Road to Joy The Next Step

Previously on The Next Step...

I want to act, I want to sing, I want to be able to do that stuff.

-So you want to be a triple threat?

-Yeah, totally. Exactly.

That's something that I aspire to be.

I'm so excited to go to that outlet mall this weekend.

I know! Are you going to be able to come this time?

-We're going to get E-girl bracelets.

-I'll definitely try.

I won't be able to buy anything.

It might be a little bit embarrassing for me.

I have a crush on Eldon?

Yes!

Maybe you do.

Hey, uh, Daniel, do you know where James is?

No.

Last year, Beth dated James for, like, five minutes

and she will not get over him.

Right now, we're waiting for Brighter Brightest to come

for the music video.

-I thought you were going to impress them.

-Hey, hey!

Hello, in the back! A little disruptive!

We want you guys to be the focus of the video.

You guys have a lot of chemistry.

There's something obviously going on.

Well, they're right.

I just hope Riley sees it.

No. Not at all. No way.

Since taking ownership of the studio,

I've really had a hard time juggling everything.

I wish I hadn't given Chris the day off.

I could really use that extra help right now.

-Hey, Kate.

-Hey, Riley.

-What's up?

I can't find this little black book.

I can see that she's really overwhelmed.

Is there anything I can do to help?

Actually, yes!

If you could pick up the sample costumes from the costume store,

that would be amazing.

You have to get them before they close, though.

It's so important to get the sample costumes today

because the shopkeeper is going away on vacation.

Oh, OK, don't worry. You can count on me.

If I was a superhero, I'd be "Get it Done Girl".

That's kind of a lame superhero.

Oh, is it?

Here's your book.

Not so lame now, is it?

Thank you.

Ooooh!

-Are you OK?

-No, I'm good, I'm good.

-OK.

Don't worry, you got it.

Right now, I'm practising my back-hand back-tuck,

and I can't get the landing.

'Typical James. He just shows off to everyone.'

Whoo.

Sure you don't want help?

Yo!

Where you going?

Um, nothing, I'm just doing something for Kate.

I didn't ask what you're doing. I asked where you're going.

Listen up.

OK, well, I'm just going to pick up the sample costumes.

I don't know why James is approaching me right now.

I mean I do not have time for it.

All right, I'll tag along.

Don't you have to get back to your girlfriend?

The thing about James is he flirts with all the girls

and all the girls love it and I'm not falling for it.

Beth? She's not my girlfriend.

And does she know that?

Hey, yo, Beth!

You're not my girlfriend!

SHE SNIGGERS

'Kay.

'I want to go with Riley because I want to spend some time with her.

'I mean, in the past, she's avoided me. Not this time.'

She's not my girlfriend.

OK, well, I gotta go.

'Kate is trusting me to pick up these costumes'

and there is no way I'm letting James mess this up.

And I'm coming with you.

'Riley has no idea right now,'

but her day's about to get a lot more interesting.

# We

# We are gonna show the world

# Everything we're made of

# We're gonna tear the roof off this place

# Stand up. #

'I want to go because it's a great time

'to hang out with Riley one-on-one

'without the distractions from the studio.'

So I think maybe if she spent some time with me,

'I can show her that we can have fun together.' Hey.

What are you doing here?

I told you I was coming.

I told you not to come.

Really?

That's weird cos I could have sworn you told me to come.

I really do not want James to come.

I mean, he's just annoying.

He never takes anything seriously.

I love this area. You know, I grew up in this area.

My mom bought her car from that dealership.

Me and my buddy Danny, we used to skateboard there every day!

'Is he even concerned about what everyone else is thinking?'

I mean, the whole bus does not have to hear his life story.

And I used to have breakfast right there every morning before school,

just down the street.

My mom used to make me walk, of course.

-And I definitely had...

-OK, do you ever stop talking?

No. I like talking to people.

As a matter of fact, you know how much I like talking to people?

-What?

-Watch this.

