The Next Step Season 7 Rewrite (Discontinued)

Lola?

Richelle

Walking into studio A I have to say the last person I expected to be back here was Lola.

Emily called us in to tell us she already heard from someone who wanted to audition to be on the team. I was surprised at first since I assumed she would hold auditions here, but then again Amy is a member of A troupe without auditioning in a big group.

But back to now, Lola is sitting on one of the cubes talking to none other than Summer. We never really patched things between us after I got injured and honestly I didn't know how to apologize, but then I found out she left, so I assumed I wouldn't see her again.

"Hey Richelle you coming in?" Piper asks, stopping beside the bench I am sitting on.

"Oh yeah of course, I'm just looking for something," I reply, looking through my bag.

"Ok." Piper walks into studio A.

As much as I don't want to face Lola, I know I have to. I at least owe it to her to apologize for being such a terrible friend. She was never anything but sweet to me and I totally broke her trust.

I walk around the corner to see the three girls, as well as Amy and Kenzie talking.

Surprisingly, Summer greets me first. "Hey Richelle."

"Hi Summer, where are the guys?" I ask, while sitting down to stretch. It's only to distract myself from Lola sitting next to her.

"I'm not sure, usually most people are here by n-" Summer gets cut off by the sound of the boy's laughter and voices entering the studio.

"I guess there's our answer," Summer says.

"Hello Summer," Henry says, sliding next to her and putting his arm around her.

She laughs. "Hello."

"Lola hi, I haven't seen you in a while. So you're the dancer Emily was telling us about yesterday?" Ozzy asks, as he sits down next to me.

"Yes, she said she would love to have me as an dancer after I auditioned for her so I'm going to join you for rehearsal today," she replies with a nervous smile. She meets my gaze for the first time since I entered and her smile falters a little, but she still manages a small smile in my direction. I return it.

"That's great, it's so cool that you're back." Henry smiles at her.

Conversation starts up in the studio, with the more senior members of the team asking about the past few years, while the newer dancers just try to get to know her. I sit listening to the conversation, but not joining in. I have no idea how to make things right with her or even if she'll want to talk to me. Luckily, Emily starts rehearsal quickly.

Rehearsal is good, but awkward. I spend the time trying not to look at Lola too much, but also not trying to look at her too little. Since when did normal dancing get so complicated?

"Hey Richelle," Lola calls out to me as I pick up my bag.

"Yeah Lola." I turn towards her. She doesn't look too different, her hair is definitely shorter but it looks good on her. Her tank top today is red and she's wearing grey shorts. It suits her.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to The Next Steep with me. I haven't been there before and I kind of wanted to talk with you," she lowers her voice a little towards the end.

"Sure I'd love to," I reply turning to Kenzie on my left, "I'll see you tomorrow right?" I ask.

"Yeah for sure." She leaves the studio.

Lola follows me out of the studio to the Next Steep.

We sit at the Next Steep in silence, before both blurting out simultaneously, "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry, why are you sorry?" I ask confused. After I'm the one who messed things up between us.

"I'm sorry that you got injured. It could have been avoided if I just told Emily," Lola responds, looking down guiltily.

"That's not your fault Lola, I chose to dance. I was the one who should've been treating you better," I reply, trying to make her feel better and finally getting to apologize.

"I'm just glad you still aren't mad at me," Lola says, meeting me gaze again and smiling at me.

"Me too," I say, smiling back at her.

"Friends again?" She asks, biting her bottom lip nervously.

"Of course," I respond, trying to keep my excitement down, but really I'm overjoyed as she stands up and hugs me, it's a bit awkward considering she has to lean across the table to do it, but I appreciate the gesture nonetheless. I've missed her so much.

Sure I've had Jacquie and Kenzie, but neither of them felt like my friendship with Lola. There's no competition between me and Lola, she's just my best friend and I'm so glad to have her back, even if things are never the same as they were before.

"So what's been going on with the studio? I know most of the dancers but I did see some new people?."She says, excitement dripping from her words.

"Oh that is a long story. So Zara and Josh left at the same time you did. Heather did later, when we got a new studio head," this part seems to surprise her, considering Emily is still studio head now, "She left because Miss Angela was really cruel and played favourites..." I start retelling the story of last year, watching her reactions intently. I make sure she's still interested throughout, not wanting to bore her, but she reassured me she wants to know everything.

Once I'm finished she starts telling me all about her past year. "So my family and I moved to the United States because my grandmother was sick for a while, but she's been doing well for a bit now and we moved back here to be near more family..." Lola continues her story.

That last part was a little cheesy but I kind of like it. I think these are either going to be oneshots as I first planned or an alternate storyline of season 7.