Leading Ladies

XXVIII. Boys Are Cuties, Girls Have Cooties

"Elsa!"

Elsa smiles when she's glomped from the back, jet black hair flying her face. "What are you doing? Are you leaving?"

"Hm-mmm," she nods. She had been outside with her sisters waiting for their Mom, but when mother nature calls, it calls. "What class do you have next?"

"Science," Cassie growls, letting go. "It sucks that we don't have any classes together."

"I know, but at least you have Kyson. I have to make new friends, and I don't want to."

Casey giggles at her, patting her consolingly. "We all have lunch together, though, so it's okay. Are you free today? Do you wanna come over?"

"I don't know if I can," Elsa shrugs pitifully. She's barely seen Cassie since she's been back. "If I have a solo, probably not. The more solo, the longer rehearsal lasts. I'll text you."

"Oh, okay," Cassie sighs, shrugging.

I feel so bad. Elsa hugs Cassie tightly before heading out of the school building.

"There you are? Moms here," Bianca stops are at the front. "I was coming to look for you. Where were you?"

"I was talking to Cassie," Elsa pulls the door open, letting Bianca out first before following her. "Sometimes being on a tv show sucks."

"Tell me about it," Bianca murmurs in agreement, bringing her umbrella up to cover the both of them. "It's like we don't have any time for anything but Dance."

Shrugging, Elsa smiles at her Mom before climbing into her car. "Hi, Mom."

"Hi, love," Her Mom replies as Elsa scots over for Bianca. "Are we all set?"

"Yes," the three of them reply.

One look at the rearview, and they were off.

Elsa sucks in her cheeks before letting out a breath. "So if Abby isn't here before us, is it safe to assume that we're in trouble."

Brooke sloughs off a lame shrug. "Probably."

Elsa restrains her giggle. Brooke does not wanna be here right now. Her eyes trail around, trying to keep herself busy while being forced to stay in line. She pauses, staring at Melissa's glasses-clad face. I don't think I've ever seen Melissa in glasses before. I didn't even know she wore glasses.

Door swinging opening, Abby clumps into the room without a word. She pauses in front of the mirror, turning to stare at them.

"I just want to look at what fourth place looks like," She says after a moment of starting.

Elsa presses her lips together. I can't blame Abby for being upset. It's one thing to get second, but we got fourth. Fourth. We weren't even close to beating Studio Bleu.

"This weekend, we will be traveling to Voorhees, New Jersey," Abby announces. "We will be attending On Stage America. I don't want to be fourth again."

Without prompting, Abby turns to the pyramid. "On the bottom, Mackenzie. You will not be performing in the group routine this weekend. Next, Maddie. At nationals, you were amazing-- just as good as Chloe, but Chloe won, and ever since then..."

In the mirror, Elsa has a clear view of Maddie's face crumbling. Poor Maddie. She's going to need a miracle to get back on top.

"Paige. Once again, it's the same Pattern Kelly," Abby turns slightly to Kelly. "It's like she doesn't have to work anymore. Like, 'I went, I was fourth to Elsa. It was good enough for me.'"

"Nia," Abby turns back to the pyramid. "You're doing fine but is fine going to make you a star? Kendall, you didn't pull my eyes in a negative way. You actually pulled them in a positive way. When I don't say your name, and I stop yelling at you, get worried."