Chapter Text
Amanda had been feeling down about being an alternate for internationals and not being featured in any of the dances. Hell, she wasn't even in any of the dances. All because Miss Kate had forced her to go to Sweden.
She tried to not let it get to her. After all, being able to go across the world to do what she loved was a great opportunity and she really did have a good time there. But there was one thing she couldn't help but miss for the duration of her whole trip.
Giselle.
Being away from Giselle for so long had made Amanda realise just how important she was to her. Giselle was the person who kept her grounded and made her the best version of herself. Giselle was the person who made her feel less alone in the world. Giselle was one of the first people to really take a chance on Amanda in a very long time. How could she not fall for her?
When she had arrived back from Sweden, the first thing Amanda wanted to do was go back to The Next Step. Her parents seemed confused at first, but nonetheless drove her to the studio after dropping her things back home and telling her to freshen up a bit (she did just get off an 8 hour flight after all).
Walking back into the studio after what felt like an eternity away had Amanda's stomach churning. Would anyone even be happy to see her? would Giselle be happy to see her? Amanda couldn't let herself think about it as she pushed open the studio doors to find the space oddly quiet.
Where was everyone?
Amanda had texted the A-troupe group chat right before her flight had landed saying she would be coming by the studio later that day so she could see everyone again. Almost everyone had texted back that they would be there for rehearsal and yet, there was no one to be seen.
Maybe they just hadn't arrived yet.
Amanda decided to wait it out in the music room for a while, maybe take the opportunity to dance in a familiar space again. She was sure someone would show up soon. They couldn't have forgotten she was coming back today, right?
It wasn't long before she caught sight of a familiar face. It was short lived though, as Cierra, (who was acting extremely strange) had walked into the room, grabbed the chair Amanda's things were sitting on and barely uttered a hello before walking back out the door.
Amanda's excitement about being back was starting to fade. Maybe she wasn't as important to the team as the team was to her. She tried to shake the thought. She and Cierra hadn't exactly been close before Amanda had left for Sweden so, it made sense that she wouldn't be as excited to see her. They barely knew one another despite both dancing together at Elite in the past.
Hearing commotion out in the hallway, Amanda decided to check it out, maybe it was someone that would actually be excited to see her again. She gathered her things that were now sprawled on the ground (courtesy of Cierra), and made her way to the hallway.
"Stephanie, hey!" The brunette girl jumped at the sound of her name being called but nonetheless returned the hug Amanda extended.
"Why are you hugging me?" She squeaked.
"Because I'm back? from Sweden?" Amanda tried to continue down the hallway, desperate to find someone in the studio that wasn't going to act weird towards her, but was stopped when Steph grabbed her arms, keeping her in place.
"Tell me more, where did you go?"
"I went to Sweden? The exchange program? Internationals?" First Cierra, and now Stephanie? Amanda was becoming even more confused by the minute. Didn't anyone remember she was coming back today?
"Oh that's why I missed you, come here." and before Amanda could process, she was being pulled into, and then shoved out of a hug.
"Oh, Amanda!" she turned to face West who was half hidden behind the stack of costumes he was carrying. "How was switzerland?"
"Sweden, West. I went to Sweden." Amanda stared at him in disbelief. He was the one that wanted to go to Sweden in the first place.
"Are you sure? Because I could have sworn you said Switzerland."
"Nope, it was Sweden." And with that she turned to walk away. She needed to find Giselle. Everyone was acting so strange she just needed the one person who she knew would be happy to see her.
She didn't get more than 2 steps down the hall before she felt West shove the pile of costumes in her hands.
"Can you hold that for me?" Amanda could do anything but sigh. She was not a clothing rack, why was West shoving these costumes in her face?
"Can you, uh, just bring that to Studio-A for me and uh..." before he could even finish, she had turned and started walking in the direction of Studio-A. The faster she got there, the faster she could find Giselle and find out what the hell was going on.
Struggling a little, she managed to pull open the doors to Studio-A and was greeted with an unexpected chorus of "surprise" causing her to almost jump out of her skin.
"What?" She was dumbfounded. she couldn't believe they had planned a surprise party just for her. That must have been the reason everyone was acting so weird. She had never been so relieved.
She felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist, pulling her into the group as others grabbed costumes from her hands, tossing them to the sides. She took this opportunity to take in her surroundings.
A small stage had been set up on the far side of the studio, a few tables scattered on the outskirts of the dance floor with a couple of stations for food and drinks also set up. Balloons and streamers littered the walls and even the ceiling, and Amanda couldn't believe this was all for her.
