Summary: Noah is about to celebrate his 18th birthday and he plans to spend it with no one else but his special someone, unsuspecting that she has other ideas in mind and surprising schemes up her sleeve to make his special day better than he'll ever expect it to be. No one's forgotten about it, but everyone knows that Noah is in for a surprise that will make this day one he'll remember for the rest of his life. But will he share this one special moment and one special dance with the girl he calls his everything?
Author's Note: WARNING! Season 4 SPOILERS AHEAD!
Hey everyone! Guess who's back at it with the Next Step fanfics? So this story was inspired by a whole bunch of things that happened in the past week. First off, a belated Happy Birthday to the amazing Myles Erlick who celebrated his special day on July the 27th! This is why I thought of doing a story on Noah's birthday in the first place as a tribute to an amazing dancer and wonderful guy. Secondly, I've been listening to a lot of Michael Buble's songs lately and after two days, the most amazing coincidence happened...my family and I met him on the road! AHH! Even though it was just a few seconds, no chance of a photo op or spoken words because he was driving (and even if I did, he'd be distracted, dang it), he waved back at us and those were honestly few precious seconds of August the 1st, 2016. That's when I got more inspiration! 2 of his songs are featured in this fic, "Save the Last Dance for Me" being the title and "Everything" being referenced a lot here (and on the summary), and yes, because he's amazing, not just as a musician but a person (he reminds me so much of my aunt, which is awesome because they're both singers and they're both the sweetest on and off stage...that's why I admire them so much). Thirdly, the most important part of the fic...Nomanda! I ship it. I ship it hardcore! Shipped it ever since their relationship developed all the more in Season 4. I have to admit, I didn't originally ship them as much when they started their relationship but I had such a huge respect for it and still found it kinda cute (okay, really cute) and ever since that scene in the hospital where Amanda and Noah shared their feelings about one another (and Amanda really cried for the first time on the show, NOT counting the fake one in season 2), that scene really got me emotionally, making it the ONLY SCENE in The Next Step to ever move me to tears...ever. True story. A lot of TNS moments touched my heart deep down, but nothing ever moved me as much as this scene ever did, and that, my friends, is when I began to ship Nomanda and now, they are my OTP. I really, really hope you respect that and whether you ship Nomanda or not (maybe Nochelle or Noabi, but mostly Nochelle, I'm guessing)because I totally respect you if you don't, I hope you enjoy this story anyway because I'm really excited just bringing it to you.
Without further ado, just "Save the Last Dance for Me" (please?)
Belated happy 18th birthday Myles Erlick! Nomanda shippers (or TNS fans looking for a sweet story), this is for you.
~ASianSuccessor2012 (a.k.a. Kylie)
P.S. I own nothing but the story. The characters and everything about The Next Step belongs to Frank Van Keeken, the writers, Family Channel, Temple Street and Beachwood Canyon. "Save the Last Dance for Me" and "Everything" belong to Michael Buble (Keep your eye out on more references from some more of his songs). Expect this one to be a two-shot or three-shot depending on how long it goes. It's a short story so I should be updating very frequently.
The golden Wednesday morning sun peeked out of the drifting clouds, rising out of the horizon signifying the start of a warm, beautiful sunny day of July the 27th, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, caressing each corner of nature it flares its rays to. Most people, young and old, might have woken up to, though admiring the inviting nature of the outdoor weather, what they would call an 'ordinary day.' But to a certain young man, not to mention, a young up-and-coming dancer, he woke up by his window sill, sitting up abruptly with his eyes wide open as if he hadn't a single wink of slumber the entire night, knew that this was indeed a far from ordinary day with reasons why he knew he couldn't stop himself from smiling. To him, the sun was glowing brighter than usual, his senses were more than completely awakened, alert at anything and everything in sight and around him and he couldn't help but feel something more intense than butterflies churning at the pit of his stomach, knowing very well in his mind and heart that this day was truly a special day. That's right. This young dancer, Noah, was celebrating his eighteenth birthday, and what better way to spend it by getting up earlier than the rest of the neighborhood in the morning (at 7:00AM)?
His tufts of brown hair may have been unevenly ruffled, but he didn't seem to care in the slightest. His back was still quite sore from his recent spinal surgery, causing him to take a break from dancing at The Next Step for a little while even if Regionals was just around the corner and no matter how much the notion still bothered him, he continually told himself the minute he woke up that even a major setback like this wouldn't ruin his day. After all, Noah knew he had far more important things to look forward to today and nothing or no one was about to stop him now, especially not on a perfect day like this. He wasn't prepared for this to be a wonderful day; he was prepared for it to be the most perfect day of all (maybe even better than Christmas Day, if he tried).
