Perfect Strangers

But now you're suddenly like a stranger

The time in America had been lovely and the holidays afterwards had been fantastic as well; the band truly enjoyed their time off because although they adored their work, it was good to have time to relax as well. Especially with the upcoming busy months. Not only would they host the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, they also had been nominated for a Brit Award as 'Best Selling Live Act'. 

But before that, plenty of stuff had to be done. Their management had already came up with new songs and one song would include actual ballroom dancing. But the album was nowhere near done. 

Arriving at the studio, the band was welcomed by an odd sight. Giovanni was in the dance studio with Pete and their management and it seemed as if they'd been focused on a deep talk. In his usual manner, H is the one to immediately speak up and cause the attention to fall on him. "Good morning!" he says. "What did we miss?"

Pete exchanges a look with his protegees before looking back at Giovanni, sighing. "Steps, we need to talk. Giovanni... he's made the decision to leave the dance troupe." 

The band gasps and Giovanni hastily looks down, scared of their reaction. Especially of Faye's reaction. Faye felt as if someone punched her in the chest with all possible energy. A million thoughts were rushing through her mind but she didn't even manage to say one single word. So that's how heartbreak must feel. Having never been in a proper relationship, Faye imagine that this must be how a breakup felt. Even if she and Giovanni were far from being in love... or were they? 

"Why?" Lisa asks to break the silence. "Giovanni, please tell me..."

"I got a job offer." he says. "From a dance school in London. They work closely with the BBC-"

"Oh so you thought you can leave us behind because we're just some pop trash and you're just our dancer. Well then let me tell you something: This pop trash is currently top of the charts." Faye snaps. "Gosh you're just as dumb as Westlife!"

"Was that... an insult?" Giovanni asks with a frown, not having understood what his friend intends to say.

"Of course it was an insult!" Faye shouts. "Who has knocked you on your head huh? We helped to you get a job so you won't end up unemployed and this is how you thank us? Did you... didn't you enjoy being with us?" she asks, her voice getting more quiet with each word. "I thought we're friends." she says, now sobbing.

Both Lee and H sigh at this. They'd seen this before. Every time Faye had been used by her so-called friends; whenever Travis used her to get some fame and money, throwing her around like a puppet. Yes Faye did have some mates from her panto work but she wouldn't go as far and call them proper friends. But the band and dance crew and even Pete... they were friends. "Faye." Lee sighs. "If that's Giovanni's decision, we have to accept that."

"But it's not fair. What is the BBC offering you that we can't give you?" she asks with a broken voice.

Giovanni knew if he'd be honest - the BBC offered him more money and opportunities than the band offers him by hiring him as their backing dancer - then the arguments would've been worse. So he just sighs. "It's a good opportunity for my career. I love being with the band and I adore you all but... but this offer, it just is a massive opportunity for my own career. I don't want to be in the background, in your shadows. I want to prove myself too. As a dancer. I've been to competitions before but when the dance studio closed... well, being in your dance troupe was a great opportunity to boost my career but now it's time to build up my own career, with dancing. But not as a backing dancer. And the BBc can give me exactly what I want."

"So you run off as soon as someone else comes to you." Faye says coldly. Even Pete was surprised at the young blonde's behaviour. "You're leaving your friends behind, Giovanni. I thought we're friends."