"You guys are the best." She started, extending her arms for a group hug. "I love you guys."
She was met with a chorus of "awe's" as everyone piled in for a group hug. Amanda was so caught up in the initial shock of the party that she barely registered Giselle being right by her side. It wasn't until the familiar red locks were pressed into her face did she realise. Subconsciously, She leaned into the girl, craving her touch. And Giselle, apparently on the same page, just hugged Amanda tighter.
It was good to be home.
The hug was short lived as everyone pulled away and Miss Kate happily announced it was time to party.
Seeing Giselle again after all this time was like a breath of fresh air for Amanda. Being in Sweden for so long had made her realise just how much she missed seeing the other girl every day. Sure, they had texted and called whenever they could but the time difference made it difficult for the two to talk as much as Amanda would have liked.
After giving everyone on the outskirts of the group a proper hug and hello, Amanda turned in an attempt to find Giselle. aching to wrap the redheaded girl in her arms, craving the familiar touch she had missed for so long. She didn't have to look far, the other dancer seemed to already be waiting for her, smiling softly. Their soft smile soon turns to a bright grin as the two locked eyes.
"Hey!" Giselle spoke first, outstretching their arms for a hug. Amanda happily obliged, not hesitating to wrap her arms around the other girl tightly, lifting her slightly off the ground before spinning her slowly.
"I missed you so much." The words were muffled by the mane of red hair as Amanda set Giselle back on the ground.
"I missed you too, the studio hasn't been the same without you."
Amanda felt her heart swell at Giselle's words. she had missed the studio and the team so much, but hearing that she had been missed too made her feel even more special.
"I'm glad to be back," Amanda replied, pulling away slightly from the hug. "And I'm glad to see you, Giselle. I actually have something really important I wanted to talk to you about." she took Giselle's hand in her own, smiling softly down at the other girl.
"Me too actually, but you go first, what is it?" Giselle looked at her expectantly and Amanda could make out what appeared to be a faint blush spread across their cheeks.
"Well, being away in Sweden, away from the team and the studio, and away from you, just made me realise-"
"-come on, girls, let's get this party started!" The sound of Miss Kate's voice interrupted them as they looked over to see her gesturing to the food and drinks set up on the tables.
Amanda frowned as she felt herself being pulled over to the food table and away from Giselle. Maybe this whole 'confessing her feelings to her best friend' thing would have to wait until later.
After grabbing a plate full of snacks, Amanda found herself seated at a table next to Thalia, James and Riley. The group happily chatted away, everyone wanting to know everything about Amanda's trip abroad.
"So Amanda, meet any cute girls in Sweden?" Riley questioned playfully. Amanda almost choked on the piece of popcorn she was eating. James offered her a firm pat on the back as she gave Riley a sheepish smile.
She flashed him a grateful look before turning to answer Riley's question.
"No, I uh, I didn't meet any cute girls," Amanda replied, her eyes glancing over to where Giselle was standing next to West across the room. "But I did realise something important while I was away."
"Oh yeah?" Thalia asked curiously.
Amanda took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "I realised that I actually have feelings for someone here," she said. Her eyes flickering over to the redhead again.
"It's Giselle right? Please tell me it's Giselle. If it is, West owes me five bucks." James butted in excitedly, earning him an elbow to the ribs from Riley. Amanda just stared at them.
"What James means to say is that's great, Amanda. We're really happy for you. Are you going to tell her how you feel?" Riley shoots James a look as she speaks, earning a giggle from Thalia.
Amanda nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "Yeah, I mean I tried to tell them earlier but we got interrupted by Miss Kate so I didn't exactly get to finish."
"Wait. just so we're clear, the person we are talking about right now is Giselle, right?" James interrupts. Amanda laughs as Riley whacks him on the arm, sending him yet another pointed look.
"Yes James, I'm talking about Giselle." Amanda rolls her eyes playfully, a small blush creeping into her cheeks.
"West! you totally owe me five bucks bro!" James shoots out of his seat and glides over to where West was standing talking animatedly to Giselle.
"I am so sorry about him, he's... yeah." Riley starts.
Amanda smiles at her. "It's okay, I know how he is."
"So... your girl is all alone now, you should go talk to them." Thalia raised her eyebrows knowingly. Amanda turned to see Giselle now standing alone by the snack table, occasionally stealing glances at her from across the room. They make eye contact for a split second before they both look away and Amanda can't help but wonder if maybe Giselle feels the same way.
