Kiss thy Queen (Nochelle)

F O U R T E E N

Richelle's POV

I was in Studio A, dancing with Noah, & just feeling pretty good overall. We were working on a duet for a Showstoppers competition that was coming up within the week.

We know focusing on smaller competitions while Nationals was so close, wasn't the smartest thing to do; but we had paid for the entry fees months ago, before we knew when the date for the Nationals competition was.

"How you feeling about the moves, & the timing?" Noah asked, slightly puffing. We were both pretty fit from all our dancing & working out, but our duet was jam packed with tricks, acro, lifts, turns, & partner skills.

"It's good. The lift sequence needs a little work, & the turns need to be tidied up, but it's looking good!" I replied, feeling pretty confident with this routine.

"Cool!" Noah replied with a smile, as he placed a kiss on my forehead, then made his way over to the bench to grab his drink bottle.

Dancing had been pretty full on in the past week. Longer rehearsals, shorter breaks, & Emily & Michelle were being very strict about everything. They run a dance studio, so you can understand them being nervous about Nationals approaching so quickly; but the stress & pressure had really effected everyone in a negative way. Especially, Noah.

He had been pushing everyone extra hard. He made us run though the ten person dance ten times. One run-through for every dancer. Then he made us do small groups, solos, duets, & trios straight after. Piper asked for a five minute break, but he shouted at her, & told us we had to run through the ten person dance again, which killed all of us physically. We were exhausted.

"How are you doing?" I asked Noah, a little worried he'd tell me off for assuming he wasn't doing fine, but he just smiled at me.

"Very stressed, tired, & sore, but I'm doing alright. You?" he asked curiously, as he drank from his bottle.

"The same." I simply replied, shrugging my shoulders. Noah & I had been a little 'odd' around each other as of lately.

Yes, Ozzy & I, were friends again. We'd been texting after rehearsal, like we use too; & had even hung out at Shakes & Ladders a couple times, just the two of us. There was some attraction there, & I definitely thought Ozzy was cute, but I was dating, Noah; & Noah made me happy!

"I'm really sorry for being so hard on you lately. Emily & Michelle have just been putting a lot of pressure on me as Dance Captain, & it's showing. I haven't been the best boyfriend, & I'm sorry..." he said, sitting down on the bench. I gave him a small smile, as I sat down on the bench beside him.

"The others probably really hate me right now." he said quietly, & I could tell he felt bad about how he'd been acting the past week.

"Babe, it's fine. I understand you're stressed. You're Dance Captain, not to mention the best Dance Captain we've ever had. You're trying to help us all improve & get ready for Nationals. You're only doing what you're suppose too, so I completely understand, & so do all the other dancers! They're your friends, so they'll never hate you for pushing them a little harder than what they're use too!" I encouraged him, rubbing his arm. He smiled at me gratefully, then placed a soft kiss on my lips. I smiled into the kiss, then pulled away after a good 10 seconds, then I kissed his forehead & messed up his hair, earning a slight chuckle from him.

"Hey, Richie?"

"Yeah?" I replied, drawing imaginary circles on the palm of his hand.

"Emily wants me to teach a class for J-Troupe today, & I was wondering if you'd like to help me assist the class?" Noah asked curiously, keeping his gaze on our hands.