THE NEXT STEP - The New Girl

Episode 4 - What are friends for?

PREVIOUSLY ON THE NEXT STEP

Ok, so I like him. I just really hope he feels the same. 

BELLA'S POV

"FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT"

This morning started out like any other, the troupe was rehearsing our routine for regionals with Miss Angela yelling "DAZZLE" every five seconds. Since our last encounter, she keeps a close eye on Noah and me finding any excuse to cut us from the team. My health has taken a turn recently, I'm getting sick more often than usual because my body isn't used to this increased exercise but it's worth it to dance with the team I love. Richelle informed me earlier that the team is going to try to get rid of Miss Angela, hopefully this goes well.

As we continue to dance, the sound of high heels marching fills up the studio. We all turn to see Miss Kate and immediately run to greet her, passing Miss Angela. We've only met a few times so she doesn't necessarily know me as well as the rest of the team. The hugs lasted about a minute more before we were interrupted by Miss Angela.

"Excellent! Well, Miss Kate, you and I are going to lunch but before we do I want to run the team a few more times to make this routine nice and sharpe" she says.

"Well then, I will meet you in about an hour. I have some errands to run. Bye you guys" Miss Kate says. We wave her goodbye as she leaves the studio.

"Right! Everyone into first positions. We are going to go again until you get this right" she instructs. We all obey, moving to our starting positions. The music begins to play and we dance. This routine is simple, really simple. There's no texture or passion, just straight arms and high kicks. We do this routine over and over and over and over again with only a drink break here and there. My body becomes lethargic and tired from the lack of hydration, before we start the routine I go to Noah.

"Noah, I don't feel good" I say, holding on to him.

"What wrong Bells?" he says with concern.

"I'm really tired and I need a break" I say weakly. He quickly brought me to the seat, grabbing my water bottle as the others started the routine. It was about 15 seconds in when Miss Angela realised that we weren't dancing.

"STOP STOP STOP STOP THE MUSIC! What's this? You think you can just stop whenever you want? Why do you guys get special treatment?" She says angrily. Noah looks at me and I shake my head, indicating that I don't want Miss Angela to know about my condition. He stammers and stutters on his words trying to come up with something, thankfully Amy came to his rescue.

"We're all tired, we really need a break. We've been working so hard" she says and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Fine. I have to meet Miss Kate anyway. I will be back soon, you get a 10 minute break and then Lily will lead the rest of rehearsals. Lily sweetie, there's a plan on my desk for you to read of what rehearsal is to look like after their break. And as for you two, this special treatment doesn't exist. If you can't keep up, you're cut. Simple as that" she states and then exits dramatically. Everyone disperses before Ozzy, Kingston, Amy and Piper join Noah and I.

"That was close" I say, resting my head on Noah's shoulder.

"Bella this isn't good. Miss Angela has been working you so hard you can't go a few days without feeling like this." Noah says.

"Wait what?" Ozzy said, sitting beside me and wrapping his arm around me.

"Bella's health isn't great right now, her body isn't used to the excess intensity" Noah replies. Ozzy rubs his hand up and down my back in comfort.