A Second Chance

After The Competition

It took about .2 seconds for Melissa to start freaking out.

"Abby, you cannot be serious! After all her wins? All the amazing things she's done for you? You're going to put her on probation?!"

Abby was quick to snap back

"Darn right I am. She's been slipping, Melissa. She's regressing. Her turns are sloppy, her feet are following. She needs a wake-up call. Maybe probation, and a little extra competition are what she needs right now."

Melissa looked enraged. Jill looked upset too, but Kendall had been a frequent flyer on probation. Maddie, however, had never even gotten close. Until now. Christi looked just as surprised, if not a bit happy that Maddie was finally getting the same treatment as any of the other girls. She could barely hide a smirk.

My mother and Holly seemed deep in conversation, and I went up to Nia to chat.

"Hey, Nia! Want any help getting your hair out?"

Nia smiled at me

"Sure! If you could help me get the bobby pins on my headpiece out, that would be great. I can do yours too!"

I set to work wiggling bobby pins off of the headpiece, and soon enough it was free. Me and Nia chatted about school, our families, and other random stuff as we fixed each other up.

We were completely oblivious to Abby and Melissa staring daggers at each other. Mackenzie ended up joining us, and we hung out for a while until our moms were ready to leave. Holly and my mom walked over together, laughing at some inside joke.

"Hey, girls!"

My mom called out to us

"It's getting late, so we figured we might as well go out to dinner together, with Nia and Holly!"

Nia pumped her fist

"Yes! I'm so hungry, I could eat a mountain. Come on Alyssa! The faster we get to the car, the faster we can get some food."

I took off with her, and we caught up with Maddie in the hall. She was facing away from me, and I put my hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, Maddie. Sorry about the whole probation thing, really. Things will get better, you're an amazing dancer, and next week you'll blow the judges away, I know it."

Maddie whipped around, glaring

"Easy for you to say! You have it all under control, don't you? You probably never had to work for anything in your life! Don't talk to me, I don't want any more distractions at the studio. I can't let everyone down again. I can't let Abby down again."

I stumbled back, stunned at Maddie's outburst. Nia looked shocked too. I didn't know Maddie as well as she did, but I think we were both thinking the same thing, what's gotten into her? Nia took my hand, and we both made a beeline for the parking lot, leaving Maddie looking hopeless in the hallway.

//AN: sorry this is pretty short! Longer section coming soon :)