Hello dear, loyal readers,
Thanks for checking out the eight chapter of All Over Again :)
Three days ago, this story was publiced exactly one year! (Unbelieveable how fast time goes!) I want to thank you all for your support, reviews and positivity this whole year, you are all amazing and I love you all :)
However I'm dissapointed that I managed to just upload eight chapters in twelve months time...
Well here is chapter eight, and I'm sorry for the late upload, been quite busy...
I DO NOT OWN ANY RIGHTS OF THE SONGS AND MOVIES I MENTION IN THIS CHAPTER AND IN THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Chapter eight
(-)
''Thanks for helping me out Noah.'' Amanda smiled towards the younger boy. Noah and Amanda helped to train J-Troupe. Actually Eldon and Amanda were supposed to train J-Troup, but since he had an urgent 'emergency', he had to leave. Luckily for Amanda, Noah offered her help and she gladly accepted it. They were finally done after a successful master class of an hour. They were currently cleaning B-Studio. ''I'm sure I wouldn't have handled it on my own.''
Noah smiled while he moved away a ballet bar. ''It's nothing. I love to help people.''
''That's very kind of you.'' Amanda said. ''I actually really had a fun time with you.''
''I had a really fun time with you as well.'' Noah smiled while moving away the last few things in B-Studio. ''That was the thing.''
''Great, thanks again Noah.'' Amanda finally thanked.
''Anytime.'' Noah said back. ''So I am going to grab a drink, do you need something?'' He wondered.
''No thanks, I'm fine. I'm practicing in a few minutes with A-Troupe.'' Amanda said.
''Well, good luck then! I'll see you soon.'' Noah smiled before he left the studio. Amanda grabbed her things and left the B-Studio as well.
( A-Studio )
All the dancers where currently at A-Studio, practice will start in a small five minutes. Some dancers started stretching and a some were having a small chat with others. A few dancers were having a moment for themselves, a moment of relaxation and a short moment to think about life. One of those dancers was Hunter, he sat down on the floor with his back against the wall, he sat down with his ear-plugs in while he closed his eyes. Everyone could clearly see that Hunter was enjoying the time he was having. While Hunter was listening his music, he felt that someone was tapping softly on his legs. Hunter opened his eyes and saw Michelle smiling at him. Hunter smiled back and pulled the ear-plugs from his ears.
''Hey Michelle, how are you doing?'' Hunter greeted.
''I'm fine thanks for asking.'' Michelle smiled. ''Can I have a seat next to you?''
''Of course.'' Hunter said before Michelle sat down on the ground next to Hunter.
''I'm sorry for bothering your moment of chilling.'' Michelle pardoned. Hunter chuckled.
''It's alright Michelle.'' Hunter smiled.
''So how have you been?'' Michelle asked.
''I've been fine. Thanks for asking as well.'' Hunter smiled. ''How does it feel, your second day as an adult?''
''It actually feels normal.'' Michelle said. ''It's strange realizing how fast time goes.''
''I know right." Hunter said. "I still remember our times together when we were still in kindergarten." He remembered.
Michelle smiled as she thought back as well. "And look at us now! We are about to go to Internationals, representing our country."
"Who would have thought that?" Hunter wondered.
"I know right!" Michelle said. The two of them became silence, until Hunter decided to ask something.
"But Michelle," Hunter started. "Imagine we win Internationals. What then?"
"What do you mean?" Michelle answered confused.
"Well, what will happen after we win Internationals?" Hunter repeated. "I mean, since we were little we'd always watch Internationals on TV together, we promised to each other that we'd make it that high some day, it was and still is our goal and dream to win Internationals. When we win Internationals, we completed our goal and then what?"
Michelle thought about what Hunter just said, she actually never thought about it, what do after you completed a dream were you have prepaired your whole life for.
"I actually don't know Hunter. I'd never thought about this before." Michelle said.
"So you never thought about what you are going to after you are 'done' with The Next Step." Hunter stated.
"Never." Michelle said. "I'm just living in the present. I just want to enjoy and spend my time with the ones I love and with the things. We will see what will happen in the future."
"That's nicely said." Hunter smiled. "But your right, let's just focus on the present and we will see what the future will give us."
