THE OLDEST ZIEGLER | dance moms

boys are cuties, girls are cuties

it was a new week, and malia was back at the studio.

the second she walked through the doors, she could feel the tension in the air.

the team had come in fourth place last weekend, and everyone seemed to still be carrying the disappointment with them.

she also knew her mom had gotten into a huge argument with abby during the competition.

honestly, malia was glad she'd missed that part.

the girls lined up in front of the pyramid as abby looked each of them over in silence.

"i just want to look at what fourth place looks like," she said flatly, folding her arms. "this weekend we will be traveling to voorhees, new jersey. we will be attending on stage america. i don't want to be fourth again."

without another word, she started pyramid.

the first headshot she revealed belonged to mackenzie.

the second was maddie.

malia raised an eyebrow as abby pulled off the third photo.

it was hers.

she couldn't help but find the timing a little funny.

after abby had a huge fight with melissa, all three ziegler girls had somehow ended up on the bottom of the pyramid.

that had never happened before.

"next is malia," abby said, looking directly at her. "you didn't compete, you were barely in class, so there's nothing to judge you on. but i will say you had an amazing year last year, and you were just as good as brooke. but ever since she beat you, i don't know what's going on with you."

malia glanced over at her mom for just a second before lowering her eyes to the floor.

abby moved on without another comment.

paige and nia completed the bottom row. kendall and chloe stood on the second row.

then abby reached the top of the pyramid and there wasn't a picture.

"nobody in a group that got fourth deserves that spot," she stated. "brooke, i don't have you on the team."

kelly frowned immediately. "she's been here every week," she argued. "what is the purpose of her coming every week if you're not going to put her on the pyramid?"

abby barely looked at her. "brooke, do you want to be here?"

brooke gave a small nod.

"see?" abby sighed. "that, to me, is not a response that i'm looking for. this weekend we are doing a group routine called pink lemonade. brooke, i plan for you to be in the group routine."

she turned back toward the rest of the team and announced the solos went to kendall, nia and chloe.

malia wasn't surprised she hadn't received one.

she'd almost expected it.

"the group routine is entitled pink lemonade," abby continued. "you're using hats, and the hats are a prop. drop your hat, and you're off the team."

the girls exchanged wide-eyed looks before nervous laughter spread through the room.

"god, that's a little harsh," kelly muttered with a disbelieving laugh.

abby didn't even crack a smile. "moms, you're dismissed. you're going to be rhinestoning. ladies, spread apart, start to warm up. grand plié in second."
~~

later that afternoon, malia hurried into her jazz large group class.

and once she sat down it was the first time all day, she let out a deep breath.