Chapter 41

I got back to classes that Monday and got right back into a rhythm. I would be holding off on going back en pointe for another week, though.

Abby seemed focused during Pyramid, looking over all of us sharply. "Let's talk about last week. We swept the solos, the group and the trios, so good job. I didn't see perfection, though and that's what I want. We're going to Akron, Ohio, and you know who's going to be there."

"The Candy Apples," we chorused.

"That's right, so we must win. I'm bringing out all of my big guns this week. Onto the pyramid. Chloé, you took a break from dance, that's fine but there's nothing to judge you on. Ursula, just okay in the group and the trio. Next is Maddie, you were also just okay in the trio and the group, but both won so that's good. Nia, you fell out of the turns early, but you were good otherwise."

Nia just shrugged, accepting the critique. "Paige, I thought that you were great in the trio and the group. Mackenzie, you did well in the lift in the group and more than kept up in the trio. Kendall! You won with your solo, the trio won, you stood out positively in the group. It was a strong week for you."

Kendall beamed, excited to finally move up the pyramid. "Next is Brooke, you won your division and worked well with Joanne in the group. You won two titles in two hours. But, on top of the pyramid once again is Joanne. The trio won, you led the group to victory, and you won two titles in two hours. Excellent work."

I smiled as everyone clapped for me. "This week, Joanne has a solo along with Ursula, Chloé, Maddie and Paige. Joanne is choreographing for Chloé and I'm trusting you to create a winning solo for yourself with minimal help. Nia and Mackenzie have a duet. Each and every one of you are going up against a Rotten Apple. Cathy loves to put older dancers in her routines, so we're playing that game too. No one is left out of the group dance this week and I am inviting Nina from the Senior Company and Auriel from the Teen Company to dance with you guys this week. We have a lot of work to do, so Joanne, please go fetch them."

Nina was in Tap when I pulled her into Studio A, and Auriel was just entering Jazz.

"Come on," she complained to me. "I'd rather be in class."

I shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, Abby's orders."

The group dance was pretty and simple, and we spent way more time trying to dance in sync than get the moves down. I was glad to be released to work with Chloé on her solo.

"You play dark characters well, so I'm giving you a dance about a girl whose boyfriend- or girlfriend- has broken up with her and is very angry, wanting revenge. You're a bit young for it but I think that you can pull it off. It's called 'Revenge.'"

Chloé was doing very well with her solo in forty-five minutes so I sent her off to class, staying in Studio D to choose music and a dance style. I hadn't done Contemporary as a solo in a while, so I chose an intense song and started putting together the first thirty seconds of a dance that I would call "Into the Dark."

Abby gathered the soloists and duet together the next day. "I know Cathy's entries," she told us. "Chloé, Paige and Maddie, you'll be up against Justice, and you had all better beat him. Ursula, you're up against Peyton and Taylor. Cathy had Ericka and Opal moved up to Seniors, so they're your competition, Joanne. Nia and Mackenzie, you will be against Justice and Vivi-Anne."

Abby eventually had Brooke, Ursula, Nina, Auriel and I be in the front of the group because we were spaced the best, but the Juniors couldn't get into their proper places at the right time. There was a pretty turn sequence with the front row, Maddie, and Chloé as well.

After going over Chloé's solo, which was coming along very smoothly, I focused on my own solo. I threw in what I was good at, turns, legs, facials and interesting moves, and just tried to have fun with it. Aunt Melissa filmed the dance and I wrote out the moves and transitions before heading to class. I worked with Nyssa for two hours the next day and had a gym session, as I usually did three times a week. The time before the competition flew by, and we were walking to our dressing room when the Candy Apples approached. I waved to my friends on the team before the producers indicated that we should start fighting.

"Look who it is!" Cathy began, grinning maniacally. "The Wicked Witch and her cronies. Ready to lose?"

"You wish," Kelly scoffed. "You'd better be ready to lose."

"Oh yeah? Who do you have that can beat any of my dancers?" Cathy challenged.

"First off, Ericka and Opal are strong dancers but they don't hold a candle to Joanne," my aunt said. "And Nia and Mackenzie are going to beat your duo. Not to mention Maddie in the juniors."

"Right. We're so scared."

"Joanne is unbeaten,"Kelly pointed out.

"All things must pass," Cathy said, but it wasn't very convincing. She did it three more times before there was a desperate need to get ready for solos, because all three of the Senior soloists were very early on in the performers.

"Joanne, I hope it's okay, I changed the name of Chloé's solo," Christi called to me as I put touches on my makeup.

"That's fine, I'm not great at naming dances," I responded. I actually did mind, but was in too much of a rush to say that. "So long as Chloé isn't caught off guard by it or anything."

My costume that week was simple, a black shirt and gray flowy plans, and I had my hair in a ponytail with minimal makeup.

"Let me see the solo," Abby commanded. She had meant minimal help; I hadn't gotten any feedback from herself or Gia the entire week, though I had from Nyssa. "Good, perform and you'll win," she said when I finished.

Maddie came up next, and was clearly having trouble remembering the choreography. She had a pretty, competitive Lyrical and I was beginning to worry for her.