"You get it." Michelle smiled. "You know, I really missed this."
"What did you missed?" Hunter wondered.
"Us talking." Michelle said. "Since you came to Toronto, the only time we actually had a good conversation was yesterday, on my birthday."
"Oh, I didn't knew... I'm sorry about that." Hunter apologized.
"It's okay Hunter." Michelle smiled. "I was just hoping that we could spend more time with eachother, just like before in Madison."
"Yeah, yeah. Of course we can. I love spending time with you." Hunter said.
"You don't know how relieved I am after hearing those words." Michelle said. "I thoughed I'd lose you after not talking to you for such a long time."
"Don't worry about that." Hunter smiled. "We will always stay good friends, no matter what."
'Friends'. That word seemed to hurt Michelle a little bit. Hunter probably didn't saw anything more in Michelle since Hunter started a relationship with Beth a few minutes ago, which Michelle didn't knew about.
"Do you promise that?" Michelle asked. Hunter nodded.
"Do you?" He asked back. Michelle chuckled and nodded as well. They then shook hands with it with their special hand shake, which they created when the were both eleven years old.
"So, do you want to have a drink with me after practise?" Michelle said.
"I was actually going straight home to study on my exams..." Hunter honestly.
"It's okay. Maybe another time."
"I'm sorry." Hunter apologized. "But are you free this evening? We can chill at my place, maybe watch a movie or something?"
"Yeah, I'd like that." Michelle smiled.
"Great! Is it okay that I'll pick you up around 7.30?" Hunter asked.
"That's fine." Michelle said.
"Great I'll see you then." Hunter smiled. Right after Hunter said that, Kate walked in the studio, followed by Phoebe right.
"Gather around everyone!" Kate shouted.
(-)
A-Troupe was currently practicing. Kate suggested that the group should focus today on the duets, triples and the small groups. So Riley and Giselle, who were performing a duet together on Internationals, were brainstorming and improvising some dance moves on their own in B-Studio.
''So do you have an idea for a theme?'' Giselle asked her dance partner. ''I was thinking about summer, because Miami have a lot of beaches, it's always tropical and sunny over there.''
''That's not bad thought, but I'm sure that in three months time, the summer is over Giselle.'' Riley said.
''Yeah right, I didn't thought about that.'' Giselle said disappointed while she scratched her idea away of her notebook. ''Come on Riley, you surely have a few ideas, I know your head is filled with them.'' Giselle said playfully.
''I don't know Giselle.'' Riley said as she thought of a few ideas. ''Maybe we can do an emotional dance.''
''Emotional, I like that.'' Giselle said as she wrote in down. ''Tell me more, what's popping in your head.''
''Uhm…'' Riley thought. ''What about we do it about a friendship?"
''Friendship.'' Giselle wrote down. ''Go on.''
''It's about a life-long friendship, which ends after an huge argument. But eventually the power of our friendship wins.''
''Wauw Riley!'' Giselle smiled. ''I really like that idea. And have you maybe thought about the music?''
''Well I was thinking about some electronically chill or emotion music.'' Riley mentioned. Giselle thought quickly.
''What about; Hard to Forget of Jane XO?'' Giselle suggested. ''The lyrics is emotional, the beat is chilly and electronic.''
''Great choice, I love that song.'' Riley smiled.
''So far, this is going smoothly.'' Giselle stated. ''Let's see what we got so far.'' She said as she named the things on the list she wrote down. ''We got modern dance, theme friendship, and emotional music.''
''That doesn't sound bad at all, does it?'' Riley stated slightly proud.
''Not at all.'' Giselle said. ''But there is one thing that I am wondering.''
''What is it?'' Riley asked.
''Well, when you named all this things, I would almost think this is something about you and James. You just have to change friendship into a relationship, and everything sounds common. So I was wondering; Aren't you over James yet?''
''Of course I'm over James.'' Riley said. ''It's just a co-incident.''
''Are you sure?'' Giselle asked.
''Yes, I'm sure.'' Riley confirmed. ''I really understand your concern Giselle, but I'm doing fine.''
''So, there isn't anything bothering you at the moment?''
''Well… There is something, but I don't feel like talking about it at the moment.''
