THE OLDEST ZIEGLER | dance moms

rotten to the core

malia was in los angeles once again.

this time, though, it wasn't for dancing.

it was for disney channel.

their hotel room was unusually busy as everyone got ready for the morning. diego was making sure they had everything they needed while malia stood in front of the bathroom mirror, straightening the last few pieces of her outfit.

she looked herself over one final time before letting out a nervous breath. "i'm gonna throw up."

"you're not gonna throw up," andre laughed from the bed.

"you say that now."

alejandro looked up from his phone and grinned."you're literally going to disney channel. i don't think throwing up is part of the job."

"how would you know?" malia shot back.

"because i'm smart."

she rolled her eyes. "debatable."

andre laughed. "seriously, lia, you're gonna be fine. you've danced in front of thousands of people."

"that's different."

"how?"

"because i know dancing." she sat down beside her brothers. "i don't know acting."

alejandro nudged her shoulder. "they cast you for a reason."

"yeah," andre agreed. "they obviously saw something."

malia smiled a little. "i hope so."

diego walked back into the room with the room key in his hand. "ready, princesa?"

she nodded before immediately shaking her head.

"...no."

he smiled knowingly. "good. that means you care."he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "come on."

before leaving, andre stood up and pulled her into a hug. "go have fun."

"don't overthink everything," alejandro added. "you always overthink everything."

"i do not."

all three of them stared at her. "okay," she admitted with a laugh. "maybe a little."

"a lot," both boys corrected together.

she stuck her tongue out at them before following diego out the hotel room.

~~

about ten minutes later, they pulled into the studio lot.

the second malia stepped out of the car, her stomach filled with butterflies all over again.

there were soundstages everywhere and golf carts drove past.

crew members hurried between buildings carrying cameras, lights, and costumes.

it all felt... huge.

diego smiled as he noticed her taking everything in.
"ready?"

she nodded slowly. "ready."

after checking in, they were escorted inside the soundstage.

before she even had a chance to look around, someone walked over with a bright smile.

"you must be malia."

malia looked up. "...hi."

the woman held out her hand. "i'm debby."

malia's eyes widened slightly. "hi."

debby ryan smiled warmly. "welcome to jessie. we're really happy to have you."