Dance Like Nobody's Watching!

Chapter 1: Saying Goodbye

"I don't want you to go" Bella (my six year old sister) cried while tugging on my shirt. I gave her a hug and attempted to pull her off my shirt. Sometimes my little sister can really be annoying, but I still love her and she's my sister.

A taxi drove me and my mom to the airport. I looked out the window of the taxi and stared at the place I'd known since I was a baby. I had to remember how it all looked.

We went through security and all those boring things. I looked at my phone and I took a few selfies with my mom. We sat down in the waiting area while I tapped my foot rapidly and looked at my phone.

I started to get really nervous, what if the kids didn't like me?

What if they were all mean?

What if they were all 13 and I'm the only 9 year old?

What if everyone is WAY better than me?

I looked at my mom and whispered "Mom I'm feeling nervous" I said while holding her hand. She stared me in the face "I'm sure all the other 14 kids are feeling nervous too". I nodded.

"Flight Number 15-A now boarding to Los Angeles, California". My mom let go of my hand and left me sitting down. She stood in front of the gate with her hand extended out towards me.

I took a deep breath and reminded myself I was one of the best dancers in America. I was supposed to be here. I smiled and ran to my mom, she held my hand as we boarded our flight.

We claimed our seats and now I had to wait about 5 hours because we lived in New Jersey, and the flight was obviously going to be pretty long.

As the plane took off, I started to fall asleep. When I woke up we had 20 minutes left of our flight. I couldn't believe I slept through the entire flight!

I started watching Dancing With The Stars and was halfway into it as a bump sent me into a shock. Well.. at least we finally landed!

I followed my mom out the airplane into the LA airport. We got our luggage and waited outside for the black car to show up. It was the car that was supposed to be our transportation to the competition.

When the car finally arrived I held my breath, it was FINALLY happening. I was getting my big break to be on TV! I stood like a statue and it was getting hard to breathe.

My mom came out of the car and stared me in the face. "This is your BIG break Riley! This is your chance!" She held my face with her two palms. I nodded and joined her in the car.

We arrived at the hotel we would be staying in until the competition officially started. The best part was our breakfast was free!

I stretched, worked on my splits, practiced my turns and leaps. My mom sighed and she came over and looked at me.

"You have to give it 150%, we sacrificed A LOT to be here!" She reminded me. "I know mom!" I groaned. "I'm GOING to try my best!" I cried.

Day 2:

My alarm woke me up and I immediately sat up in my bed. The competition hasn't officially started yet but the directors want to film a casting special. The directors gave us specific orders to make it look like we just arrived. Even though most of us already arrived.

I finished dressing and was about to go to the elevator. A blond girl with hair that had been primped came up to me with her mom behind her. "Hey" she whispered from behind me. I jumped.

"My name's Jordyn are you in this competition too?" She smiled. I nodded and smiled back. "I'm Riley from New Jersey!". We both smiled and nodded at each other. "How old are you?" She asked looking at me. "I'm nine!" I said laughing.

"Really? I'm twelve!" She giggled. I saw a tall boy in a purple shirt making his way  to elevator. Jordyn grabbed my shoulders and tried to hide herself behind me.

I laughed because her hands were tickling my back. She looked at my face from behind me. I gave her the look and she started tickling me all over.

"Stop, please stop!" I gasped for air but Jordyn continued. The same boy was about to go in the elevator but stopped and looked at us. "What are you guys doing?" He asked us while smiling.

"Dying" I cried while laughing. Jordyn cackled and kept tickling me. "Stop, PLEASE make her stop!" I shrieked and dropped to the floor.

The boy laughed and introduced himself to us. " I'm Zack!".

"I'm Jordyn and this is Riley! She's nine and I'm twelve!" Jordyn smiled. "I'm thirteen!" Zack answered back.

"Hey guys... I really hate to interrupt the vibes going on here! But we have 2 hours until the casting special today!" I mentioned. Zack's face went into shock and he ran back to his hotel room.

Jordyn's mom Kelly stopped talking to my mom. "Bye Riley, I'll see you at the casting special later today!" Jordyn waved to me and walked away with her mom.

I waved back and smiled to my mom. She gave me back a mocking smile. "You already made a friend!" She laughed at me. "Jordyn is SO nice, I think we'll be really good friends!" I beamed.

See? You already have a friend! Your gonna do fine in this competition.