''Well, if you say so Riley.'' Giselle said. ''But if you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you.''
''Thanks Giselle.'' Riley said as she gave the red-haired girl a hug.
(-)
Meanwhile in A-Studio, a few other dancers where practicing and brainstorming their dance routines. For example, James and Hunter we're showing each other some awesome dance moves to see which of them they could use in their duet.
''Dude, that was awesome! We surely have to use that!'' Hunter exclaimed excited after James finished doing a windmill.
"We should!" James said. "Now you do it."
Hunter took his position and tried to windmill, but after a few bad turns he failed completely.
"Dude, I'm dizzy!" Hunter chuckled as he tried to manage to stand up on his feet. James laughed.
"Try it again!" James chuckled. "It can't get any worse."
"I'm not sure about that man." Hunter doubted, he still felt a bit dizzy from that last windmill.
"Come on." James said. "You want to learn the windmill as soon as possible right?"
Hunter finally gave in. "Fine, I'll do it." Hunter took position and tried the dance move again, and again he failed. James laughed again. "James I'm going to be sick mate." Hunter said weakily.
"I know it's going to make you sick." James said. "But this move is going to make our duet sick as well! Come on, try it again."
"No mate, I'm done!" Hunter stated. James sighed and bent down next his friend.
"Hunter, look at him." James started while he pointed to Eldon who was doing countless pirouettes next to Daniel. "Eldon doesn't get sick. It just needs some practise."
"Exactly, it needs practise, so don't think I know the windmill in a few hours.'' Hunter said.
"You're right, but just try it one more time, and we call it a day okay?" James said. Hunter said yes by slowly nodding his head. James stood up on his feet and took a step back to give Hunter some space. Hunter took position again and tried the dance move, but this time he improved it a bit.
"That looks better!" James said excited.
"That's great James!" Hunter exclaimed. "But I don't feel well mate."
"Come on! Man up!" James chuckled.
"I'm serious James." Hunter said as he tried to stand on his feet but failed. "I don't feel stable and I feel like I came out of a rollercoaster. I need some water."
"Fine, I'll bring you some water." James said. "Just wait there."
"Like if I can go anywhere when I am dizzy as heck!" Hunter exclaimed. James chuckled and left A-Studio to grab a bottle of water for his friend.
When he reached the hallway where the drinking machine was located, he noticed Beth sitting on a bench on the other side of the hallway writing some things down. He firstly just wanted to grab a bottle water and return to Hunter, but after he saw Beth sitting all alone on that bench, he couldn't resist to at least not to say hi to her. So he bought a bottle of water and an orange soda and walked up towards Beth. As he reached the bench, he sat down on the bench and greeted her.
"Hi Beth."
She looked up and greeted back. "Hey James." She said back with a small smile. James handed her the can of orange soda.
"Aww, that's sweet of you."Beth smiled as she gladly accepts the can of soda.
"No problem." James smiled back. "So what are you doing?"
"Oh, it's nothing." Beth said as she putted her notebook back in her back pack.
"Come on, tell me." James asked. Beth sighed.
"Well, since Riley, Hunter and you were busy with your duets, I decided to write a few ideas down for our small group performance." Beth said. James felt slightly quilty that Riley, Hunter and himself forgot practising for the small group.
"Beth, we're so sorry for forgetting about the small group." James apologized.
"Don't be. We all have stuff on our minds now nowadays." Beth said. "Riley and you just broke up and Hunter has his exams coming. I totally understand."
"But it's not fair that you're doing all the work by yourself." James said. "Why don't you join Hunter and me, so we can all brainstorm together."
"Aren't you two busy with your duet?" Beth wondered.
"Nah, we're good. We brainstormed a lot of ideas, so we now what to do." James said.
"And what about Riley, don't she has to join us?" Beth wondered.
"Actually she does." James answered. "But Riley and Giselle are rehearsing for the first time together so let us give them some time."
"Okay." Beth nodded. "But you and Riley are alright right?"
"Of course we are." James said. "We are hundred precent commited to the team and Internationals."
"That's good to hear James." Beth said.
"Thanks." James said. "And I'm sorry."
"About what?" Beth asked confused.
