HEARTBURST,, The Next Step

[1.29] this is how we do it

[1X29]

I do not own any characters/plot from this show apart from my own!

{When the stress of A-Troupe's semi-final face-off with Seeds starts to affect Emily, Eldon gives her a much needed, but misunderstood, pep talk.}

❝I'm kind of embarrassed to say it, but, I kind of forgot I was her boyfriend.❞

A few hours had passed since the announcement and A-Troupe were once again running through their routine in the small rehearsal space they had found in the reception.

Emily and Michelle stood side-by-side next to Lisa, who was holding a microphone as she interviewed them, "Competition starts to get fierce, right about here, because you're facing off against a very focused, determined team-"

"Hi, mum!" Maxie yelled, catching all three of the women off-guard as she threw her arms around the co-captain's shoulders, squeezing herself in between them with a big grin plastered on her face.

Lisa gave the girl a hesitant look before addressing her, "Ah, Maxie, right? I think I met you before when I called to talk to Amanda - how are you feeling about possibly going up against her?"

Maxie stood there for a second, confused as to why the woman was talked to her, however, quickly snapped out of it when Emily hit her lightly to pull her back to reality.

"I, uh, I guess even if we get to a stage where we face against Elite, we'll be in the finals so I'll just be grateful to be there," she told the woman confidently, "And so will the rest of the team. But, I think they might be one of our biggest rivals if we do so, I mean, someone said they've already bought nationals tickets? I mean, I think they're getting ahead of themselves, personally."

Lisa nodded, giving Maxie an appreciative smile as she responded, "Very wise words from Miss Maxie," she said before turning back to the dance captains - giving Maxie a signal that she was finished.

The girl backed away and continued to carry on rehearsing with the troupe in preparation for the semifinals.

"Five, six, seven, eight..." Michelle counted as the dancers continued running through the moves for what felt like the millionth time that day.

"Great job, Giselle. Keep those toes pointed, Max," Emily pointed out helpfully whilst Michelle continued.

Without warning, Lucien and his troupe of prideful dancers barged through, cutting their run-through short as they disregarded any spatial awareness between themselves and The Next Step.

"I mean, how rude is that? I don't care how good you think you are, you don't just walk through someone's rehearsal!" Riley exclaimed with offence.

Maxie shook her head, "I just want to grab his... Stupid flat cap off his stupid head and just... shove it down his-"

"Please don't tell me Maxie said anything violent," Kate muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose exasperatedly.

Unlike her fellow dancers, Amanda hung back to laugh at The Next Step once again, "Awh. Cute costumes, guys. Is your grandma missing her curtains? And who did your make-up - a clown?"

"Ha, ha, very original," Max muttered, sending a death glare that would have Amanda six feet under if looks could kill.

"What?" the dance captain scoffed, turning to look Maxie in the eye.

Stepping forward slightly, Max breathed out before responding, "I mean, how long did it take you to come up with that one? A few hours? A day? A week? 'Cause let me tell you, you're not the first person who's tried to get into my head at a dance comp," she spoke, giving a dry chuckle before continuing, "And you're certainly not the first to insult me or the team I'm with."