Hi everyone,
Thanks for checking out this new chapter! I'm sorry for updating a bit later than I promised, I kinda had a really bad and rough week, so I wasn't really in the mood for writing, my apologies.
This is the last chapter I will post for a while, I mentioned on the previous chapter that I will start uploading new chapters in mid-September, but that may be a bit longer now. I just want to stop writing for a moment and clear my mind as well for an amount of time, I have so much in my head lately that I need this short break to sort of refresh myself. I think I won't upload any chapters for the whole month of September, and I'm sorry for that. In October I'll be back with weekly uploads on this story.
At least you can try to enjoy this chapter :)
I want to thank every single one of you for all your support, you're the best! :)
Chapter 9
''Beth and I are officially a couple since today.'' Hunter stated while he still drove.
Michelle didn't knew how to react to this. She really hoped that Hunter and herself would have shared something special in the future, but after he announced that he is Beth's boyfriend, everything fell apart immediately. She really didn't knew what to say. Of course she was happy that one of her best friends was happy, but she actually a lot of other emotions like disappointment, slight anger but mostly a lot of sadness. She normally would burst into tears, but Michelle kept herself strong and held her tears in.
''Oh, really.'' Michelle said softly, you could clearly hear that the tone of her voice cracked. ''T-That's a surprise.'' She added as she stared out of the window, just to be sure that Hunter couldn't read her face expressions.
''It's a surprise for me as well.'' Hunter said. ''I week ago I barely knew Beth, and now I'm dating her!''
''Yeah, time flies huh.'' Michelle said trying to sound normal as possible.
''I know.'' Hunter smiled. ''Time is a bit unexpected as well.''
Michelle sighed. ''I really don't know how to react on this, but if you're happy, I'm happy.'' Michelle said, but she didn't fully meant it though.
''That's sweet of you Michelle.'' Hunter smiled as she looked at Michelle, who was still staring outside. ''Michelle are you alright? You seem quiet last couple of minutes.''
''I'm just a bit tired, we all had a long day at the studio today.'' Michelle lied.
''If you say so Michelle.'' Hunter said before he pulled the car over in front of Michelle's house. ''Well, I had a really fun time this evening. Thanks for that.''
''Had a fine time myself too.'' Michelle said. ''Thanks for the ride home and goodnight.''
Hunter wanted to give Michelle a hug but she immediately left the car and headed into her house. 'That's weird.' Hunter thought and drove the car of in much confusion.
( Three days later )
Emily was at the airport with her Riley and her parents. She was about to departure to the Boston, to join the Gold Stars. So Riley and her parents came along to say their goodbyes to Emily.
Emily was about to check-in for her flight, which would departure soon, so she had to say goodbye right at that moment. She started with her parents.
''So, mom and dad.'' Emily sighed. ''This is it. It's time for me to leave.'' Emily said as she both gave her mom and dad a hug. ''Thank you for everything you've done for me. I really love you and I will miss you two so much!''
''All the best sweetheart.'' Her dad said. ''We are extremely proud of you that you made it this far in dancing.''
Emily smiled. ''Thanks dad.'' Her mom let a few tears roll down on her cheek.
"My little girl has grown so quickly." The mother sniffed. "I'm going to miss you so much!" She cried as she gave her oldest daughter a hug. "I will call you everyday! We can Skype or Facetime! We can write letters to each other. I will even send you my homemade cookies and-"
"Mom, please!" Emily chuckled as she gently pushed her mom away from her. "I will miss you too. Very much actually. Thank you for taking care of me, every day since the I was born. You made me who I am right now." Emily said before giving her mom one last huge hug. At the moment they pulled away, the smiled on more time at each other before she moved on to her younger and only sister Riley.
The first thing the two sisters did was giving each other a hug, a tight and long on. "I'm sorry have this last days went Riley." Emily said during the hug.
"It's okay Ems, I took me a while to realise that you are actually going." Riley said.
"You'll be fine Riley, I'm sure about that." Emily said.
"You promise that?" Riley asked. As they pulled away from the hug a few seconds later, Emily looked Riley right in the eye.
"Riley, listen to me." Emily started. "Times are stressful now, and I know you can handle it, you're strong. I may not be around, but you have a lot of family here. For example, mom and dad, and the whole Next Step is your family as well. So don't ever think you're alone okay?"
