Dancing The Dream (Dance Moms, Autumn Miller, Sophia Lucia & Mia Diaz Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty Three || Maddie's POV (Part One)

Chapter Twenty Three || Maddie's POV (Part One)

Published: 30th of October 2013.

***A/N Thanks for all your lovely comments on that last chapter! Some of the older chapters have no dedication attached, so I have dedicated those to some of you. Thanks again for your lovely comments! I’m sorry if I didn’t see anyone’s comments : )***

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On the bus on the way to the competition, I realise that I am terrified. I always get nervous and afraid I’ll forget my dance, but this time it’s worse because there is so much resting on this. The two times I’ve forgotten a dance before have only made my worrying worse.

I pick up my make up box and line everything up, ready for use.

On the bottom tray I have things that I don’t use very often, like jewellery and hairflowers and nail varnish. On the tray above I have foundation, eye makeup, lipstick, facepaint, and more basics. The top tray is empty and divided into four parts. I use it to put in everything from the other two trays that I will be using in the upcoming competition for group dances, solos, duets or trios.

Sophia is sitting next to me and playing Candy Crush on her phone. I lean over her slightly to say to Brooke and Kenzie,

“You guys helped Miss Kristina with the costumes, right? Can you tell me what mine’s like, so that I can pick out my makeup?”

“Nope,” Brooke says. “Even if I’d seen yours, which I haven’t, I’m not allowed to tell you. Just wait and see. Miss Kristina should be giving them out soon anyway.”

Kenzie giggles and wriggles in her seat. She loves keeping secrets. I would trust her with anything, because she never, ever fails to keep a secret.

“Maddieeee!” Asia yells across the bus. I loosen my seatbelt and kneel up on the seat to look at her. She’s on the back row, sitting with Nia. Paige, Chloe, Autie and Kendall are there too, sharing popcorn and chatting excitedly. Asia’s on her phone.

“Maddie!” she calls again. “Nick just tweeted a picture of you saying ‘I can’t wait to see this gorgeous girl dance!’”

I blush, mainly because I’m so happy he would say something like that. We’re not even going out yet, but I hope he asks me out soon, because I really really like him. He’s so mature.

Sophia pulls out her earphones and says, “Oooh, love is in the air!”

I look over at Brooke to see if she’s okay with this whole thing about Nick. He is very ex, after all. She looks worried. Not angry or sad though - that’s a plus. Come to think of it, Chlo, Paige and Autie looks worried too. Are they all jealous or something? Miss Kristina, who is standing up at the front of the bus and clapping her hands, interrupts my thoughts.

“Costume time!” she calls, and everyone whoops. “Now, ChloeAutieandPaige,” she says, running their names together like everyone does now, “I’ve got your… props for the end of your dance. They came through in the post this morning, thank goodness. Since it’s a surprise, I’ll chat to you about it later. I’m just going to sort the costumes out a bit. It’ll only take a few minutes, so don’t go to sleep or anything.”

Brooke grins. “Did I tell you that Anna and Alexandra are officially on the senior competition team? I’m so happy for them!” Her mouth says one thing but her eyes say another. I can tell she wishes that she were on it with them. It’s so unfair that she’s not, I think. They’re the same age and everything, so I guess the only reason she’s not on it is because the coaches think she’d rather be with us.

“You’ll be on it soon enough,” I console her. She seems to cheer up a bit.

“Did you know that two girls are joining this team in a few months?” she asks. Mine and Kenzie’s eyes just about pop out of our heads in surprise. “Oops, maybe I wasn’t supposed to tell you,” Brooke worries. “Don’t tell anyone I told you, ‘kay?”

“Okay. But this team is huge!” I protest. “Our team was about five people smaller at the ALDC and we were still one of the biggest teams at every competition.”

Brooke shrugs. “Well, they’re on it. I don’t know their names, but I’ve heard they’re really talented.”

“How do you know all this? Who told you? What are they like?” I babble.

Brooke laughs. “Miss Kristina told me when I was helping in the costume cupboard. You have to promise not to say I told you, please. I think it’s supposed to be a surprise.”

I look around. No one’s listening, not even Sophia. I’ll tell her later, because she’s one of my best friends and I know she won’t tell.

“They’re sisters,” Brooke continues. “One of their parents adopted the other girl. I’ve heard that everyone hypes up the competition with them, like they used to with you and Chloe, or Asia and Kenzie.”

I raise my eyebrows for more.

“That’s all I know,” she adds. I sigh, disappointed.

“Girls!” Miss Kristina shouts. The noisy bus falls silent. “I’m going to start passing out costumes now. Listen for your name.”

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Miss Kristina passes Autie her costume for Wide Awake- deep purple with a kind of black metallic bodice type thing. It’s a dress, and it’s knee length and sparkly. Totally gorgeous. I cross my fingers tightly, hoping to get a cool costume. My solo is called Viva La Vida, and it’s about wars and kings. It’s historical and…. It’s not lyrical!!! It’s the first good non-lyrical solo I’ve had in years. I’m so glad I’m not being typecast anymore.

I wait excitedly for my costume, but Miss Kristina shuts the bag and says brightly,

“That’s it!”

Everyone’s excited over their costumes and doesn’t even notice that I’ve been forgotten. Even Sophia’s too absorbed in hers to notice the tears in my eyes. Shakily, I raise my hand.

“Maddie?”

“Um, Miss Kristina? You forgot me. I’ve got a solo, but you didn’t give me a costume.”

Miss Kristina’s hand flies up to her mouth. “Oh God,” she says. “Maddie, I’m so sorry. I forgot to order yours!”

Everyone’s looking at me, worried.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” I assure everyone. “I’ll just have to borrow one.”

“You can borrow mine?” Soph offers gallantly, putting an arm around me.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I say, smiling weakly. Soph’s sailor costume for her tap routine hardly fits with my historical contemporary dance. I guess I can’t pick out my make up in advance, then. I shut the lid of my make up box with a bang.

I feel so disorganized and worried, because I like having everything in order once I get there so I can focus on stretching and practicing. I guess I’ll have to spend all the time leading up to my dance chasing around trying to find a costume that’s remotely suitable for my dance. I feel panicked. A lump rises in my throat and tears prick my eyes, sharp and cruel. Swallowing hard, I blink them away, knowing I’m just over reacting.

I think about the amazing trio costume. I think of Autie’s gorgeous solo costume, Kenzie’s cute little pink leo, and Chloe’s beautiful floaty dress.

I guess I am no longer the favourite. And it hurts so much, to be forgotten. And to not be able to find it in myself to shine.

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© 2014 MattieButterfly