Dance Like Nobody's Watching!

Chapter 3: Let the Dancing Begin

"She's moving on in the competition!" My mom did jazz hands. "I'm so proud of you, Riles" my dad said. My mom rambled on about the other moms, and the theater before we had to hang up and get ready for the REAL competition to start.

I stretched, put on my outfit for the day, and ate breakfast. A few minutes later, the same black car from yesterday arrived and I clapped my hands.

I walked into the theater, I was kind of early. I saw a few of my friends sitting there. I ran to join them and sat down next to them. Me, Jordyn, Lexine, Tessa, and Tua started talking about what the style of dancing would be, and what we would be doing.

"I think that there will be a theme, like monsters, and zombies" I said excitedly. Tua shook her head. Kevin came in and we got the hint and stood in front of our moms. Just like we did for the casting special. I smiled and was ready to get the day started.

"Well let's get her out here, the ONE and ONLY ABBY LEE MILLER" Kevin smiled and turned around to face Abby. I clapped and cheered. Abby was kind of scary but she knew what she was doing and that was the whole point.

"Alright, getting here was tough" Abby remarked, I nodded me and my mom went through a LOT to be here. "But that doesn't compare to what it takes to stay here!" Abby motioned with her hands.

That's right Riley, you have to turn on your A- Game! Or else you could be the one going home!

"You may win ALL the competitions in your area, BUT you have never experienced anything like this" Abby snarled. I gulped and tried to lightly smile so I didn't look like I was freaking out.

We were told that our first task is a group challenge, we learn a dance in 45 minutes, whoever Abby thinks stood out the most will win. The skill this week was technique, I started getting nervous I was more of a tap, jazz kind of dancer. Technique was not my forte.

Kevin dismissed us and we made our way down to the rehearsal room. I started pulling off my shirt and pants. It felt so weird, but it was right.

"A five, six, seven, and a eight" Anthony called out. I started doing what he was doing, I felt sweat dripping down my forehead. I wanted to fall on my butt and lie on the floor.

My mom nodded and told me to keep going. Soon Anthony dismissed for a 2 minute water break.

After our water break, we got right back to rehearsing and then Abby walked in. I felt my inside's drop. Already? We barely learned the dance!

"Alright, you know what I'm looking for?" Abby looked around the room. "Technique" I shouted. "Do you have it?" She asked us. "Yes!" I shouted back. "Is it good?" She raised her eyebrows.

"YES!". No.

The music started, and I improved and did a few acro tricks. Don't laugh! Nothing came to mind!

When the music ended we all stared nervously at Abby and waited for her to either make us or break us.

"Hadley? I think you have a lot going on there, with the headpiece and the stripes it's a little busy for me" Abby critiqued.

"Elisabeth?, really entertained me, you stood out, your tall, the blond hair's working, the turquoise works"

"Madison? I noticed you, my eyes went to you, upstage you used the floor, that was smart"

"Tua, your face is gorgeous it stands out to me, but it's about technique that's what the challenge is today."

I stared intensely at Abby waiting for her to pick a winner. I was 100% sure it wasn't going to be me because my technique was HORRIBLE.