It won't keep us apart

Chapter 17: Me, not you

Richelle's POV

I walk through the new choreography, recounting all the bits and pieces as I move around. We are currently working on a new dance until Emily and Michelle are ready to talk to us. I take a few steps forward, preparing for a back layout. I run up, and as I mark my roundoff, Emily and Michelle make their way into the studio.

"Alright everybody, gather up! We've got a couple of important announcements to make," Michelle declares.

They patiently wait as we crowd around them. I wonder what they're going to say. Maybe there's going to be some new stuff for this studio. There is murmuring from the others beside me, trying to guess what could be so important.

"We know you're excited, but let us do the talking," Emily says with a satisfied smile. "Over to you, Michelle."

Michelle nods in response. "As you all know, regionals is coming up soon and we need to–"

"Hang on, we still have quite a bit of time though," Henry states, looking slightly confused.

"Henry, the point is, is that we should get moving as soon as possible so we have more time to perfect all our dances," Emily snaps.

"As I said, we need to begin choreographing the duet and small groups for regionals," Michelle continues, raising her eyebrows.

"First up, for the duet, we have..." Emily pauses.

The duet? I'm in it for sure. Thinking about it, Noah is also a strong dancer. He'd be a good duet partner for me. We've worked together for many duets, and I know that we will be the ones who can win it for the team.

"Noah and..."

Please say it's me. I close my eyes and wait eagerly to hear my name.

"Summer! Congrats to you two, you'll be our duet for regionals this year!"

Everyone claps happily for Noah and Summer. I open my eyes and stand there, clapping slowly. What just happened?

I thought I would be the one to get a place in the duet. Me, not Summer.

I shoot a glare in Emily's direction. However, it seems like she's oblivious to my anger. Emily carries on listing off dancers for the other dances.

My thoughts end up drowning me into a pool of fury, shutting off the voices from around me. Out of everyone here, it had to be her? This isn't right. That's why I need to make things right. Starting with kicking Summer off the duet.

I know she's good, but I am much better and more capable at keeping the team in a high position on the ladder.

There's something bothering me in the back of my mind. I'm trying to figure out what it is, but I can't exactly grasp it.

Oh no.

I completely forgot that Noah and I aren't on good terms right now. Why does one idea always lead to another problem? Like when I thought about taking Summer's spot in the duet, it turns out that Noah is still holding a grudge against me.

Forget all this. I still want to be considered for a place in the duet. Even if it means that I have to make one with him while he's still putting a dance together with Summer.

Anything to prove my worthiness to Emily and Michelle.

"Okay that's all we've got to say, and we'll see you all tomorrow," Michelle clasps her hands together and grins.

I go over to my cubby and pull my phone out of my bag. What was I going to do? I bite my lip in thought.

Ah, there we go. I tap on my messages and scroll through my contacts. My fingers type away on my screen.

I pause and read through my text. Hm, it seems reasonable enough. Satisfied, I tap 'send'.

All I have to do is wait for the reply.

Noah's POV
I flick the indicator on to turn right. The music on the radio plays softly in the background as I drive. I happily hum along to the song.

Bzzz! My phone buzzes with a message. It's probably not urgent.

My eyes dart away from the road in front of me and to the side mirror. I watch the reflection of my car as I reverse into the driveway. After switching through, I finally manage to park my car properly at home.

I turn the keys in the ignition off and pick up my phone from the empty seat beside me. My screen lights up with a second notification. A message from my mum just popped up asking whether I could pick up Kingsley from his acting lessons or not. There's a second message from not long ago from someone else I haven't spoken to for a while. 

I swipe to open mum's text first and answer her with a 'yes'. I then go back to the new message.

"I know it's a big ask, but are you willing to work with me on another duet to show Emily and Michelle?" I read aloud, raising my eyebrows questioningly.

Richelle, Richelle, Richelle. 

How am I meant to answer your question?

'No sorry I don't want to thanks' or 'Why on earth would I want to work with you?'

How about–

Placing my phone down beside me, I push a hand through my hair with a frustrated sigh. I need to stop with this. All of these thoughts aren't going to work out well. I know, as much I don't want to admit it, I want to do this. Jacquie's already told me to get over it, and that is something I will do: push all my hatred away to start fresh.

No matter what it takes.

A/N: It took me a while to figure out how I would write up this chapter because I originally didn't plan to have this chapter. Now I've got a couple of ideas for the upcoming events.

Also as another note, I'm not hating on Summer if you thought I was. I just wrote all of Richelle's thoughts like what I reckon she'd probably think about Summer (since Richelle's a little jealous of her...)