ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟐.𝟏𝟐- 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐲

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢  ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

It was a typical Tuesday afternoon at the ALDC, and the girls- Brooke, Paige, Chloé, Nia, Maddie, Emily, and Mackenzie- were relaxing in the dancer's den. After they had filmed their interviews at base camp, once more being allowed to leave school early, this was their time to unwind before pyramid.

They were sprawled across the floor, surrounded by colorful bands as they made rainbow loom bracelets, a trend they had all become obsessed with. Laughter filled the air as they playfully teased each other about whose bracelet would turn out best.

"I think this one's my masterpiece," Maddie said, holding up her bracelet to admire the bright mixture of neon pinks, purples, and greens.

Emily smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She was focusing a little too hard on the bands, her fingers meticulously weaving them together as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.

From Studio A, where Abby had been setting up pyramid for over an hour, came the unmistakable sound of raised voices. The girls froze for a moment, recognizing the tone of an argument, but it wasn't until Emily recognized Abby's voice that her stomach dropped.

"Why does she need to be on top of the pyramid again?" Abby shouted, her voice leaking through the thin walls of the studio. "She's not Maddie. She's not the star of this team in my eyes. Yes, she's talented, but Emily's not my favorite. That's Maddie's spot. I'm not going to keep putting her at the top like she's the best thing that ever happened to this team. It's ridiculous!"

Emily's fingers stilled, the bracelet slipping from her hands as her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't want to listen, but she couldn't help it. Each word felt like a punch, making her feel smaller and smaller. Her chest tightened, and the buzzing of the room seemed to grow distant. It wasn't the first time she'd heard Abby speak poorly about her, but it never got easier.

Maddie, sitting right next to her, noticed the change in Emily's expression, "Are you okay?" she asked quietly, her voice laced with concern.

Emily forced a small nod, but she couldn't bring herself to meet Maddie's eyes. The words from Studio A kept echoing in her head. She tried to focus on the bracelet in her lap, but her hands were trembling now.

The argument continued, Abby's voice sharp and unrelenting, "I'm not putting her at the top just because the producers want a storyline. It's my decision who gets on top, and right now, she doesn't deserve it."

Mackenzie, who was sitting nearby, looked up from her own bracelet, "Why's Abby yelling so much?" she asked innocently, glancing around at the other girls. They all knew better than to answer, but the tension was thick in the air.

Just then, the moms walked into the dancer's den, having finished their interviews at base camp. Katie was the first to notice that something was off with Emily. Her usually bubbly daughter was sitting unusually still, staring down at her lap with a distant look in her eyes. Katie's knew based on her expression something wasn't right.

"Emily?" Katie said softly, kneeling down beside her. "What's going on?"

Emily didn't respond right away, biting her lip to keep herself from crying. But Katie knew her daughter too well. She followed her gaze toward Studio A, where Abby's voice was still carrying through the walls.

Katie frowned, finally catching the tail end of the argument, "She's not the star, and I'm not treating her like one," Abby's voice rang out, making it crystal clear what the fight was about. Katie's heart ached as she realized the impact Abby's words were having on her daughter.