Piper's POV:

Today's was the third day of nationals and small groups were up first and afterwards were female soloists.

I was slightly nervous about performing, I really wanted to win and maybe even become Miss National Soloist, just like Michelle, but I didn't know if I was good enough for that.

I shook away my nervous thoughts and just tuned back into the conversation with A troupe. "Are you guys ready for today?" Nick asked, excitedly rubbing his hands together.

"Yup! I'm excited." Kingston said, as Lily discreetly stole some fruit off of his plate. "Hey, where'd my grapes go?" He muttered quietly to himself as we all just bursted out laughing.

"Yeah, I'm excited too. I hope I get Miss National Soloist. That would be cool." I said, slightly nervous. "Yeah, we know you guys gonna win, we've all seen your routines!" Summer said, beaming.

"Yup, whoever's up against you guys, have no idea what their in for!" Henry said as I laughed and A troupe agreed. "I can't wait! You guys are so gonna kill it today!" Lily said, patting her boyfriend's shoulder as we all agreed, excited to get started.

"Okay guys, we have a couple of hours before small group goes on, so let's start heading to wardrobe." Nick said, happily standing up. We all got up, as Finn kept on eating. "Hold up, I'm not done." He said in a muffled voice as he continued to stuff his face with all kinds of food making us all laugh.

I'm telling you, his stomach has no end! Scientists are still confused!

"Here, Finnyboy. Put the rest in this." I said, still laughing as I handed him a takeaway box. "Thanks, Pipes!" He said, gratefully, giving me his charming smile. He finally finished putting his food away, even adding some more and we all were heading down to wardrobe.

On our way there, I tugged on Finn's arm and told him I was going to use the bathroom. I found it easily and when I finished, I bumped into Tiana.

"Hey Ti." I said awkwardly as she said hi too. "Listen Pipes, I didn't sabotage you that day, I saw a guy that looked like Josh fiddle with it and I was trying to see what he was up to when I was coming to find you and-" Tiana rambled on as I cut her off with my laughter.

"Ti, stop rambling. It's okay, I forgive you. I'm sorry too 'cus I should've listened to what you had to say." I said with an apologetic smile on my face.

"It's alright. Are we still good?" She asked, as I hugged her. "Of course! Anyways, I've gotta go meet the team. Will you be in the audience?" I asked her, as she nodded excitedly.

Her team had just gone to regionals and they had won, so they were on a break, which luckily meant that Tiana could come and watch us perform.

She waved at me and I waved back before making my way back to wardrobe. "Hey Piper!" Summer said, getting her hair done. "Hey!" I replied seeing the team all sitting down and chatting. "Did you talk to Tiana?" Summer asked.

"Yeah, just now, how'd you know?" I asked in surprise. "Tiana cam to say hi to us, then she asked us where you were because she needed to talk to you about something." She explained to me. "Ohh, okay." I replied before sitting next to Finn and Amy.

"That was great!" Amy exclaimed as the small group finished their run-through. "Yup, can't wait for you guys to perform." Heath said, happily. "Okay, guys! It's time!" Nick announced in an excited, sing song voice, as we just chuckled, excitedly talking.

Soon, we were in the wings watching our competitors perform. They were from a studio called 'Confidance', I think I remembered them from Regionals; as we were performing at Dancemania, they must've competed again and won, I'm just glad that this year, Tiana's team won too, they deserve to finally make it to Nationals.

"-great performance! Let's welcome back to the stage, the Next Step!" Chuck Anderson said, cheerily, as Kenzie, Summer, Richelle, Kingston and Ozzy took the stage, confidently.

We all screamed and cheered for them from the side as they got into their starting positions and once again, certain voices (aka my family, Riley, Emily and Michelle) from the audience shouted encouraging words to them.

They did a dance to the song, "Game Face" and it was awesome, I've always liked that song.

When they all hit their final poses, we all cheered and screamed in joy for them.

"The winner of this small group round is..." The announcer began as we all crossed our fingers in anticipation.

"The Next Step!" The announcer called out. We all cheered as the group ran off the stage in excitement.

"Alright Piper, you're up next. You've got this!" Nick said, after a moment of celebration, giving me a thumbs up, as I laughed nervously and thanked him.

After I marked through my dance and got dressed into my outfit, the nerves that I had been pushing away came back in full force.

"Finn!" I said in relief as I saw him and jumped into his arms. "I'm so nervous, what if I don't win? What if I make a mistake? What if I lose and we have to go home? Will you hate me? Will the team hate me?" I asked rambling on, until Finn kissed me.

"Listen, you're going to do great. No one is going to hate you, that's impossible and you won't lose. So stop worrying, babe!" He said as I nodded and hugged him again. "Thanks, Finn." I mumbled into his chest. "No problem, Peaches. Let's go to the others." He replied as I nodded and we walked over to everyone else.

They watched me as I went through my routine full out and they told me that it was 'perfecto' as Ozzy liked to say it.

Soon, we were back in the wings, waiting to see my competitors. "Who are you up against?" Henry asked. "Some girl from 'The Next Sunderland Royal Dance Academy', bit of a mouthful. " I replied.

"Yeah I've heard of it, it's a really old studio, one of the oldest in the country." Kingston said.

"Now, let's see what Nancy from The Next Sunderland Royal Dance Academy, can bring to the table." Chuck said as a pretty dancer took the stage.

This Nancy girl was really good, she was exceptional, but I forced out all my nerves and concentrated on the encouraging and calming words from my teammates.

Soon, Nancy finished her performance and left the stage as I was announced onto the stage.

"You've got this babe!" Finn said, giving me a kiss, as I walked onto the stage. "You can do it!" I heard Amy scream, and after that I heard my teammates yell out encouraging words, which really calmed me down.

I got into my starting position for my lyrical solo. It was to the song, 'Stardust' and it was very emotional. I poured my heart and soul into that performance, and I could only hope that the judges could see that.

When I finished, and the music ended, people yelled and applauded, and I heard the team shout out how well I did, but I was more focused on what the judges would say.

"The winner of this female solo round is..." The announcer started as I waited nervously, alongside Nancy; I could see the eagerness on my teammates' faces and I could see the excitement on my family's, Riley's, Michelle's and Emily's faces, but I probably looked constipated due to all of my building nerves.

"Nancy from The Next Sunderland Royal Dance Academy!"

My jaw dropped wide open in disbelief and shock, as my eyes began to sting with unshed tears.

I couldn't believe it.

I really wasn't good enough.

My worst fears were confirmed, when I saw the shock and confusion on my team's faces- this wasn't a dream.

I lost the round and now we're going home...

》》》

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