ALDC ~ DANCE

two

chapter 2:
"Pick it up, ladies, we leave for NYC tomorrow!" I hear Abby screaming at the group dance.

I was sitting in the dancer's den, and the girls were cleaning the group, with the exception of Maddie, who was running her solo.

I had finished my acro class, and was waiting for my technique class to start. I went on my social media for a little bit, then took my shoes off for technique class.

When I'm taking a technique class, I like to have bare feet. It makes me feel like I'm working them more.

I walked into Studio B to warm-up for my class that started in 15 minutes. What I saw shocked me.

I saw Kendall practicing a solo. But not just any solo. My solo. What the hell? I closed the door and peeked in on the group rehearsal. Kendall wasn't there.

I walked in and asked Abby where Kendall was.

"She's not in the group anymore. I kicked her out." I nodded my head. I guess a lot happened when I was in acro class.

I went back into Studio B and Kendall wasn't there. I shrugged the whole thing off and decided to just ask Kendall later.

***

Finally. The day I've been waiting for. Competition. I woke up to the alarm in my hotel room with the girls. We all put on ALDC tank tops, sweatpants, and team jackets.

I put an ALDC sweatshirt on because I haven't gotten a jacket yet.

I still haven't talked to Kendall yet, but I have talked to Maddie, who knows nothing about it. She said maybe Abby wanted her as an understudy, but I don't think Abby would do it without telling me.

We all go to the lobby and get breakfast at a smoothie place, then pack up for the competition.

Once we get on the bus, it's only a 30 minute ride to the competition, so I decide to watch Netflix with Maddie. We watch 'The Office', because it's our all-time favorite TV show.

At the competition, we say hi to fans as we try to find our room. When we finally find it, we've already taken too many pictures to count.

I know that by now all of the dance moms fan accounts and stuff will be posting about who I am and why I'm competing with the girls.

We all set up our makeup mirrors. Before anyone can do anything make-up or getting ready wise, I pull Kendall aside, and, of course, the cameras come, too.

I grab Kendall by the sleeve and tug her into the bathroom and close the door. The cameras might be able to hear us, but they can't see us, and I make sure to whisper.

"Hey, Kendall, can I ask you a question?" Kendall nods her head and I start talking.

"Well, on Wednesday, I saw you in Studio B practicing my solo and I just wondered why. Because I know you would never replace me or anything... Would you?" I blurt all of it out extremely fast, so she didn't interrupt me.

She looks down and starts fiddling with her team jacket.

"Well," She starts. "I was kicked out of the group. Because of my mom." I nod, and she continues. "I was wondering if maybe... you could do another solo you know? So I could do yours and show Miss Abby that I'm- that I am good- good if I have good choreography."

I sit there, shocked, and don't reply. I finally get the strength and courage to say something.

"So would you be an independent entry?" Kendall nods softly and slowly.
I take a little while to think. "I'm sorry Kendall. I can't. This is my chance to be a part of the ALDC. A team that you're already on. I'm not even at your level yet. Let me at least be equal before you ask for favors."