Chapter Text
It's like I'm barely there in the moment. My mind is going at miles I cant even begin to count. It keeps going back to the past few months. Back to that Internationals stage, where the team held the winning trophy high above our heads.
To think, we actually won. The studio has been standing for almost 30 years at this point, and I was on the A-Troupe that finally both went to and won Internationals for the first time!
None of us have been able to settle down since then. Even through the last half of November and December, each time we met up it was the main topic of our conversations.
And now we're back properly in the studio.
I'm not too certain as to what will come next. We've conquered one of the biggest competitions in the dance world. And this year we have to pull out all the stops to defend our title.
That thought makes me quite nervous, but also excited.
I pour it into my moves as I go around Studio-A. At this point it has become tradition to just let loose and freestyle on our first day back after a competition. We couldn't sit still as we all caught up, and West turned on the boombox without anyone telling him to.
Giselle spins me around by the hands after the girls and I do a group section, her bright teeth showing in her grin. It's impossible to fight off her energy and I giggle loudly.
I watch on from the sides as the boys dance together. James is in the middle, with West and Noah at either side of him. The five of them are so in sync. I almost feel as if I can reach out and touch the joy seeping out from them.
When they're done, James comes over and wraps his arm around me, while high-fiving West and ruffling Noah's hair. On instinct, I rest my head on his shoulder and we cheer on our friends.
This is where I want to be. Here, with the people I've loved for years. I can't imagine leaving anytime soon. And I don't think anyone else can either.
The future is scary. We have a ton of work ahead of us. And I know we have what it takes to reach that peak again. As long as we rely on one-another.
Eventually, I find myself being pulled back onto the floor. The boys join me. The group of the 12 of us let the music take over. We don't think about what move that comes next, just what one feels right.
"Take It to the Top" builds up speed in the background, meeting it's end. And when it hits that final note, we also hit a pose.
A-Troupe stands in a line, our chests out in pride.
This is it. The road to Regionals starts now.
The studio has gone through a-lot of changes lately. Don't get me wrong, it probably has happened before that I just don't know about. Seeing as I've only been attending her for two years.
But these are quite drastic.
For one thing, with the money from Internationals, we've now been able to rent out another rehearsal room!
It is a bit barren and has a darker aesthetic to Studio-A. I think it will come in handy throughout the year though.
Especially with the amount of people that now want to start dancing here. Each time I had been asked to run B-Troupe rehearsal over the break, I swore that was a new person there. And as for J-Troupe, they're even more of a nightmare now.
Thankfully, the new room is also attached to a lounge area. I haven't used it yet, but Eldon has said the space is peaceful and comfortable. With sound-proof walls and several seats.
My mind is on something more important at the moment:
A-Troupe auditions.
We all know they'll be coming up soon, and I've been preparing for the past few weeks. This will be the first year after the studio has won an Internationals. I am not going to lose my spot after coming back from such a high!
Problem is, Kate hasn't really...told us anything.
She spoke to us earlier after we finished our dance. That was just to say hi and tell us that we'll be having an Open House later today to welcome in new dancers.
That gave me some hope that we'll be holding auditions soon. Why else would we be holding an entire party for new dancers if it wasn't to attract in people who want to auditions for A-Troupe?
She has been pretty vague and unpresent lately. I mean, she never really was that much before, preferring to stay in her office and somehow miss out on the drama going on. At this point though you'd wonder if we even have a Studio-Head.
Aside from all that, she did ask if we could help set up for the Open House. Cause she's too lazy to do it herself.
At the moment, I'm grabbing some pizza and other hot foods with Michelle. We all agreed to do one task to make it easier on us, the two of us being assigned food duty.
"I'm actually pretty excited to get started on Regionals." Michelle tells me as she's taking some trays of chicken wings from the barbecue place we found.
"Oh yeah, really?" I ask. I know every member of A-Troupe is looking forward to the year ahead.
Michelle has been the most vocal about it lately. It's no mystery as to why.
With her parents divorce, she didn't have the best time last year. I can tell she's hoping to make the most of Regionals and to be a proper dancer on the team again.
Honestly, she deserves to.
I thank our server for the burgers when he hands them to me. And I head back out with Michelle, having paid earlier.
We walk down the streets of Toronto. A breeze rolls over us, tickling my fingers. I should've worn gloves. It is only Spring after-all.
At-least the food is really worm, and I stole Eldon's jacket on the way out of the studio. Balancing the tray on one hand, I zip it up.
Michelle notices that action and I can see her smirking.
"Shut up." I mumble, knowing what she's thinking.
"What?" She giggles. "I was just wondering how you and Eldon are doing is all."
It is a bit embarrassing, having her tease me over this. And yet, the smile that appears whenever I think about Eldon finds a way onto my face.
The two of us are doing great. ever since we finally got together at Internationals, we've been spending a lot of time together.
He's taken me on several dates to different sweet-spots he's found around the city. We've met each-other's families. And have shared many kisses that we missed out on last year.
This is probably the most serious relationship I've ever had. And I can't wait to see what else happens in the next few months.
Going to Regionals as part of an Internationals team is already amazing enough.
Going to one with the guy I love? That is perfection!
"How come Eldon and West only had to grab drinks?" I ask James as we're finishing setting up the final table.
He grunts as he shoves it in the corner. There is sweat sort-of dripping from his face, and I'm sure I don't look any better. This is what happens when we have to lift a ton of heavy stuff only a few minutes after doing a full group dance.
I wipe a hand over my forehead, happy to be done with that.
"Because we drew straws, remember?" James says. He leans his back on what he just put down, letting out a sigh.
"How could I forget?"
That's the last time I trust his instinct.
While I was picking mine, James tried to help and kept jutting his head at one of the pieces of straw we had cut up. And since he's one of my best friend, I decided to listen to him.
And both of us ended up with the toughest job.
I join him, cracking my back on the wood the plastic we just put up. My eyes dart around the space I have been inside countless times over the years, catching on that creepy chicken painting.
"Do you think things will be different this year?" I can't help but ask.
The question has been ebbing at my mind all day.
I know we've won Internationals, and none of us are leaving the studio just yet. But, there's going to be a ton of people who want to try out for A-Troupe now. And each of them will be a threat...
"Probably" Is James' answer. "But that's the case each time we win a competition."
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch him shifting his body. he bumps a shoulder into my, making me chuckle a little.
"That doesn't mean it will all be bad though. We're the champions now, and that means this will be the toughest year yet. Doesn't that sound a bit trilling?"
"I suppose." I say, thinking about what he's saying.
"And hey."
He rests a hand on me.
It's a simple act. One that is done in only a few seconds. And yet, it helps ground me a little. It stops my thoughts form going in a worse direction. Just for a moment.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Awe, really?" I tease him, pouting my lips.
He playfully rolls his eyes and laughs at me, ruffling the brown curls on my head like he normally does.