The Next Step A-Z One Shots 4

Clarity-Westaniel

DESCRIPTION: Daniel and West decide to leave The Next Step. (Season 5)
WHAT TO READ: N/A
DATE PUBLISHED: 23/09/20

Daniel's POV

West and I have decided to leave The Next Step. With everything going on at the moment and Miss Kate deciding that TNS won't compete at Regionals, we've decided that it's the best for both of us if we leave and start our careers away from the studio and out in the real world.

We have mentioned the idea of leaving to Michelle and Emily, but I think with all the drama going on, they've likely forgotten. But we don't want to say anything - they're better off focusing on themselves and the dancers who are no longer going to Regionals. Our departure doesn't matter so much when there's a whole studio to rebuild.

"Are you ready to head off?" West asks as he carries the last of our boxes into Studio A - the place where it all started, and the place we wanted our story here to end.

"Yep," I nod taking one last look at the dance floor.

I remember auditioning with West to get on A-Troupe all those years ago. I remember injuring my ankle in the middle of the Regionals routine after doing a lift with Giselle - I never got the opportunity to go to Regionals after that. I see myself auditioning for the Nationals solo, but losing; a memory of telling Kate I was leaving comes into my mind - it was so hard to say goodbye to West, but we both understood that it was what I needed to progress my dance career. And it did bring an opportunity - Juilliard - but I blew that opportunity and decided that working with Lucien and Elite was my best chance at redemption: it wasn't.

"Do you remember the Elite battles in here?" West asks.

Of course I remember, I had to go up against Giselle - my best friend. West had promised me afterwards that I could still find a way to make it to Internationals, but the next chance I got (to replace Chloe on the team) didn't work out - Stephanie got the part and I quit dancing.

At the time, West had told me that it wasn't going to be a good idea to let dance go (it had been a part of my life for so long), but I wanted more for myself.

After helping TNS at Internationals, I moved on and went to college. I studied dance - hoping one day that I could be a choreographer.

That dream came true when Emily returned to the studio. I took her offer to be her choreographer, and West came along.

I thought this was the best thing for me - choreographing at The Next Step - but as soon as the war between TNS East and TNS West started, it almost ruined mine and West's relationship. I couldn't let it ruin my relationship with West, after all, we had been together for 3 years - breaking up over a stupid team rivalry would be hard to come back from.

So we decided that leaving was the only thing that would prevent us from hurting each other any more than we had: at home (during the "civil war") we'd fight over the tiniest things, but quickly apologising realising that it was all the stress of the studio that was inflicting the pain.

Miss Kate agreed to let us go, she understands best when a dancer (or choreographer) has had their time and wants to move on to bigger things.

I pick up the box that I had placed on the floor before turning back to West.

"Let's go."

West picks up the boxes he had brought in again and walked out.

I soon followed behind him, after taking a moment to myself.

This was home, and it would always be home, but for now, I need to start a future - one with West and one where dance doesn't strain our relationship.

I look into the Studio A office before nodding and turning off the lights. The studio went pitch black.

It was time to let go of this life and start another - one with West, and one where I'm happy.