Chapter 38

Christi didn't talk to me when we got back to the studio the next week, which was fine with me because I was less than a week out to the YAGP final and not attending classes. Monday was peaceful, mostly school and dancing, while Pyramid came around on Tuesday.

"You aren't winning," Abby said strictly. "You're lazy, like zombies. This week, we're doing a routine about zombies, and moms, you're making the costumes. You can ask Joanne's sister for help if you want. Joanne and Chloé will not be in the group because they have to leave for the YAGP final halfway through the competition. Joanne, you have a solo, and Chloé, you and Nia will have a duet. Onto the pyramid. On the bottom, Chloé. The solo was fine, but you got third and your mother couldn't keep her mouth shut. Next, Mackenzie, you blended in well in the group but I didn't have anything else to judge you on and it placed fifth. Next is Paige, same thing, I thought you were good. Next is Ursula, you stood out in the group for me. The first person in the middle is Kendall- you drew my eye in a positive way in the group, so good job."

Kendall beamed at the praise and at finally getting off the bottom of the pyramid.

"Brooke, you won your division, but you made a few mistakes. I expect better. Nia, you placed second, I thought you were great. Joanne, you taught Maddie a winning solo, and you were the overall high score. It was beautiful."

Maddie bounced on her toes, anticipating what came next.

"Back on top of the pyramid is Maddie. That was a hard solo, and you pulled it off with great emotional execution. I expect you to keep it up this week."

All the dancers and mothers, including Christi, clapped enthusiastically for Maddie.

"We are going to the Energy Dance regional in Chicago, Illinois. This is a big week, especially with two dancers not available for the group dance. Ursula, Paige, Maddie, Kendall, Joanne and Brooke, you have solos. Nia and Chloé, duet, and Joanne and Ursula also have a duet. I need to see those in the group first."

I practiced my YAGP dances until Abby called me in for solo rehearsal.

"This solo isn't going to take too much of your time," Abby told me. "It's Jazz, nothing you can't handle. The name of it is 'Superstar,' because that's what you're becoming. I know that you're a humble and nice girl but you won't want to dance humble in this solo."

This was a fun dance, and I learned it in about half an hour. Abby brought Ursula in and prepared us for our duet. "I'm taking a risk here, because I don't know how the crowd and judges will react to a lesbian love story. You need to pull it off perfectly to win, got it?"

Abby had given the choreography her best, putting a lot of pretty movements and partner work into the duet, making it more advanced than a regular Teen duet as both Ursula and I had great technique. We could play the roles well, as though we didn't love each other quite yet we did really like each other. The duet was finished in and hour then we went our separate ways.

I had taken to eating dinner within earshot of the mothers, because it had become clear to me that they were talking about myself and the other dancers behind our backs. I needed to stay on top of it.

"So, Christi, how do you feel about Chloé having a duet instead of a solo?" Holly asked.

Christi's answer sounded genuine. "It's kind of exciting, actually. She's never done a duet with Nia. Besides, she gets less nervous for duets than solos, and I want her to be relaxed this week before the YAGP final. The dance looks good, it's pretty hard."

"I'd like to talk to you about how you went after Joanne last week," my aunt said steely. "That was completely inappropriate, I hope you know that."

"I was wrong to do that," Christi admitted.

"Okay, then apologize to my niece."

"No, that kid has a big ego already. She doesn't need an apology."

"Excuse me, Joanne does not have an ego. She has been nothing but helpful to Chloé and you're just attacking her for no reason," Aunt Melissa snapped. "You would never guess that she's as accomplished as she is unless you specifically ask about her dancing. I think you're upset at Abby and putting that energy into finding issue with Joanne, which is totally inappropriate. You're the adult, she's a kid."

"She doesn't act like one."

"That's because she didn't have a real childhood and was forced to grow up too quickly. She's been through enough, so if you're not going to apologize, just leave her alone."

"I can do that. I should be talking to Abby privately anyway, Ursula was right about that."

Relieved, I slipped away to practice for YAGP. Braxton and I spent the next morning reviewing details on our pas de deux and critiquing each other's individual pieces, as he'd also qualified as an individual. Abby had me help out Kendall, Maddie and Paige with their solos, as she'd picked up on the fact that the dancers found it more helpful for someone to go through the dance with them. I didn't give any feedback, just showed the dance, and Ursula and Brooke would do this for younger dancers pretty often as well, especially for Acro solos.

