To Catch Your Fall | Heathoah

8. Do It Solo

A/N: TW - Mentions of past sexual assault/attempted rape

Noah

I cover my mouth as I yawn, hoping Emily doesn't see. She already saw the slight bags under my eyes when I came in today, and I had to say I just stayed up a bit too late on the costumes. 

All I could think of was his hands on me. Restraining me and not letting go when I asked. It felt suffocating and like I was going to die anytime I managed to fall asleep for just a few moments.

I'm not sure how she'd react if I told her what happened. Would she even believe me? Everyone sees Nick the same why as I did until yesterday. They might all think I'm lying to get him fired for some reason or something. 

Each time I've seen him today I've tried to just sink into my laptop. If I even so much as look him in the eye...I might crumble. Thankfully Emily sent him out of the studio today to pick up some samples of fabrics for her. Plus, we've been holding the auditions for the Nationals solos today, so it's let me think about something else. 

"I'm kind of torn between two for the female solo. Since Richelle's routine was very acro orientated. You know, her specialty. And I think that it would really impress the judges. But, Piper's was incredibly emotionally captivating and I know it would draw both them and the audience in." I say to Emily as I scribble on one of my many notepads. 

"Okay, well..." She stops for a moment. When I look up, I can see she is having a similar conflict to myself, but for a different reason. "Like you said, Richelle did what she usually does. Do we really want that she represent us. It might be a bit...boring."

She thinks Richelle's dancing is...boring? The same Richelle that moves though the air like she weights nothing and bends her body as if bones don't restrict her? The same one that also has come up with more completely original moves than anyone I have ever seen?

What the actually fuck is going on with her?!

"Hm, I see..." I set my pen down and fold my hand together. "And this is you being 100 percent professional and unbiased about it. Not this random hatred that you've seemed to adapt for her letely?" She glares at me for my mocking tone, putting down her own work.

"I do not hate any of my dancers." Her voice is cold and annunciates each word.

"Right, cause you've been a bundle of hugs where Richelle is concerned lately."

"You say all this as if you're not giving her the solo just because she's your best friend."

"No, I'm considering choosing her because of her actual skills. Not all of us let our relationships with people destroy our work." To show my point, I jut my chin at her phone, where she was texting Michelle only a minute ago. 

"How dare you-"

"What was it you said a few days ago about me only being Head Choreographer? Well, such as it was that your job covered deciding the Dance Captain this year, choosing who is in each dance in under mine. So, I'm going to do what I think is best. Which I think now is making Richelle the soloist, with Piper as her understudy." 

The two of us stare at one-another for over a minute. Neither of us want to back down. I'm sure as fuck not going to! I'm the only one here that seems to be taking my job seriously, so I'm not going to listen to any of Emily's advice. Eventually, she just scoffs and goes back down to her devices. Good, at-least that's settled.

As I go to head out to tell a-troupe my decision though, I here a hasp come from her.

"What is it?" I roll my eyes as look back. Her eyes are open wide and she's practically gripping her phone in her hands.

"It's Michelle...she says she's coming back."