Just Pretending

fortynine

Riley

It was time for SemiFinals and to say we were nervous was a complete understatement, we all knew out parts. We all knew the routine but yet most of us were basket cases
Except one person.. Take a guess?

"Alright lets run through this one more time, Beth... Do not flip Alfie just get as low as you can, Alfie try not to kick her in the head" Miss Kate warned, I dare to think the damage he could do if he kicked her one brain cell 
"Right on 3" Miss Kate said putting her hand in the middle, we all smiled placing our hands on top of her
"1....2....3" Miss Kate called
"THE NEXT STEP!" We all called before heading on stage in our spots

We all smiled as we came rushing off the stage awaiting for our competition to perform
"That was amazing guys!" Miss Kate gushed
"Any injuries?" Miss Kate then asked looking at Beth who shook her head
damn it....

"Can we have The Next Step back on the stage please" The spokesperson called, we all went wide eyed before smiling heading on stage
I gripped onto James' hand tightly as we all stood in the line, I was next to Eldon who took my hand as well as we waited for the results
"the team progressing to the finals is...." She started making me close my eyes with anticipation
"THE NEXT STEP!" She called making all of us jump and down in utter happiness. I jumped into James arms making him squeeze me tightly spinning us both around

After the novelty of winning wore off we knew that the next battle was going to be the hardest to win, to our dismay.. Our final competitor was LOD..
"Alright, let's go through this again, We had our small duet section with Eldon and Michelle and then later on some partner work with, West and Michelle. Eldon and Giselle and Riley?" Miss Kate asked making us all look at each other nodding
"And what are we doing about the middle section?" She asked and we all smiled
"Miss Kate, don't even worry about it" James famously said making Miss Kate chuckle
"Alright guys, let's do this thing!" She smiled

 After a couple couple of hours, it was time for us to take the stage for our final performance. We just watched LOD from the wings and they were better then I think any of us truly thought about. This had to be all or nothing, if we don't give it our all. You can bet we are going home losers..
"Next on the stage, we have The Next Step!" The spokeswoman called 
I looked back at the wings to see Miss Kate, Alfie and Beth stood there watching us all with anticipation
"Let's do this" I hear James say to the boys before we all went our separate ways to get into position before the curtain came up

We all stood out of breath but hand in hand awaiting the results
Regardless on what happens now, I couldn't prouder of what we've accomplished this year, we've conquered so many problems, so many setback but here we are, here as a strong ass team
"Let's have LOD join us back on stage" the spokesperson called making me gulp watching them join us
This was it..
I looked up at James who had his usual childlike grin before his eyes locked on mine, then it turned into a sincere smile
He lifted our intertwined hands smiling as he kissed the back of my hand. I had no idea what this boy would do to me the moment we met
I had no idea what he had in store for me. Makes me wish I hadn't been so hesitant at first

"The Winner is...." The spokesperson started making James squeeze as I closed my eyes tightly
"THE NEXT STEP" She yelled making all of jump and down, some of us fall to the floor
Of course I ended up in James' arms before smashing our lips together, that seems to be a reoccurring theme for us
This was it, we were finally National Winners! 
There was no stopping us now, the sky was the limit!