Unfaithful

Chapter 15: Jacquie

We were just sitting around, talking. Everyone else had gone home and it was just me and Noah left. We were watching Brooklyn Nine Nine on repeat like usual, and laughing together. It was fun. And then before I knew what was happening we were kissing, for what felt like a really long time. And then I finally pulled away and he left. Slamming the door behind him.

It's been one week since me and Noah kissed. But it's all I've thought about. Every rehearsal Richelle's annoyed at me. I'd almost think she knew, except if she knew I'd definitely know about it. No, she's annoyed because I'm not focused and I'm messing up every routine we do. The rest of the team's annoyed too, but more at Noah then me. I guess they didn't think him blowing off his girlfriend all the time was cool.

I'm avoiding Noah like the plague because I don't know what to do. I really like him. Like a lot. But he has a girlfriend, and I really didn't want to be that girl. I came here to dance, not to cause drama. But I think it might be too late for that now. I don't even know what Noah wants. Some days he's begging me to talk, then the next he's ignoring me. He flirts with me but as soon as he knows I'm not talking to him, he turns around and becomes Richelle's attentive boyfriend. What he's doing is awful and I should hate him for it but I don't. I still like him, and the whole situation is starting to make me despise myself.

I'm sitting at home, watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine when Noah texts.

'Are you up?'

'Please stop ignoring me'

'We need to talk about what happened'

I sigh. He's right, we can't keep ignoring things. I need to know where I stand, even if I'm dreading the conversation.

'Sure. Let's talk' I type back.

'I'm outside your house? Wanna go for a drive?'

His message comes through and I groan. I don't want to get up, but I'd really prefer not having to explain to my parents why I'm having a boy over at eleven o'clock at night.

'Be right out'

Half an hour later, we've done a lot of driving but no talking. We've just driven around nearby streets, sitting in silence. But it's comfortable, despite what happened. Our friendship was really good, and I don't want it to be ruined. Eventually Noah pulls back up outside my house.

"So" he begins nervously. "So." "Look, the truth is I'm not sorry about last week." "What" I say. I'm kind of stunned, to be honest. This is not where I though the conversation would go. "Yeah, I mean I like you. I know I've been a jerk this week and I know I have a girlfriend but I want to see where things could go between us." "So basically, you want to cheat on your girlfriend with me?" I clarify. It's meant to come out as sarcastic but it doesn't. I'm struck by the fact I'm not dismissing it as an awful idea, even though it is on multiple levels. "Yeah" Noah says. "I mean I know it sounds bad, but just until the times right and I can end things with Richelle. It'll be soon though, it's just I don't want to waste the chemistry between us" he trails off expectantly, waiting for my answer.

This is a bad idea. Every fibre of my being is screaming at me not to do this. I don't want to be this girl. What Noah us suggesting isn't just awful to Richelle, but it's disrespectful to me as well. I'm disgusted by the fact it isn't stopping me from saying yes. I smile, then lean over and kiss him. He kisses me back and even though I know I'm doing the wrong thing, I don't regret it, at least not yet.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of the car. "You can take me on a date tomorrow" I say. "Great." He smiles, and the butterflies in my stomach swoop. "I'll pick you up at seven." I smile and shut the car door. He waits for me to go inside before driving off.