No, no, no, no, don't...

Excuse me, sorry to bother you.

-Yes?

-But I just had to tell you your hair looks gorgeous.

Oh, thank you.

'I was just hoping for a little peace and quiet on the bus.'

But looks like that's not happening.

-It's gorgeous, right, Riley? Look at it.

-Riley, thank you.

-The perfect amount of volume and curl at the same time.

-Oh, yeah.

Tell me, where do you get it done? Cos maybe...

She could maybe use like a good hairdresser, right?

Well, you know what?

'I am super embarrassed.'

I mean, who does that? Who randomly talks to a stranger?

Strangers, they're just friends you haven't met yet.

You work that hair, girl. Work that hair, Mary!

Tiffany, Chloe and I are just rehearsing our trio.

We entered in a small competition

so we're just trying to get it together.

-That was good, guys!

-That was good, guys!

Hey, Stephanie? The photographer's going to be here to do your headshot soon.

-Really?

-Yeah, so you should probably think about getting ready.

-OK!

I thought I'd be helpful and

bring in this photographer friend of mine

and just help her get some headshots

so that she can start hunting for agents.

Have you thought about, like, any looks for your shoot?

-What do you mean, looks?

-For the photo shoot.

Like, the different outfits, the wardrobes and, like, accessories.

Outfits? I thought it was just a headshot.

I was just going to wear this.

No, it's all about the outfits.

E-girl rule #13 -

always help another E-girl in need.

How about I help you manage your whole shoot?

I'll take care of all the tough decisions for you.

-OK!

-All right.

-Cool. Amazing! Thank you.

-And will you help me with my make-up?

-Of course.

-OK.

-Yes!

Oh my gosh.

I totally forgot!

My favourite shawarma place is up next block.

-OK.

-We need to get a shawarma!

-We are not getting a shawarma.

Riley, have you ever had a shawarma?

-No.

-Then you cannot even say a word.

-OK. It's OK...

We're going to get a shawarma...

No, we're not getting a shawarma What are you doing?

It's right here. Right there.

I'm sidetracking Riley because the longer we take,

the more time we get to spend together.

-Let's go.

-Seriously! If I am late to pick up the costumes, I swear!

-Riley! Let's go!

-I am not doing this. No.

'I find myself'

following him. I don't know why

but all I do know is that this can't end well.

-All right, how you doing?

-I'm good.

-Good. Are you excited?

-Yup!

Great! I'll be in my office if you need anything, OK?

OK, thank you.

So, like, how much does something like this cost?

I dunno.

My daddy's paying for it.

What time are your parents coming to watch?

Oh, I don't even think my parents are in the city.

'The last time that my parents showed up to anything big that I'

did was when I broke my leg and they had to bring me to the hospital.

'Stephanie and I are like two opposites.

'She doesn't even know where her parents are and'

I have amazing parents who love me

and who would be at a photo shoot in a second but I have no money.

Well, you're going to do great, just relax, don't stress.

I feel really ready for this photo shoot.

I mean I'm a little nervous but I'm ready.

'We got the shawarmas and it didn't take that long so we do still have'

a bit of time to pick up the costumes for Kate.

Transfers please.

JAMES SIGHS

Uh, I don't think I have my transfer.

OK.

Um, can I get on the bus without a transfer?

No.

I guess if James can't get on the bus, then he won't be around to

slow me down any more.

Um... Are you actually going to go without me?

Yeah, who's going to get the costumes?

Riley, is that even the right time?

-Can you hold this please?

-Yes, it's the right time...

-Oh.

-I'm sorry.

-You did not just rip my transfer.

Sir, is this valid any more?

No.

But you saw it before, it was valid...

Not any longer.

The bus driver saw the transfer in my hand,

I don't understand why he won't just let me get on the bus.

Get off the bus, I'm on a schedule.

Oh, you heard him, schedule. You know, we should just go.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

Bye-bye.

Are you kidding me?

