ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟑.𝟏𝟏- 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢  ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

Emily sat curled up on the couch, remote in one hand and her phone in the other. The newest episode of Dance Moms was airing, and though she hadn't been part of the filming for season three episode two, she was curious to see what had happened. The familiar theme song played, and the opening montage of Abby barking orders and the girls practicing flashed across the screen. It felt strange watching it from the outside.

Her phone buzzed on her lap, and she glanced down to see a message from Josh.

Josh
Hey, what are you up to?

Emily smiled to herself, biting her lip.

Emily
Watching the new Dance Moms episode
Didn't film this one though

As she typed, Katie and Ezekiel sat across the room at the dining table, surrounded by papers and envelopes. They were working on wedding invitations. The date was set for February 14, Valentine's Day. Katie wanted something romantic and simple, but Ezekiel insisted on adding some flair to the design. The two were going back and forth about the wording on the RSVP cards.

Emily could hear them but was only half-paying attention, her focus on her phone and the TV. She wasn't sure how she felt about their wedding. The idea of Ezekiel being her stepdad made her stomach churn. He was nice- too nice sometimes- but she still wasn't sure if she wanted him to fill that role.

Her phone buzzed again, and she realized she'd forgotten to reply to Josh's last message.

Josh
Still there?

Emily quickly typed back.

Emily
Yeah, sorry
Got distracted
My mom and Zeke are working on wedding invites
They're getting married on Valentine's Day

She hit send and stared at her screen, wondering if she should say more. After a moment, she added another message.

Emily
He'll officially be my stepdad
I'm not sure how I feel about it

Josh's response came quickly.

Josh
What do you mean?

Emily hesitated, her thumbs hovering over the keyboard. She didn't usually talk about her family stuff, but something about Josh made her feel like she could.

Emily
I want a dad, I really do
But I'm not sure if I want it to be Zeke
He's great and everything, but it's complicated

Josh replied after a pause, and Emily could almost picture him thinking through his response.

Josh
It's okay to feel that way
It's a big change

Emily sighed, leaning back into the couch. The episode played on in the background, but her focus was on her thoughts and her phone.

Emily
And my dad dad is back in Pittsburgh now
Molly and Derek seem to trust him, but I don't get it
How can they just forgive him? After everything?

She hit send, her chest tightening as she thought about her father. The memories of him shouting, the fights, the fear- it all came rushing back. She had wanted him to be better, to be the dad she needed, but she wasn't sure she could trust him to be that person.