"I promised you earlier that I would help you to find some friends on A-Troupe, and I didn't. I'm sorry about that." James said.
"It's okay James." Beth smiled. "Like I said, we are all busy lately, you can't do anything about it. And besides I already made some friends.
"That's great!" James exclaimed. "Tell me more."
"Let me see, Michelle, Thalia, Chloe, Giselle, Hunter and I started talking to Daniel today." Beth mentioned.
"And what about me?" James wondered. "We're friends right?"
"Of course we are." Beth smiled. "I just wanted to hear it coming out of your mouth." James chuckled.
"But James, since we are friends, I can tell you a secret right?"
"Of course you can." James said.
"Well... The secret is that I still have huge crush on you..." Beth whispered in James ear.
"Wait... wait?!"
Beth laughed. "Just kiding man! You should have seen your face!"
"You really got me there Beth." James chuckled slightly relieved.
"But what I really wanted to tell you is that Hunter and I are dating."
"Dating? You and Hunter?" James wondered slightly surprise.
"What is it?" Beth noticed the expression on James' face.
"Nothing, I knew you guys were hanging a lot, this slightly came as a surprise, but I'm very happy for both of you." James said.
"That's very kind of you James." Beth smiled as she gave James a quick side. "But don't tell anybody that Hunter and I are a couple, we don't want A-Troup think that we aren't commited for Internationals."
"I promise." James swore. Beth smiled again. "So shall we go to your boyfriend?"
"Shut up." Beth said as she playfully hit James' arm. James chuckled. They both stood up from the bench and made their way to A-Studio.
"I have to tell you what happened to Hunter a couple minutes ago." James said.
(-)
A few hours later all the dancers were gathered in A-Studio, practise was over and Kate and Phoebe had a last word with the dancers.
"So all I want to say is that you all worked so hard today, and that Phoebe and I are really proud of every single one of you." Kate said to the group. "And if no one of you wants to add something, I wish all of you a nice day and I see you tommorow."
The dancers were about to say their goodbyes to Kate and Phoebe until Emily took a step forward and interupted. "Uhm, I want to say something." Emily announced nervously.
"Of course Emily, what do you want to say?" Phoebe wondered.
"Well, before I will say it, I have to tell to all of you that this is the hardest choice that I have ever made in my life so far." Emily said.
"Tell us, you can tell us anything." Michelle, who was standing next to Emily, said.
"I know, I know." Emily said softly. "I hoped that I would never say this one sentence."
"Say what Emily?" Phoebe asked slightly worried.
"That I am leaving The Next Step." Emily revealed. Everyone went silent afterwards, they all couldn't believe what they've just heard. They're captain, the engine of A-Troupe, was leaving. Seconds later, James broke the silence with a chuckle, everbody gave him a confused look.
"I'm sorry. I haven't heard it correctly. I heard Emily say that she is leaving The Next Step. That can't be right!" .
"I wished I'd said something else James. But I am leaving the studio." Emily said.
The first reaction Emily expected came from the mouth of Michelle. "But why?"
"Well, I got an offer from another studio." Emily said.
"Which one?" Thalia wondered.
"Golden Stars Dance Academy." Emily answered.
"So you're moving all the way to the United States?" Eldon asked.
"And that you're joining one of our biggest opponents?" Amanda added. Emily nodded softly while you looked down at the floor, she was to afraid to see the dissapointed, sad or angry looks on their faces.
"Why haven't you told us earlier?" Giselle wondered.
"They asked a couple of days before if I wanted to join their studio." Emily said.
"You should have told us immediatley! Now we almost prepaired for nothing!" Amanda said slightly furious.
"And now we have to find a replacement as well!" James added.
"And how is going to do the mixed duet with West since you are going?" Daniel wondered. Almost everyone was firing 'shots' at Emily who was almost about to cry. Until West tried to make an end to all of this.
"Enough!" He shouted to everyone. "Can't you see that this is hard for her as well? It takes a lot of gutes to tell this to someone! She don't deserve bad talk! Of all the people here, she deserves the most respect! She danced at this studio since the age of three, and all those years she gave everything for The Next Step, blood, sweat and tears! She managed to get this studio to an international level after it was just local-known. She is our captain, she always been there for us when needed. So why can't we thank her and be happy for her? She is going to one of the best dancing schools in the world! She is done at The Next Step! She did her work amazing, and she deserves this challenge! All I want to say to you Emily, I wish you all the best in Boston, and it's an honour to be your opponent on Internationals. We all had some great moments with you and we will surely miss you."
