𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑯𝑨𝑻𝑺 ♥︎ 𝑶𝒓𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒐𝒓 (The Next Step)

𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑺 𝑭𝑶𝑼𝑹 ♥︎ 9

Noah smiled. "I can do it, Orls. I promise."

Orla's smile matched his. She always thought they looked more alike when smiling. "Good."

"Will all dance teams please report to the main stage?"

"Alright Next Step," Riley said with a big grin on her face. "Let's do this!"

Trying not to smile, Orla walked with the team and all their supporters to the backstage area in the wings where TNS was to be spending their backstage time.

She just prayed they could make it.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

"Please welcome team Gemini to the floor."

Orla had heard of the Geminis. They were a very established studio that won a lot, but somehow, TNS made it to Internationals instead of them.

But they were amazing.

So far, two teams had gone, and Orla was confident TNS could beat both of them. The Geminis, however... she wasn't sure.

They were very clean, very synchronised and all three of them were together.

And as Orla watched them, she must've looked more and more nervous, and Alfie asked her. "You okay?"

They were the only two in the wing, since Riley was with the dancers in another one and Michelle and Amanda were in the audience. Orla had tried to ask Alfie to go with them, but he wasn't having it.

"Nah, not really," Orla lied. "I trust the dancers, and... that's really all I can do."

"Well, I think it's time you got a pep talk too," Alfie said, taking her shoulders and turning her to face him. "Orla, you've taken on so much in such a little amount of time, and you've handled it brilliantly. The trios are ready and so are you, okay?"

Orla was rather uncomfortable because he was standing so close to her with his hands on her shoulders, but she just said. "Okay."

Alfie let go of her after that, thank god.

As Geminis finished, Orla cast a glance across the wings to where Noah, Richelle and Piper were with Riley, warming up and watching, absolutely shocked.

"The judges have tabulated their scores, and Geminis have scored... ninety seven points! A new qualifier record!"

Orla clenched her jaw. Ninety seven was what TNS got in the final round of Internationals, and it still wasn't enough to beat Sweden with a five point advantage, they needed a duet battle.

So yeah, she was more than a little nervous now.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

"Now, taking the stage, your Internationals champions, The Next Step!"

Every muscle in Orla's body was locked as as dancers stepped out.

"This is it."

The dance started fine.