HEARTBURST,, The Next Step

[4.6] i know the end

❝ And look at you, you're glowing, Maxie. You were made for London.❞

‧₊˚✩

"I need to tell you guys something," Her heart was practically beating out of her chest.

Eldon couldn't seem to gasp the severity to her tone, "What did you get lost or-"

"I'm not coming back to Canada with you," She cut him off impatiently.

"That wasn't how I wanted it to come out," The girl placed her head in her hands, "I had a million other plans as to how I wanted it to come out and that was not one of them."

West took a step forward, "What do you mean, Max?"

"Yeah, did your flight get cancelled?" Eldon quizzed, whilst James remained silent.

Maxie rubbed her hands together, nerves finally setting in. She took a deep breath.

"I got an offer to dance at England's Royal School of Dance as a professional dancer and mentor," She explained to them, refusing to look up as she was too scared to register any of their reactions, "I've known about it since Internationals, but what I didn't know was whether or not I was ready for it."

She took a small pause before continuing, "But I went to go see the building today and I felt such a pull. But choosing to do this means I stay here. Full-time."

Maxie then finally looked up to see each boy's expression. However, she didn't have much time to process them before James stormed off, brushing her shoulder as he made his way out of the venue, not a word exchanged.

She looked at the other two helplessly before chasing after him.

It didn't take long for the girl to find him: he was sat on a bench overlooking the River Thames, a stone-cold look graced his features.

Maxie didn't know how to approach him. It was the first time in all her years of knowing James that she didn't know how to approach him, it didn't feel right.

Tentatively, the girl took a seat beside him on the bench, and it was clear he knew she was there. He just refused to say anything.

"I'm sorry, James," Her voice cracked as she spoke, out of everyone's reactions, his seemed to have stung the most.

Out of all the friends Maxie had over the years, James was the one who understood her the most. Maybe it was because their mothers were so close, or because he was the first person to approach her at the studio, or even because he was the only person who would watch her favourite movies when she recommended them. But regardless, James was like Maxie in male form.

They rarely argued, and when they did, it was always ever over petty things, such as mocking the other's clothing, or taking the mick out of a minor problem in their life. It had never been so bad to the point where they wouldn't speak to each other.

James just nodded, wry sarcasm was written all over his features, "You're sorry. Right."

Maxie wasn't about to sit there pleading for forgiveness. This was her life.

"You know what, I can't believe you," She snapped, finally catching James' attention as he looked at her, "When you told me you were leaving the studio to join the band, I was the most supportive of that. Now I tell you I'm leaving, and you're throwing a hissy fit!"