Matilda- Dance Moms

Megan's Decision

"Girls, get in here!" Abby yells and we walk into the studio. Payton is still here and Brooke is still gone. I don't know if Brooke is ever going to come back, "At this time, I would like to officially welcome Kendall. You are off probation and an official member of the team. We are going to Starbound in New York. Let's get to the pyramid. On the bottom, Mackenzie. You did well with your solo the last time, you need to do even better this time. Nia, chosen for a special part, your mom didn't like the part. Paige, no solo, no duet, no trio, not much to judge you on. Kendall, you are off probation. We need to fix the feet. Maddie, you got second. Good job. I want more. I have to keep challenging you. Next, Chloe. We are gonna give em what they want. Next, Eva. You won your solo for your brother. Great job sweetheart." Chloe, Maddie, and I all look at each other. Payton is on top?!

"And on top of the pyramid...," Abby says, "is Brooke!" Brooke walks into the room and we all run to her. Kenzie and I are the first to get to her and hug her. Everyone else quickly follows after us. Then we all go hug Payton because she is crying.

"I know you all are wondering how is Brooke on top of the pyramid?" Abby says, "Not only is she going to have a solo and not only should she win, I demand she win. Payton, we all know that everyone is replaceable. You were not the right replacement for this team. You had a great experience, you saw the gateway to the west, you cannot be upset."

"She has a right to be upset," Leslie says, "You dangled a carrot in front of her and yanked it away for what? For her daughter to just come in and take a spot as a stranger? And for Brooke to leave and come crawling back? Where is your loyalty Abby?"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Abby says.

After a lot more arguing, Leslie and Payton run out.

"Brooke, you have a solo that you must win. Mackenzie, you have a solo," Abby says, "Now, for the group dance, high energy. Everybody on your feet, it's intense."
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Group Rehearsal

We start to learn the group dance and it is really high energy. I've been super tired these past few days because my schedule is too busy. I have dance before school, then school, then dance until ten, then I have to do my homework, shower, and get ready for bed. I don't get to bed until like midnight.

"Eva, you're slacking off! Keep up!" Abby yells. I keep dancing and try to look more alive, but it's not enough for Abby apparently.

"Stop, stop! Eva, what is happening with you?" Abby yells.

"I'm tired. I've had so much dance recently and homework and I'm not going to bed until-" I start until Abby cuts me off.

"No," Abby says, "It's always excuses, excuses, excuses with you. When you walk through that door, you need to forget about being tired and focus on dance. You are taking the week off. You are out of the group dance. I'm not having a slacker on my team. Go sit over there and stretch."

I start crying and I walk over to the wall and sit down in the splits. I look up to the Dance Jail and I see that Mom isn't up there anymore which means she's coming down here. That's not good...

Mom walks into the room, "Did you seriously just kick my daughter out of the dance?!"

"Yes I did," Abby says, "She's slacking off and there will be no slackers in this dance."

"She's tired because you overwork her!" Mom yells, "She dances for nine hours a day!"

"Like I told her, it's always excuses with your family," Abby says, "The Carter's are always coming up with excuses!"

"Excuses?" Mom yells, "Abby, she's exhausted because she's here all the time. She barely has time to sleep or do her homework!"

"If she can't handle the schedule, then she shouldn't be here! I need dancers who are committed, not ones who fall apart at the first sign of stress," Abby says.

"She's a child, Abby! She's trying her best to juggle everything. You can't expect perfection from her all the time!" Mom yells at Abby and I start to cry even more. Brooke comes over and gives me a hug, Chloe follows her.

"Mom, stop!" I sob, "It's fine!"

"No, Eva, it's not fine," Mom tells me, "Abby needs to understand that she's pushing you too hard."

"Oh, please. Maybe you're just not cut out for this, Eva," Abby says and that makes me cry even more.

"That's enough, Abby! I've had it with you treating my daughter like she's disposable. Eva works just as hard as any of these girls, and she deserves respect," Mom's voice raises.

Abby crosses her arms, "Respect is earned. And right now, she's not earning it and you both are setting this group behind."

"Fine. Come on, Eva. Grab your stuff. We're leaving," Mom says to me.

"If you leave now, you are off the team," Abby says and I look at Mom. I don't wanna leave the team.

"Mom, stop!" I sob, "I'm not leaving!"

"Eva, now." Mom says, grabbing my hand. I pick up my bag and we walk out to the car.

"Why does she have to be so mean?" I cry once we get into the car.

"I don't know baby, I don't know," Mom says. The rest of the drive home is filled with my sobs and Mom trying to comfort me.

When we get home, I go up to my room and I ignore the texts that the other girls have sent me. A while later, Mom knocks on my door.

"Come in," I say, still crying.

"Hey sweetie," Mom says, sitting on my bed.

"Can I go back next week and apologize to Abby and see if she'll let me back on the team?" I ask.

"I don't know sweetheart," Mom says.

"I really like dancing with the girls and I don't wanna throw it all away," I say.

"How about I talk to your Dad about it before we make a decision?" Mom asks and I nod. She leaves and I decide to respond to some of the messages my friends left me.