𝒫𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝒮𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃 𝒮𝒽𝑜𝑒𝓈

𝟤𝟣𝟨. 𝒾 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃

When you do the most basic amount of research and realize that the real name of the ballet teacher at the Abby Lee Dance Company at that time was Peter and not Keira...

"𝒞𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝑜𝓃, 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈! Let's go," Miss Abby shouts right as I run into the building, my bun hastily pinned into place as I rush into the dancer's den.

"It's not like you to be late, Rue," Mackenzie playfully chastises as I smooth down my hair and my leotard.

"My mom was sick, so I had to stay home," I sigh, rushing in with the rest of the girls without a moment to lose.

Mommy has been sick all week. Ever since she abruptly announced her pregnancy, she's been getting more and more sick. Iris calls it morning sickness, but it happens in the afternoons and sometimes even at night. At least Mommy being pregnant has made Logan go back into the basement ever since, so it should be a good week, even if his absence is causing Mommy a lot of anxiety. I mean, shaking anxiety. It's really weird.

"Let's go! Let's go! Come on, girls!" Miss Abby yells as we run into the studio, my nerves beginning to rise as I see the headshots.

Even if I was running unopposed last week, winning first place and my first crown should get me higher on the pyramid. I just hope that Melissa doesn't get too mad if I end up getting higher than Mackenzie. She seemed to cool down during the week, but one wrong move and she may snap.

"Rue, your hair is a mess. Take it down into a ponytail. I don't want disheveled people in my studio," Miss Abby immediately starts as I step into the line in between Mackenzie and Maddie.

Chills run through my body. Why didn't I spend an extra minute making sure my bun was perfect? Now everybody is disappointed in me. With shame running through my body, I silently take out my bun, holding the hairnet and five bobby pins in my hand. It takes a second, but I manage to get my hair into a low ponytail. Now I look like an egg. She nods and turns to the rest of the group.

"Finally, Overall High Score Junior Group," Miss Abby announces and we all clap at the achievement, Paige and Brooke's faces frozen in fear. "I'm proud that we're back on top, but we have to continue to stay on top."

Through the mirror, I can see a piece of paper on the wall. In big, red, fancy bubble letters, it reads, "Ten Weeks to Nationals!" I cannot believe that there are only ten weeks until Nationals. This competition season has been a wild ride, that's for certain, and a good part of me can't wait for it to be over.

"Let's move on to the pyramid," Miss Abby continues, rubbing her hands together as her bright blue jewelry clinks as it hits her palm.

"First, we have Brooke. Probation-- no solo this week," Miss Abby announces, pulling off the piece of paper that covers both Brooke's headshot and the next headshot. "Paige, same thing. Brooke, Paige, you didn't do your routines. Nobody got to see them."

"They didn't not do their sole because they weren't prepared. They didn't do their solos because of unfair treatment," Kelly tells Miss Abby with an accusatory tone, and my mind goes back to when Miss Abby threw the chair at Paige. 

Sometimes, I wish Miss Abby could be more patient with Kelly, but sometimes I wish Kelly would just shut up and do the work. It would make things a lot less dramatic.

"Well, regardless, it doesn't matter. You let down yourselves, the studio, the competition, and me," Miss Abby states and Kelly closes her mouth, most likely not wanting to cause another argument.

"Kelly, anything else you want to say?" Michael asks from behind the camera and Kelly shakes her head.

"I just want to move on," Kelly says irritatedly and Michael frowns, giving Miss Abby the go-ahead nonetheless.