Running Out Of Time

Who We Are (Or Who Are We?)

Studio A was electric as A-Troupe gathered for the first rehearsal of the season. This was a special day - it marked the beginning, the moment to set the tone. Each and every dancer brought their energy as if they were already performing on the regionals stage - ready to prove their worth. Every movement was sharp, every beat was met with an unstoppable force. They were bursting with excitement, celebrating not only the return of old friendships but the new bonds forming right there in the room. There was no talk of upcoming competitions or rankings—just the thrill of dancing together, pouring everything into each step as they moved in perfect harmony. This was a team on fire, and they were ready to make this season unforgettable.

As "Show You How" filled the room, the dancers moved in sync, each step and spin creating a rhythmic blend of strength and grace. The absence of Kenzie, Pete, and Ethan — the pillars of A-Troupe for so long — left a bittersweet emptiness in the formation. But as the new members filled those spaces, it felt like a fresh page in their story. The newbies, surprisingly, matched the veterans pretty well.

The whole team seemed to be glowing with joy, excitement filling their movements, all except for Heath. His steps, while sharp and on time, lacked his usual flair. He danced as if he were trying to summon joy but found it just out of reach, the weight of starting this journey again pulling him down. Lost in his thoughts, Heath found himself hovering at the edge of the group, his mind replaying past mistakes and wondering if he could really go through all of it again.

Izzy noticed him standing apart, his shoulders tense, gaze unfocused. With a grin, they bounded over, tugging him into the circle of dancers. The rest of the group joined in, forming a joyful mess around him, playfully nudging and bumping each other. Heath couldn't help but chuckle as he was pulled along by their infectious energy. Izzy had a way of making him feel like he belonged, even when his mind was telling him otherwise. In that moment, he could almost see himself staying.

As the song came to a close, everyone hit their final pose, out of breath but grinning. The room burst into laughter and high-fives, the weight of the new season momentarily forgotten. Anthony broke off from the group, his expression pleased as he surveyed them all.

"Great job, guys!" he praised, a proud smile crossing his face. Eldon and Michelle watched from the office, both observing the scene unfold, still deep in debate about whether Anthony should remain dance captain.

"He's doing great, Michelle. You can't deny it." Eldon's voice was confident, but Michelle's thoughts were anything but.

He has his moments, no one could take that away from him - but did he really have the discipline? If the team were to run smoothly, they'd need focused, strategic leadership. And to her, it just wasn't Anthony. The boy had more to prove to her — a fact that had become crushingly obvious to him.

As the dancers were about to disperse, Anthony held up a hand to stop them. "Actually, I need a few of you to stick around." His gaze moved from face to face, selecting each dancer deliberately. "Izzy, Ebby, Niall, Reece, Daria, and Theodore." The others exchanged intrigued glances as they left, only Adele choosing to linger on the sidelines. "You know you can just call me Theo," the dark-haired boy teased, but got not response from the dance captain.

Anthony's face softened as he addressed the group. "I've got a special assignment for you," he announced, chirping as he held his choreo journal close. "I want you to work in pairs on a duet that shows off both your strengths and your ability to work together. It's all about creativity and partnership, and I want you to get to know each other through this. I'm expecting you all to have something to show me by the end of the day."

Eyes darted between the dancers, some curious and others visibly unsure. Anthony went on, "Izzy, you'll be paired with Reece." Izzy immediately made their way over to Reece, a playful grin spreading across their face as they shared a quick fist bump. Reece was silent, but his eyes sparkled with eagerness, clearly intrigued by the opportunity to show his skills.