HEARTBURST,, The Next Step

[2.25] just dance

[2X25]

{After finally uncovering Amanda's true motives, Maxie makes a devastating phone call and needs a pick-me-up; it seems West is the perfect person to do that.}

❝You got a headache? I got a chest compression for that!❞

Still confused and slightly upset over the loss of one of her friends, Maxie had agreed to get a drink at Culture Shock with Stephanie in an attempt to get their minds off the drama that both of their lives entailed.

During their journey from the studio floor to the one below, the two girls had met up with Amanda, who was also coincidentally on her way down to the café, too. The three of them walked on in comfortable silence before Amanda decided to strike up a conversation.

"Do you think you have the small group down, yet, Maxie?" She asked with a slightly condescending tone in her voice as she carried on, "Because I'm thinking of making some changes and I just wanna know if you'd be able to keep up."

Exchanging a dubious look with Stephanie, Maxie replied, "Yeah, uh, I'm pretty good for Nationals."

"Good," Amanda nodded, a small smile creeping onto her face as she turned to the other girl, "Speaking of Nationals, is B-Troupe going to any competitions this year?" She asked just as the three of them made it into Culture Shock.

"Uh, yeah, a small one, but nothing like Nationals," Stephanie sighed. Ever since she had been kicked from the team, she had found it hard to stay so close with her old friends, especially when they brought up competitions they were going to such as Nationals.

"Makes sense," Amanda nodded as they went to the counter, "What do you guys want?"

An excited look made its way onto Maxie's face when she spotted the new batch of Caprisuns in the corner of the drinks area. Noticing the look, Amanda didn't even need to ask to know just what the girl wanted.

Letting out a chuckle at Maxie's eagerness, she tapped the bell, "Hi, uh, one blueberry smoothie, one orange Caprisun and..." She trailed off, looking to Stephanie.

"And one berry blast for me," Stephanie added, giving the woman behind the counter a brief smile.

When the woman ducked away to get the drinks for the three girls Amanda, who had insisted on paying for Maxie and Steph, pulled out the money she needed, which just so happened to have a rather wonky smiley face on one of the notes.

Stephanie was the first to notice the odd graffiti as she furrowed her brows in confusion, eyes darting towards the drawing on the money.  "Why does it look like a kid drew all over your money?"

The comment drew Maxie's attention in as she leaned over to peer at what Stephanie was talking about. "Yeah, looks like someone my mum would yell at me for when I was seven," She scoffed lightheartedly, assuming it was probably just a sibling of Amanda's.

"It's whatever, don't worry about it," Amanda brushed it off just as two juices and a Caprisun was placed before them. The girl quickly passed the cashier the note before either Stephanie or Maxie could have a better look at it and nodded for them to leave.

Okay..." Stephanie muttered as she and Max followed the girl out of Culture Shock, unaware that Riley and Chloe had been watching them the whole time.