As he rushed to his closet to change into one of his favorite outfits, his faded light blue collared button-up shirt he wore to the first regionals qualifier, before he could reach further into one of the drawers to find it, a loud reverberating vibration coming from his phone on the side table by his bed, stopping him in his tracks. At first, Noah thought it was his alarm clock just waiting to bug his slumber as usual, but once he walked towards his side table, leaning forward in advance to see his phone screen, a photo of a familiar face, namely one wearing more than just an orange cardigan and a floral blouse but flowing brunette hair and a bright smile, lit up. Noah then beamed to himself as a blush of a crimson shade crept upon his cheeks. There was only one person he knew it could be, and he knew that he couldn't leave this impending phone call hanging any longer.
"Hey Amanda," he smiled his brightest as he picked up the phone, beyond eager to hear his girlfriend's voice.
"Hey Noah! Happy birthday!" Amanda called out cheerfully, beaming from the other end of the line.
"Aw, thanks babe," Noah chuckled, "Whoa, you're up so early! Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she giggled at his innocence, "I wanted to be the first to call you up on your eighteenth birthday! I hope I didn't wake you or anything."
"No, not at all! I'm actually really happy you called me up just now. It means a lot," he smiled once again in his response, "Hey, remember how I told you that you were so smart?"
"Yeah, and that's like everyday I see you that you tell me that," she reminded him, sneaking in yet another giggle, wondering to herself how she got quite lucky to have an adorable yet dorky, though genuine and utterly sweet gentleman of a boyfriend.
"You know, sometimes I think you have superpowers, you know why?"
"Why?" she laughed, thinking to herself, 'where did that come from?' though reminding herself that it was Noah she was talking to.
"Because it's like you know exactly what time I wake up, it's scary. But good! It's scary good!" he explained confidently as if a normal conversation, "Kinda like you secretly watch me while I'm sleeping, or something, like a spy or maybe like a Santa Claus thing kinda going on with you."
"Okay...?" Amanda replied, more confused than creeped out at his eccentric description, stifling a laughter even if she couldn't help it. Even if she loved her relationship with Noah, there were just some moments in their conversation where she had absolutely no idea what he was talking about, but enjoyed his company anyway.
"A-and that's a cool thing! Y-yeah!" he finished confidently yet again, although with a few awkward stammers in his own adorable Noah way. He paused for a moment and began again, this time calming himself down to a more serious demeanor, "But the most important thing about having a superpower is using it to make people happy."
Upon hearing this, Amanda's befuddled expression suddenly morphed into a tender smile, knowing where Noah's statement was going.
"You have that, Amanda, and you know why? You know exactly when to make someone happy and just now, your voice was the first thing I heard in the morning and now, I feel like the happiest guy in the world. And I'm not saying it's because of your superpower; it's because of you."
At that, Amanda was at a complete loss for words, feeling the butterflies in her stomach rising rapidly and reaching deep into her heart. Although Noah's explanation started off as absolutely bizarre, she knew that everything he said leading up to his tender conclusion was sincerely from his heart, and if she had to choose, she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Aw...Noah..." she responded in a whisper, pausing before proceeding any further, "That's so sweet. Thank you!"
"No; thank you, Amanda," Noah said with a smile, taking a seat on his bed, "I don't think I would've wanted to start my day any different anyway."
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Amanda chuckled slightly, simultaneous with an eye roll, "Listen Noah, it's been really great talking to you the first thing, but I gotta go help my mom get breakfast ready. Plus, I gotta get to the studio right after that to rehearse―"
"―Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, Amanda!" Noah interrupted, pulling her ramble to a halt. And he thought he was the rambler between the two.
"I thought rehearsals always started at 4. You can't be working on the qualifier duet―I mean―you were with me at the hospital during my surgery and I don't see why you're hitting the road so early in the morning. What are you rehearsing anyways?"
That's when Amanda stopped in her tracks. She knew she was lying about heading to the studio for rehearsals and she had to come up with an excuse that would cover it up without the risk of Noah seeing through her remark...and fast. After all, she couldn't tell him what was really going on and why she planned to be out and about this early.
"My acro, of course!" she lied with her teeth gritted in a sheepish grin, "I mean, I gotta keep working hard getting better at it just in time for regionals, hehe...right? I hope you understand."
"Of course, Amanda!" Noah replied pleasantly, showing no signs of hesitation whatsoever, "No problem."
'Phew! Glad I got that out of the way,' Amanda thought to herself with a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was inaudible enough for Noah not to suspect anything.
"So Noah, have you got any birthday plans? Are your big brothers coming home to visit you or is your family going to take you out to lunch or dinner or something?" she asked him quickly, immediately shifting gears from their previous topic, secretly hoping to herself that Noah had nothing planned for the evening.