Like, really, why did he do that?

Just cos I want to spend more time with Riley.

'Right now, I'm doing the suburban girl look.'

STEPHANIE SIGHS

Why is this flash so bright?

-It hurts.

-We're just practising, dear.

Is it always this bright?

I feel really uncomfortable.

Yeah, it's always this bright.

Mmm, OK.

Take a deep breath.

Now let it out.

SHE EXHALES

What kind of shots did you really want?

Do you want to look...?

I want to look pretty.

Stephanie is doing terrible.

She just has to let loose and I can see it all over her face.

I'm hoping that she gets it together for the next look.

Could we try another costume?

BOTH: Yeah.

Are you sure this is a short cut?

-Yes, I'm positive, I know this area.

-We've been walking for ever.

'We're walking through the park trying to get to the costume shop

'and I look over my shoulder'

and I find him sitting down on a park bench smelling his shawarma.

What are you doing?

-Pardon?

-What are you doing?

Oh, well, you see, I get indigestion when I walk

and eat at the same time.

So I just thought I'd enjoy it on the bench.

OK, no, we really have to go.

Riley, let's be serious. You're not going to win this. Sit down.

'I'm going to teach Riley

'that sometimes in life you just gotta stop'

and smell the shawarma.

Smell the shawarma? Is that like a metaphor for something?

Smell the shawarma.

So...

Just, you know, come a little closer to me.

There you go.

Now we're doing the rocker look..

I mean, I like this look.

I like being, you know, different and outta my comfort zone.

-It's a cool look.

-Now, let's just do something, a sweet shot.

You know, something really nice and...

CAMERA SNAPS

Look at the camera.

Uh...yeah.

Is there another costume?

Please. Let there be another costume.

'I feel for her.'

She's clearly having a hard time in front of the camera.

-Can we please just go?

-Yes, I'm ready to go.

Jamie!

-Jamie!

-Auntie Cathy!

'Go figure. Just when I'm about to give Riley a break,'

my favourite aunt shows up.

This is my--um, my friend Riley, from dance.

At first, the distractions were kind of irritating,

but now I'm getting really annoyed with James.

What's going on, kids? Why aren't you dancing right now?

-Um, well, we just came from dance actually.

-Really?

Why? Did you want to see some? Cos I have time.

If you've got some moves, I'm ready to see 'em right now...

'There is no way we're getting to the costume shop on time.'

You gotta do the stuff that you have to get done first

then you can do the other stuff. That's how life works.

-My talented nephew is about to do something.

-Gimme a beat.

AUNT CATHY BEATBOXES

I think James's aunt...

is a little kooky.

Oh, he's so good. Oh, magnificent.

-Oh, ow!

-I can't get that landing!

I keep practising this flip and I just can't land it. I don't know why.

Why doesn't James just give up and smell the shawarma?

Stop at the top of the stairs

and you look over the balcony at all of your guests.

N...n...really?

That's what the Queen does.

You know how I said earlier this was going great?

Yeah.

It's not. We're not getting it.

Thanks, man. I know it's not working.

Can we try something else?

You've got something great in there

but as soon as I pick up the camera, you tighten up.

'I'm a little discouraged.'

This is the beginning of my career

and I really don't want it to end here at headshots.

I took a risk with taking so much time in getting to the costume shop

and it just backfired on me.

I cannot believe we're late and the store is closed

all because of you. You and your Jamesness.

You follow me into the bus,

then you start talking about your neighbourhood as if I even care.

I'm speechless. There's no words

that can describe how frustrated I am right now.

And then you pull me off the bus

so that we can get your stupid shawarmas,

"Oh, Riley, you've never had a shawarma, have a shawarma."

I don't like shawarmas, I hate shawarmas!

And then by the time we get back, you rip up my transfer

so we have to take your stupid short cuts through the park,

meet your kooky aunt Cathy - nice lady, but still kooky.

'I guess I thought deep down'

that she was glad I came.

