Replacing Richelle

13.Dance Battle Day (part two)

Jacquie's POV:

When Ms. Kate draws my name out of the hat first, I'm not worried. I love competition and I'm ready to destroy. The only people I don't want to compete against are the ones I care for too much. If I had it my way, I'd get to compete against Richelle and then Noah and I would go back to the way we were. Without her.

I take out a little slip and I immediately regret my choice when I read the name. I can't look at him. I can't look at him. I can't.
"Henry." He's crushed, just as I am. We were finally getting back to being the best of friends like we previously were. I just head out, Zara running after me. I can't face them right now.

"Jacquie." I hear his voice, I'm confused. Why would he be here after everything that's happened? I ignore him.
"Jacquie." I wish he'd leave. This would be a lot easier if he'd leave.
"Jacquie? Why the hell are you crying?" I can't. I just can't.
"Because Noah! You! Henry was my best friend until I ruined it all. Then you were my boyfriend until I obviously ruined it all. If you think I'm going to go in there and compete against my best friend, you're wrong! You are so damned wrong!" I don't even know where this is coming from.

Noah's POV:

I've had enough. She needs to know that what I did was not what I wanted to do. I can't be living in a lie my whole life.
"Look, I don't care Jacquie. There I said it. It doesn't give you the excuse to run off and cry and try to ruin dates. It doesn't give you permission to not compete or ruin Richelle's life. I love Richelle. You have to accept that. What I did was wrong, I know, but you can't just keep pretending. We lost what we had a long time ago. Henry sure has a right to feel the same way. So correct me if I'm wrong, but you are going to go in there and compete against somebody you used to know." I pause. She nods a little. I give her one last keepsake.
"Put on a brave face, beautiful." What did I just say? Why is she moving closer? We're now hugging. Richelle's going to see. I'm going to lose her again. I can't do this. I'm not replacing Richelle.

Jacquie's POV:

Noah's hugs are my favourite. I lean out and stare at him. He's panicking. I kiss him, gently but briefly.
"There's a goodbye kiss. We never had one." He's gone bright red. Here comes the explosion.
"I have a girlfriend!" I burst out crying again. After all that time I spent with him. I'm still fragile, even if he isn't.

I compete against Henry and I think I do pretty well. It's not my best work ever, but I'm dealing with a lot. I hope they respect that. I'm fragile. I'm fragile. I'm fragile.

But I'm also stronger than anyone could predict. And they're about to find out about it.

A/N: A little short, I know but I wanted to plan everything for the next final chapters. There will be a time jump from the battle to after it next chapter.

Will Noah tell Richelle about the kiss? Do you think it is that big of a deal?

Also thank you guys so much! I literally just found out I hit 1K reads. That honestly means the absolute world to me! I hope all 1K of you all like my writing because there's lots more coming! Xx