At the competition that weekend, Abby made sure the girls arrived early so there wouldn’t be any run-ins with Cathy to shake them. Luckily there were only a few other people there at this time.
Mackenzie rubbed her eyes and trailed behind the rest of her team. Now that her solo had been pulled, she had a bit of time to sit around and relax before getting ready for the group dance. As much as she liked doing solos, Mackenzie liked being able to relax just a little bit more.
“Alright, girls,” Abby practically yelled once they reached their dressing room. Mackenzie turned down the volume on her earbuds, which were blaring history notes for her upcoming quiz. Over the years, she had found that it was easier for her to remember things if she sang them to herself rather than reading from textbooks over and over again.
“I know we don’t have as many dances this week as we normally do,” She shot Mackenzie and annoyed look. “But I’m expecting nothing less that perfection this week. Anyone who doesn’t deliver?” Abby glanced at all of the girls. “Might not have a spot on this team anymore.”
Mackenzie wanted to roll her eyes at that one. Like Abby would ever get rid of any of the girls.
“Can you help me with my makeup, Mackenzie?” Nia asked when as they put all of their stuff—and there was a lot of it—by the mirrors.
Mackenzie smiled. “Sure.”
After she was done with Nia’s makeup, Mackenzie got to work on her own. When she was finished with that, she would be able to sit and watch everyone struggle to get ready, which could be fun or stressful, depending on the competition.
Today, it was stressful.
“C’mon girls,” Abby said. “We need to run these dances before you go on stage.
“We’re trying, Abby,” Mackenzie heard Jill whisper as she checked over Chloe and Paige’s makeup for their duet. On competition days, it didn’t matter whose mom you were, you helped everyone.
“I’m ready,” Maddie jumped up almost a second later. As usual, her makeup was perfect.
Abby didn’t get up from her seat in the corner of the room. “Great, let’s go.”
In the center of the room, Maddie began to go through her dance, skipping over some leaps and longer turn sequences. But when she did her side aerial—a move she’d had mastered for years—something went wrong.
She screamed.
Both Abby and Melissa jumped up to help her. That was obviously something they wouldn’t do for any of the other girls, but now, Mackenzie just expected that to happen.
But despite all of this, Maddie was still her sister, and Mackenzie got up and crouched down next to Maddie with Abby, Melissa, and the rest of the moms and girls.
“Do you think you can dance?” Abby asked, and Maddie nodded. Then, a second later, she shook her head.
Abby frowned and ran her hands through her hair. “Mackenzie…it looks like you have a solo today.”
__________________________________________________________________
About an hour later, Mackenzie paced backstage. In a few minutes, she’d be out on stage, pretending to be her sister and hoping to win against one of Cathy’s dancers—a girl Mackenzie didn’t know.
This girl was good, though. Her solo was a fast and upbeat jazz number, which Mackenzie knew wouldn’t be scored the same way as her controlled lyrical one.
“Oh, hello, Maddie,” someone behind her said. Mackenzie instantly turned around only to face Cathy.
“Wait,” she said. “Mackenzie? Isn’t Maddie supposed to be performing today? What happened? Did she get hurt?”
Mackenzie didn’t bother to respond, but she guessed her silence said enough.
“Well, I hope you’re able to live up to your sister’s reputation.” Then, she laughed. “Good luck.”
Mackenzie turned back to the stage as Cathy’s dancer was exiting it.
“Up next,” the announcer called out. “Is Maddie with ‘Drop in the Ocean.’”
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I'm Trying ||m.z||
Fanfiction"Tell me, will it ever be my turn to show the world I'm ready, and it's my time to shine"
