The Next Step: Reality

Chapter 1: Kate

Finally. We're back at the Next Step studio after a small break. Even though we lost Regionals last years , I have a great feeling that this year will be our year. I'm certain our dancers have the potential to win but we just need to use that potential to the fullest.

"Hey Kate," Chris greets me. He's the head choreographer of the studio and he's been my work partner ever since I could remember. He enters my office as I lean back into my chair, sighing. It's harder than people expect to plan for all these events, but we like to do it because it really does help the dancers. "I just got a very interesting phone call from someone."

"Oh?" I say, raising my eyebrow at him, smiling. "And who might this 'someone' be?"

I didn't expect any phone calls, or at least to say "interesting" phones calls from anyone after Regionals. Normally the time I'd get the most phone calls would be around the time when Regionals approaches. From the way Chris is smiling, I can see it's pretty big news.

"I'll give you a hint," he says. "This person is...ah...an alumnus from The Next Step."

"Alumnus?" I repeat.

Chris seems to be disagreeing with himself. "Let me rephrase that." He replies. "This person isn't exactly an alumnus, but he or she left the studio to chase upon bigger dreams at a very young age."

I chuckle slightly, "Come on! Just tell me who it is."

"Michelle Baldesarra."

Oh. I lean forward on my desk again. Michelle would be one of the youngest successful dancers the Next Step has had, I would say. After a year in B-Troupe she made A-Troupe. She always danced with us at Regionals, and one year, one of the friends of a studio owner was a casting director. He came to Regionals and saw Michelle. After Regionals, when we were eliminated, he came up to Michelle and asked if she would like to audition for a television series.

After the audition, Michelle landed the main role in the new series "Just Dance" which was a series about a young dancer who was trying to chase her dreams. The show was filmed elsewhere, away from where our studio is, so in order to continue practicing her dance, she would have to dance with another studio.

The show became a huge success, and if I've heard correctly, they're being renewed for a fifth season. I've seen a few episodes of the show, and I must say that the dancing in it is just spectacular. Lots of our dancers are inspired by some of the episodes.

"What did she say?" I ask, smiling. "Did she mention how her show is going?"

Chris nods. "It's going great. But she called because this dance season, she's going to be available. They just finished shooting season four of the series, and they won't be shooting season five for some time but it's certainly after Regionals."

I break out into a huge smile. "That's great news!"

"It is," He agrees. "She's assistant dance captain at the other studio, and she got the title 'Miss. National Soloist' two Nationals in a row. The studio actually won Nationals last year but she couldn't go due to filming."

"Wow," I answer, stunned.

If the Next Step ever wins Regionals, I can see this team Michelle's on could be one of the biggest rivals to face.

"Back to auditions," Chris says as I laugh. "Tomorrow, right?"

"Yes," I say, smiling while I pull out the sign-up sheet from below the other piles of paper. On it there are about twenty five names of the dancers who are auditioning tomorrow. "We're starting bright and early. Does that mean Michelle will be auditioning tomorrow?"

When Chris nods, I add in Michelle's name on the sheet. It's very nice to have Michelle back. When she was here, she would co-captain with Emily, another dancer. Ever since she left, Emily's been dance captain by herself. She does the job well, but I think the collaboration was a lot better.

Suddenly, the phone rings as I clip the sheet on a clipboard. Chris goes to get the phone and he picks up. As I organize my desk - I hadn't realized how messy it had gotten - Chris puts his hand over the phone and calls me.

"Yes?" I turn to face him as he hands me the phone. Confused, I put it to my ear. I expect it to be Michelle as I say, "Hello? Kate Wasylenko of the Next Step speaking."

"Kate, it's great to meet you!" A voice on the other end chuckles. I frown, as I look at Chris who shrugs at me. I'm not sure who this is. "My name is George, and I'm a director and producer from Real TV. I was wondering if you would be interested in a special proposition I have for you."

I'm silent for a few moments, unsure what to say.

"Um..." I glance up to Chris. "Alright."

"Great," George says. He sounds like he's smiling. "I'm sure you will be very interested in what I'm about to say."

As I listen to what George's proposition in, I'm feeling slightly interested. I think it would be a great experience for our dancers, but at the same time I feel uneasy about it all. It could feel like it is an invasion of some sort too.

But one thing is for certain: if I agree to this proposition, the Next Step will definitely be experiencing many changes - for better, or for worse.