TNS Short Stories

No Shell (Part 3)

Noah's POV

I'm at the studio waiting for Richelle. She's usually never late but it's been 5 minutes and still nothing of her. I know it may sound too dramatic but I'm starting to feel that there's no coming back in this situation. There's no way to fix this.
It's 7.10 and Richelle finally arrives. Coming late is very weird of her. Anyway, we walk into the studio. We're the only ones there. No one else is expected until 8 o'clock so we've got some time to work... But before:
- Look, Richelle, before we start working I want to apologize for everything... When I said we had to work on our connection I never meant to imply that you should be off the duet.
- It's ok, Noah. I accept your apology. - She says. THANKS GOD. I'm sure that if you saw me right now, you could see excitement in my face.
- So, we're good? We're friends again? - I ask. Just to be sure.
- I said I accepted to your apology. Yes, we're good, but no, we're not friends. - she says quietly. With a blank expression. No excitement. No anger. No sadness.
- But Richelle...
- Noah, don't worry. Us not being friends doesn't mean we can't work or dance together. We're just duet partners. For now. That's it. - she says calmly. - Now let's get working.
As I hear her say that, I'm speechless and mad at the same time. Not mad at her but at myself. I ruined it. Now Richelle doesn't even care enough to get angry with me.
- Ok.. - I say. Music's on, and we start dancing. The duet is amazing and Richelle kills every move. I mean, she is the best dancer. Not even Summer or Jacquie could do it this good.

The last thought is something Jacquie shouldn't know probably.
As we dance, different thoughts run through my mind.
I think of how much we both (Richelle and I) wanted to be in A-Troupe when we were in B-Troupe. We even promised that we would make it together. Things turned out to be different though, because I made it to A-Troupe one year before her. Then the whole thing with Abbi started and Rich and I didn't spend that much time together... Then the next year we both made it, and I was so excited for her! But then the whole thing with Amanda happened... Anger runs through my whole body as I dance. It shouldn't be that way, the dance is supposed to be emotional and sweet... But I can't avoid it.
Then last year. Last year was the worst. I wish I could block it out of my mind. I was a complete loser with her. I should have been there with her when she became dance captain. I should have tried to help her with her emotions in dance. I should have chosen her. A feeling of sadness now fills me. I would have made things so different if I only knew.
If only...
We're close to the final part of the dance. She does an arabesque and I lift her. Then I put her on the floor as I'm kind of hugging her from behind. Then she turns around (that's how the dance is supposed to be) and looks at me before placing herself next to me but before letting her move, I place a peck on her lips.
She moves to stand next to me as supposed in the dance but when I look at her I can clearly see she was shocked. Then I realize what had happened and start talking...
- Richelle, I'm sorry, I don't know what took over me! Really, sorry! I'm such a-
- Don't say anything - she says, quiet, but clearly upset.
- Richelle, please!
- I said DON'T!