A Dream During Day

Cathy Brings It On!

"Thank you" I say to Brooke as she grabs my bag for me.

"Let's go in!" Paige skips inside.

We walk in and Miss Abby blows a whistle. "Let's go! Come on! No time to waste! Ladies, here we are in Los Angeles, California, for the iHollywood national finals. And you are in the city of dreams. People from all over are here for this competition, right?"

"Maddie. Your mom isn't here yet. Same for you Hadley. We all make choices. They chose to be away instead of being here with you"

We nod our heads. Mom had work, or something with Mia, or her boyfriend, I don't know. But not having her here almost took off a little bit of pressure.

"So the three of you are going to be with me this week. And you may get to do things that everybody else won't get to do. I'm going to move onto our lovely pyramid."

"In the bottom row and I have . . . Paige and Brooke. You will not be doing solos, you will be in the group number. Now I've had it out with your mom. She has told me that she can find better choreographers. I'm sure she can. This is LA this isn't Pittsburgh."

"Next I have Nia, Mackenzie. Duet"

We all clap for them.

"Next Chloe. You will be doing a solo as well as the group routine."

"And moving on. Hadley. You were in the winning duet, did great in the group. Tell me, do you think you kept up with Maddie?" She asks me.

I nod my head hesitantly. "yes" I manage. Miss Abby shrugs her shoulders.

"Well, you are going to be doing a solo and I expect you to win."

"And no surprise, Maddie. You're going to be doing a solo this week. Now remember, you are undefeated. People are out to get you. You're the one to beat."

"Does everybody understand how big of an opportunity this is? Those judges at iHollywood are going to be the people that are in a capacity to hire you. They are the people that choreograph for television and for film. So it's very important that you step on stage like pros. Do you understand?"

We all nod. "Yes"

"Alright let's go"

"So it's step one two three four, and five six and seven eight. Right, good? Ok, let's see it from the top." Abby says starting the dance.

"Pick a judge and stare at them on that" Gianna yells.

"Stare at them," Abby adds.

"I think we're good for today. Let's start your solo. Let's go, baby doll." Miss Abby tells me as everyone leaves the room.

"So your dance this week, it's different then what I normally give you. It's contemporary. Yes? All right, let's see it from the top." Abby starts.

I start the dance. The music was beautiful, but really sad. Abby stops me after about thirty minutes.

"The name of the piece is 'Time to say Goodbye'. When I say that, what do you think of?" Abby asks me.

I pursed my lips awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable. "Maybe losing someone" I suggest unsurely.

"Yes. But what do you think of, or who" Abby asks her again. I knew exactly who I thought of.

"My dad" I softly state very quietly. Abby nods my head with a serious look on her face.

"Yes," She says in a solo tone.

Chloe, who was in the room, ran up behind me and hugged me. I smile lightly, feeling a little bit sad.