"Okay, Yeah. Okay." Amanda slowly rose from her seat. "I've got this, I'm just going to go over there and tell her how I feel."
"You've got this," Riley encouraged lightly.
Amanda thanked the pair before beginning to make her way over to the snack table. She had made it about 5 steps before Eldon's voice filled the room as he spoke into the microphone.
"Hey everybody, if you all could take a seat, Max and I have prepared a little something to celebrate Amanda's return to the next step!"
The room filled with small whoops and cheers as Amanda felt herself being led to a nearby chair by Max. She couldn't help but steal a quick glance over to where Giselle was still standing by the snacks, West now back by her side. The redhead must have felt Amanda's eyes on her as they looked over to meet her gaze. The two locked eyes for only a fraction of a second before Amanda snapped her head away, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks.
Max and Eldon began their performance: a fun and animated musical theatre inspired piece. Amanda loved it. She couldn't believe they made it especially for her, she felt like the most special girl in the world.
The routine came to an end and Amanda jumped out of her seat to give both boys a loving hug as Miss Kate took to the stage to announce the next performance.
"Alright you guys, we have another performance up now! He is from the music room and he is going to sing a song for us. Please welcome to the stage, Theo!"
Amanda was completely mesmerised by Theo's performance. She had seen him perform a handful of times before (mostly with james' band) but she had never really taken in how good he was. He was performing a really romantic song and Amanda let her mind wander to Giselle, something that had been happening a lot lately. She couldn't help it, it seemed as if the redhead consumed her every waking thought.
The song came to an end and the room erupted in applause. Amanda couldn't wait any longer. She had to tell Giselle how she felt.
For what felt like the hundredth time today, Amanda started to make her way over to Giselle. Her heart was racing and her palms were growing sweatier by the second. she wiped them on the hem of her dress and took a deep breath.
"Hey," she jumped at the greeting but softened once her eyes caught sight of the girl in front of her.
"Hey, I was actually just about to come look for you,"
"Well I'm here now," Giselle smiled. "What's up?"
This was it. the moment Amanda had been thinking about all day. She was finally going to do it.
"So, as I said earlier, there was actually something I wanted to tell you." Amanda said, not meeting Giselle's eyes.
"I'm all yours, hit me!" They giggled.
"Okay, well-"
"-Amanda! Hey!" She felt a hand being slung around her shoulders and she couldn't help but notice the way Giselle's cherry disposition falters at the interruption. "I tried that pickled herring that you brought back and honestly it is so good I can't believe you got to eat this all the time when you were in Sweden, I'm so jealous," West rambled. Leave it up to West to come in at the wrong time. She just smiled at him, letting herself relax under his arm.
"Yeah, I mean, I didn't eat very much of it but I thought I'd bring some back for you guys to try."
"Well you can count me out of trying it, I am not a seafood person," Giselle laughed and it was like music to Amanda's ears.
"Oh trust me, I know," West chimes in. "Amanda, you should have seen the way they reacted when we went out for dinner the other day and the waiter brought out a lobster." Giselle smacked him lightly on the chest.
"And I still ate the whole thing so what now?" The redhead retorted playfully.
"Only after I bet that you wouldn't."
"And honestly, I regretted it immediately after, I ended up with my head over the toilet pretty much all day the next day."
Amanda was trying so hard to decipher what was happening in front of her. Were West and Giselle... flirting? Was this dinner that they had, a date? Had she misread the situation between the two of them and Giselle actually liked West? Maybe confessing her feelings wasn't the best idea right now. Thankfully, she was taken out of her misery as Ella's voice called West up to the stage and she finally had something else to focus on.
She watched on as West knelt in front of Ella. Riley handing her a cape of some kind and Ella securing it on his shoulders, also placing a funky looking hat on his head. Riley then passed over a sword and Amanda finally understood what was happening: she was "knighting" him. She laughed to herself as she witnessed the rest of the ceremony play out, West grinning from ear to ear as he bounced off stage. Unsurprisingly, he made his way back over to Giselle, the two of them investigating the small box Ella had given him.
Amanda stopped paying attention to them, instead turning her attention to the dance circle that had formed. Thalia and Riley dancing goofily to the song Ella was singing, smiles plastered on their faces. A few more team members joined in and Amanda felt another body fall into hers. Instinctively, she reached out to catch them but was too little too late as they both fell to the ground with a thud. Amanda's vision became clouded with bright red locks as she breathed in the familiar floral scent. It was Giselle that had crashed into her. Just the person she was trying not to think about right now.
