The Next Step Season 8

7 - Fallout

"Are you serious?" Skylar shouted after Finn left the room. "I clearly danced the best out of everyone here and you didn't pick me! That is just so pathetic!" The A-troupers looked around in shock as Giselle walked towards Skylar.

"I made my decision, and I'm sorry Skylar. But I believe that we have chosen the best team, and from your attitude now, I'm very glad you aren't on it. Please leave my studio now." Her voice was calm but stern, and Skylar glared but made to walk away.
"Just so you know," Skylar said as she backed out the room. "I'm going to find another Nationals team, and we are going to wipe the floor with you. Good luck playing happy families."

*

Kingston knocked on Lily's front door, his heart beating uncontrollably. Time moved unbearably slowly as he waited for an answer, but eventually a face emerged from behind the door.
"What do you want, Kingston?"

Kingston was surprised to see her without makeup, her hair scraped back in a bun with a large t-shirt hanging on her delicate form.
"I didn't make it either." Kingston said quietly. Lily's face softened slightly.
"I'm sorry, Kingston. I know how much you wanted it."
"So, can I come in? We can watch a movie." Kingston smiled, holding up a bag of snacks.
"Kingston," Lily whispered. "We broke up."
"I know. But now that we both didn't make it, I thought we could get back together."

Lily shook her head.
"Kingston, you don't understand," she said, no energy left in her voice. "We didn't break up because I got cut. We broke up because you aren't there for me." Kingston looked at her with desperation in her eyes.
"Lily, please," he said, his voice thick. "Just give me a chance to change. I can be better, I can be there for you."

Lily took a step outside to stand face to face with him, before reaching out to cup her hand on his face. Tears were brimming in her eyes, glistening in the light.
"I love you, Kingston," she said. She leant up to place a gentle kiss on his lips. "But we aren't good together. I'm so sorry."

Lily quietly turned around and closed the door behind her without looking back. Kingston was left stood there, a single tear falling silently down his cheek.

*

Piper stood alone in her room chewing on her cuticles. She hadn't heard from Finn in 2 days, ever since he didn't make the Nationals team. Not only was she devastated for him, she was worried for herself too. He had been her rock and suddenly she felt like the ground beneath her feet had been ripped away and she was falling down into an endless pit.

She felt her breathing begin to quicken.
"No, not now. Not again. Please," she mumbled to herself. She leant against the wall and tried to focus on how cool and solid it felt against her arms. Instead, her throat constricted painfully and Piper suddenly felt she couldn't breathe.

Fumbling around for her bed, Piper accidentally knocked a lamp onto the floor making an astronomically loud crash. She was simultaneously grateful and terrified to be in the house alone.

She sat on the bed and stared at her reflection in the mirror, begging herself to calm down. For the tears to stop flowing and for her airways to open properly.

She just wanted it all to stop.

*

Ethan approached Marcus in Studio 1.
"So," Ethan said, a smirk on his face. "Looks like I've got a slave for the week." Marcus let out an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes.
"I suppose a bet's a bet. What do you want me to do?"
"Well you can start by getting me one of those nice mango smoothies from Fruit Fusion, and maybe a blueberry muffin too?" Ethan said. "And make it quick, I have rehearsals soon."

As Marcus left, Presley and Jude walked in.
"We need to make our mark on this team," Presley announced. "We have got to make sure that we are featured dancers at Nationals, because I am not being second best to anyone."
"Well, I think I'd make a pretty fantastic male soloist," Ethan agreed.

Jude felt a tightness in her chest. She struggled enough with her choreography as it was, and the idea of trying to be a featured dancer was terrifying. She walked with Presley and Ethan to Studio A, her brain occupied with these worries the entire time.

Giselle looked out of her office at the dancers. She could feel a clear divide in the dancers right now, and knew she needed to come up with a plan to fix it - and fast.

"Okay, everyone, pay attention please," Giselle addressed A-troupe once she entered Studio A. "Very soon we will be having auditions for the solos and duets at Nationals. In anticipation of that, I'm going to pair you up and get you to do duets, so you can work on your partner work and we can bring this team together a little bit. Sound good?" The team all nodded in agreement.

"Alright so let's see. First of all, let's pair up Amy and Summer." The two girls looked at each other apprehensively. Whilst they had always been great friends, they hadn't been so close lately with the relationship drama that had gone on.

"And then let's have Becca with Ozzy," Giselle said, as Becca bounded over to Ozzy. Richelle noticed how happy they both looked to be working together and it was disconcerting.
"Richelle and Heath." Heath was happy to work with his friend; she was easily the best dancer at the studio, and it would help to take his dancing to the ultimate level.

"Next I think we'll have Piper and Ethan," Giselle said. Piper was anxious thinking about working with someone she barely knew. She wished desperately that she could talk to Finn. He would know how to calm her down, but he still hadn't returned her calls.

"Then Presley you can go with Kenzie, and Henry you can work with Jude," Giselle finished. "You have all of today to work together to create a duet of any style you like, and then you'll all showcase them to each other this evening. I'm ready to be impressed!"