All I Want To Be | The Next Step

Chapter 3: Troupe Tutor

As Charlie is walking by Studio A she sees her sister begging on her knees in front of James and his mom. Of course seeing the strange sight she walks in.

"Please let James compete at Regionals, we need him" says Michelle

"Michelle, he is failing math. School comes first" says James' Mom

"Just give him a chance to get his grades up, I promise he can do it" says Michelle.

"We have already given him a chance to get the grades up on his own, and he is still failing." Says James' Mom.

Michelle in the interview chair, "That is when I thought of the perfect idea"

"What if I got James a tutor? I know the perfect one." Says Michelle

"How much does this math tutor pay?" says James' Mom

Michelle in the interview chair, "Far more then she knows, I'm going to be drowning in favors up to my eyeballs."

"It's free, they know how much James means to the studio" Michelle lies.

"So, who is this tutor?" says James' mom.

"It's my sister" says Michelle.

"Isn't your sister...." Michelle lifts her hand and covers Eldon's mouth.

Michelle in the interview chair, "My sister Charlie is a math genius, she's been in higher math classes then me for years. She helps me with my homework all the time. The only problem in she doesn't like to get payed with money, instead it's favors that can be cashed in at anytime. You do not want to know what favor she cashed in a Disney world, she was just plain cruel. But a deal is a deal, and I would do anything to keep the team together."

James in the interview chair, "I love Charlie and all but how is a J-Trouper going to tutor me in math?"

Charlie in the interview chair, "I'll do it, I would love to help A-Troupe and I also would like to mess with my sister more. This couldn't have come at  better timing because I just ran out of favors."

"Fine. Three days a week at the juice café. Your not allowed to dance for the next two weeks mister. Get those grades up or kiss the Next Step goodbye." Says James' mom.

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James in the interview chair says, "So I'm walking into Studio J to meet my new tutor and honestly I'm a little nervous. I can't believe I just said that, but the way Michelle talks about her sister, she makes her out to be terrifying."

As James walks in he sees Noah and Charlie practicing their duet, for their big finish they do a star lift. The music ends and Noah places Charlie down.

"Guys, that was sick! I didn't know J-Troupe was that good!" says James

Noah in the interview chair says, "Of course he wouldn't know, A-Troupe still treats us like babies. We are serious dancers and its time we start being treated as such"

"So, is it time for tutoring?" James says to Charlie.

"Charlie your getting tutoring? I could have helped you" Noah says trying to help his friend. Charlie puts her hand on her face, "I'm not the one getting tutoring Noah. I'm helping James."

Noah in the interview chair says, "She's helping James? Is there anything she's not good at? I feel like an idiot now."

"Of course you are, have fun" Noah says trying to recover from his mistake.

Noah in the interview chair says, "Why can't I just ever say the right thing?"

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Charlie in the interview chair says, "Its been a week of tutoring James now and we are making some improvements. We are definitely on track for regionals."

James in the interview chair says, "Charlie is a mad woman. She has me doing math every waking moment, if this is how she trains for dance I understand how she is so good. I just want a break. Maybe I could just sneak away."

James in the juice café buried under worksheets of math and textbooks. He lifts his head up and passes Charlie another finished paper as he wipes his eyes.

"How did I do?" says James yawning.

"Its good, but we can do better" Charlie says passing him another paper.

"I'm going to grab a juice, I'll be right back. You want one?" says James.

"Sure, apple please and be back quickly. This packet won't finish itself" says Charlie.

James in the interview chair says, "Packet!? I need to make my escape now"

James walks up to the juice corner and then runs out the door.

"James where are you going?" Charlie yells.

"Don't even worry about it Charlie!" James yells from half way down the hallway.

Charlie in the interview chair says, "Did he really just escape? When I find him I'm going to kill him." The interviewer gives her a strange look, "Not actually kill him, and if I did I wouldn't admit it. I'm not that stupid." 

Charlie runs through the studio looking for James but instead just gets strange looks from the other dancers as she runs into their studios. Finally Charlie hears an echoing song down the hallway, she follows it and sees James dancing. She stands at the door with her hands on her hips with a disappointed look.

James in the interview says, "Charlie finally found me and she looks so angry, but it's worth it. I haven't danced in a week and now I am. She's a dancer, she has to understand"

Charlie walks towards James in the middle of the studio and joins in on his dance. James looks at her shocked.

Charlie in the interview chair, "Why did I dance with James instead of yelling at him? Well, I understand how it feels to need dance. So we can take a little break and then its back to work, we have a lot at stake."

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Riley in the interview chair says, "Today is the day we get the results for James' test. If he passes he goes with us to Regionals if he fails he leaves the Next Step. I really hope he passes because we have been getting really close."

James in the interview chair says, "I'm walking into studio A to meet the team and I'm so nervous that I still haven't even looked at the results."

As James walks in the hallway Charlie sees him out of the corner of her eye, "James!"

"Charlie! What's up!" says James doing a handshake with her.

"The better question is what's up with you, you look like your going to vomit. It's results day isn't it?" says Charlie with a concerned look.

James in the interview chair, "I'm glad Charlie was here, I know I usually put on this calm guy exterior but she can really see through it and won't let me get away with it."

"I haven't been able to look at the results Charlie, I don't want to let the team down" says James unable to met her eyes.

"You worked harder these past two weeks then anyone I have ever met. You got this, now go in there and be with your team. Pass or fail, they will have your back." Said Charlie.

James in the interview chair, "What would I do without her?"

Charlie in the interview chair, "He would fail without me, that's what would happen"

James is still not moving so Charlie gives him a little push towards studio A. As he enters the team turns towards him. He finally opens the test and the room burst out in cheers, "You did it James!" says Michelle

"I'm so proud of you" Riley says hugging James.

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