Behind The Spotlight

Chapter 16 --Regionals Final Day (Part2)--

We're walking back to our dressing room when suddenly, a group of little kids approach me. "Hi, Blakely. We're big fans of you. You're such an amazing dancer! Can we please have your autograph?", this cute little girl asks me. "Euhm yeah sure", I say back to her, kind of taken aback. She hands me a black marker and her entrée pass. I sign it before six other little girls also give me their pass to sign. "Can we also have a picture with you?", one of them asks me sweetly. "Of course!", I say back to her with a big smile on my face. The little girls all take a pose and I can see their coach taking a picture. "Thank you so much!", they all say in unison. "You're very welcome", I say back to them before them walk off. "Looks like someone has fans", I hear Davis say. I just let out a little giggle before entering our dressing room.

"Okay you guys, I want all of you completely dressed, make-up on and hair done within forty minutes so we have enough time to prepare backstage", Emily says and we all nod our heads. I change out of my TNS-uniform and put my group dance costume on, which is my black skirt, black bra top and black arm warmers. I sit down at my little make-up table and look at myself in the mirror. My hair is okay like this but my make-up can use some touching up. Once I'm done, I stretch a little bit and try to get myself focussed. "Hey, I just quickly wanted to congratulate you on your title Miss Absolute Dance", I hear someone say. I look up and see Noah standing in front of me as I stretch out my shoulders. "Thank you. But I guess I should congratulate you too", I say back to him and he gives me a little smile. "How are you feeling? Are you okay?" "Yeah, why wouldn't I be okay?", I ask him confused. "Because of everything you had to relive today. It was amazing to see you dance like that but I can imagine how hard it must have been." "Really? You're really going to do this now?", I almost scream at him. "Do what?" "Don't say you can imagine how hard it must have been for me because you can't. You have no idea how I feel. Just because you're not mommy and daddy's perfect son doesn't mean that we're in the same boat because we're not! You have no idea what I've been through!" "I never...", he says but I cut him off. "You really have to do this now? We are about to perform in the Regional finals." "I know but..." "Just leave me alone Noah. Go and focus on the dance", I say back to him before walking away. I don't know why I just attacked him like that but I really need to focus right now, and I'm not going to let anyone mess this up for me. "Okay everyone, it's time!", I hear Michelle scream excitedly. We all walk backstage and mentally prepare for the most important performance of this weekend. "Everyone, bring it in", Emily says and we walk closer to her. "You guys have worked so hard for this, and we know you can do this. Dance like it's the last time you're ever going to dance. Go out there and show everyone what The Next Step is all about. Being a family, supporting one another but most importantly, dance because you love it", Emily tells us and we all smile and nod our heads. We all give each other a big group hug before the announcer starts speaking. "The next team that made it through to the Regional finals is my personal favourite. This team dances like one and totally deserves to be dancing here, in the finals. Please, give it up for The Next Step!", the announcer screams and we all run on stage. The music begins and we start dancing. I think back to my first day at The Next Step. Everyone looked me up and down with a raised eyebrow but once I showed them what I could do, they were all amazed. They all became my friends pretty quickly, except for Jacquie of course. But I'm really happy that we talked things through this morning, and I do understand what she must have been feeling. I'm just glad we're friends now. Emily and Michelle are the best coaches I've ever had. They always believed in me and when it got tough, they had my back. Even though I was very angry at them for calling Child Services, I know that they only wanted what was best for me. Then, there is Piper. She has been the best friend I've ever had! She was so incredibly sweet from day one. She always makes me laugh and knows how to cheer me up. Then, of course, there's Davis. Davis has become like my sister. She looks out for me and she was there for me when I needed help. She took me in when I didn't have a home anymore. She reminds me of Lilly, a lot. She always puts me before herself, and that's also what Lilly always did. Sometimes it's hard to see her and think about my real sister, but then I always realize that I can't change the past. I will never be able to bring Lilly back, so I'm beyond grateful that Davis is here for me, and I know Lilly would be happy to see that someone is caring for me like she used to do. And I can not forget about Noah. I don't why I feel this way around him but I can't stop myself from smiling every time I hear his name. Of course, it didn't start out too great with the whole break-up between him and Jacquie, but I feel like we've really bonded. He has seen me at my worst and he still stayed with me through it all. I really really like him, but I don't know if that feeling is mutual. Almost everyone says it is but if it isn't, I might ruin our friendship and that's the last thing I want. I am so happy that I took this leap of faith. I can remember the exact day Michelle and Emily came to me to ask if I wanted to join The Next Step. I got an email from Emily saying that she saw me dancing at a competition the weekend before and that she wanted to meet with me in person, so we met up at Shakes and Ladders not even two days later. She explained that she would like for me to join A-Troupe. I was very excited. I had seen The Next Step at competitions and I always loved them. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. I was hesitant at first, just because of my father and what happened at home. But Emily told me that I could take time to think about it, and that's when I said 'yes'. I knew that if I thought about it, I would end up turning down that amazing chance just because of my father. I was sick and tired of my father ruining everything, so I took a chance, I took a leap of faith, and I'm so extremely happy that I did!