The Part of Me That You Don't See~a Dance Moms Maddie AND Mackenzie story~

Ch 4: Pyramid and Boys

Abby's POV

"Miss Abby, lets do pyramid now!" JoJo whined. 

"JoJo, Mackenzie is not here yet."

"But.." She interrupted.

"NO BUTS! NOW GIRLS GET IN YOUR PLACES! RUN THE FIRST 20 SECONDS OF THE GROUP DANCE!

 5-6-7-8!" 

About two 8 counts in, Mackenzie bursts through the door, looking frazzled and a little bit anguished. 

"MACKENZIE ZIEGLER!" I yelled, my deep voice echoing around the room. I don't mind that my voice has gotten deep from yelling over the years. It makes me seem like I mean business!

"Yes, Miss Abby?" Mackenzie said, nervously. 

"Would you care to explain why you are late but your sister was right on time?" 

"I apologize I was just running late and by the time I got ready Mom and Maddie were gone so I had to wait for Dad, but then there was traffic and then-" Mackenzie babbled.

"That's quite enough. Do you realize that you are not stretched or warmed up, and you have missed 20 seconds of the group dance choreography?" 

"Yes I'm sorry Abby! It won't happen again." Kenzie frowned. Just to make sure she would be on time from now on, I added in a little threat.

"Miss Mackenzie, maybe you should be excluded from the group dance this week, since you do not know the choreography." Tears came to her eyes, and I felt a small wave of pity crash over me like a small tide on oceanside boulders. Even though I felt this way, my students cannot act this way in my studio! 

"Mackenzie, you have failed to show up in time enough to learn a key part of the group routine. Because of this, you will not be in the group this week.

Mackenzie's POV

I felt more tears coming to my eyes, and I could already imagine Maddie's teasing on the way home in the car. 

"No, Miss Abby, that won't be necessary, I can teach her the group dance! I mean, if it's okay." I heard a male voice say. 

I look up from the ground I am staring at and see James standing in line with the girls. James is a dancer who used to go to school with me. I've had a crush ever since I was 11! He danced at Candy Apples, but now he's here!

 "James?" I half-whisper. 

"Hey, Kenz." He smiles his perfect crooked smile and his vibrant green eyes stare directly into mine. I feel my face turn red and hope he doesn't notice. James waves me over to stand next to him. I look at Abby and she nods her head. Quickly, I scurry over to James' side and resume looking at the floor. He gives me a quick sideways hug, and I barely even noticed what just happened. Then it hit me. HE HUGGED ME! JAMES HUGGED ME! Wait, don't take it seriously. He was just being polite. He just turned 14! He's Maddie's age, not mine! Face it, he probably is just being kind, offering to teach you the choreography.

My thoughts were interrupted my Miss Abby. "Alright everybody, now that Mackenzie is here it's time for pyramid!" She called. I am actually kind of excited for pyramid now. Contrary to what I felt like on the way here, I was excited to see if my 1st place win last week would pay off. (A/N: This is the pyramid)

Kenzie

Maddie        Kalani      Chloe

Paige            Kendall       Brooke      JoJo      James

Yay! I'm on top for once! I thought. Kendall and some of the other girls all clap and come give me a hug, but not Maddie. 

"Eh eh eh, not so fast girlies." Abby said. We all turned to her, confused. 

Abby says, "Since Mackenzie was tardy, Maddie and Mackenzie are switched, which means Maddie is on top, Maddie gets the trio, but Mackenzie, I'm giving you a solo. It was going to be Maddie's but I've gotta give you something. You got 1st in your division last week." Maddie glares at me as if I was the one who destroyed her new phone and sabotaged me... oh wait, that was her!

 I rush through my grand jetes and bobble on my turns, all the while thinking about James, and a little bit about Maddie. 

We all go out to the dancer's den for a quick water break. I grab my bag and sit down on one of the benches, avoiding Maddie. I hear the door open and look up. It's James! My heart starts to pound a million miles an hour! 

"Hey James!" Maddie calls. Come sit with me! I brought Doritos to share!" I roll my eyes. What James does surprises me. 

"No thanks Maddie. I'm gonna go talk to Kenz!" He replied giving me a smile. James sits down next to me, giving me even more butterflies. His very presence makes me happy!