This episode opens with Chloe catching the bus to work, only to collide with Michelle. Chloe tries to vanish into the crowd, but Michelle notices her uniform and pieces together that Chloe is still balancing a job with her dream to dance. Chloe confesses that she must keep working to fund her dancing, and Michelle understands, though she insists that the rest of A-Troupe never learns about it. The moment hints at a quiet bond forming in the background, even as secrets press in from all sides.
The A-Troupe gathers for the solo auditions the next day. Eldon tries to win Emily’s heart by tying her shoelace in a supposedly romantic gesture, but Emily simply shrugs it off and keeps rehearsing. The room hums with nerves and anticipation, each dancer feeling the weight of tomorrow’s spotlight as the music drums in their ears.
The strain of Chloe’s double life soon shows. She stumbles through the steps, catches a beat late, and the group’s tempo falters. Emily needles her for not keeping up, and a sharp remark lands hard, making Chloe feel the sting of being behind while everyone else moves forward.
Concerned, Michelle offers to help Chloe learn the dance moves and catch up with everyone else. Riley overhears this and grows convinced that Michelle should replace Emily as leader, a notion she and James quietly scheme to advance. The wheels of ambition turn, and the tension between loyalty and ambition becomes a central thread.
As they practice, Michelle presses Chloe to tell Kate about her troubles. Chloe refuses, and Michelle decides to cover for her whenever needed, a move that makes Chloe feel like she finally has a true friend in the troupe while also keeping a dangerous secret intact.
Later, Riley and James bump into Michelle and discuss how her offer to help Chloe sounded “leaderish.” Michelle is unimpressed and insists she has no interest in taking over the leadership role, even as the rumor mill begins to buzz about the future of A-Troupe.
The next day of auditions brings a new layer of drama. Emily reveals that she is using Eldon to gauge how far he will go for her, exposing a darker side to ambition and manipulation that could undermine the group’s unity. The air tightens as the team braces for the show that lies ahead.
When the auditions start, Michelle worries because Chloe is late again and may miss her chance. The clock ticks toward performance time, and the room holds its breath as each dancer steps into the spotlight.
At the end of his turn, Daniel suffers a painful ankle twist. He hides the injury and hopes it’s nothing, but West notices the limp and a shadow falls over the hopeful solo lineup. The pressure to perform feels heavier with every whisper of a setback.
When it’s Chloe’s turn, she is still not there, so Michelle covers by saying she’s at a doctor’s appointment. Kate insists the process can’t wait forever, and Michelle offers to call Chloe. Chloe is still at work, and Michelle lies, telling Kate that Chloe will be there within the hour as the auditions continue and the clock keeps ticking.
As the day wears on, Michelle’s ruse grows riskier. She tells Kate that Chloe will arrive any second, but the truth remains hidden and Chloe’s absence sparks questions. Kate finally suggests that perhaps Chloe should return to B-Troupe, placing doubt on Chloe’s future with A-Troupe.
Kate announces that Daniel has won the solo and James will be his understudy. Right after this announcement, Chloe arrives looking stressed and out of breath, and Emily unleashes a harsh critique in front of the whole troupe, insisting that Chloe isn’t as dedicated to dance and to A-Troupe as she should be. Chloe tries to explain, but she is overwhelmed and breaks down in tears.
Michelle steps up to defend Chloe, clashing with Emily in a heated exchange. Emily presses Michelle to reveal why Chloe keeps missing rehearsals, but Michelle cannot break her promise to keep Chloe’s troubles secret and storms off, leaving the troupe buzzing with questions about whether Michelle has quit the A-Troupe.
Meanwhile, Daniel tends to his hurt ankle, discovering the injury is worse than anticipated. He decides to keep it secret and hope it improves, not wanting to give up the solo just yet.
Later, Riley and James wonder if Michelle has left the studio for good when she suddenly approaches them with a bold question: does the troupe still want her to replace Emily as leader?
You won’t want to miss what happens next, so tune in to THE NEXT STEP on Fridays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Family Channel!