Kendall's solo was very difficult for her, and it wasn't going great. She was doing Contemporary and was emoting well, proving to be a better Contemporary dancer than Jazz dancer energy-wise, but was very sloppy. Abby wasn't helping by being very harsh in her critiques, making Kendall cry at one point. Paige and Maddie both had pretty Lyrical and had much more peaceful rehearsals; Abby was beginning to really like Paige, and Maddie was back in her good graces.

I made sure to spend extra time with Misty, who was now my official Emotional Support Animal, and Melody as the YAGP final would last five full days. Chloé and I had a short evening flight on the 21st of April, with Christi and Aunt Melissa coming with us and Kurt stepping up to take care of Maddie and Kenzie. He was a responsible parent, after all, and it would probably do my cousins some good to spend time with someone not involved in the dance world.

There wasn't much drama, and I just packed and worked on my dances. The competition was mobbed with people who I thought were here for Abby but were apparently also here for me, if their screams of my name were any indication. I just waved and went into the dressing room, needing to focus on dancing.

Ursula and I's duet was up first, and we did a great job of connecting with each other and telling a story. Hopefully the judges would like it. Nia and Chloé, unexpectedly good duet partners, told a story of two friends who are always together very well, in a classic Abby Lyrical duet that Maddie likely wanted to be in and would have just last season.

I hadn't put as much effort as usual into my solo, but it just hadn't required that. I went out and was able to perform my best because I wasn't nervous for this dance, just the YAGP dances. Ursula went on after me and did her best Contemporary solo yet, giving great emotion and pulling off some hard moves well. Brooke had an Acro solo and did very well.

Kendall's performance was interesting, because she forgot a few steps and had to improvise in the middle of the dance. That said, her technique was solid and her emotion was great, and she got right back on the music and finished the dance with a lot of energy. Her posture was already highly improved in just a few months, she'd clearly been putting the work in.

"That was so bad," Kendall cried, running into my arms. "I forgot!"

"The judges probably won't be able to tell, you kept dancing. I thought it was the best emotional execution that you've had in a solo," I reassured her. "You did exactly what you should have done."

Paige was a breath of fresh air onstage, and Maddie looked like her old self. Personally, I thought that Paige had more genuine emotions than Maddie and likely had her beat.

"Kendall, I'm not happy that you forgot the dance, but you didn't let it show," Abby said back in the dressing room. "Next time, execute the full dance well. Paige, that was stunning, but watch your feet when you go to the floor, they were slightly sickled. Maddie, it was good, but a bit boring. I think it'll be a toss-up between you three for the win. Ursula, that was great, that's how you do a Contemporary solo. Brooke, I thought you did well, I'm not sure who's going to win between you two. Joanne, just as I expected, entertaining and sharp. I'd be shocked if you didn't win."

Awards were a bit earlier than usual, luckily for Chloé and I. The duet awards were up first. "In first place in the Junior category, with a score of 288, is Chloé and Nia from the Abby Lee Dance Company with 'Forever!'"

Abby gave her high clap, and the two beamed by their trophy.

"Your first place Duo/Trio in the Teen category, winning the judges award for Extension, scoring a perfect 300 points, are Ursula and Joanne from the Abby Lee Dance Company, with 'Falling in Love with You!'"

We grinned and hugged each other. "You two had such a beautiful connection, any particular reason for that?"

"We're dating," Ursula replied with a smile.

"Ah, that would do it. What's your studio?"

"The Abby Lee Dance Company," we said together.

"Third place in Junior solos, scoring 290 points, is Kendall from the ALDC with 'Black Heart!'"

"Oh, okay!" Kendall was very pleased with the score.

"Second place in Junior solos, scoring 292 points, is Maddie from the ALDC with 'I Can't Find the Words!'"

Maddie made a face for a moment, then smiled and accepted her plaque.

"Your first place champion, also from the ALDC and scoring 295 points, is Paige with 'Shatter Me!'"

Paige was thrilled and accepted the trophy and crown.

"Your second place champion in Teen solos is Brooke with 'Paint the Pictures' from the ALDC, winning the Pretzel award and scoring 285 points! Your first place champion in Teen solos, winning the Artistry award and scoring 293 points, is Ursula from the ALDC with 'Shadows!'"

Ursula and Brooke shook hands amiably; they were very friendly competitors.

"Your Senior solo champion and highest-scoring soloist of the day, also winning the Firecracker award and scoring 296 points, is Joanne from the ALDC with 'Superstar!'"

I accepted the second trophy.

"Nice job, young lady, and good luck to you and Chloé at the YAGP final!"

"Thank you," I said, and sat back down. Chloé, Christi, my aunt and I left the awards with the team and headed to the airport, my nerves beginning to rise. It was showtime.