The Next Step: Reality

Chapter 2: Michelle

"Welcome back!"

"Please take a picture with me!"

"Can you sign my phone case?"

"Love you, Michelle!"

I smile as I pass by fans on the way to my old studio. I try to take as many pictures and sign as many items as I can, but I have to get to the studio early enough to catch up with Kate and Chris before the auditions start. That way, I won't feel completely awkward from the years I've missed. The only thing I know so far is that they didn't win Regionals but that's alright because they can try again this year.

As I get to the front of the studio with my dance bag in my hand, I see a van pulling up. It's a dark van and I see that the driver is talking. As I open the door to enter, I hear my name being called.

"Michelle!"

I'm tackled into a hug by my best friend Riley who is smiling at me widely. Her sister, Emily, just gives me a nod before she locks the car and makes her way towards us. As she squeezes me into a tight hug, her hair whacks me in the face. It's still the long, brown hair that I remember her having when I left.

"Haven't cut your hair yet?" I smile, grinning at her.

"Not yet," Riley giggles. "But I was waiting for you to come back so we could go together! I thought it would be like...a 'welcome home, now let's cut my hair' type of celebration."

I laugh as Emily greets me.

"Michelle," She smiles at me, taking off her sunglasses. "It's great to have you back. Are you auditioning today?"

"Yep," I reply. "I was just hoping to talk to Kate and Chris before everyone else arrives."

"Of course!" Riley grins at me, before pulling my arm. "Let's go!"

I can tell Riley is really excited to have me back, and I am happy to be able to actually hang out with her rather than the constant video chats. When we arrive in Studio A, I look around. Nothing has really changed, and I feel like that makes me feel more welcome. By the time we enter Kate's office, Kate and Chris are already making their way towards us.

"Michelle! Welcome home!" Kate gives me a big smile before embracing me.

Chris does the same as I start seeing a few of the dancers arriving. I recognize a few of them - Eldon, Daniel, and James. There are some people I don't recognize, so I suspect they might be new in B-Troupe or just new in general.

Before I can talk to Kate and Chris, they exit to greet the dancers. I sigh before turning towards Riley who's smiling. Emily's already outside too, greeting the dancers. It's strange because I know these dancers so well, but at the same time I feel like I don't even know them anymore.

"So...anything I missed?" I ask, swaying slightly.

"Not really," Riley replies. "I'm pretty sure I updated you on everything already through our countless nights of texting and video chatting." She giggles.

"And James?" I ask, raising my eyebrow. "Any updates about him? You barely mentioned him, except that one time you said you might like him."

Riley turns bright. "I was just kidding."

"Sure you were," I say, laughing.

~

Before the auditions begin, all the dancers are warming up. Riley and I choose a corner in the back to continue talking while we warm up. I see so many new faces, and I'm excited to work with them if I ever have the chance to.

"Dolphin tail!" I hear Chris calling.

Riley and I laugh as we join in with the other dancers, doing the dolphin tail. It's a fun little thing we do, and I like it because it's unique to the Next Step. As Riley and I join the other dancers in the middle of the studio, Kate says, "We have an announcement to make about an offer for A-Troupe."

Kate nods at Chris who steps forward and continues, "The Next Step is being offered a reality television series from Real TV" - there are murmurs within the dancers - "which will focus on A-Troupe on their journey to Regionals. Everything will be televised, and there will be cameras in the studio."

"And," Kate adds, "they're trying something new so the episodes will be aired a week after they are filmed." She looks at her clipboard before saying, "And so we'll do what we usually do: vote. All the dancers here are potential A-Troupe members who may be on this television series. If you want this show, raise your hand."

I look at Riley whose hand is being raised. I bite my lower lip.

I like television, I think it's a really interesting thing to do, but reality television is different. I've met actors and actresses who star in reality series by Real TV, and they don't really like it that much. Reality television is great as long as it doesn't mess up our chances at Regionals.

"Wait," I say, stepping out. Everyone turns towards me. Some of them seem awed even, but I ignore that. "Think about this. When cameras are watching you every minute, it tends to change some people. It's like an invasion of privacy. Plus, it might just mess up our chances at Regionals."

I see Kate and Chris glance at each other with worried looks.

"While we appreciate -" Kate starts, but Emily interrupts her.

"Michelle, you've already had your fifteen minutes of fame." She snaps. "Don't you think it's time for some other people to maybe experience that?"

"Emily!" I hear Riley gasp, in shock.

Emily sends me a glare before turning back to face Kate. Kate seems to be at a loss for words before Chris steps in. "The dancers will be the main people featured, so we thought it would be best if it was voted on."

"Of course," I mumble, turning red slightly before looking at the ground.

"So...let's try that again." I hear Kate say. "Those for?"

Riley uncertainly puts up her hand beside me. I see Emily and Stephanie - Emily's best friend - hands shoot up immediately. Some people don't look like they're very sure but they put their hands up. I see James and Giselle don't have their hands up.

As Kate counts, it's obvious what the outcome is.

"Well," she says, sighing before smiling at us. "It looks like the Next Step will be having its own reality series!"

As the dancers clap and cheer I slowly turn away, unsure what to say. I know there will be many changes - one of them having to do with the cameras in the rooms. But the biggest change of them all will be the Next Step's chances at Regionals.