Riley nodded as she let a few tears roll on her cheek, Emily gently removes them with her thumb. "Stay strong Riley." She said as she gave her little sister one final hug. After she pulled away, she slowly grabbed her suitcases from the ground, and slowly went step to step towards the portals where you could check-in in the gates.
Halfway through her walk, Emily gets stopped by a voice. "Emily! Please wait!" She turned around to see West running up to her. She was quite surprised to see him. A moment later West stood in front of Emily, he seemed quite exhausted from that sprint he took.
"Emily, I am so glad you haven't moved yet!" He mentioned while he was a bit out of breath.
"West? What are you doing here?" Emily wondered.
"I actually don't know Emily." West said. Emily gave the dark-skinned boy a weird look.
"So without thinking you just came to the airport?" Emily asked.
"That's incorrect." West stated. "I was definitely thinking."
"What were you thinking then?" Emily wondered still confused.
"I was thinking about you." West said. "These past days I couldn't stop thinking about you Emily."
Emily turned a bit red. "You really did?"
"Of course! I was like: I really liked this girl, but I dumped her for such a stupid reason." West said.
"I'm moving abroad, you know that right?" Emily said. West nodded. "But what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to say that I miss you." He simply said.
"That's it? Couldn't you send me a text message or something?"
"Of course not! You mean way too much for me. I freakin' took three busses to say you something very important."
"What do you want to say to me West?"
"Well, this may sound a bit goofy, but 'Ik hou nog steeds van jou.'" West said.
Emily gave him a weird look again. "What did you say?"
"'Ik hou nog steeds van jou.'" West repeated. "One of the ten Dutch sentences I know fluently."
Emily chuckled a bit. "What does that mean?"
"It literally means; 'I still love you.'" West translated. "And I really do still love you Emily. I actually never stopped."
Emily kept silent for a while but after a moment a smile appeared on her face. "I actually never stopped thinking about you too West." Emily admit. "I really felt bad about the way we broke up."
"I do too." West said. "All kind of emotions were running through our minds at that moment."
"Yeah." Emily said.
"But Emily, do you want to give us a chance?"
Emily sighed. "West, I really would, but I am leaving moving abroad, thousands of kilometres away from Toronto."
"Well; 'Echte liefde kent geen afstand.'" West said. Emily chuckled again.
"And what the heck does that mean?" Emily wondered.
"True love doesn't know any distances." West smiled. "We can nake this work Emily!"
"You really think so?" Emily said. "A lot long distance relationships don't work out at all."
'We can be in that percentage where it does work out. I have no doubts about this." West tried to sound convincing.
"Well..." Emily smiled. "Let's do it!"
West smiled. ''Really?"
"Yeah!" West gave Emily a huge hug.
"You don't know how happy I'm right now." West smiled before pulled away from the hug. "Wait a sec." West took a step away from Emily and made a backflip. "That doesn't even describe the half of how happy I am right now!"
"Last announcement for flight 747 to Boston, United States of America! All passenger for this flight check-in and border now!" The intercom spoke throughout the whole airport.
"Well I have to go now." Emily sighed while she grabbed her suitcases up again.
"I'm really going to miss you Emily." West said.
"I'm going to miss you too West." Emily said back. "But cheer up, in seventy-five days we will meet each other in Miami for Internationals again."
"That's way too long." West mentioned. Emily gave West a small smile and leant in to kiss him. The kiss was a short but passionate one. One they would never forget.
"Well, you have to it with that one for a while." Emily smiled. West smiled before giving Emily one final hug before she left.
( Few hours later, Kate's office )
Hi Noah, please take a seat." Kate welcomed the boy while she sat down behind her own desk. Noag nervously walked into the office and sat down on the seat in front of the desk.
"Why am I here? Have I done something wrong." Noah said panicky with fear in his hazel-brown eyes. "I haven't done anything! You don't have any evidence!" Kate chuckled and calmed him down.
"Don't worry Noah, you aren't in any trouble." Kate said. Noah sighed in relief.
"That's such a relief!" Noah said. "But why did you called me over?"
"Well I want to ask you something." Kate asked.
"What is it?" Noah wondered.
"You may have know that Emily left the studio, so that means that there is an open spot left in A-Troup. And since you are the most promising and potentially dancer at this studio, so I want to offer you an International spot at A-Troup!" Kate offered excitingly. "So what do you so say?"
