Chapter 50

I was dancing in the downstairs studio one weekend when Maddie caught my attention, appearing at the entrance. I stopped my turn and looked at her a bit warily.

"Hi, Maddie, what's up?"

"We haven't talked one-on-one in a while."

"This is true."

"I've come to realize that it's my fault."

"Oh?"

"I- I really messed up. I got angry and hurt you, and that was wrong. I can't believe that I would say something like that, it was just beyond awful."

Maddie really did look remorseful; she was near tears. I went over and hugged her. "Yes, it was, but I never thought that you really meant it. I forgive you."

"Really? Just like that?"

"Yes, Maddie, you're my cousin and I love you. Members of the public won't be so forgiving, though."

"What do you mean? Why is it their business?"

"It shouldn't be, but the entire scene was shown on television, and Dance Moms is very popular. You'll probably start getting flack from people at school. The bigger concern here are those in the professional world that saw that."

"Huh?"

"In the professional world, things like this can really hurt you. Broadway is basically a team sport and it's detrimental to your future that you would say something like that to not only a teammate but a family member. If you go to an audition and are the best there, you still might not be chosen because they'd rather take someone who can work well with others over someone who can't."

"I can work well with others."

"Yes, I know that, but they don't. Especially the way the show was edited. How many of those interviews were scripted?"

"Most of them."

"Shit. Well, we need to fix that, because the producers don't mean well. They want to create a narrative, and if I can't be a brat, you have to be."

"Why does there need to be a brat?"

"Because it's a reality show and they need drama."

"The mothers are bad enough!"

"I agree. If it were up to me, it would just be about the dancing."

"I'm glad that Maddie apologized," Ursula said a few days later on our weekly dinner date. "It took her long enough."

I nodded. "I forgive her, of course, but it is weird that it took months for her to come around. She's been going to therapy quite a bit, and she's back training at the studio. Being back around her friends is good for her."

"I'm so glad to be done with this show soon," Ursula sighed. "My contract was only for two seasons."

"I've had to do quite a bit of negotiation behind the scenes to not be held back dancing-wise." I shook my head. "I can't go from winning YAGP to getting worse. Regardless of whether I win, I have to show that I've continued to work and improve."

Ursula nodded. "Right! I feel pretty good about the Acro taught at the ALDC, but I do a lot of networking on the side. Abby just doesn't have a good reputation."

"It's a mystery why." I rolled my eyes. "Enough about that for tonight. I love that we get to have these dates."

"Me too. Oh, did I tell you that I'm going to be homeschooled this year? My mom finally agreed to it while seeing how well it can work with you."

"That's great!" I smiled. "We should study together, keep each other accountable. Mel's moving into another room so I'll have more space."

"What brought that change on?"

"She's getting older, she's fifteen now. We're also more used to having each other around so we don't need to be as attached. At first we wanted to share to be as close to each other as possible. Also, she's rapidly becoming a night owl and I'm still firmly a morning person. Besides, she needs room for Braxton." I rolled my eyes. "Those two seem codependent at this point. I don't get it- I love you, but I can handle being away from you for a few hours."

Ursula's eyebrow raised. "Say that again?"

"The whole thing, or-"

"No, that you love me."

I paled. "I- I didn't mean to say it yet. It's okay if you don't feel the same, we've only been together a year."

Ursula smiled. "That's long enough. I love you too, Joanne."

We kissed deeply, enjoying the moment, and everything felt right for that night.

.......

I got a call from Melody in the middle of the lesson day, luckily during lunch. That was odd because she'd never usually do this, as we were both very busy during the day.

"Hey, Mel. Is everything okay?" I asked worriedly. Beside me, Ursula watched warily.

"Uh- I'm not hurt or anything. I've taken four tests, I'm pregnant."

"Excuse me? I thought that you were being careful!" I reeled back, trying to keep my voice down.

"I- we were, the condom must have broken."

"Okay, so what are you going to do?"

"I don't know yet. You would be okay with anything? Even abortion?"

"You're sixteen, you're underage, it's not safe to carry to term when you're not done with puberty. Besides, it's presumably not past twenty-four weeks yet. Besides, it's your body."

Ursula's jaw dropped. Luckily we were having a private lunch at a restaurant.

"I don't know. I have to talk to Braxton and Aunt Melissa. I feel like I have the resources to raise a kid."

"Monetarily, but time-wise? Mentally? Plus, having a toddler as a college student would be extra hard."

"All good points. I should be only a few weeks along, so I have time. I expected you to react worse than you did."

"I mean, I can't say I'm thrilled."

"No, I wouldn't expect anyone to be. I'll let you go, please don't tell Braxton, I'll tell him myself this afternoon."

Ursula was staring when I hung up and we started to walk back to Joffrey. "So she's pregnant?"

I shook my head. "Apparently. That's so stupid. I'm sorry, you can't wear proper protection?"

"I did think that both were more responsible than that," Ursula agreed. "Oh, speaking of pregnancy, my mom's expecting a little girl."

"Oh, that's lovely!" I smiled. "Tell her congratulations for me."

"I guess give my congratulations to Melody?"

"If she keeps it, which seems silly, she's a sophomore in high school. She does have enough money from art to support a child, but that's not everything that goes into raising one. It isn't like she's had good role models for parenting either."

"She should just do the opposite of what your parents did with you and she'd be okay."

"Yeah, easier said than done. It'll be up to her, though. I can only give advice."

"You're such a good sister."

I smiled warmly at Ursula. "I try my best. Let's go to dance."