Your smile - The Next Step

absence makes the heart grow fonder

Harper anxiously chewed at her nails as she watched cars driving the opposite direction out the window. A part of her really wished she was headed that way back home instead of on her way to the studio, but it was only a few minutes until they would arrive and it would be far too last to ask her mum to turn the car around. 

She had decided to take up Noah's offer of watching him and James perform at a charity fundraiser put together by Michelle and Chloe. Her stomach was feeling queasy at the thought of being back in the studio again in the same day. She had thought each time would get easier, but she felt even more nervous than she had done that morning, a million thoughts running through her mind.

What if Richelle was there to cause trouble? What if Noah was going to go back on his apology and pretend that she didn't exist anymore? What if nobody really wanted her there? All seemed like drastic thoughts but for Harper the closer she got to the studio, the more real they felt. 

The car halted to a stop outside the studio and her mum glanced up at Harper through the rear-view mirror. 

"Are you sure you'll be okay sweetheart?" The woman asked as she noticed her daughter nervously fidgetting with the hem of her skirt. Harper glanced up to her mum, took a big breath in and nodded before bidding her a goodbye. 

She nervously approached the entrance to Culture Shock and instantly noticed Noah who was sat with James. Giselle and West were performing some sort of ventriloquist act on the stage, which looked highly amusing, so Harper discreetly made her way over to the juice bar. 

"Hey, can I get a peach juice please." She asked the barista politely who smiled in response but just as Harper was about to pay, a voice stopped her. 

"That's on me." Noah said as he handed his money to the lady. Harper turned to face him, not entirely sure how to feel. 

"I can pay for my own juice you know." The girl spoke in an unreadable tone. Of course she wanted her friendship with Noah back to the way it was, but it was going to take a lot more than a half hearted apology and buying her a juice to make things right between them. How he treated her really hurt Harper. 

"I know, but it's the least I can do. Harper, I am so so sorry for how I've treated you these last few months. We're supposed to be best friends and I wasn't there for you when you needed me, plus I didn't realise how bad things had gotten with Richelle. But I promise, from here on out I will be the best friend ever and you can always count on me with everything. I won't let me feel- uh, my family problems get in the way." Harper frowned a little as Noah stumbled on his words. It almost sounded as though he was going to say 'feelings', but she shook off the thought as it made no sense. What could Noah's feelings possibly have to do with how he treated her. 

"You made me feel like you didn't care at all Noah. Like you were embarressed of me, and would've done anything not to be seen with me." She replied as the memories of the last few months came flooding to her mind. 

"I know I did, and I know that a stupid apology isn't gonna make up for all that, but it's a start right?" The blonde pondered that thought for a second. Maybe the best thing was to put this in the past and start fresh. His apology did seem genuine.

"Okay Noah, I forgive you, as long as you promise not to treat me like that again." The boy standing opposite her beamed brighter than the sun, if that were possible, and engulfed her in a bone crushing hug. A warm feeling spreasd throughout her body, and she felt as though things were slowly returning to normal. "Shall we go and sit with James? I think you guys are on next."

"Uh, or we could stay right here?" Noah suggested as a flush of panic spread across his features. Harper frowned in confusion but ignored the boy as she grabbed her juice and headed for James, Noah sheepishly trailing behind her. 

"Hey James" she greeted him cheerfully, but James certainly did not look so happy. "What's wrong?"

"I'll tell you exactly what's wrong Harper" he began to speak, overemphasising her name. "Amanda is a complete no show so we have no singer." 

"Well, crazy suggestion here, but can't Noah sing?" James' frown deepended further as he huffed in frustration.

"You would think so, but your little friend over there isn't cooperating." The boy folded his arms in annoyance and stared over at Noah. Harper turned her attention to him and noticed how nervous he looked. 

"Noah, you can't possibly have stage fright. You have an amazing voice, and you've sung infront of people before." 

"That was before my voice started breaking!" He exclaimed with a voice crack so loud it made Harper jump. She understood where Noah was coming from, but she knew he was being a little dramatic about it as he so often was.

"Noah, this is one of those times when you have to dig deep and just try. I know it might seem a little embarassing but who actually cares if your voice breaks a little when you're singing. If anything they're gonna care more if you're brave, go out there and give it your best shot. Everyone knows how talented you are so it's better to give it a go than be a coward." Harper encouraged him inspirationally, but it was her next words that flipped the switch. "I believe in you."  

A blush spread across Noah's cheeks as he replayed her words a million times over in his head "I believe in you". Although his crush on Harper hadn't seemed to fade at all, despite ignoring her for months and almost completely ruining their friendship, he could see now that at that point in time he only needed her as a friend, and she was pretty much the best friend he could ask for. James was right about two things; he wasn't mature enough to date Harper and make it last, and he was ready to perform. 

"Let's go James." He ordered with confidence seeping from every part of him. James and Harper exchanged an amused look at how quickly she was able to change his mind before James hurried to join him on the stage.

Harper danced along to the song as they began and pride was shining out of her, she was so impressed that Noah had trusted her and went out there even though he was scared. And moreso than that, she was so happy that things between them were seeming to be back on track. It finally felt like her best friend was back.

|||

hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! This book is getting closer and closer to the end, we're about half way through season 2 at this point and it will be ending just after Nationals. I do have a few more things in the works after this is finished so make sure to stay tuned for those :) 

please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter <3