Second Chance

Chapter 14

The following Friday, I was on the bus with the rest of the ALDC elite competition team, heading to another competition. This one in Boston, only a few hours plane ride away if Kenzie needed her.

I left Cincinnati on Wednesday, and arrived in Pittsburgh in time to learn the group dance and finish my solo so that I could compete this weekend. Mackenzie insisted I go, even though she was still in ICU.

Why should Kenzie hold her back, when pretty soon, Kenzie wouldn't even be here. At least, that's what Mackenzie told me.

It was really hard for me to focus on anything but Mackenzie. In all of my spare moments, I was on the phone with her mom, getting the latest update on Kenzie. I'm sure I drove Christi and Chloe crazy by being on the phone all the time while I was staying with them, but none of that mattered to me.

Nia and I say together on the bus and watched Marley and Me. We were both crying into each others chests as we hugged at the end.

I'm not sure why we agreed to watch a movie about a dog dying, but we did and it wasn't a smart move.

Anyway, halfway through the bus ride. Paige called Nia over so I was left alone. I didn't mind, this meant I could call my mom.

It rang several times before going to voicemail. I sighed, and told myself not to worry. If something was really wrong, we would know. Mom would have told someone. I think.

Just to shut up all of the voices in my head, telling me terrible things, I smuggled down in my seat and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

*~*

A few hours later, Brooke woke me up to tell me that we had arrived. I looked out of the window and took in the rainy Boston scene. I quickly gather my belongings and run off the bus, way behind all the other girls.

Not many fans are waiting for us. Abby tried to keep this competition a secret. Something about not wanting to deal with Cathy this week.

We took our time checking in and heading to the dressing room, and by the time we reached it, I only had an hour until my solo. The group dance was later on this after noon so only Chloe and I had to get ready.

As I applied my make up, I thought about how many competitions my mom had missed in the last few months. Almost every one Exocet for a few at the beginning. I couldn't blame her, and I hated myself for feeling like there should be even a little bit of attention on me.

As I struggled to put my hair in the intricate braided style it needed to be in, Kelly came over to me.

"Let me help, sweetheart," she said as I dropped my hands in defeat.

"You look lonely over here," she told me. "Why don't you come over with all of the other girls?"

I looked around and noticed that I really was alone. All the other girls were on one side of the room and I was on the other. I don't remember even setting up my spot, I guess I was too preoccupied.

Kelly finished my hair and went to work on something else as I put my costume on. I hadn't even gotten the chance to look at it, now that I think about it. I stood in front of the mirror on the wall and was shocked. This wasn't my costume, no wonder I didn't recognize it. It was my costume for a previous routine, Angel. One I had done for my grandmother a year ago.

I turned around and ran to Abby, thoroughly confused.

"Ms. Abby!" I yelled and everyone looked at me. She saw that I was in my costume already. She came over to me and pulled me out into the hallway.

"I see you found your new costume." She said.

I nodded and shook my head in question.

"What's going on?" I asked her.