It won't keep us apart

Chapter 23: Broken

Jacquie's POV
Noah pulls me into a hug after rehearsal and says goodbye.

I just wish that I didn't need to breakup with him. It felt like the right thing to do though because if he's tied to me, he's tied to The Next Step.

~flashback~
"Where are we going Noah?" I protest, trying to pull his hands away from my eyes.

"It's called a surprise for a reason," he chuckles.

After a few minutes, he uncovers my eyes and I gasp.

Fairy lights hang low on the trees. The table was neatly laid out with several dishes and a candle in the centre. Two chairs sat there as an invitation for us to occupy. It wasn't even dark yet; the sky coloured with shades of pink and purple.

"You did this all for our first date?" I glance at him with awe.

"Yep, even with a little help from my mum," he replies sheepishly, his cheeks tinged with pink.

"Woah. Thank you so much!" I squeal and wrap my arms around him.

He tugs me closer and plants a quick kiss on my lips. I'm glad I met him at that ballet workshop.
Who knew that we'd get along so well?

~present time~
I yank my bag out of my locker and something clatters to the floor. Seriously, what did I drop?

My phone had fallen under the bench behind me. Honestly, I can't be bothered to do anything right now.

As I crouch down to pick it up, someone else swipes it before I do.

To my surprise, the blonde hands my phone back to me.

"I know the feeling," Richelle raises her eyebrows knowingly.

"Huh? I don't think we're on the same page here."

"When you're simply too tired to be bothered about anything."

"I'm not tired. I don't know whether I did then right thing or not," I huff.
Not like she would care about it anyways.

"Then what did you do?" she questions.

"I broke up with Noah."

Richelle's POV
Girl, she did not just say that.
What on earth was she thinking?!
They were perfect for each other.

"You're not joking... are you?"

"Why would I joke about a breakup, Richelle?" she snaps.

The realisation hits me. I was like this too. I felt pained about leaving Elliot. It was almost like I couldn't bear to hear his name again, let alone think about him.

"Aw come here," I envelop Jacquie in a big hug.

Her body tenses a little, but she relaxes. Jacquie leans her head against mine silently.

"How about I get you something at Shakes and Ladders?"

"Is Richelle really offering to buy me food?" Jacquie cracks a smile.

"This is a once in a lifetime offer I've decided to make. Don't go thinking I'd do this again for you," I smirk and pull away to link my arm through hers.

Whilst we stroll towards Shakes and Ladders, Jacquie is trying to decide what she wants me to buy for her.

"Should I get a blueberry muffin or a choc chip muffin?"

"I'd say the choc chip one," I nod.

At the counter, I order a smoothie for myself, along with Jacquie's muffin. I hand the money to the cashier and Jacquie takes a muffin from the counter display. We decide to settle down on the couch next to the mini coffee table.

A comfortable silence hangs over us. I'm giving her time to think because she has been quite worked up about the Noah situation the past few days. I know what it's like to get heartbroken and believe me, it's okay if she doesn't want to talk about anything now.

My eyes flicker over to a pale looking Jacquie. I turn around just in time to see Noah approach the counter.

"I-I need to go now," she says shakily and hurries away.

Just when I thought we were fine, Noah had to walk in. Well, we all dance at the same studio here.

"Why did she leave like that?" Noah demands, sounding as confused as I feel.

"Noah, she's having a hard time getting over you and I think it's best if you give her space," I reply, staring off into the distance.

He sighs sadly and sits on the other end of the couch.

These two need to find some way to become neutral with each other. This can't keep going on forever, not like this. If Jacquie is going to continue running out the door the moment she sees her ex, we might as well pull out of Regionals. It's so close to the competition already and we don't need another distraction.

How can we get out of this mess?

A/N: This is the last update for the year.
If you haven't read my new book, go check it out!
It's called 'Enough | A Bryles story'.