"Oh my god, Amanda, I am so sorry. Are you okay?" Amanda felt Giselle's breath brush against her cheek as they scramble to untangle the mess of limbs. Her stomach began to churn once again, the familiar feeling of butterflies swarming around at the unexpected body contact. She took Giselle's now outstretched hand as pulled herself from the ground. The two now stood a little too close together, their faces merely inches apart. Amanda gazed down at the girl in front of her, brown eyes meeting blue ones and she could have sworn she saw Giselle's eyes flick to her lips and it takes all her self control not to lean in and connect them.
She instead clears her throat and pulls away slightly, smoothing down her dress. "Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry about it." She speaks softly, not trusting her voice.
"You promise?" Giselle's hand brushes her arm, The touch is almost ghostly light but it still sends sparks through Amanda's body.
"I promise. Now come on, let's dance." Before she can even think about it she is dragging Giselle to the centre of the dance circle, spinning her once before they join the group dance and Amanda can't wipe the smile off her face as she dances with her team again. She had missed this so much. A-troupe really was her home and letting loose and having fun with them right before Internationals is exactly what she needed.
As the song came to an end, Amanda found herself wishing it could have gone on for just a little bit longer. But before she could dwell on the thought for too long, West appeared by her side, grinning his signature goofy grin.
"Hey West," Amanda smiled at him.
"Uh, that's now Sir West, to you." He joked.
"Oh, so sorry, Sir West." She laughed, putting on her best British accent. West took an overly gracious bow, tipping his hat at her.
"Since I have you alone, there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about." His tone shifts to a more serious one and Amanda can't tell if she should be nervous or not.
"Okay..?" She was hesitant in her reply. What could he possibly want to talk to her about that he needed her alone for? Maybe he was going to tell her to back off from Giselle.
"It's about Giselle," Amanda's stomach dropped. So there was something going on between them. She should have known.
"Look West, I'm so sorry I didn't know, they didn't tell me you guys were together, I'll back off don't worry." West's face grows more confused as she rambles.
"What? No!" He laughs. "Giselle and I are not an item. As great as she is, we are just friends and that's it. No romantic feelings between us now and probably ever." Amanda breathes out a sigh of relief. Maybe she wasn't misreading the moments the two of them shared.
"So what about Giselle then?" West somehow becomes even more serious.
"You need to make your move. They have been talking my ear off nonstop about you since you've been gone. It's driving me insane. She never shuts up about you, it's like they've been put under a love spell or something."
"They what?" Amanda couldn't believe what she was hearing. Giselle also had feelings for her? This was the greatest day of her life.
"They literally do not stop talking about you, I mean, today alone has been painful. First they spent the whole week planning this surprise party, having me run around getting all these last minute things, coming up with a plan to keep you away so we could finish setting up. And then, I had to hear about how you had something to tell her but you guys kept getting interrupted and how it's been driving her crazy not knowing." Amanda smiled at this, because it had also been driving her crazy being interrupted all day.
"And then I told them that she should just take things into her own hands and tell you how she feels but they refuse to make the first move in case you don't feel the same way. Even though that's literally impossible because everyone in the studio can see that you guys have some strange deep lesbian connection going on, there is no way you guys are just friends but they still refused. And then." he dragged out the 'e' sound, getting more and more exasperated as he went on.
"And then, I took matters into my own hands and literally shoved her to go and talk to you and I had to watch as you guys had this 'will they, won't they' moment and you guys still didn't. So here I am, once again, taking matters into my own hands and asking you to put the poor girl, and most importantly me, out of their misery."
Amanda's heart was racing. Her mind was going a million miles an hour as she tried to process all the information West had given her. This was her chance.
"So what should I do? Just talk to her?" West rubbed his forehead, looking visibly stressed. He mutters something along the lines of 'why do I have to do everything myself' before he uses both his hands to grab her shoulders.
"Okay so, Giselle and I have agreed to be some kind of weird double date for Eldon and Thalia. The details are not important but basically we are going to slow dance together so they can talk to each other or something like that. All you have to do is ask to cut in during the dance and lead them to your own little section of the studio and then you're golden."
Amanda nodded. "What about Eldon and Thalia? How will they talk to each other?"
"It's better for them if they don't talk. Eldon still hasn't hit thirty pirouettes and if James finds out they're communicating, he might genuinely combust from stress." Amanda laughs, picturing an overly stressed out James. It was something she would love to witness, especially because he is one of the most relaxed people she's ever met.
