The Younger Miller (Dance Moms Fic)

Chapter 6: Out with Kendall, In with Kalani

At the ALDC studio on a bustling Monday afternoon, Abby Lee Miller's voice cut through the excited chatter of dancers and mothers alike. The mood was charged with the sweet taste of victory from their recent competition, yet Abby had a different focus.

"I'd love to celebrate our wins, but I can't overlook my disappointment with that duet," Abby remarked, her tone firm yet tinged with frustration.

Jill, ever the provocateur, seized the opportunity to stir the pot. "Abby, do you regret bringing Chloe N. in? It did take away precious time from our girls."

Abby's gaze sharpened as she responded, "I saw it as a challenge, Jill. It pushed Chlobird further." She glanced pointedly at Chloe, who stood tall, absorbing the exchange with quiet resolve.

"But at the expense of our kids' time," Jill persisted, her voice rising as tension mounted among the mothers.

Antonio, Abby's son, intervened with a rare assertiveness. "Jill, mind your business. Mom knows what she's doing." His words were met with grateful nods from some mothers and eye rolls from others.

Abby nodded in appreciation at her son's defense. "Exactly. Sometimes risks don't pay off, but I won't stop pushing boundaries."

A hush fell over the room as Abby dropped her bombshell: the formation of a new elite junior team, the Select Ensemble. The announcement hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the room. Faces among the dancers and mothers alike shifted from surprise to concern.

"Mom's been scouting nationwide," Antonio added matter-of-factly, reinforcing the gravity of the situation. Maddie and Chloe exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Abby continued, seamlessly transitioning to the week's dance assignments and upcoming auditions. The room buzzed with speculation and nervous energy as the reality of Abby's decision sank in.

Two days later, tensions simmered as the girls rehearsed their group dance under Abby and Antonio's watchful eyes. Meanwhile, in the observation room, the mothers exchanged wary glances, discussing the implications of the new team and who might join Maddie in the trio.

"It's not just a few new faces; it's an entirely new team," Jill observed, her voice tinged with skepticism.

"There's a good chance Maddie or Chloe might be on that new team," Kelly interjected, her tone cautious yet resigned.

Speculation ran rife among the mothers about the trio. "I bet it'll be Maddie with Kendall and either Nia or Kenzie," Jill remarked, her confidence met with skeptical glances from the other mothers.

Meanwhile, downstairs in Studio A, Abby and Antonio continued to oversee rehearsals when the Dancer's Den door swung open. Two girls entered, Kalani Hilliker and McKaylee True, both familiar faces from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition.

Abby greeted them warmly, pulling them into hugs that spoke of a shared history. Kalani and McKaylee exchanged greetings with Antonio and the girls, their presence injecting a new energy into the studio.

"Who are they?" Jill whispered to the group in the observation room, her voice edged with curiosity.

"Kalani and McKaylee, finalists from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition," Christi explained.

The mothers watched with keen interest as Abby and Antonio engaged with the newcomers. Speculation mounted about whether Kalani or McKaylee might join the Select Ensemble, intensifying the undercurrent of unease among the current team members and their mothers.

Back in Studio A, Abby teased Antonio about Kalani's obvious crush on him, a light moment amidst the building tension. Moments later, Abby slipped away to confer with the mothers in the observation room, divulging her plans for Maddie's trio.