ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟐.𝟎𝟓- 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧, 𝐏𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐨𝐦𝐬, 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧!

𝖱𝖾𝗍𝗂𝗍𝗅𝖾𝖽：𝖡𝗋𝗈𝗈𝗄𝖾'𝗌 𝖡𝖺𝖼𝗄

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢 ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

Emily had been sitting in the hospital chair for hours, her body achy from the uncomfortable position. It was Monday, and she was missing dance for the first time in weeks. Normally, the thought of missing even a single rehearsal would make her anxious, but today, her mind was consumed with worry for her brother.

Derek had suffered an open fracture on his arm and was currently in surgery. He had also cut his chin open pretty badly but they were able to stitch that up quickly. The accident had happened on Sunday afternoon, and since then, Emily hadn't left the hospital. She had spent the night in the same chair, dozing off occasionally but never truly sleeping. Her the twins were both curled up on either side of her, their heads resting on her arms as they slept.

The steady beep of the monitors and the quiet hum of the hospital filled the room, a stark contrast to the chaos of the dance studio that Emily was so used to. She stared at the sterile white walls, trying to distract herself with the rhythmic breathing of the twins, but her mind kept drifting back to Derek. She couldn't stop worrying about him, imagining the pain he must have been in and the long road to recovery ahead.

A soft rustle caught Emily's attention, and she looked up to see Ezekiel. He had a sympathetic smile on his face, though the worry in his eyes was evident.

"Hey, Em," Ezekiel said softly, trying not to wake the twins. He held out a stack of papers to her. "I brought your homework from school since you didn't go today."

Emily nodded and took the papers from him. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice hoarse from lack of sleep. She placed the papers on her lap and glanced down at the twins, who were beginning to stir.

The twins slowly blinked awake, rubbing their eyes as they looked around. They were still half-asleep when they both mumbled in unison, "We're hungry."

Ezekiel hesitated, glancing between Emily and the twins. He didn't want to leave Emily alone, especially when she was so exhausted and clearly worried about Derek. But the twins needed to eat, and Emily needed some time to herself.

"Are you sure you'll be okay here alone for a bit?" Ezekiel asked, concern lacing his voice.

Emily gave him a small, tired smile and nodded. "I'll be fine. I need to get started on my homework anyway," she said, already reaching for a pencil. "Just get me whatever they're having."

Ezekiel sighed, still unsure, but he knew he had to take care of the twins. He bent down and kissed the top of Emily's head. "Alright, I'll be back soon. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Okay," Emily replied, focusing on her homework as Ezekiel led the twins out of the room.

As the door closed behind them, the room seemed even quieter, and Emily could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She tried to shake off the anxiety, focusing on her schoolwork instead. The math problems in front of her seemed to blur together, and she had to force herself to concentrate. She was halfway through a particularly difficult equation when she heard a voice beside her.

"Excuse me.... Are you Emily from Dance Moms?"

Emily looked up to see a girl around her age, wide-eyed and excited. The girl's mother stood a few feet away, smiling encouragingly. Emily forced a polite smile, though she wasn't in the mood for socializing.

"Uh, yeah, that's me," Emily replied, trying to keep her voice even.

The girl's face lit up with excitement, "Oh my gosh, I knew it was you! I watch the show all the time. You're amazing! Can you do some turns for me? Please?"