Head Vs Heart

11

Emily's POV:

Since my last chat with Michelle, I've been taking some time off from the studio. I'm still trying to figure out what to do, but I've been told that the A Troupers are forming a plan to find me. I don't want to do this, but I have to.

I'm approaching the studio when Stephanie spots me in the street. It's been years.
"Emily! Hi!" She says enthusiastically and I wonder if Michelle has put her up to this.
"What brings you here?" I say, the same pep in my tone that there's always been. Despite myself, when it comes to Steph, I'll always be there for her.
"I'm just visiting for a couple weeks before I go back out to L.A. You?" She asks. Clearly, I've got it all wrong. She doesn't seem to know that I moved back here to be a Studio Head.
"I'm just visiting too." I don't know why I lie, it isn't like she will judge me, but I can't help myself.
"Oh right. Maybe we should go to the cafe below TNS. We can see what it's called now." The issue with that plan is that I'm banned from The Next Steep.
"Actually, now isn't a good time." I say. I need to stop lying.
"Oh okay. Well maybe this afternoon then." Now I have no choice but to tell the truth.
"Steph, I can't." That doesn't really explain it all though, does it Emily? I pull her into the back way of The Next Step and begin to explain.
"I've been working here for a few years. I'm the Studio Head." I start to explain as a pain stabs my chest.
"I was the Studio Head. I still am as of right this second, but I'm off to hand in my resignation." Stephanie's face is utter shock.
"Why Em? This is what you've always wanted. Ever since we were little girls. Why leave from your dream?" If only it was that simple.
"I guess it's no longer my dream. Do you still have my number?" I ask. She nods as if she never would've contemplated the idea of deleting it. I have though and that's how I know that she definitely has too.
"Okay I'll message you. We can meet up somewhere, but not at The Next Steep, I'm banned from there." She raises her eyebrows at me, but I need to rush off before her words sink in and I don't quit. I need to quit.

"Emily, so lovely to see you back! The kids have been working on their dance, would you like to see it?" I shake my head. I begin to dig around for the papers in my bag so I can hand it over, but it's like a Mary Poppins story going on in there. I look at Nick and his face is so hopeful that I've truly no idea what to tell him. I've just got to do it.
"No, Nick, I'm leaving." I deadpan. His face crumples and I become deafeningly aware of what I've just said. How can I leave my second home? How can I do this to myself?
"Emily if this is because of the whole Dance Mania fiasco then we can arrange for a team to go to Nationals." As if that's the problem. If I wanted B Troupe to go to Nationals then I would get them there.
"No, Nick. It's because the team loves you a lot more than they love me. And because I'll never be the Studio Owner like I wanted. Everything I'm working for leads to a dead end if I stay." Nick sits in the office chair as he ponders over what to say next.
"You can't leave." He mutters, looking up to see if my eyes are still glossy and that this isn't a joke. Then he finally settles on something.
"Please stay and lead B Troupe to Nationals. Then if you still want to leave, you can go." I've never seen Nick so scared in his life. This cheerful guy clearly can't do this alone. I guess I have more of a purpose than I thought.
"Really?" I ask, letting out a light sob. I'm not the crying type but all I've ever wanted was justification. Without so many words, Nick has just give me it.
"Yes, yes. I'll sort out a new choreographer, but please do this for not only A Troupe or B Troupe but for me." I think about Michelle in that moment. She left this place behind because her heart was no longer here. That's the difference between me and Michelle.

My heart will always be tied to The Next Step.

However, I still have to think things over. I don't want to rush into something that I'll ultimately end up hating.

A/N: What did you think of the season finale?

Thanks for reading!