THE OLDEST ZIEGLER | dance moms

- break a leg -

"last day of school, guys!" bree cheered, throwing her arms up as they all met up outside the building.

"we're officially eighth graders," leo said proudly, adjusting his backpack.

"and at the top," adam added. "oldest in the school."

"until high school," chase cut in, "when we're back at the bottom for three years."

the group stopped walking just long enough to glare at him.

"way to ruin the vibe, chase," malia teased, bumping his shoulder as they kept moving.

"so what are the plans for summer?" oliver asked, trying to recover the mood.

"i'm traveling with my mom for a few weeks in spain," bree said, already glowing.

"i'm going to hawaii for a couple weeks," leo added, grinning as he imagined poolside drinks and zero responsibilities.

malia walked quietly beside them, listening, a knot forming in her chest as the conversation rolled on without her.

"what about you, malia?" kaz asked, glancing over at her.

she let out a tired sigh. "take a wild guess."

"dance?" bree said. "all summer?"

malia nodded. "yup. all summer. i still have six more weeks of competitions. maybe a month off if i'm lucky, then school starts. and that's barely free time because i'm still in class."

"we're sorry, lia," bree said softly. "hopefully we can all hang out at least once this summer."

the boys nodded in agreement.

"hopefully," malia echoed, spotting her mom's car waiting in its usual pickup spot. "well, i'll see you guys soon. maybe."

she hugged each of them quickly before jogging over to the car. maddie and kenzie were already in the backseat, laughing about something, as malia climbed in and shut the door with a huff.

"hey, honey, what's wrong?" melissa asked, pulling away from the curb. "it's the last day of school you should be excited."

"i would be," malia said quietly, staring ahead, "but all my friends are going on vacations and i'm dancing all summer."

"we're still traveling," melissa pointed out.

"to compete," malia deadpanned. "we spend weekends in hotel rooms and convention centers. i just want one real vacation like my friends, just once."

melissa sighed. "you're not like your friends, malia. they don't have the opportunity to compete every weekend on a tv show. this is a chance of a lifetime with this team. remember that."

malia nodded, leaning back against the seat and turning to look out the window as they drove toward the studio, the excitement of summer already feeling far away.

~~

after malia finished her usual private, she slipped into studio a with the rest of the girls, everyone except paige and kelly. it didn't take long for abby to notice.

"where is paige and kelly?" abby asked sharply, her eyes landing on brooke.

"they're at the doctor," brooke replied quietly.

"today?" abby pressed and brooke nodded.

"i think it's more serious than just a toe," christi added from the side.

melissa nodded too. "kelly said it's really swollen."

abby sighed, shaking her head. "oh my goodness. i told her not to fool around. kids, do you understand that your body is your instrument? there's cement under this carpeting. i remember vividly saying that."