It won't keep us apart

Chapter 19: Dance, truths and lies

Noah's POV
I stand in the corner of the room as I watch the troupe showcase the new piece that they have been rehearsing for the past week.

After the trio section of the dance, Lily slowly walks in after the others clear off to the sides. She then goes to do a back handspring, but she lands on her right hand awkwardly and crumples on the floor.

The troupe immediately surrounds her, speaking in hushed voices. I push through them and I reach to where Lily is sitting. I crouch down to inspect her hand. Her face is etched with pain, but she is trying not to show it.

"Noah, let us have a look," a familiar voice commands.

Emily and Michelle are now beside me and they tell everyone to give Lily space.

"That includes you Noah," Emily glances at me pointedly.

I move away, but not too far from them.

Emily confirms that she needs to get her wrist checked.

"I can't tell how bad your wrist is, but you definitely need to see your doctor about this."

Michelle pales and says, "I hate to break it to you Em, but we probably have to tell Angela about this."

"Great," Emily groans.

Lily gazes at the pair before stating, "You know that I can tell her that for myself?"

"Well, I think you should leave it to us. After all, your mum isn't going to be particularly happy with the news," Emily gives Lily a sympathetic smile.

"Fine, do what you need to do," Lily grimaces.

Richelle's POV
There are voices behind the door of Elliot's house. I can hear numerous voices. I decided to visit him again after rehearsal because it's been a while since I've last seen him.

I adjust my bag on my shoulder and raise my hand up to knock on the door. Before my hand even touches the door, a friend of Elliot answers the door.

He has dirty blonde curls sprouting from the top of his head. His grey eyes inspect me carefully, yet I can see something good behind them. Presumably, this guy is either Jack or Samuel. Elliot never introduced me to them, but he often spoke about them.

"I didn't know that Elliot had friends over."

"He didn't tell you?" he cocks his head at me.

So I'm the last one to know? Brilliant.

"I guess you can come in then. Oh, it's Samuel by the way, but call me Sam," he says as I step past him and trudge down the hallway.

Sam shuts the door with a click.

I reach the living room. The sight before me, I don't even know how I should react. My heart drops and I recall Piper telling me that I should do something about my relationship with Elliot.

This, all of this, gives me the real reason why I have to take charge.

Elliot is entwined with another girl. Their lips are locked and his hand is running through her dark locks. The girl has planted herself right on his lap.

"E-E-Elliot?" I splutter, causing him to pull away from the girl.

He gapes at my sudden appearance, and the girl smirks at me. Elliot sees who I'm looking at and nudges her to get off him.

"Richelle, it's not what you think," he starts.

"Then tell me what I just saw," I demand, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the girl beside him.

"Well..."

"You know what? I had a feeling that you were lying to me for the past week, and now I've got my answer. You've been cheating on me with her."

"Maddy, can you please go to another room? I'm trying to have a private conversation here," he hisses to the girl, who flicks her hair impatiently before strutting off.

"But I love you Richelle. Don't you know that?" he asks, his eyes pleading.

I know what I saw, I don't need him telling me how much he 'loves' me. It's clear that he doesn't.

"YOU?! YOU CLEARLY DON'T LOVE ME ENOUGH," I seethe.

Anger begins to consume all of my other feelings. I just want to make him realise that there's no point trying anymore. I really want to slap him for what he did, those eyes aren't even going to convince me.

I edge forward, ready to hit him. However, someone tugs me back by my hands.

"Don't. Please don't Richelle," Sam begs.

"Let go of me Sam," I swivel my eyes around to glare at him.

He shakes his head at me and continues to keep a firm grip around my wrists.

I twist my head around to snarl at Elliot.
"If you ever loved me, then this wouldn't have happened."

I attempt moving my arms again, but Sam still won't budge. "Oh, if you're wondering, we're done," I watch Elliot's face one last time before I let Sam drag me out of the room. Elliot's face remains stunned, in fact too stunned beyond words.

By the time he releases me, I'm already fleeing out of the house.

"Richelle!" Sam hollers. "Please come back!"
No words come out from my mouth. I wish I could answer him, but I can't bring myself to go back there. My heart no longer wants Elliot, and I guess I have to leave a friend of his too. 

This is all too much. I'm fighting the tears that are already welling up in my eyes as I yank my car door open. After I start the car up, I slam the car door, not caring how hard it shook the car. 

Just drive away, don't think about it, just go. 

I reverse out of his driveway and drive off. Anywhere but here. I don't want to ever go back.

The radio mumbles in the background whilst I drive. I eventually park in a quiet looking street.

My tears start to fall down as I bury my face in my hands. It hurt to let him go, but I did it for a reason. It all became clear that moment I walked in his house. I'm glad I ended it in fact. I still feel foolish because I thought I trusted him, I thought he was being honest with me. At the same time, I'm a little heartbroken because he meant something to me. 

There's a soft tap on the window beside me. I'm not in the mood to check on what it is.

Tap, tap, tap. What is it they want? I don't want to deal with anyone right now.

Yet whoever it is keeps tapping at the window. I wipe my eyes quickly and push my hair out of my face.

"Hey, you wanna talk?"

A/N: The truth has been uncovered. Richelle has finally taken action and did something that she should have long ago. Now she's free from her relationship with Elliot, but her heart still aches.

Who ends up talking to her at the end?

All will be revealed next chapter...