Break the Distance

Chapter 38

Wednesday 28th of September, 2016

Auckland, New Zealand

Noah Williams

"How many more groups?" I ask Giselle when a new group little kids walk in. The meet and greet is coming to an end and I still haven't seen Richelle. I quickly scan all their faces but there isn't even a possibility that one of them is Richelle. "This is the last one," Giselle says. My nervousness changes into serious worry. Richelle told me she was coming to see the show just a week ago. She told me she even upgraded her ticket to a VIP one so we could finally meet at the meet and greet, but she didn't show up. I'm really disappointed, but even more worried.

Even though she never reacted after our conversation that Saturday, I just thought she had a busy week or so, but I guess it's more. All I want to do right now is go home, lay in my bed and cry. Canada home, not hotel here in New Zealand home.

Suddenly I feel someone slap friendly on my shoulder and I look up to see James. "Smile," he says, "just on more group." I instantly fake a smile and listen to what Riley is saying to the kids. Even though I listen nothing stays in my head, all I can think about is Richelle and how badly I wanted to see her.

It feels like a few seconds until it's time for the photos and one by one they all stand in the middle of us. I smile the most fake smile I've ever had. One of the very last girls pushes an envelope in my hand right before she walks away. That was weird, she didn't even look up to me. "Thanks," I say, but I doubt if she heard it. I quickly put the letter in my back pocket and prepare myself again for the last photos.

"What's that letter in your pocket?" West says later when we're getting ready for the show. I move my hand to my pocket in confusion. That's where realization hit me and I remember the little girl giving me the letter. Right, I totally forgot about that letter.

I grab it and carelessly tear it open. Quickly eyeing the letter I see that it luckily isn't a very long letter, but I still sigh at the fact that I have to read something.

Hi Noah

Since technology let me down, here a quick letter the old fashion way. I'm really sorry I couldn't come, my aunt had a car accident and I couldn't risk going to Auckland. If something goes wrong I want to be there for my family, hope you understand. I did make my little neighbor very happy though since I gave her my ticket. I really hope this letter ends up in your hands. Oh by the way it's Richelle, hope this beginning now makes a little sense.

My phone died a week ago and I haven't had the money to buy a new one, or the time to search for another one. Enough about money, I really start to hate it. And all those quotes which say that 'you can't buy happiness' because right now it doesn't seem like that.

Anyway I want you to know that I'm doing well. I applied for a scholarship to a University in Australia and I really hope I get it J. Really hope I can find a phone somewhere soon so you can keep my company during those nights I'll be studying ;p

If the tour comes back next year I'm going to make sure that we finally get to meet, I already can't wait. Well, I hope you're doing great and you have a great show.

Unfortunately for now goodbye. I loved our conversations, but I'm not sure if we'll have them again anytime soon.

Stupid letter, I wanted to end the nice and funny, but now it turned into a sad letter. Thank you for last month it was literally the best and worst of my life at the same time, don't know how I would've got through it without you. Great, I'm just not good in endings. Think this is the worst ending ever.

See you soon

XOX Richelle

I sniffle and a tear leaves my eye landing on the letter. What does this mean?

"Dude," Eldon says, "are you crying?" "No," I say defensive quickly folding the letter up and wiping another tear away. "Yea you were," Eldon mocks and West and James coo. Stupid guys.

I feel so sad for Richelle. I'm so disappointed that I couldn't meet her, but it's like the whole world is against her. I literally have no idea how she gets through it.

Now that I feel how disappointed I am and how badly I wanted to meet her, I feel the need even more to meet her. I have to figure out what those feelings are because honestly I never felt like this. It's like I'm living in a rollercoaster without beginning or ending. It just goes on and on and there's nothing I can do about it, yet I haven't decided if I like it or not.

Like my mom said a while back, she has to mean more to me than 'just a friend' if I'm so broken when I miss out on talking to her or, like now, meeting her. But I haven't met her. How can I like someone like my mother meant without meeting that person?!

Not that I've much time to think. Way before I'm ready the show starts and I go through the whole show still thinking about Richelle and her letter. It was a handwritten letter. She has a beautiful handwriting!

Luckily for me the show is coming to an end. This show has been like the worst ever. I don't think I've ever wished a show would and soon as much as I do this whole show. Normally I smile easily, but now I really have to think of it. That and I'm messing up all the dances. It's not that the audience will be able to see it because I always find a way to figure it out, but the others are definitely noticed that something's wrong.

I don't think I've to say I'm glad when it's almost time for the last dance this evening.

I pace around for a while backstage second guessing my plan. Am I really going to do this? Am I going to risk teasing friends for the rest of my life? Am I going to risk to ruin my own life and Richelle life? Of course fans will be filming this, what if she doesn't feel the same as I do. Not that I know what I'm feeling, I never had this feeling before. I should've talked about this with someone!

I take a deep breath and sigh. I'm going to do it. I'm supposed to just announce the very last dance, but this is going to be a little different.

Giselle and her solo and I run onto the stage with the mic in my hand. "Thank you Giselle," I exclaim, "that was amazing." The audience claps and cheers.

"Hi everybody," I say in the mic, "did you have fun?" They all cheer. "Good," I say, "I had too. Now before this last dance I've a little question." The whole theatre becomes quite. I hear kids whisper confused and even in the corner of my eyes I see my fellow cast mates look very confused between the wings. "Are there any fans from Wellington here?" I ask, I hear some people scream. Not exactly the answer I was hoping to get, now I have to mention her name.

I start to sweat heavily and take a deep breath in attempt to calm myself down. Isn't exactly working. "I'm looking for someone," I say walking to the edge of the stage, "I'm looking for Richelle’s neighbor."