Noah smiled and couldn't find the right words to say. "I-is this for real?"
Kate nodded. "This is for real Noah."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Noah exclaimed excited as he jumped op from his chair and gave Kate a hug. "Thank you so much!"
"Well you deserved it Noah." Kate exclaimed.
"Thank you so much Kate! I will not disappoint you!" He said happily. "This is all going so fast! I really don't know what do now!"
"Well, I would like to introduce you at the team after practise, so would you like to come back in two and a half hours?"
Noah nodded like crazy with still a huge smile on his face. "I'll be there!"
Kate smiled. "Great, I'll see you then Noah."
"Yeah, thank you again!" Noah said as he left the office.
(-)
"So let's start this all over again okay, I don't want to have a competition with you. We are team mates and we need to help each other and get ready for Internationals. So are we cool?" Daniel apologized to Eldon as he took out his hand. Daniel and Eldon had been rivals for months now. They battled against each other for a spot for a Nationals solo, which Eldon eventually won. So right before Nationals he left The Next Step to dance at another at Nationals, where they offered him a solo, since then Eldon never came through one door with Daniel. He always called Daniel egocentric and definitely not a team player.
However, Daniel finally realised the mistakes he made in the past, he wanted to make it up to everyone, starting with Eldon.
Eldon thought, how could he trust Daniel again after the huge thing he had done to the studio, but that was the past and he may have changed. Besides, it's not good for the team chemistry if teammates fight or argue with each other. So Eldon accepted his apology.
Eldon shook Daniel's hand. "Yeah, we're cool."
Michelle who was watching the whole scene cheered happily. "Finally you two made it up." She said. "Can we finally get started on our routine?" After Michelle asked, Phoebe walked in the practise room.
"Hi guys, sorry for bothering you." Phoebe pardoned."Michelle, Kate want to speak to you in her office."
"Is it urgent, because we were about to begin on our routine." Michelle wondered.
"I really don't know what she wants to talk about Michelle." Phoebe said. "But she wanted to speak to you, and if Kate wants to speak to you, you already know it's pretty important."
Michelle nodded her head in understandment. "That's true."
"Indeed." Phoebe added.
"Thanks Phoebe." Michelle said as she made her way to Kate's office. "I'll be right back guys."
(-)
"Hi Kate, you wanted to talk to me?" Michelle said as she entered the office and sat on the chair in front of her desk.
"Good to see you Michelle." Kate said. "And yes, I want to talk about something."
"Okay, what about?" Michelle wondered.
"Well, since Emily left you're now a captain, no co-captain, just a captain. So that means you have to lead the team all by yourself, and I was wondering if you can handle all this on your own." Phoebe said.
Michelle quickly thought before she came to a conclusion. "I really don't know Kate. Honestly, I got a lot of things in my mind now, for example my solo and triples. So I'm not sure if I can manage and control a team alone at the moment."
"Is it a possibility to choose a new co-captain?" Kate asked.
"I think that's the best option." Michelle said. "I don't have any of Emily's captain abilities. I'm not very motivational, I don't shout or anything, and I just can't hold control easily over a big group of people."
"That's okay Michelle. You're totally different than Emily, and that's okay. You like to help others, you share your thoughts and idea's, you are very open to everyone and most important; You always put the team in the first place, and that's what makes you a great captain as well."
Michelle smiled after hearing the words of words of the studio owner. "Thanks Kate."
Kate smiled back and immediately went back to business. "So do you have any prefers for co-captain?"
Michelle thought and finally shook her head. "I guess not, besides I don't have any problems with anyone, so I'd like to work with anyone you appoint."
"That's good to hear Michelle." Kate smiled.
"So, can I leave? I'm kinda busy with Daniel and Eldon." Michelle wondered.
"Of course! Thanks a lot for your time Michelle." Kate thanked. Michelle smiled and left the office.
( One hour later )
A lot of dancers were practising their dance routines with each other in A-Studio. They were all so busy that they didn't noticed someone walking into the studio who wasn't a part of A-Troupe. After a while Chloe was the first one to notice that person.
"Tifanny!" She said as she ran up to the girl, followed excitedly by the rest of the dancers. Everyone welcomed and greeted Tiffanny in a warm and kind way.