"Okay," she could do this. She was going to do this. "Thanks West." She brought him in for a hug, pushing his hat over his eyes as she walked to grab a drink, running over what she was going to say in her head. She felt a newfound bravery in her. The girl she had liked for so long, shared the same feelings towards her. She was ecstatic.
She watched from the drinks table as Giselle, West, Thalia and Eldon took to the dance floor, the beat of a slow song pulsing through the speakers. Giselle's eyes met her own and Amanda could make out the faintest blush spread across the redhead's cheeks as they darted their eyes away. West then turned his head over his shoulder and gestured towards Giselle, prompting Amanda to make her move. Here goes nothing.
Setting her drink down on the table, Amanda makes her way over to where the group is dancing. She clears her throat as she taps Eldon on the shoulder, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" She locks eyes with Giselle who is trying so hard to fight the smile on her face.
"Uh yeah sure, I'll just uh... wait here?" Eldon was unsure as he spoke. But Amanda didn't wait to hear the rest of what he was saying as she interlaced her fingers with Giselle's, leading her away to a quieter area of the dance floor.
"Hey," Amanda said softly, hands wrapping around the redhead's waist.
"Hey," Giselle blushed as the two began to sway together.
"It seems like the universe has been against us talking all day."
"It seems that way, yeah." They chuckled.
"As you already know, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about." Amanda's hands started to play with the material on the back of Giselle's dress.
"I'm listening," A slight glimmer of hope appeared in Giselle's eyes as they poured over Amanda's face, searching for any hint of what she could possibly want to talk about.
"I uh, I have feelings for you. Not just friend feelings. Romantic feelings."
Amanda watched as the blue eyes in front of her lit up at her words.
"You do?"
"Yeah, I do." Amanda smiles. "Sometimes they get so intense I feel like I'm going to explode. I mean, everything about you amazes me, I love the person I am when I'm around you and it took me being away to finally realise that. You are one of the best things in my life, I can't imagine my world without you in it and I want to be yours, if you'll have me."
The way Giselle was smiling up at her made Amanda's knees weak. The redhead reached up to tuck a stray piece of hair back behind Amanda's ear before gently pressing their foreheads together. Their eyes only leave Amanda's for a second before speaking up.
"You want that?" It came out barely above a whisper.
"More than anything."
"Me too."
And before Amanda could even let out a breath, she felt a pair of lips against her own. Her entire body felt like it was on fire as she melted into the kiss, pulling Giselle as close as possible. The sound of the party faded out around her, replacing itself with the sound of her heart thumping in her chest. Kissing Giselle was better than she had ever dreamed of, her lips were soft, the taste of strawberry chapstick filling her mouth as they both smiled into the kiss. She was on cloud nine. Amanda wanted nothing more than to commit the feeling of Giselle's lips on her own to memory.
Reluctantly, she pulled away, not wanting to get too carried away in the middle of Studio-A, surrounded by their teammates and their studio head, (who she realised were all now looking excitedly at the two of them.) Amanda's cheeks heating up as she leant back into Giselle, slightly embarrassed but too high on adrenaline to care.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to do that for?" Giselle breathed, unable to wipe the smile off of their face.
"If it's as long as I have, then I've got a general idea." Amanda brought her hands to intertwine with Giselle's. "So, how about you and me, a date? This weekend? You can pick me up at seven?"
"How chivalrous, you ask me on a date and yet I'm the one who has to pick you up." They both laugh at this, hands now swinging lightly between them.
"Well I mean we can always take the bus, I've heard public transport can be very romantic."
"Oh really?"
"Oh for sure." Amanda smirked. "The forced proximity, all of the other commuters, the constant having to move out of the way for others to get on and off, and don't even get me started on the smell. It's rated top transport for going on a date." Giselle laughs, scrunching up her face slightly.
"Hmm, maybe I'll just pick you up at seven." And with that, she leans back in, Amanda all too happy to oblige as their lips reconnect in a small kiss. The two of them return to slow dancing, Giselle's head now resting against Amanda's shoulder as they sway back and forth.
Amanda can't help but smile to herself as she thinks about what's to come. She's going to Internationals with her team who she feels closer than ever to after today. Plus, she finally had the girl of her dreams who just so happened to be captain of said team and they were going on a proper date this weekend. She didn't know what she did to deserve all of it, especially with the things she's done in the past but she was thankful nonetheless. She couldn't wait to see where she and Giselle end up in the future but right now all she could focus on was the girl she currently held in her arms as they swayed together, ignoring the rest of the world around them.