Relevé to the Top

Chapter 22. The Battle Begins

Lexie swallows as Abby eyes everyone solemnly. It felt suffocating waiting for Abby to say something because whatever she was going to say wasn't going to be good, especially because they didn't leave New Jersey on a good note.

Finally, Abby begins to speak. "So, I guess it's welcome back. New York City didn't turn out exactly the way I had hoped. Lexie, congratulations, you were the winner. You didn't win for yourself; you won for the Abby Lee Dance Company. You won for my name, my reputation, so that was good."

"Thank you," Lexie mumbles. She's had almost two months to relive everything that happened in New York and New Jersey, and while the week has been fantastic for her, it was overshadowed by the drama.

It's almost like my joy was taken away by almost everybody else.

Abby's eyes travel to the side where most of the moms are scowling at her. "Uh, Holly, I know you were upset with me. I think you assumed that I was upset because Maddie ran off the stage. And you're absolutely right, and that's why I left."

"As their coach, as their teacher," Holly waves her hands over the girls. "They all deserve a hug."

"Nia had you!" Abby leans towards Holly. "She went to you when she forgot her dance."

But Mom had Maddie you came to her, Lexie thinks. She knows that Abby comforting Maddie still bothers the other girls, and if it was her, it would bother her too.

"Why don't you be the adult and the leader and console them first," Christi argues.

"You yelled at Paige and told her she was stupid," Kelly agrees. "When Maddie does it, it's okay, and it's not her fault."

"I think the case in point is that we know you don't care-"

"Some kids are just special!" Abby shakes her hand in the air. "Enough, my time is very valuable. I did not call you in here to discuss this; we're talking about this week." she snaps back to the girls. "You are going to Nexstar competition in LA, and those little kids in LA are good, and you know that.

"So let's start the pyramid. Paige, the one thing we talked about, as soon as we got the props, 'You have to handle that prop; it's your responsibility.' As soon as the competition started, the prop went right away from you. Nia. When we were rehearsing the number, you wore a biketard. And the entire rehearsal, you pulled that, and pulled at that, and pulled at that. You can't concentrate on what you're doing.

"Brooke. We get to the Joffrey, everybody else runs in with their pointe shoes on, and you're not gonna do pointe. So they're looking at that as 'hold on, wait a minute,' her ankles should be strong enough to go on point. Next, we have Maddie. Should you be at the bottom of the pyramid because you ran off the stage? Yes, you should. You're the responsible one that everybody counts on. That's why you're here."

Stealthy Lexie squeezes Maddie's hand before letting go.

"Next, I have Mackenzie. Mackenzie, you should be proud of yourself that you're this high on the pyramid. It's your charisma; it's your face that is moving the audience," Abby says. "Next, we have Chloe. You got second and beat Kendall; good job. And, Lexie, congratulations. You are on top of the pyramid.

"You had a busy week. You attended an audition that I hear you're getting callbacks for, you got the Joffrey Scholarship, and you won first place, and I know it was very stressful for you. So this week, you will not be part of the group dance, and Chloe will be featured in the group number."

Mouth widening Lexie's head snaps to her Mom, who looks just as surprised as she is.

"But you will have a solo," Abby says. Shoulders slumping, Lexie turns back to Abby. "We have Chloe doing a solo. We also have a solo for Mackenzie. And I entered a solo for Maddie, But I'm not gonna have her do it. She needs to have her head on straight. And my trio is going to Chloe, Brooke, Paige, and I need you to be fire on that stage. The group number is called, 'I Want it Now.' Can I hear you all say that?"