The studio went silent again, seconds later you could only hear some sniffing coming from Emily, who couldn't managed to keep her tears in, a moment later West embraced her to confirm her. A moment later, a sad Riley joined the hug as well, and another moment later whole A-Troup came together for a group hug. During the hug everyone tried to comfort Emily, by thanking her and wishing her the best. "We'll miss you Emily."
(-)
It was a few hours later, at Hunter's place. Hunter was watching a movie with Michelle while they were eating fries and homemade hamburgers. They were watching an action-comedy called 21 Jump Street staring Jona Hill and Channing Tatum. During the movie they talked and laughed like they never did before.
After laughing at one of Michelle's jokes, Hunter putted his plate with food on the table and comfortably faced Michelle by sitting next to her on the sofa.
"You know Michelle, I really missed this." Hunter said. "I've been so busy lately with school and dance. It feels good to hang out again."
"I missed it too Hunter." Michelle smiled, she then grabbed her bottle of soda. "Let's cheers!"
Hunter smiled and grabbed his bott as well. "To what?"
"On us. That we've been friends for so many years." Michelle said as she raised her bottle. Hunter did the same.
"On us!" He said before they both took a sip of their drinks. A short moment later Hunter's cousin Hailey walked in.
"Hey Hunter! Hey Michelle!" She greeted. Michelle and Hunter greeted her back. "Am I bothering you two?"
"Of course not." Hunter said. "So how was your day?"
"Well, today was my last day at Elite and nobody seemed to care." Hailey said.
"I'm so sorry for you Hailey. Do you want to talk about it?" Michelle asked.
"No, thanks Michelle. I don't care as well. It's not like they were my friends or something." Hailey said. "And besides, I'm way too excited to join The Next Step tommorow."
"Glad to hear that you're excited Hails." Hunter said. "So you want to watch a movie with us?"
Hailey shook her head. "Maybe another time. I think I will take quick shower and then go to bed since it's almost ten."
"Your miss Hailey. Goodnight." Hunter said. Hailey said her goodbyes and left the living room.
"Well, I think I should head towards home right now." Michelle said. "It's getting pretty late and dark as well."
"Should I drive you home?" Hunter asked.
"I would really appreciate that." Michelle smiled.
(-)
A few minutes later Hunter drove Michelle home. The firstly talked about Emily, who will be leaving the studio, after they talked about her, Michelle decided to talk about something completely different.
"Hunter can I ask you something?" Michelle asked.
"Anything." He simply replied.
"But promise that you will give me a real and honoust answer." Michelle added.
"I wouldn't dare to lie to you Michelle." Hunter chuckled.
"What I wanted to ask you... What did you thought when I kissed you yesterday?" Michelle finally asked.
"I surely didn't expect that question." Hunter reacted with a small chuckle.
"I want a real answer Hunter."
"Okay, okay." Hunter said as he quickly thought. "Uhm, it came unexpected, but I liked it. But I knew it didn't meant anything, we were just trapped in that moment."
Michelle felt that, she was sure that Hunter didn't see her more than a good friend, while she actually hoped for something more.
"Why did you asked?" Hunter wondered.
Michelle quickly thought. "Well, I just wanted to make sure that the kiss won't make things awkward between us." Michelle lied. "I just love being around you as a friend and I don't want to lose that." She said kind of down.
Hunter smiled. "Well, I love being with you too." He said. "But since we are talking about this, I want too tell you something."
"What is it?" Michelle wondered.
"Well, since today Beth and I are officially a couple."
Will be continued...
End chapter eight
I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)
Let me know what you thought of this chapter by putting it on a review :)
Next week I will upload the last chapter of the month August. After that I will take a short break for this story. School is starting again in a week, and I really need to focus the first week, so my first upload in the month September will be between the 15th and 20th. I hope you understand it :)
Thanks for reading and enjoy the last weeks of the summer sun.
Ciao!