The Eldest Ziegler

Bullets and Ballet

"We have a lot to go over," Miss. Abby says once everyone was in the room.

After all the craziness that happened last weekend, with Maddie getting hurt, Nia having a panic attack, having to go to a different competition at the last minute, Jill not letting Kendall dance till the last minute, and there was probably more stuff that happened that I didn't even know about. I was curious to see how Miss. Abby was feeling about the competition.

"It's gonna be a busy, busy, busy week here," Miss. Abby tells us, "No coming late, no leaving early. Now... Texas. We had all these plans made to go to New Jersey. And then, at the last minute we had to completely flip it. There's a lot of dance competitions in this country that would have said, 'Fine we're not going.' And we didn't do that. We went, some great things happened, and some really bad things happened."

"Now this week, we're going to Hollywood Vibe right here in Pittsburgh," Miss. Abby continues, we all clapped at the news about competing in Pittsburgh, "I want to see 100% from every single one of you. Remember, we're in the backyard. You have a target on your back. So do I. The group number is called, "Private Eyes." I'm gonna arm you with a secret weapon. You're going to be using guns in your routine. When you step on that stage, I want you to kill it. Understood? You're gonna blow the competition away."

I didn't really care that we were using fake guns in the dance because they are just props and we are acting. But I knew that one or more of the moms were going to try and change Miss. Abby's idea.

"Now, we're going to move into the pyramid," Miss. Abby continues before revealing the first headshot, "Mackenzie, you went from first to worst in one routine. You always have to keep working. Nia, you had a pretty dance. I thought you did well, no problem. Kendall, I understand the costume was an issue. Jill, I'm sure you have something to say about it. But I'll tell you what, it doesn't matter what you wear. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it's your technique and that's what you need to work on."

"All right. Next... Maddie," Miss. Abby says, revealing her headshot on the bottom of the pyramid. I was a little shocked, I never thought I would live to see this day, "Maddie, you could've been seriously injured. Get the pout off your face, Maddie. You know that you made that mistake and that's what you get."

I never thought that Maddie would be at the bottom of the pyramid but I understand where Miss. Abby was coming from, she did make a mistake and could have been seriously hurt. I knew that my mom was going to be complaining about this later.

"So let this be a lesson for everybody," Miss. Abby continued, "Don't change your mind in midair. Moving on... Chloe. Chloe, It was good, but obviously, not good enough. Next I have... Monica. You did a beautiful job with her solo but just like Chloe, not good enough."

I didn't like that Miss. Abby thought my solo wasn't good enough.

Next I have Brooke. Great performance and then you forgot the ending. You didn't know what you were doing, and you just fizzled out," Miss. Abby tells Brooke before getting louder, "And on top of the pyramid... Paige."

Everyone clapped and cheered, this was the first time that Paige is on top of the pyramid. The girls and I gave her a group hug as Miss. Abby says, "Paige, your legs were straight, your feet were pointed, and you went out there and you won it. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Paige says as she grins from ear to ear.

Paige

Brooke Monica Chloe

Maddie Kendall Nia Mackenzie

After we finished celebrating, Miss. Abby continued, "All right, ladies, the group number, everyone will be dancing expect Mackenzie. I'm gonna enter a trio, Chloe, Maddie and.... Paige. I'm gonna pick you back into the trio because you're on top of the pyramid. Kendall, get the look off your face. I can't take any chances this week. I... need... to win. Chloe, you will be doing a solo. Maddie, you will be doing a solo, Monica, you will be doing a solo. We're taking two champions that already won at Hollywood Vibe. Then we are taking another champion from other competition. I'm telling you, one of you better win it. Do you understand? I want to see that champion in the studio."