"No, not really, actually," he said calmly without so much a hint of disappointment, "My brothers are still travelling around the world but they promised to send me some presents once they've got the time and my mom and dad told me that since it's my eighteenth, I can celebrate my birthday in any way I want! I guess that's the first part of their gift to me because I can bet that they think I'm still asleep and they're wrapping it up right this second, and that's definitely a good thing because...erm...I've got some birthday plans of my own and hopefully, it'll last the entire day."
Of course, Noah being Noah ended his statement with a seemingly confident smile on his face though as per usual, in a completely adorably awkward state of mind with his attempt to be charming.
"Oh..." Amanda sighed softly, attempting to hide the disappointment in the tone of her voice (as well as her eyes, even if he couldn't see it), "Do you? Um...So, are you meeting with the boys like Henry and Alfie, or something like that, just having some of your―you know―guy time?"
"I haven't got a plan yet! It's pretty early in the morning and probably too early to call them up for something," Noah chuckled smartly, "But I do have a little something in mind since I'm awake and I'm pretty sure you're awake too."
"We both are, Noah," Amanda giggled at Noah's rather cute joke of a remark, "I wouldn't have called you up if I wasn't. But seriously though, I really, really, really need to brush up on my acro this morning. I told you that, remember?"
"Yeah, I know! But since you're going to the studio pretty early today, after you rehearse, we could meet up for lunch and maybe even spend the rest of the day in the―"
"―I think I hear my mom calling!" Amanda frantically interrupted, feigning an excuse, knowing where this conversation was leading, "Bye Noah! Happy birthday!"
And with that, she hung up the phone without another word. She knew she would normally never lie to Noah, ever, but she knew that this time round, she had to, even if it was his birthday. She wasn't heading for The Next Step to work on her acro skills, neither was she helping her mother prepare breakfast. Not even close. As a matter of fact, she was already at the building, sitting in Java Junction before everyone else and Riley arrived. At this moment, as she lounged about, laying atop one of the purple couches, being one of the very few people there early in the morning, she had quite a lot on her mind. She wasn't even in the very least bothered about why she lied to Noah for her reasons for coming to the studio but rather relieved. Although she had to admit, she felt somewhat guilty at nearly turning down Noah's request for spending the rest of his birthday with her (because that was most likely what he had in mind for his plans) and of course, being the loyal and genuinely loving girlfriend that she was to him, she wouldn't pass an opportunity like this for the world...if only she didn't have something else planned in mind. That's right. There was definitely more to her recent finicky and secretive behavior than Noah would ever realize...at least for now.
Amanda then pulled out her phone from her pocket, her fingers swiping and scrolling as fast as she could through her contact list searching for Michelle's name and immediately tapping it once she found it to call her. She waited for a few seconds for Michelle to pick up, a few rings reverberating as her fingers fiddled frantically with her thigh in anticipation as she inhaled anxiously with deep breaths until finally, Michelle answered her call.
"Uhm...Hello?" a thoroughly groggy Michelle yawned in response from the other end of the line.
"Michelle, it's me, Amanda!" Amanda spoke in a finicky manner in a completely opposite disposition as her friend, "Remember the text I sent you last night?"
"Yeah?" Michelle yawned once more, still retaining her calm demeanour, "What about?"
"Meeting in the junction at eight? Remember?!" she reminded her hurriedly, worried that she had forgotten all about it (which was most definitely unlike Michelle at all).
"WHAT? We were supposed to meet at EIGHT?!" Michelle suddenly exclaimed, her voice practically jumping in alertness as well as worry, "I just got out of bed like right now, as soon as you called! And it's just seven thirty!"
"Aghh! Michelle, don't tell me you forgot about it!" Amanda said more frustratedly, giving herself a facepalm, her fingers digging deep into her temples.
"Okay Amanda, I'm sorry. I did forget we were supposed to meet right now," she admitted, "But I didn't forget we were supposed to meet. Why so early though?"
"Listen, Michelle, we really haven't gotten much time here so we need to act fast," Amanda began, "I need you, Riley, and everyone else on A-Troupe except Noah to be here as soon as possible, at least before nine."
"Why? I thought you were just meeting with me to help you out with something."
"No, that's why I told you I'd explain once you got here," she clarified.
"Why can't you just tell me now so I have at least some idea why we're starting this early?" Michelle questioned determinedly, knowing very well she wouldn't leave the house without any further explanation.
"Okay, so I didn't think this through on time although I really wish I had, but today is Noah's eighteenth birthday and I want to throw him a surprise party at Studio A and to be honest, I don't know how long it's gonna take!" Amanda explained in a frantic ramble as if she was this close to losing her mind, like an uncontrollably spinning record that looked like it wasn't going to stop turning anytime soon, "PLUS we might need to ask Riley to cancel rehearsals because we need to get the studio set up and all decorated and I need to go out to the mall and buy a card and a present for him and I also don't know how long that's gonna take neither. On top of that, we literally have one day to do it and it has to be ready tonight and the last thing I want is for this to be a total disaster because I turned him down this morning when he asked to spend the rest of the day with me because of all of this and all I want is for his birthday to be really special and I don't know if it will be if we don't pull this off on time!"
