ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟐.𝟏𝟒- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢  ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

The cameras were rolling as the cast of Dance Moms resumed filming, the familiar buzz of production filling the den where the moms and daughters gathered. Kelly, Katie, Holly, Melissa, and Christi were grouped together, chatting among themselves, Melissa was particularly quiet.

Meanwhile Brooke, Paige, Emily, Maddie, Mackenzie, Nia, and Chloé stood nearby. They were all well-aware that the producers had something specific planned for them today, as one of the producers, James, was giving them their cues.

James clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, "Alright, ladies! Here's the plan: when you go into Studio A, you're going to act like you have no idea where Abby is. The story is that she left the competition early last episode, so you're all confused about her absence."

The girls exchanged amused glances. They all knew Abby's dramatic exits were part of her act, but it was still funny to play along. Maddie nudged Emily with a smirk, and Emily stifled a laugh. The moms, meanwhile, seemed more than ready to complain about Abby's latest stunt. Katie rolled her eyes, and Christi gave a mock sigh, glancing at the other mothers.

"Alright, you girls ready?" James asked.

Mackenzie took the lead as the girls filed into Studio A, with Emily and Maddie following close behind her. Paige, Brooke, and Chloé trailed after, with the moms at the back of the line. As they entered, the girls stuck to the script, pretending to be confused, glancing around the room as if they'd expected Abby to be there waiting for them.

"Where's Abby?" Mackenzie asked with exaggerated curiosity, leading the group further inside.

"Maybe she's hiding," Emily said with a mischievous grin, looking under the benches as if Abby might actually be hiding somewhere ridiculous.

The girls continued playing dumb, glancing around the studio, while the moms hovered by the barre at the back of the room. They exchanged knowing looks, some clearly amused by the producers' attempt to stir up drama.

Kelly, always quick to jump into the fun, crossed her arms and addressed the girls. "Do you think Abby's going to apologize for leaving the competition early?"

Paige immediately shook her head, a sarcastic smirk tugging at her lips, "Abby never apologizes, mom. You know that."

The room fell into silence, with everyone waiting, unsure of how long they'd be kept there for the scene to play out. After a few quiet moments, Emily and Maddie started whispering to each other, unable to resist filling the silence.

"Hey, Maddie," Emily whispered, a teasing glint in her eye, "you and Derek seemed pretty close the other day after school when you were at my house." Emily had managed to get over her past jealousy it was much more fun to tease both her best friend and brother, "Anything you want to tell me?" she had to suspicion the two, despite what they had said in the past, may be dating.

Maddie's eyes widened as her face turned a light shade of pink. She giggled, nudging Emily playfully. "Oh, stop it! Derek's just a friend."

Emily grinned, "Yeah, sure, 'just a friend.' That's why you guys were under the mistletoe at the premiere three months ago!"

Maddie narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion, "Oh, and what about you, Miss Emily? I heard that Josh Hyland has a bit of a crush on you."

Emily's face lit up with surprise, but she quickly composed herself, laughing and ignoring the pink tint in her cheeks, "What? Josh and I are just friends! Besides, he's just teasing everyone."