"Great to see you again Tiffany, but what are you doing here?" Chloe asked.
"Well it has been a while I visited The Next Step, and I really missed you. So I thought, why not take a visit to my favorite place in town." Tiffany explained with a smile.
"That's nice of you." Giselle said. "You're always welcome at the studio."
"Thanks, that's very nice of you." Tiffany smiled. "How are your preparations going for Internationals?"
"We would lie if we said that it's going fantastic, but we're doing alright." James said.
"Good to hear that! I'm sure you guys will do amazing at Internationals." Tiffany said.
"We hope so as well Tifanny." Eldon smiled at her former team mate. "But we'll at least try our best in Miami."
"You'd better do that!" Tiffany warned playfully. "I expect a lot from you Eldon! From all of you as well!" The group chuckled a bit, after Tiffany continued talking.
"Do you guys know where Kate is?" She asked. "I want to say hi to her."
"She is sitting in her office, if I'm correct." Michelle said.
"Thanks." Tiffany smiled. "And is it a plan to drink something and talk at Culture Shock after your practise is finished." She asked to the group, they thought it was a fun idea to have a drink with Tifanny so they all agreed on her plan.
"Great! I'll see you then! Good luck with the training!" Tiffany said before she left towards Kate's office.
(-)
"I wanted to say is that I really miss dancing at this studio. Ever since I stopped dancing, I tried out a lot of other things, I tried producing music, all kind of sports, drawing and even rapping, those things were fun to do, but it didn't really felt like me. I really felt comfortable and at home at this studio, so I was hoping if you may have a spot for me at The Next Step?" Tiffany hoped slightly insecure. Kate thought about it for a second. Of course she want to give Tiffany a spot in The Next Step, but A-Troupe was currently full at the moment.
"I really wished that I could give you a spot Tifanny, but A-Troupe is full at the moment." Kate said.
"It's okay. An Internationals spot would be amazing, but I just really miss dancing at this studio, is there another possibility for me?" Kate thought again. A-Troupe may be full, but there's one open spot in B-Troupe left, since Noah been promoted to A-Troupe. She firstly thought to promote a youngster from J-Troupe like Abbie or Richelle to B-Troupe, but Kate know what Tiffany is capable of, she was in the squad which won Regionals months ago, it's probably for the best, because a lot of B-Troupe dancers can learn a lot from an formally A-Troupe dancers.
"Well, today is your lucky day Tifanny! There is a spot open at B-Troupe since today, and I would love to ask if you want to accept this offer?" Kate offered.
Tiffany gave Kate a huge smile and gladly accepted the offer.
"Yes! Thanks so much Kate! You don't know how much this means to me!" Tiffany thanked gratefully. Kate smiled back at the young girl.
"Any time Tifanny." She said back. "So will I see you here tomorrow for B-Troupe training?"
"I'll be here." Tiffany said back with a smile. Tifanny then left the office after she said her goodbyes to the studio owner.
(-)
"You wanted to see me Kate?" Eldon wondered as he entered her office.
"Hi Eldon, please take a seat." Kate greeted. Eldon silently sat down in front of Kate's desk.
"Is there anything wrong?" Eldon asked slightly worried.
"No no, of course not. Why would you think that?" Kate wondered.
"Well, I don't know. Every time you call somebody over everyone knows there has to be something, whether it's something positive or negative." Eldon explained.
"Don't worry about that Eldon, I don't have anything negative to say about you or anyone in this studio at the moment. I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead, what do you want to ask?" Eldon wondered.
"I'll just get straight to the point... Do you want to be A-Troupe's co-captain?" Kate finally asked. Eldon froze, that surely was the last thing Eldon expected Kate to ask.
"This surely comes as an huge surprise." Eldon's first were.
"Take your time, it's a huge decision." Kate said. Eldon thought for about 45 seconds before he came with a conclusion.
"I firstly want to say that I'm very honoured that you see me as a captain-figure." Eldon started.
"So I that a yes?" Kate asked slightly hopeful. Eldon slowly shook his head. "Why not? You've been dancing at this studio for fourteen years, we've won Regionals and Nationals with your solo's. Your loyal, everybody's friend and you always give 100% to this studio."
