Nationals Here We Come (A TNS Season 7 Story)

Part 9

Emily and Michelle get to the studio early to finalize their list. Amy is the first dancer to arrive at the studio.

"Why is Amy here so early?" Emily asks Michelle.

"I asked her to audition for my small group."

"You weren't going to tell me?"

"I was but I didn't want you to shoot down the idea so quickly without seeing her dance first."

"How do you think the other dancers are going to feel about this?"

"They'll just have to accept it."

"Good luck with that one."

Amy stands off to the side with an embarrassed look on her face.

AMY: Why didn't Michelle tell Emily about me auditioning? Michelle has put me in such an awkward position.

Michelle gives Amy a reassuring look to encourage her to still audition. Amy makes her way to the middle of the floor and gets in position. When the music starts, she proceeds to perform her acro routine.

AMY: I have to give it my all otherwise I will always be left wondering, "what if"

Emily even lets out a smile to show how impressed she is. Michelle and Emily both give her a round of applause.

"Thank you Amy," Emily says. Amy curtsies and then walks off to the side to grab her water bottle. Michelle and Emily head back to the office to discuss the performance.

"Wasn't that amazing Em?"

"Yes. Amy is an incredible dancer..."

"But?"

"But we have our ten A-Troupe dancers. If you let Amy be in this small person's dance then you are going to have to face the wrath of A-Troupe?"

"You mean the wrath of Richelle and Jacquie?"

"Whoever's wrath, I will direct them to speak to you since you made the decision."

"I think I can handle them."

"Whatever you choose Michelle."

"Well thank you Emily." Emily looks up and gives a snarky look to Michelle.

"We should finalize the list so that we can post it when A-troupe gets here." Emily writes out the names for each category and Michelle looks over it to double check.

"Are we sure about this?" Michelle asks as she makes eye contact with Emily

"As sure as will ever be?"

About ten minutes later Piper is the first to arrive. She walks in and sees Amy stretching.

"Hey Amy. Have you been here a long time?" Piper says as she walks over to go stretch with Amy.

"Yeah just putting in some extra work. Got to stay sharp these days." Amy lets out an uncomfortable laugh.

AMY: Piper is my best friend and I should tell her about the audition but I don't want her to get mad at me in case she thinks I am taking a spot away from her.

"Actually Piper.... Michelle and Emily let me audition for one of the small groups. Are you mad?"

"That is amazing news Amy. Why would I be mad?"

"I thought maybe you would be upset that I was taking something away from you." Piper looks around the room, up and down, "What are you doing Pipes?" Amy says as she laughs.

"I thought maybe you thought I was Richelle so I was looking around for her." Amy playfully pushes Piper's shoulder and they both laugh. The rest of A-Troupe slowly enters the studio putting their things away, and then heading to the floor.

"You're looking at the next Miss. National soloist," Jacquie tells Richelle.

"In your dreams," Richelle says as she crosses her arm against her body.

RICHELLE: I wonder if Jacquie got enough sleep because she is clearly delusional

JACQUIE: Does Richelle deserve to be the soloist? Probably. But do I deserve it more? Yes

"Good luck bro," Henry tells Noah as they dap it up.

"Good luck to you too," Noah says.

Emily and Michelle head out the office with the piece of paper in hand. The dancers on the floor jump up and turn their attention toward them.

SUMMER: This is it. We will finally know who is going to be featured and who isn't