ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟏.𝟎𝟗- 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢  ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

The day after the competition, the girls found themselves in a completely different world. They had switched coasts, traveling from Orlando, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada. By the time they arrived at their hotel, it was 4:30 in the morning, and exhaustion weighed heavily on everyone.

Emily and Katie dragged their suitcases into their room, grateful for the plush beds waiting for them. Despite the late hour, they decided to call Molly and Derek to catch up and share how things had been going.

Katie dialed the number, and after a few rings, a sleepy yet excited Derek answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, Derek!" Emily said, trying to keep her voice down. "How are you? Are you and Molly behaving?"

"Yeah, yeah," Derek replied, sounding half-awake. "How's Las Vegas?"

Emily laughed. "We just got here, but it's awesome so far. We're super tired though."

Molly's voice chimed in from the background, "Emily! Derek won't let me talk to you!"

"That's because you never stop talking," Derek retorted.

"Do not!" Molly argued back.

"Guys, guys," Emily intervened, rolling her eyes even though they couldn't see her. "Can we not argue for once? I miss you both."

"You just want to tell her about your boyfriend," Derek teased Molly.

"Shut up!" Molly could be heard shouting.

Emily sat up with wide eyes now more awake than before, "Her what?!"

Katie took the phone from Emily, "Hi, Molly. Hi, Derek. I hope you're being good for Grandma."

"We are," they chorused, though Emily could hear the underlying bickering still present.

As they continued talking, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"Oh, and guess what?" Derek said, his voice suddenly more animated.

"What?" Emily asked, curiosity piqued.

"Marie and Lexi are moving to Pittsburgh!" Derek exclaimed.

Marie was Katie's younger sister and Lexi was her five year old daughter. Lexi was a dancer like Emily, Marie was living in Wisconsin though. It would be nice to see her family more.

Emily's eyes widened even more, "What? Seriously?"

Molly's excited voice joined in, "Yeah! They're going to live close to us! Isn't that cool?"

Emily looked at Katie, who nodded, confirming the news and that Derek and Molly weren't just tricking her, "Wow, that's awesome! I can't believe it. We're going to have so much fun when we get back."

Katie took the phone again, "Yes, it's true. Marci called earlier and told me. They found a nice place near us."

Emily grinned. "That's amazing! I can't wait to see them."

They continued chatting for a while, catching up on the latest family news and sharing stories from their travels. Despite the usual sibling arguments, the call left Emily feeling connected to home and excited about the future.

Eventually, they said their goodbyes, and Emily and Katie finally settled into their beds. Emily's mind buzzed with thoughts of her new solo, the upcoming competition, and now the surprise of Marie and Lexie moving closer. As she drifted off to sleep, she felt a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation, ready to take on whatever came next.