"Again, I really feel honoured, but I'm not interested in being a dance captain, I really want to focus on my solo and I can't do that while I have to take responsibility for a whole group. And by the way, I am goofy, I am totally not a good speaker... That isn't really captain material, is it?"
"Well, I guess you're right Eldon." Kate said. "And you are not a goof Eldon." Eldon smiled.
"Thanks Kate." Eldon said. "Besides, there are a lot of potential captains walking in this studio, like Riley, James, Giselle and Hunter. Actually Hunter became dance captain at his old studio, after Michelle left the studio."
"That's good to know. Thank you for your time Eldon." Kate smiled.
"Any time." Eldon smiled back and left office.
(-)
A short ten minutes later, Kate called James over to her office.
"So James, why I called you over-"
"Everything what Eldon said." He interrupted. Kate gave the boy a confused look.
"Uhm, excuse me?"
"I said; 'Everything what Eldon said.'" James repeated.
"And what do you mean with that?" Kate wondered confused.
"Eldon told me everything about the whole captain-thing." James explained.
"And why did you say: 'Everything what Eldon said?'"
"Because I knew that you were about to ask me if I want to A-Troupe dance captain." James said.
"That's correct." Kate said. "And what is your decision?"
"Everything what Eldon told you." James answered simply.
"I still don't understand it..." Kate stated. James sighed and started explaining.
"Eldon probably told you a whole story about the reason why he didn't want to be a dance captain. I'm too lazy to come up with a story why I don't want to be a dance captain, that's why I said; 'Everything what Eldon said.'" James explained. "I want to focus on my duet and small group, and I want to enjoy dancing without to much pressure, you understand?" Kate nodded.
"I understand James, it's a huge decision and I respect your decision." The studio owner said. James smiled.
"Thanks Kate, I actually feel honoured that you see me as a captain-figure as well." James said. "But why actually?"
"Well, I can name a lot of reasons James. The most important reason why I wanted you as a captain is that you're a fighter, you don't give up easily, you never stop until you reached your goal or is an ideal captain skill." Kate explained.
"I really don't have an idea why you named that." James replied. "That doesn't sound like me at all."
"Really? Let me tell you an example or two." Kate offered.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Riley's task list you had to complete." Kate named. James gave Kate a confused look.
"Wait, you knew about that?" James wondered.
"Of course I did. I am the studio owner, I am up-to-date with every single thing what's happening in the studio James."
"Alright... Go on."
"This isn't a very good example, but what about the flashmob you organized for Michelle? That showed that you really care about the team.'' Kate said. ''And I'm not lying if I say that you would be a great captain for the team James.''
''It means a lot hearing that Kate.'' James smiled. ''But I'm not ready right now. Maybe one day in the future… We will see.''
''Right, we will see.'' Kate smiled back. ''Thanks a lot for your time James.''
(-)
A few hours later the training slowly came to an end. The dancers gathered around at A-Studio for an usual final word.
''Great job today everyone! I've watched a few routines and I must say that I'm very impressed and that I'm very proud of all of you.'' Kate said proudly towards the group as she received a few smiles in return. ''Well, before you leave, I have an announcement to make. I will make this quickly; Phoebe and I have found a replacement for Emily.''
''Who is it?'' A few dancers asked curiously.
''Well look behind you.'' Kate smiled as she pointed towards Noah who was standing behind the group of dancers. The dancers turned around slightly confused until the saw Noah standing there a bit uncomfortable. The group rushed towards Noah in an excited way to greet and welcome him in the group. Noah received warm hugs and congrats from his new teammates.
Meanwhile Michelle got called over by Kate to her office. A she stepped in the office a moment later, she saw Kate sitting behind her desk and Hunter sitting across of Kate, what was he doing here?
''Is there anything wrong Kate?'' Michelle asked confused while she still wondered what Hunter was doing in the office.
''I want tell you something Michelle, please take a seat next to Hunter.'' Kate said. Michelle took a seat, still confused.
''Not to sound rude, but why is Hunter here?'' Michelle wondered.
''Because I want you to meet your new co-captain Michelle.'' Kate announced excited. ''Just like back in Madison huh?''
To be continued…
End chapter nine.
I hope you enjoyed this one lads :)
Let me know what you thought of this chapter
Just to mention it again, I won't post any chapters for a few weeks.
I want to thank all of you again for all your support you gave to me and this story :)
Stay strong everyone, and I will you soon!