Two Hearts, One Love

Moving On: Michelle

Everyone is so excited that we are moving onto the small group. The boys small group is phenomenal and I feel like it will push us into getting to the duet round and female solo round and then into semi finals. Eldon and I are having coffee at the small cafe in the hotel and just trying to relax before the competition. "So how's everyone feeling about the group"? I asked him, know how the pressure must feel on them.

He takes a sip of coffee and says, "we're all feeling pretty good, except James is beating himself up over the B-Twist." James had been lacking confidence in it and I understood why he wouldn't want to, a huge screw up would change the whole course of the contest but I know he can do it and it's obvious his group does too. "Anyways we should head back now." Eldon says finishing his coffee, we take one another's hand and walk back to the stage to get them ready.

"Good luck, I love you." I whisper as he goes in for a hug. He stares at me shocked, I'm not sure why though but he can't say anything before he is called into stage. They danced with such passion and fury, obviously watching the other teams dance such as LOD caused this motivation. Eldon was different he danced as if there was something else to prove, but nonetheless it was incredible. James find not attempt his B-Twist and Riley was a little disappointed, but she knew how to get him on track. They definitely stood out against all the contemporary mixes with their hip hop, which was difficult to execute at such a high level, but they were our boys. After they were done and were announced the winners, Riley and James had run off to get ready for their performance. I found Eldon, just hugged him, he looked so pumped but there was something in his mind. I was about to ask him when Hunter came into the room.

"Eldon we gotta go." He nodded and shot me an apologetic look. I patted his arm in reassurance then went to watch the duet of the famed couple, they were phenomenal and better yet James must've gained his confidence as he successfully landed that twist. They just have so much power and energy when they dance together it almost eluding . They won and we all ran to them elated, we were moving on and it was my turn to ensure we could win. I'm so fired up.

The next morning, Chloe and I went to the nearby mall so that I could get something for my mom. My solo wasn't for a while so we went into this perfume place, when I was leaving I notice Tess talking to the security guard and they came up to me saying I stole something, and long behold there was a bottle in my bag. Glancing at Tess I see her smirking at me and I know that I was set up. Chloe had left to the washroom so I was on my own, I pleaded with the officers but they paid no attention and their dingy office was not the best atmosphere. They hate each other and their jobs, we tried to find evidence on the security camera but it wasn't loading. I was frustrated and angry that Elite would do this, were they that afraid that I would beat Amanda. I really wish I could go, the competition starts do soon and I don't know what to do. What seemed like years had passed before the monitor came up showing Tess's deviance. The officers began to bicker again, while I ran as fast as I could, back to the auditorium, I found Chloe in front of the store we were at and we booked it. Amanda had just finished and I rushed to prepare, they were going down. Everyone was relieved when they saw me, Riley had fainted and the asked me where I had been. I stated sharply that there was no time and I would tell them later. Eldon glanced at me wanting to come up but we didn't have any time before Miss Kate pushed me into the stage.

When the music blared, I was ready, this was my time to reclaim my title as Miss National Soloist and to bring Elite down. They should have tried harder if they wanted to get rid of me. I felt the dance attach to me as we became one, everything I had gone through and all the anger I had from Tess's nonsense radiated through and fuelled me. I lost complete confidence in myself and felt displaced, I lost Eldon but now, I had everything I ever wanted and nothing was going to stop me. I felt like I belonged here on the stage and at the next step. When I finished I couldn't help but smile, the crowd was cheering so loud and it just felt good. Amanda and I were waiting for our scores to be announced when she whispered to me, "Michelle I just want you to know, I had nothing to do with Lucien's plan."

She looked genuinely sorry but she had fooled me once so this could have been another ploy. I replied, " Well it's fine, I made it here on time anyways." She looked relieved at that fact but it's Elite and no one there fights clean. Finally they announced who would be moving on and I am so glad that we won, we worked so hard for this moment and it finally came true, we were one step closer to holding the Nationals title. Amanda gave me a quick hug and apology before I ran to my team, we were so close and we can do this. I ran into Eldon and he hugged me really tight, our whole team surrounded us and we were truly United, and ready for semi-finals.

Eldon pulled me aside quickly, we basked in one another's presence. "You were amazing out there, and I'm sorry I ignored you for that little bit yesterday."

I nodded, "Thank you. What was wrong. You looked so confused and you didn't want anyone around you. But you guys did so good."

He sighed and said, " You told me you loved me and that was the first time you've said it in a long time." He looked deep into my eyes, " I didn't know what to say, I was taken aback." This took me back as I didn't realize that it had been so long that I had said it. But did he not love me where was this going. He took my hands and pulled me close, "but I love you too, I never stopped. Thank you for saying it."

My heart swelled, " I love you forever and always. Thank you for loving me." Finally James called out to us and we rejoined the group hand in hand. We were going to win, together.