HEARTBURST,, The Next Step

[1.30] winner takes it all

[1X30]

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

{During A-Troupe's battle with Elite Studios in the finals, Emily becomes distracted by the apparent connection between Eldon and Michelle.}

❝I finally know what we have that the other teams didn't. We have a connection. No matter how big, strong, platonic, or romantic, each of us has some sort of connection with everyone on the team and that really just brought us the next level in our dancing and frienships.❞

The eleven A-Troupers, plus Chris and Kate, were all on the Regionals stage running through the dance as Emily lead them. Michelle and Eldon were more to the right of the stage going through their 'lovers duet', as well.

"Five, six, seven, eight!" Emily called out whilst the other eight were running through the choreo.

James, West and Maxie were all at the back of the pyramid as they watched Eldon and Michelle stare into each other's eyes.

"Look how romantic their duet is!" West announced in a fake-gushy voice.

"They're magical!" James continued, trying to contain his laughter as he smirked.

"It makes my heart whole!" Maxie mimicked, faking love-heart eyes as she did so.

During their fake fawning over the pair, Emily just so happened to make their way past them with both a confused and hurt look on her face all while the three of them doubled over in laughter from making fun of their friend.

"Bro, you said, 'magical'," West chuckled, speaking to the taller of the three.

James snickered, "Yeah, and you said it 'made your heart whole'," he told Maxie as she burst into more laughter.

"Mhm, and West said it was 'romantic'," she chuckled along with the two.

Maxie shook her head, a small giggle falling from her mouth as she breathed out, "Right now, I don't know what's going on in the world of Emily, Eldon and Michelle. And, honestly, I don't want to know what's going on. I mean, I just want to get this rehearsal done before any drama starts to happen, 'cause, it seems to follow us around nonstop."

"It all comes down to this one moment. Elite vs. The Next Step," Chuck announced somewhat dramatically as he and Stacey sat in front of the stage, "Here, in the Finals at the Absolute Dance Regional Championships."

It had been a few hours already since The Next Step had finished their rehearsal and now the curtains were drawn in preparation for Elite's final performance.

"Chuck Anderson alongside Stacey Tookey," the man continued with a smile, "Stacey, according to the rules, these two teams have to come up with something completely new."

The blonde woman nodded, "That's the case. You have to do a new routine at this moment. What has Elite saved? In my opinion, they've brought something even better than what we've seen - that's kind of their strategy. Now, The Next Step, I'm not sure about, because I kind of feel like they used their best number right out of the gate, to even get here. So, we're really going to see how that all pans out."

"Yeah, that would make a lot of sense."

From the wings, The Next Step themselves stood in their costumes as they watched Elite get into their positions and calm their nerves.