The Next Step Season 8

2 - Changes

The news that anyone and everyone from the region could audition for the Nationals team was all anyone could talk about. A group of dancers were in the locker room, venting their feelings about it.

"I'm sorry, but this is absolutely ridiculous. Who does this Giselle girl think she is? Not only are B-troupe not automatically going to Nationals, but now we have to compete against everyone in the region for a spot?" Cleo said angrily.
"I know, there is no way I'm going to get onto the team now!" Jude exclaimed in reply. Cleo took her hand to comfort her and Jude gave her a small smile of gratitude.

"Well if you ask me, A-troupe should be going straight to Nationals. We have always been the competitive troupe and without us the studio wouldn't be going to Nationals!" Kingston argued.
"Kingston does bring up a very good point. How do you guys expect to win Nationals? We're A-troupe and we are clearly the better dancers!" Ozzy was quick to back Kingston up.

Argument broke out at this statement, as everyone fought to be heard over one another. Richelle looked around in disbelief.
"Enough!" she shouted over the noise. "I'm really disappointed in all of you. Giselle was the dance captain that led this studio to win Internationals, you need to show her some more respect! And honestly, she's right. If we want to win, we have to have the best team." And with that, she slammed her locker door shut and left the room.

*

"Hey! Richelle!" Ozzy shouted after her. She stopped in the corridor and turned around. "Look I'm really sorry. We shouldn't have been arguing like that, you were right. I don't want anything to ruin our friendship again, so are we okay?" Richelle smiled.
"Yeah. We're okay." They proceeded to walk together, closely followed by Kingston, to Studio A where the rest of A-troupe were sat in a circle on the floor.

"Ah there they are. Where have you been?" Heath asked the three of them as they entered.
"Arguing with Jude and Cleo. Safe to say they're not happy." Kingston replied.
"Guys, I think we need to put ourselves in their shoes for a minute. I mean, we did give up Nationals when we went to Dancemania, and we knew that. B-troupe have been rehearsing and have got excited to go, only to find out that they might not be going after all. Yes, we all want to go to Nationals, but that doesn't mean they don't have the right to be upset." Kenzie said. They all looked around at each other and nodded in agreement. The team could always rely on her to give them words of wisdom, and this time was no exception.

"Whatever happens, there is a very good chance that some of us might not make the Nationals team. I think we should spend this time we have left together to have fun," Summer said. "My parents are out tonight so how about you all come and sleep over?"
"Yes! We can have a cute pyjama party, eat pizza, watch Touchdowns and Tutus. James told me that's what A-troupe did to bond before they went off to their first ever Regionals win." Piper agreed.

Lily stood up and put her hand into the centre of the circle.
"A-troupe on three?" she said. The team all put their hands in the middle.
"1, 2, 3. A-TROUPE!"

*

After the argument in the locker room, Cleo and Jude headed to Studio 1 where B-troupe were currently hiding out. They'd moved the sofas from the office into the middle of the room to make a square, where they were all huddled. The looks on their faces were all glum.

When Winnie saw Cleo and Jude enter hand in hand, her face lit up.
"Oh my God! Are you two...?" she trailed off, a huge smile on her face.
"Everyone," Cleo said. "This is my girlfriend, Jude."

Excited squeals filled the studio as the team all piled on top of them.
"It's about time! I don't know how much more of the stolen glances and flirty little comments we could all take!" Grace laughed. The team returned to the sofas, and Grace put her head on her best friend, Maya's shoulder. She didn't want to lose this team.

"Look guys, we have no idea what is going to happen later this week when we audition. But I want you all to know how much I love you." Maya said.
"Yes, even Presley who just joined." Ethan said, blunt as ever.
"And Winnie, who may have been the worst dance captain this studio has ever seen." Izzy said, causing Winnie to hysterically laugh along with the rest of the team.
"Well," Winnie responded. "I only have one thing to say to that."
"BACK ROW!" the rest of the team chanted, the atmosphere much lighter than it had been before.