HEARTBURST,, The Next Step

[3.17] welcome to miami

❝You know what? I can't even be mad at you, we're in Miami!❞

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Laughter and chatter bounced eagerly off the walls of the hosting building as thirteen dancers rode the escalator down to the ground floor from where their accommodation was situated. Since landing in Miami, the dancers had been abuzz with energy and excitement, despite the early morning flight, and multiple mix-ups with rooms and food-times, nothing was dampening their spirits.

For all of them, it felt surreal that they'd landed in Miami for Internationals after what felt like years of preparation for the next few days. They'd arrived, what they thought was, earlier than advised to register, however, seeing all the teams that were already there made it feel all the more real.

"We're finally here!" Maxie all but screamed, hanging off West's arm as they walked at the back of the group alongside Miss Kate.

All stresses aside, Maxie was determined to make this the most disaster-free competition their team would have to experience: whether it was Riley getting her handpiece caught in her hair at Regionals, or Maxie herself passing out and getting locked in at Nationals, their team had their fair share of stressful situations.

That was why when Kate had suggested arriving a day early to allow the dancers to relax in the well known 'party city', everyone was overjoyed, including Thalia, who proceeded to rush around the venue lobby, greeting the other teams in their native language.

"Bonjour! Dzien dobry!" It seemed Thalia had been so excited for Internationals that she'd taught herself how to say hello in fifty-five different languages, "Ciao, bella! Buongiorno!"

As their friend continued to rush around, throwing herself at every team in sight, the rest of A-Troupe chuckled at the confused looks that followed, just eager to be given the green light to explore Miami for the day.

A grin played on her face as Miss Kate approached them, "Hey, guys, I've just double-checked and it is definitely tomorrow all the North American studios register, so our extra day off is confirmed!" She was met with a chorus of cheers from the others, "I'm just gonna go figure out where our dressing rooms are, I'll be right back."

"So, when are we meeting Tana, then?" Eldon elbowed Maxie in jest, a hint of enthusiasm laced through his tone, whilst the rest of the group dispersed into elated chatter.

Maxie raised a brow, "You know full well her name's Tara, Eldumb," She quipped, adding extra emphasis to the insult. "And she's just sorting some stuff out with her mum, but she's gonna find us when she's free."

"Find us?" James chimed in, confusion clear in his words, "How's she doing that when your location describing skills are shocking."

"Maxie could be eating lunch in Paris and would still direct people to meet in her, like, the everglades. Which are nowhere near Paris," James elaborated, incredulously.

Pointing an accusatory finger at him, Maxie retorted, "Right and who was it that got us all lost trying to find the terminal for our flight last night?" And when she was met with a sheepish look in response, she smirked, "That's what I thought."

"It's not my fault the number five looked like a nine on the sign," He folded his arms, "It's a manufacturing error, if anything."

West rested his arm around Maxie's shoulders, "Funny that no-one else on the flight fell for the manufacturing error, though. Considering we were the last ones to board."