It won't keep us apart

Chapter 8: Here goes everything

Richelle's POV

Today's the day things will either get solved or get worse. I'm standing outside the place I call my second home: the studio. I won't be going there today, but tomorrow I'll be back. Whoever is the new studio head, they wouldn't know what hit them when they see what I can do.

I carefully make my way up to Shakes and Ladders. I step into the room and all the colours catch my eyes. Games ranging from big to small, from board to wall. It's so different from Neutral Grounds, but it seems like the theme of changing up this place happens every year.

After gazing around for a couple of minutes, I find myself a chair at one of the high tables. I take my phone out of my purse. Two minutes until Noah's supposed to be here.

Someone behind me clears their throat. I turn around to see who it was. Noah's standing there watching me with his hands in his pockets. Here goes everything.

"You know you can sit down," I say.

He runs his hand through his hair. "Hey, I think I've already figured that out, but suit yourself."

Noah pulls out the chair from under the table and plants himself on it.

"Who runs this place now?" I'm curious about Shakes and Ladders, and I want to know more.

"Oh, Emily and Michelle own it."

"Okay, wow. I never expected that. So..." I begin.

A familiar figure in enters Shakes and Ladders. Dark brown hair sleeked back in a bun. It's Piper. She looks red faced and exhausted.

Noah follows my eyes and sees Piper.

"Oh, hey Piper!" he says with a wave.

Piper grins at Noah and I. "Hey you two! I haven't seen you for ages Richelle. How are you?"

I smile back. "I feel better than I have in a while. You look exhausted Piper."

"It's nothing. I've been practising that's why I look like a mess," she replies. "Well, I gotta go soon because my mum's here to pick me up. Later Noah and Richelle."

Piper grabs a juice before heading out and I wave goodbye to her.

"Now, back to what we came here for," I continue.

Noah quirks an eyebrow at me. "Right. How's everything been going for you lately?"

"Me?! Well, you already know that I was at the hospital at the beginning of this week, and then you decided to turn up," I say pointedly.

"Hey! I thought you'd be happy to see me," he holds his hands up in surrender.

I smirk. "I haven't finished talking yet."

"Fine. Go on then," he mutters, rolling his eyes.

"To be honest, I half expected to see you turn up to visit me," I admit.

"Hold up. You didn't just say that to me, did you?" Noah asks.

"Noah, what did I just tell you?"

He just laughs instead of making a comeback at me.

"Then you turned up at my house and stood outside of my bedroom window. I didn't know how to react. I was so shocked and creeped out at the same time. Later that day, I found your letter at the door and I read through it a couple of times to check whether my eyes were deceiving me. I must admit that your letter was sweet. Even though it brought back all the memories of things that I didn't want to remember, I see that you're truly sorry now," I explain.

Noah nods slowly.

There's one more thing I need to say, and I'm ready to tell him. I take a deep breath in.

"I'm sorry," I mumble and look down.

"Richelle, look at me," Noah gets off his chair so he can stand in front of me. Then he lifts my chin up with a finger.

"I'm sorry Noah. For everything"

He pulls back from me and remains standing.

This time, I mean it. With all my heart. Nothing can change my mind about that. After everything that has happened this week, I've finally decided what I want.

Noah's POV

I'm blown away by her apology. From her expression and voice, I can hear how sincere it is and I know for sure that she means it this time.

Richelle gets up from her chair and folds her arms around me. I'm taken aback, yet I wrap my arms around her. It feels good to have her in my arms again. She leans her head against my chest for a moment and then pulls away.

"So, we're back to being friends again?" I cautiously ask.

"Friends," she replies with a smile.

"Well, what's the studio like now?" Richelle questions as she sits back down.

I take my place next to her and answer, "It's a long story."

"I'm listening to you, so go ahead," she says quietly.

"The new studio head is Miss Angela, and let me tell you, she's not the best... She says that we need some razzle dazzle in our dancing. She also decided to bring her daughter along to the studio. Things have been a little hectic lately. Piper's been struggling with acro, and Miss Angela disapproves of that... Which led to Piper leaving the studio," I sigh.

Richelle just blinks confusedly at me. "I don't know what to say, but... she shouldn't have done that to Piper. Just because she struggles with acro, doesn't mean this Miss Angela should get all worked up about it."

I lift my eyebrows. "Huh. Trust me on this one, Miss Angela's a difficult person."

"How come Piper was around today?"

"I'm not sure what Piper was doing, but she's gone now," I reply.

Her phone dings with a notification. She pulls her phone out to see what it is.

"What's up?"

"I need to leave in a few minutes to pick up Abbey from school," she says without looking up from her screen.

"Tell her I said hi," I grin.

"Alright. I guess I gotta go now."

I get up with her. "I'll walk out with you."

Richelle and I go downstairs from the juice bar. We exit through the main doors of the building.

"I'll see you sometime soon?" I ask hopefully, as I push my hair back.

"Yeah, see ya Noah."

We half hug each other before we leave. I give her a big smile and she smiles back at me as she walks off to her car.

Our formerly broken friendship has been amended, and I'm proud that we managed to solve things between ourselves. We've still got a long road ahead. Who knows where it'll take us?

Maybe things could be almost like they were before, but of course, it'll never be the same.

A/N: Finally, everything is alright. Does that necessarily mean that things will stay smooth?

I enjoyed writing the Nochelle part where Richelle is recounting her week to Noah, but he keeps interrupting. Probably my favourite part of this chapter!