Bittersweet | Dance Moms

RETURN OF THE CANDY APPLES (s2 ep2)

Virella was still in New York, but she'd be back next week. The mood in the studio was tense as the moms and the girls sat, waiting for Abby to begin.

"I want to start off talking a little bit about the dance troupe in Greensboro, North Carolina," Abby began, her tone flat but carrying the usual weight of criticism. "That was not the same group that just won a national championship in Lake Tahoe. Maybe you guys can't function without Virella. Obviously, cute still works in the Carolinas." Abby's eyes darted toward Kendall and Lacey. "Kendall, Lacey, you both were scared to death out there. It was like you were dancing for your lives. Those were not Abby Lee Miller dances, that's for sure."

Jill immediately shot up, ready to defend her daughter. "Well, Abby, that was their first time out—" she started, but Abby quickly cut her off.

"Ahh, shh. You don't get to talk. It's my turn," Abby said, her voice sharp. Jill visibly bristled, but there was nothing she could do.

The room fell quiet as Abby continued, her words dripping with criticism. "This weekend, we're headed to Columbus, Ohio. You know who lives in Ohio?"

"Candy Apples!!" the girls shouted in unison, their enthusiasm palpable. Chloe, however, seemed distracted, her eyes lingering on the empty spot where Virella usually stood.

"Yes, that's right," Abby acknowledged, nodding. "We're going there, and Cathy will be at the competition. I don't want any squawking between the mothers. You're all on the same team, and we're going to take a bite out of the big apple."

The girls exchanged uneasy looks, knowing Abby's rules about the mothers and the inevitable confrontation with Cathy that awaited them in Ohio. But no one dared say anything. Abby had already made it clear that anything other than full compliance would be met with her wrath.

"Alright, we're going to start with the pyramid," Abby said, motioning for the headshots to be brought to her. Everyone assumed Virella would be at the bottom since she wasn't there, and Abby was notorious for using any excuse to put her on top.

"First, Kendall," Abby said, her tone unusually harsh. "You're on probation. That means I'm watching you like a hawk. If I see one slip-up, I'm done with you." She took off the cover from Kendall's headshot, revealing it at the very bottom of the pyramid. "Lacey, same for you. Do you understand?" Abby added, turning to Lacey, who nodded quickly.

The two girls tried not to let the weight of their probation show on their faces, but it was clear they were feeling the pressure.

"And next, Virella," Abby said, revealing the headshot of her longtime favorite. The room tensed as everyone anticipated what Abby would say next. "She's not here, but she's doing amazing things. And you should all strive to be like her." Abby's voice carried the familiar praise, and there was no denying that she had a special place in her heart for Virella, even when she wasn't present.

The other girls exchanged uncomfortable glances. Even though they were used to Abby's favoritism, hearing her praise Virella so publicly was always a bitter pill to swallow. They knew Virella was Abby's number one, and even in her absence, she was still the standard.

"Mackenzie," Abby continued, her voice taking on a critical edge. "I keep giving you little parts. Your dancing is not up to where the rest of the girls are. When Maddie was seven, she could've done the choreography you're doing now." Abby's words were cutting, and Mackenzie's shoulders slumped as she processed the critique.

Brooke shifted nervously, and when Abby turned to her, she knew what was coming. "Brooke," Abby said, her tone flat. "You knew the number. But the crying and the hysteria? That's not what we're looking for in a young adult."