By the time Amanda finished, she was out of breath. She then realized she probably spoke far too fast for Michelle to even understand and she could only hope that she took at least something from her uncontrollable fit of worrisome rambling in her explanation.
"Whoa, Amanda, this is so unlike you," Michelle spoke up with a hint of sympathy in her voice, "I had no idea your situation was that crazy."
"Mhmm. I nearly lost sleep over it, which is why I've been up since 6 in the first place," Amanda added, this time speaking more calmly, the stress still remaining within her, "I really hope I didn't trouble you with all of this information. It's probably too much to do for one day anyway and you probably wanna catch up on your sleep so I'm just gonna let you go ahead and―"
"―Amanda, it wasn't any trouble at all. If anything, I'm glad you told me about all this."
"You are?" she questioned with a furrowed brow.
"Of course," Michelle smiled as she spoke, "You know what, I'm gonna get changed and I'm gonna go over there right now."
"What? Now?" Amanda wondered aloud, slightly surprised by Michelle's abrupt decision.
"Yes, now," she replied, "At this point, I don't care if I leave the house early. The last thing I want is for you to be stressed and honestly Amanda, you aren't meant to carry all these plans all by yourself."
"That's why I asked you to come to begin with," Amanda laughed in a good-natured manner, realizing how lucky she truly was to have one of the most thoughtful and considerate friends around, and that was none other than Michelle.
"That's what I'm here for," Michelle then giggled in response, "I'll be there in around twenty minutes. The bus comes in five."
"Hey Michelle, thank you so much," Amanda said with a satisfied smile, leaning back on the couch, "You have no idea how much this means to me and how much more it will mean to Noah."
"Well, it's what friends do, so why not?" The two friends shared a laugh over the line.
"Plus, it's no competition so you don't have to worry about me being the first one to carry out the best decorations," Michelle joked with a smirk on her face, Amanda could almost see it just hearing her tone of voice. There was the side of Michelle that Amanda knew was slowly but surely being unleashed. 'So, now you wanna play that way, huh Michelle?' she thought to herself as she gave off one of her classic scheming chuckle (all in good nature, of course).
"We'll see about that," Amanda jested back within a chuckle, "Alright, I wouldn't want to keep that bus driver waiting. I'll see you in a bit."
"Okay, see you," Michelle said before both girls ended their call.
What a relief this must have been, especially for Amanda. At least she got that out of the way for this was just the beginning of her plan being put into action. Except, this time, all her schemes and ideas weren't for taking down The Next Step (well, why would she do that anyway?); they were all for making more than just a wonderful birthday for a special someone. She was willing to do anything and everything to make sure that with this surprise party coming along, Noah's special day would truly be the perfect day. There was nothing else she wanted more in this world than to see his face light up with his smile (that she loved oh-so much) he wore on his face everyday once he arrived, but even more, she wanted this to be, not probably, but absolutely, the best day of his life―no―their lives, and what better way than to spend it with each other...and no one else?
This was going to take a lot more planning than she thought.
"You can do this, Amanda," she muttered to herself, "No...we can do this."
Simply put, she couldn't wait to get this party started, even if it meant starting now.
Author's Note: There you have it! The end of chapter one! How did you like it? I want to know what you think. Be sure to leave me a Review, or a PM (constructive criticism is fine, but please no flames) or if you want to receive updates on it, just simply click Follow. I can't wait to keep going with chapter 2 (and if a lot of things still happen, it might even have a chapter 3). I originally intended for this to be a one-shot, but then I realized it would be pretty long with a lot of things going on, and not to mention, a lot of characters being involved besides Amanda and Michelle. Who else do you want to see? Who else do you think should be featured? Please let me know! (Anyone from the current S4 A-Troupe, B-Troupe, anybody!) Just remember, I'm trying to stay as canon as possible with Season 4 and this takes place a little bit after 4.5 which hasn't aired yet, so it's a tiny bit of an AU. Also, as much as I truly respect that everyone has different ships for Noah (and I totally respect that), but just remember, this is a Nomanda story and I can't change ships halfway. I'm sorry about that, but I just had to put it out there. Anyways, I hope you liked this first chapter and expect the second one to be coming right at you really soon (in the next 24 hours or next day or so)!
Cheers!
~ASianSuccessor2012
P.S. I've recently written another TNS Fanfiction entitled "A Second Chance" which is a character study on Amanda set in her POV and it would definitely mean a whole lot if you guys check it out. Thanks again, and I'll be back with Chapter 2!