But she's really mad right now.

By the time we get here, we're late and it's closed.

Closed. Do you understand that, James?

Kate counted on me to get the costumes,

and now that the store's closed,

we might not even have costumes for Regionals.

It means we will be dancing at Regionals in our underpants.

Underpants!

I messed up. But I'm going to fix it.

You done?

Yo, don't worry about it, I'll get us in the store.

James always acts super cool.

And sometimes there's just things that even James can't do.

Watch this.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, kid, we're closed.

-Can you let us in?

-No, no, no! Look at the sign.

-We need to get our costumes.

-We're closed. No.

-Please! We're from The Next Step!

-No. That's it, we're closed.

I knew it! We're not getting in there.

I'm not done yet.

What are you doing with my glass?

-Um...

-My partner told you we're closed. Get away.

Can you please let us in? We need our costumes!

We're going on vacation, come back in three weeks.

-We're from The Next Step.

-Yeah, yeah, back in three weeks.

What?

'Every second that the costume owners don't open the door,'

I feel like I'm losing Riley more and more.

Looks like things are going great out here.

Hm, not great.

I guess I'm just not photo-geniuk.

Or photogenic.

Well, I'm not that either.

I once went all the way up the Amazon

to photograph a rare species of slug.

That gave me more than what I'm getting now.

That's funny because when I went to the mall a few days ago,

I put four quarters in a photo booth,

and those pictures are probably going to do more for me

than he's going to do.

You know what? Let's take a break.

How does that sound? Yeah, let's take a few minutes.

Thanks. 'I just call a break so that we can'

take a second to breathe,

revamp and figure out a way to solve the problem.

What's going on?

I dunno, I'm just so, like awkward.

Where's the one place that you feel the most comfortable?

Any place, any time, anything.

-Dancing at the studio.

-Perfect. So dance.

I suggested dancing so that she could forget about the camera.

She could forget about where she was and just be in her element,

be where she is the most comfortable

so that we can get a beautiful shot of her.

# When you walked through the door

# I'd never seen anyone like you before

# Now I know for sure... #

The dancing seems to be working I mean, I feel a lot more comfortable

so hopefully that portrays as a picture and I look better.

Now she gets it, and she's being herself, and the camera loves her.

I can tell Stephanie's got it in the bag. Ah!

There we go.

Nice!

CHEERING

I think we've got something.

Yes!

A huge weight is lifted off my shoulders, I mean, I'm so relieved.

I guess I'm better than a slug and he's better than a photo booth.

Still not done.

-Yeah.

-You watch me work my magic.

JAMES CONTINUES TO KNOCK ON DOOR

'I'm not giving up. I don't give up on anything.'

Not even math.

What is he doing?

-What is he doing?

-Just one more.

So when I can't get this backflip, Riley finally says...

-You need to set.

-What?

When you do your back-tuck, you need to set,

and then tuck your legs into your chest.

I've been watching James do this flip all day.

Maybe I was paying more attention than I thought.

Wait, how do you know that?

Don't even worry about it.

Finally. Thanks, Riley.

'Now that's what I call teamwork.'

Come on, let me in!

Please just let me in! I need those costumes.

I just flipped!

I've been working on that flip for ever, come on! Let me in.

Riley, help me out, help me out.

I join James's dance because what do we have to lose?

ENERGETIC ROCK MUSIC PLAYS

By the look on their faces while we're pulling off these moves,

I definitely think we're winning them over.

Honestly, I'm just having a blast with him right now and

it seems to be working.

Whether or not we get in,

it's just nice to see Riley let loose and dance with me.

THEY LAUGH

Missed a spot. Missed a spot right here.

Please!

Please.

What do you think? Should we let them in?

-Yeah, yeah, let the kids in.

-Yes!

'I feel so relieved.'

I mean, I can't believe James actually got them to open the store.

Of course my idea worked. Not without Riley's help though.

After today, I kinda see James in a new light.