HEARTBURST,, The Next Step

[3.13] mixed messages

❝I bet I could tell her I'm gonna mess with her to her face and she still wouldn't see it coming.❞

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Maxie had never felt closer to her old life as she danced to the mellow tunes of Who Are You Really by Mikky Ekko, her body moved in synchronised harmony with the brunette girl beside her as they enacted their duet.

The two British girls had created this emotionally linked two-person dance over half a decade ago, back when they had danced at the same studio together, back when they considered each other to be their 'best friend for life'. However, no matter how long had passed since they'd initially made it, or how much had changed in their lives and their relationship, the two still danced the choreography like it was second nature. Their emotions and connections were ever prevalent through their beautifully linked movements.

"Zie and I made this duet when we were dancing together at Summerfield," Ella explained with a nostalgic tint to her voice, "At the time, we were each other's best and only friends, so it felt fitting to make a dance for just the two of us."

Maxie held a similar expression of reminiscence as she spoke, "We're dancing it again because Ella's feeling homesick right now, and, as we were the first two people in the studio, I suggested doing something that'd remind her of home, as that's what helped me when I first moved here."

"That was sick," Came through pants as Ella looked at Maxie with a smile, turning the speaker off once the music had reached its end, "I love the extra moves you added, too."

"Yeah, well, as great as our six-year-old choreo was, I thought it needed an extra flare," Maxie chuckled along with her old friend: the warm feeling of being able to dance without the pressure of competitions of results had put her in a good mood.

Ella found herself bemused and almost infatuated at how nonchalant Max was about her skill. "No, seriously, the stuff you added was amazing. You're telling me you still dance like you're nobody's competition, but you're still not the best dancer at the studio?"

"Now, who said I wasn't the best dancer at this studio?" Max scoffed in a sarcastic manner, remaining humble albeit knowing exactly what Ella was insinuating.

"Surely that Kate woman would be stupid to not make her best dancer the International soloist, though?" Although she was still smiling, anyone could pick up on the serious tones behind the Summerfield dancer's voice, "Especially since you literally won Miss National soloist, and are the Dance Captain of an Internationally competing team."

Maxie simply brushed off the subject, "Nah, I've got enough to deal with. Riley's great, she'll smash it for us."

Ella raised an eyebrow at her friend.

"I mean, the solos aren't even knockout rounds, I don't think..." Maxie was still trying to reason, though her attempts were becoming pathetic, "Even if she isn't the best, she's not gonna cost us anything."

"That's the Maxie I know," Ella grinned wryly. "She knows deep down she could outdance any girl that takes the solo round at Internationals, even me. I just want her to admit it."