"Come on, Maddie," Abby snapped at her. "You can't just do well with Joanne's choreography. I gave you a winning dance this week."

"I'm just nervous," Maddie admitted, beginning to tear up.

"No, no tears, you're too old for that. If you don't win, you're done with solos for the season. Paige, come on up."

I hugged Maddie briefly before heading backstage, where Ursula, Opal, Peyton, Erika and I watched the first few dances together. Ericka went up first and did well with her solo to "Palladio," then it was my turn. I didn't let the nerves get to me and showed off the choreography, telling the rather simple story well. Erika and I hugged and watched Opal dance, showing off her flexibility and sassy personality. Ursula then excelled with her Acro/Contemporary solo, followed by Taylor (back from injury) with her pretty Lyrical, and Peyton with a subpar dance. We all performed twice in a row.

"I can't believe that you don't have back problems, babe," I laughed to Ursula. "Especially being en pointe now."

Ursula smiled. "I'm hypermobile and taking advantage of it."

Junior solos started off well, with Justice doing a poorly choreographed solo, Chloé excelling in her dance, and Paige charming in her Jazz routine. Maddie was very nervous before she went onstage, and didn't look much better after my pep talk.

"I wonder if you ever thought of meAnd how I'm doingI wonder if you ever saidGosh, I miss herAnd why didn't I fight for herAnd all the things she's doneAnd I just threw it awayBut it's alrightCuz you still haveThat little piece in my heartAnd it's alrightCuz I was strongAnd I let you goBut you will always have that little pieceIn my heart"

Maddie was doing well before that point, but then she froze. I cursed under my breath as she stood onstage, looking lost, for a good fifteen seconds before continuing on with the dance, but the damage was done. She finished off the music and looking very rattled.

"I forgot," Maddie cried, running right into my arms.

"Yes, then you kept dancing," I replied kindly. Abby would rip her to shreds. "That's what you're supposed to do."

"Maddie, no more solos," Abby said the moment that I led my cousin back into the dressing room. "That was embarrassing. You got into your head and humiliated yourself. You'd better not cry either. Paige, that was fun, and the technique was good. Chloé, fabulous. Ursula, very good, but your face was flat at times. Joanne, great, no notes. Okay, I need to see my duet."

"The duet is in forty-five minutes. Get some food, get some water, and take some time to recover before watching," I told Maddie, who nodded and left the room with a granola bar and water bottle.

"I'm worried about Maddie," I told my aunt quietly. "It's one thing not to be winning, but it's another to forget a dance."

My aunt nodded grimly. "I think she needs more therapy sessions. She's burning out and the pressure is getting to her, especially with others catching up to and passing her."

We didn't talk more because of the cameras. Kenzie and Nia looked great onstage, much better than Justice and Vivi, and then it was time for the group. Our spacing was off and so was the timing, so I didn't feel great about it. The Candy Apples, on the other hand, had a dance that was both cultural appropriation and much too busy, so I did think that we had them beat this time around. Awards came along, and I ate a sandwich during the Mini solo awards.

"In third place in the Junior solo category, scoring 280 points, that's Mister Justice with 'Shipwrecked' from the Candy Apples Dance Center. Second place, scoring 284 points, that's Miss Paige with 'Tongue Twister' from the Abby Lee Dance Company. Your first place Junior soloist, scoring 297 points and receiving the Performance award, that's Miss Chloé from the ALDC with 'Drowning.'"

Abby gave a high clap and the two blondes looked pleased with themselves. Maddie tried her best not to cry from beside me.

"Your sixth place Teen soloist today, scoring 273 points, is Miss Peyton with 'Holding Out for a Hero' from the CADC. Your third place Teen soloist today, scoring 289 points, is Miss Taylor with 'The Return' from the CADC. Your first place Teen soloist, scoring 296 points and winning the Circus award, is Miss Ursula from the ALDC with 'In the Sky!'"

Ursula beamed and accepted the trophy.

"Your sixth place Senior soloist, scoring 283 points, is Miss Erika with 'Palladio' from the CADC. Your second place Senior soloist, scoring 290 points, is Miss Opal with 'Twisted' from the CADC. Your first place Senior soloist today, earning the Power award, Choreography award and scoring 298 points, the overall high score of the day, is Miss Joanne with 'Into the Dark' from the ALDC."

"Congratulations, young lady. Who choreographed this dance for you?"

"I did."

"Amazing! What studio do you represent?"

"The Abby Lee Dance Company."

"Your eighth place Junior Duo/Trio today, scoring 269 points, is 'Tango' from the CADC. Your highest-scoring Junior Duo/Trio of the day, scoring 285 points, is 'Party Time' from the ALDC."

Another win. Now we just needed the group.

"Your fourth-highest scoring Junior group today, scoring 278 points, is 'Land Unforgiven' from the ALDC."

It wasn't a great placement, but the Candy Apples didn't place at all, so Abby wasn't too upset. We said goodbye to Nina and Auriel as they were traveling back separately and headed back to Pennsylvania. 

A/N: sorry for the longer break between chapters, I graduated from college then drove across country to get home. I have the rest of Season 2 planned out in my notes.