It's Always You (Zack Torres and Madison O'Connor)

Welcome to The Competition

Madison's POV

Ok, where is my #Selfie shirt? My jean shorts? Converse? Anything?! Oh wait, is that it hanging over the window? Damn! The wind last night was strong! Ok, and, got it! I put on my shirt and shorts and grab my shoes. I run downstairs, frantic to get to Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition.

"MOM! LET'S GO!" I yell as I hop around trying to get into my shoes. I fall over and squeal from my shoe being unbalanced.

"Madison! Don't be silly!" Dad says.

"Sorry dad. It's Billy's fault." I explain. He gives me a look like a have 3 heads.

"Who the hell is Billy?" he asks. I giggle a little bit and sigh.

"Dad, this left shoe right here is Billy. And right shoe is Willy. But Billy won't get on my stinking foot!" I say, trying to get Billy on my foot. I finally do, with the help of a shoe horn, as my mom walks in.

"Morning Madison." mom says as she sits with dad.

"MOM! My shoes are too small and Miss Abby is waiting!" I yell frantically.

"Madison, calm down. We don't have to be there until 4. We have a plane that is being sent for us." Mom explains. I check the time: 9:12.

"I know. But the plane is coming at 10. We gotta go!" I say as I grab my pony and dance bag. I double check everything. Phone, check. Shoes, check. Extra clothes, check.

"Alright, we're going." she says. I jump up and down like a little kid who just got into a candy store and found out she could have everything in it. "Just make sure you have everything in your suitcase."

"I do! All my extra clothes for OUTSIDE of dance." I say. She rolls her eyes and laughs as she walks out the door. "Bye dad!" I say.

"Don't let anyone get in your way." he says seriously. "We need that money."

"But it's my pri-"

"Well, you're only 13. I'm 42. Suck it up." he says. He gives me a light shove out the door and slams it. I walk out the door and into the car.

"What did he say?" mom asks.

"He said that he's gonna take the money if I win." I sigh as I sit in the passenger's seat. She sighs in disappointment.

"All he cares about is the money. Don't worry, honey. I believe you can do it. Then when you win, take the money, and go straight to Joffrey." she says.

"But what about my-"

"Your dad will take the money and run. Go straight to Joffrey."

"Okay mom." I say quietly. I sit in the car, listened to music and playing games like Piano Tiles, Flappy Bird, and Temple Run. After I got board of those games, I decided to take a nap. I dreamt of me winning, and my dad taking the money and running.

"Madison!" Mom says as she shakes me awake. "You were having a bad dream, honey." she says. I rub my eyes and realize we're at the airport.

"Thanks mom." I say with a smile. I get out of the car into the hot Florida weather. I walk into the airport and feel the AC on full blast. We board the private plane and fly to California.

"You excited?" she asks with a smile.

"Very. Just what Dad said kinda bummed me out." I say.

"Ignore him. It's your money. Do what you want with it." she says. I smile and go back onto my phone. I see a bunch of texts from Dad.

Madison, don't let me down- Dad

You won't like what happens if you disappoint me.-Dad

When you win, I want that money in my hand pronto. -Dad

Don't let anyone get in your way- Dad

"Mom, Dad's being a control freak!" I say. I show her the phone. She gasps at the 2nd one and hands it back.

"Don't be afraid of him. You're a strong, independent 13 year old who can make her own choices." she says as she pats my head like moms do when they're trying to make a point. I smile and decide to go to sleep. My music is playing in the back round, so that's incorporating in my dream. When one song comes on, My Heart Will Go On, I see a boy. And my dad. And dad's hurting the boy. It's scary.

"NO!" I wake up screaming. My mom tries to calm me down, but I'm sweating and panting heavily.

"Mads, calm down. It's ok." she says. I nod and drink some water I packed.

TIME JUMP

I can't believe I'm in a limo that Abby Lee Miller sent us! I'm so excited to meet her! And the other people, even though Dad said not to. I drink some more water. Then, my heart starts beating really fast when we arrive at the building. As soon as the driver stops, I literally hop out the window onto the sidewalk.

"Madison, calm down." Mom says while she's laughing. I run inside ahead of her and see some kids are already there. I put my bag down near my vanity and gaze into the mirror. My name is in lights. It's a smaller version of my dream.

"Hi." a voice from behind me says. I turn around and see a girl with blond hair. "I'm Hadley. But sometimes my mom and friends call me Hads."

"I'm Madison. And people call me Mads sometimes." I say back. She hands me her phone. "You want my number?" I ask.

"No, I just gave you my phone so you can order pizza." she sarcastically. "Of course I want your number!" she says.

"Ok, here's my phone. Put your number in." I say as I hand her mine. I type in my number and name and hand it back to her. She hands me my phone as the last of the people come in. I don't look at them, and change into my dance outfit. After words, we're all told to get a move on to the stage. When we line up, I actually realize that there's a boy. He's kinda cute, actually.

"Ok, you'll be doing combos by each of the 3 judges." Kevin Manno says. Robin Antin, Richie Jackson, and Abby Lee Miller all walk out! THEE Abby Lee Miller! Oh my God!

"Hello!" Richie says. "You'll be learning my combination first." His is really upbeat and fast, but I think the judges like how I did it. Next was Robin's. It was hard to explain how it was, in my opinion. But she seemed impressed. Now was Abby's. It was really hard and filled with technique. But this time I couldn't tell if she was impressed.

"Please, give us a moment." Abby says. We all get back in line and wait for the decision. "Ok. Amanda K. and Nicole..." she says. "Today, is NOT your day." I feel a sense of relief. We all walk back in where Yvette, Hadley's mom, says that she's gonna have a party for the kids. At the beach. We all say we're in, but the one boy just sits. I was gonna walk over, but he said,

"I'm in!" Damn it! I was gonna talk to him. But Elizabeth was like, giving me the death stare. So I guess I'll see him tonight. I guess.