just reminded her of how alone she felt. It was like the minute Richelle walked through those doors, everyone had decided they wanted nothing to do with Harper. 

"Harper what's up?" James asked as he noticed her eyes began to gloss over. 

"I have to go." She just about managed to get out with a trembling voice as she walked out of the studio as fast as her legs would take her. She didn't want to draw any attention, and thankfully nobody besides James had noticed, but she couldn't just sit there watching her old friend having fun and talking without a second thought for her. She knew it sounded incredibly selfish and she knew that not everything was about her, but it was just difficult to watch.

Michelle instantly knew something was wrong when she saw a flash of blonde hair zip past the window in Kate's office. The two sisters were in a really good place in terms of their own relationship, but they weren't really talking all that much. Michelle was spending so much time with Eldon and her dance captain duties that she hadn't even realised Harper was so upset about something. The worst part was, she couldn't even leave to comfort her as this was too important for the nationals team.

Harper found her way to the music room and sunk to the floor leaning her weight against the wall. She released a shaky breath and tried to steady herself but all the built up anger and loneliness was swirling around inside her like an endless whirlpool. 

The sound of footsteps and muffled voices filled her ears as two figures rounded the corner. Kate and Phoebe had just dismissed the dancers for a short break and were going to the music room to make some final adjustments to the choreography for the challenge but Kate instantly spotted Harper and frowned. 

"Phoebe, go and run over the choreography with Emily in studio A. I'll be there soon." The studio head asked her sister as she glanced down at the small girl in pity. Phoebe nodded in understanding and left the two of them alone. Kate moved over to where Harper was leaning against the wall and sat beside the girl. "Harper, are you going to tell me what's going on?" 

"It's nothing really." She insisted, trying desperately to disguise the trembling in her voice. 

"You've been here at the Next Step for a while now so I think I know you pretty well. Just please tell me what's wrong so I can help you." Harper really didn't want to bother Kate with her ridiculous J Troupe drama but it appeared that she wasn't going to let it go anytime soon.

"I've always considered the studio a safe place, I mean it feels more like a home to me than my real home, but lately something hasn't been right. Whenever I come to dance I instantly wanna leave, and I feel so alone here it's like nobody wants me here. I know it sounds stupid but-"

"Harper, it doesn't sound stupid at all. Your feelings are completely valid no matter how small of an issue you deem it to be, although by the looks of it this situation might be a little more out of hand than you think." Kate interrupted her.. 

"It's really just silly drama, I can handle it." 

"If you could handle it, you would have but clearly you can't deal with this on your own. It's not healthy to keep everything all bottled up inside of you. But I have a solution I can offer." 

"Really Miss Kate you don't have to-" she tried again but the studio head held up her hand to stop her. 

"Clearly the situation between yourself, Noah and Richelle is getting to you more than you expected. I think you need to take some time away from the studio." 

"But my spot in J Troupe-"

"Will be waiting for you when you're better. But I won't have you becoming emotionally damaged because of studio drama, it's my job to put my foot down so that's what I'm doing." Harper offered a smile towards Kate, probably the first genuine one in weeks. The more she considered it, the more appealing the idea sounded. Having some time away would let her sort herself out. 

"Thank you for being so understanding." 

"Of course, that's what I'm here for." "We'll all be waiting for you when you get back. Now go and pack up your cubby, I called your mom and she's on her way." 

"Bye Miss Kate." 

"I'll see you soon Harper." 

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a/n: wow it's been a hot minute. so sorry for not updating sooner but i've been super busy since doing my exams but at least you got a chapter eventually lmao. anyways please share your support by voting or commenting if you enjoyed this chapter! it went a bit deeper than i orignally intended but we'll roll with it. thank you so much for reading and your patience! xx