Unfaithful

Chapter 25: Piper

I'm up in my room, after chatting to my mom and James about all the drama between Noah and Richelle and Jacquie. James stood up for Noah a bit, saying he can do what he wants and it sort of escalated to the point where my mum told us both to go away and relax. So now I'm lying in bed debating whether or not to text Richelle. I'm really worried about her, if I'm honest. She keeps saying she's fine, but she's just come out of a slightly toxic, year long relationship. There's no way she's fine, no matter how strong she is. Up until this year, I thought her and Noah were perfect together but him flirting with Jacquie sort of highlighted their flaws as a couple. I'm not dissing either of them but Noah was controlling and toxic, and Richelle let him get away with it. Noah cheating is his fault, and so is the breakup, but honestly, it's not entirely his fault their relationship failed. They both had issues that needed to work on.

An alarm goes off on my phone, letting me know it's midnight. I need to sleep, I have a big maths test tomorrow morning that I'm not really prepared for but it's too late now. I decide to check in with Richelle, I know she won't answer but I know I won't sleep if I don't.

'Hey Richelle, how're u holding up? Lmk if u need anything, I'm thinking of u and hope ur doin ok x'

I put my phone down and plug it in to charge but as I go to turn off my light, I get an alert. Strange, she never normally responds this quick or this late.

'Yeah, I'm fine Piper, don't worry about me but thanks though x'

I sigh in relief. Maybe she really is fine. Maybe I'm overthinking things. I can check in with her tomorrow at rehearsals anyway. Now I just need to try not to worry about tomorrows maths test.

***

I get to rehearsals pretty early, because I want to get some practice in by myself first. When I go into studio 1, Richelle's doing exercises at the ballet bar and I decide to join her. She smiles at me as I start, and for a while it's quiet as we both focus on our own technique and dancing. Then I hear a crack.

"Did you hear that?" I ask Richelle, stopping and turning to look at her. "Hear what?" she asks, feigning confusion. I've known her long enough to tell when she's lying though, and I don't buy it. "Are you injured?" I ask. "No" she says, but she says it in the same tone as before and she looks resigned, as though she knows I won't believe her. "Oh my god, you are" I gasp. "Why are you still dancing, you could permanently injure yourself!" "Look Piper, it's nothing, I'm fine. My hip's just a bit stiff, it's nothing to worry about" she attempts to reassure me but I'm not convinced. "You shouldn't be dancing" I say firmly. "You need to tell Emily and West." "Piper, I can't, ok? After the breakup..." her voice wobbles slightly and I realise she's holding back tears, and that she's actually not ok. She takes a deep breath, composing herself, and continues. "It's just, I need dance. I can't get through this without it. Please just trust me" she pleads. Against my better judgement, I agree. "Fine. If it's really as small as you say it is, I'll leave it. But if it gets worse you've to take a break." "I promise" Richelle says, then, surprisingly, leans in and hugs me. "Thank you Piper" she says quietly. "No problem" I say, hugging back. It's clear now that she's not ok and she really needs dance. I'm not sure I made the right decision but at least she seems a bit happier.

We return to doing the exercises at the ballet bar and her hip doesn't crack again. It's reassuring to know it probably is just nothing. It's only when we finish up and she's stretching out slightly, and I see her since in pain that I realise I may have made the wrong choice. But it's too late now. I gave her my word and I'll have to stick to it. I just have to hope she'll do the same.