Replacing Richelle

7. All I care about

Emily's POV:

I've just found out some slightly terrible news. Ms. Kate is coming back to hold auditions. There will only be one team. Michelle and I will have to be Studio co-heads or we can walk away. I'm not giving up my position and I doubt she will give up hers. Typical Michelle.

I don't know what to do. I have hand-selected the most beautiful classically trained dancers and I could lose so many of them. I don't even know if Richelle will be able to audition, which breaks my heart. The one thing I know is that I'm going to need to tell Richelle first so that she can make her decision in advance.

When I enter Studio 1, Noah, Amy, Richelle and Lola are in there rehearsing. Richelle is stretching a little more than she has done in the past few days which is an improvement, but is it enough? I gesture to her and she straight away comes in.
"I just wanted to let you know, I feel so much better today. I've just been stretching a little and I don't feel any pain except for in my hip." That puts me on edge a little.
"Do you think you'll be ready for the duet?" She looks at me, deadpan serious.
"I do. But I don't want to take this opportunity away from Amy." I don't know what's gotten into that girl lately. All I know is that she hasn't spoken to Noah in several days and I'm going to change that.

Noah comes into my office and I walk out and lock it. I dismiss Lola, who goes off to the locker room. Now there's just me and Amy. I don't want to break her heart, but I also understand that Richelle wants this just as much. Even if she won't admit it.
"So Amy, you are the understudy for this duet as you know and I just wanted to ask you how you think you're doing." She breathes in before replying.
"I get that this is Richelle's dance and that she would be absolutely amazing in this duet, but I want you to know that I really want this. I really do appreciate the opportunity and I understand if you take me off it, but just consider it as a trio for in the future." She does take me back when she suggests a trio and ultimately I know what I have to do.
"Amy, I am sorry for what I'm about to do, but I think Richelle will be able to dance, which means she will take her spot. However, I won't use the duet they have choreographed. That's going to be yours, Noah's and Richelle's trio. When? I'm not sure yet, but I promise you will get to perform it. I'm really impressed with your dedication." She thanks me and leaves. Now all I have to do is tell Richelle about the auditions.

I walk back into the office to hear Noah pouring his heart out to Richelle, who's officially the most stubborn person I know.
"You have to forgive me. You're my best friend!" He pleads one last time before I come in.
"Noah, Richelle,here, is better and can perform the duet. However, we're going to re-choreograph so that she doesn't strain herself. You will also be doing a trio with Amy. It will be this duet's choreography. I don't know when, but be prepared." He nods and she glares in his general direction. They're so meant to be!
"Okay. Yes. I'm ready. When do we start this new choreography?" Well, someone's eager. Maybe he's finally realising his feelings. Now that would be a shocker.
"Tomorrow 8am sharp. Be here." Richelle looks at me with such disgust and I feel so bad. She'll get over it.
"Emillyyyyy!" She whines once he's gone.
"I never agreed to dancing again!" She complains. I knew if I didn't put her in the duet, she would just stay off dance and I can't have that. Maybe I should tell her about the competition.
"You have an audition." Her eyes go wide. "For A-Troupe. Miss Kate is making Michelle and I merge. That's why I've got so many dances set up. You and Noah and Amy are the trio. Then there's a five person dance and two solos. Boy and girl. And then the free rounds of course." Her eyes go even bigger, which is literally impossible. I've yet to tell anyone else. I don't even know if Michelle knows. More time for my dancers to rehearse.
"Okay, but why? I thought this was the best team. Why can't we keep it like this?" She's getting passionate. Oh no.

Richelle's POV:

I can't do this. Amy and I are friends, but Noah? I can't. The trio can't all get places.
I'm probably the weakest on the team right now. Guess I'll be working five thousand times harder. I can't let my feelings get in the way. This team means too much to me.

Calm down, Richelle. You're going to do better than everyone. You will have to be in it. Thanks conscience. That really helped.

Piper's POV:

We have to audition!? Haven't I already proved myself? No. Now I have to do a five person dance. Me, Henry, Ozzy, Kingston and Briana. Surely at least one of us has to make it. I just hope it's me. Maybe that's selfish. Honestly, I want to dance with Amy again. That's all I care about. Because that's all I need to care about.

A/N: So you may've realised that at this point they are still TNS West and TNS East. That's all about to change. They're going to be united.

So why does Richelle still feel weak?