Last Dance: The Next Step

xxiii. i faught the law

    A-troupe was hanging out together; Piper talking to Amy like the usual. Josh and Finn conversing about their life boredom. Michelle hanging around the faculty of the studio, as she'd basically been promoted to 'dance captain's decoy' or whatever. Kenzie and Zara stood along, whilst Jacquie and Noah talked, happy that their relationship was finally in a good place. Not one with potential to die out, an everlasting one. One that could go on for eons. Noah knew he messed up, and so did Jacquie. They were better now, more mature. They could handle this.

    "alright." Michelle said, turning to the team. The room fell dead silent. "Please pay attention to Thalia." They could not all help but notice that Emily had left. Had she left for good, or would she soon reappear into their lives again? They remembered that the last time anyone on the team had spoken to her, a big fight had erupted. So maybe they had gotten rid of the burden for good?

    "Alright. Nationals is in less then two weeks and we've yet to send our names in." Thalia started. "Now, it's supposed to coast 40 per person for the hotel room, 100 dollars admission for the actual competition and 16 per costume." Thalia said as she handed around the form to everyone. Richelle gave a look, scared about potentially being unable to pay anything. "Is anything wrong?" Thalia asked Richelle, "because it looks like something is troubling you.." She said.

    "No, no. I'm fine." Richelle said.

    "Oh really, because you don't look fine." Thalia said.

    "I am fine." Richelle reassured her, lying, as she went to the lockers, and Ozzy followed along.

-

-

    Kenzie was practicing her jumps and kicks, and everything, hoping that she would be good enough. She needed this and needed to do good. She could not afford to be the soul reason of why they'd gone, leaving. Even if she was just an alternate, she needed to be on the ball at all times. Always keeping her guard up. Never letting it down.

    Just then, the phone rang.

    She walked over to it and picked it up. "Yes? This is Kenzie of Next Step Dance Studio speaking." Kenzie spoke into her phone,

    "Hello, Kenzie. We want to inform you about a potential chance of dancing with Gemini?" The studio owner suggested. "We have another spot on the team ready and it has your name on it. You wanna take it?"

    Kenzie immediately said yes, the studio owner hung up. Meanwhile, Skylar, the Gemini's dance captain and Madison, their star, were giggling. "She has no clue what's coming for her." Skylar said. "She's only being used so that way she can be brought back to TNS the day they leave for nationals. They won't have enough dancers. Then we'll hit them where they're weak; Richelle and Ozzy. They need to go."

    "I know right? It's insane how oblivious they are." Madison laughed. "We got this in the bag - we are for sure going to win." She smiled, but Ally was listening in, and knew that she had to tell Kenzie before it was too late.

-

    Richelle stormed into the lockers, grabbing everything. "I am so done with this studio! I can't pay my fees, I can't do anything. I can't get my patents signatures. I can't dance. I am not going to be able to dance. I can't let this happen. I'm screwed!" Richelle yelled.

    Her dad would not let her dance, and her parents were divorced. Her mom was struggling with bills, and Richelle knew that it meant that she'd be unable to help her. But her dad would not even allow her to dance. Like, seriously? Really? This was her heart and soul - everything she is, everything she was and everything she is going to be was invested in dance. Not going was not an option at this point.