Tumbling Down (Dance Moms Fanfic)

Crushed (Ch. 8)

The movie was fun, I admit. I get home with a smile on my face.

But when I realize I'm smiling, it's because Mom points it out. I quickly put in a straight face, running upstairs.

But I smile nonetheless.

Until:

"Wipe that whore smirk off your face."

Gotta love these texts.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Rock now drives me to and from school everyday. And the more it goes on, the more texts I get. They're pretty annoying, and whoever is sending them can tell I don't care. they begin using more...hurtful words, but I mean, Maddie's called me worse. They don't bother me.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It's a Sunday when November starts. Leaves are falling, less birds are chirping. It's much colder than the usual November, however.

I hop down the stairs, hearing Mom opening the door. Rounding the corner, I see Mom talking to Kayla. Man, Mom loves all of Maddie's friends. She hates mine.

As Kayla passes me, holding stuff, probably for Maddie, she glares at me. I shrug it off.

I lie in the old, rickety hammock that's been here for years. Nobody ever uses it except me. The breeze gently sways the hammock as I read my English-assigned book. It's so boring I could die though.

I hear the fence gate open, but don't look up. It probably swung open by itself. Mom or someone might've not shut it completely.

Rock: Hey, bookworm.

I start at his voice. I look up towards the gate, seeing him walking towards me. My feet swing over the side of hammock so it forms a makeshift chair. It's so hard to suppress a smile.

Me: Now, what do you want?

He laughs, kicking the dirt.

Rock: Not a warm welcome, huh?

Me: I'm not a warm person.

Rock: Clearly.

Me: Funny. Now why are you here?

Rock: I...had to talk to you.

He looks kind of...nervous. But I know he isn't. He would never get nervous.

But what if he is?

Me: About...?

I'm not sure how to feel. It's probably got to do with Chloe. Or Maddie. But that should just make me annoyed. Why is it making me nervous?

He stays quiet. On purpose.

Me: What?!

He smirks. Which makes me even more annoyed.

Me: Whaaaat...?!?!?!

I stand up in annoyance, losing my balance somehow. I wouldn't have fallen, but he reaches out and grabs me by the arm anyway.

Rock: So the acrobat has balance?

Very true. I never fall out of tricks. My balance is always spot on.

Me: Shut up.

He hasn't let go of my arm yet, but I don't want him to.

Why don't I?

I don't know.

But I seem to be locked in some trance. His eyes are green. Really green. I never noticed it before.

I find myself way closer to him than I've ever been. I don't mind this either.

Oh my god what's going on?! I don't do this. I'm not like this!

He smiles a half smile, - god, it's really cute - as he creeps even closer to me.

And closer.

And closer.

And...

*Maddie's POV*

I'm a terrible person.

My feet carry me back and forth, holding the my phone, a picture ready to be sent. But I can't get myself to press the button.

It's just a kiss. An innocent kiss. And it's really cute because Mackenzie never really wants to kiss anyone, let alone has crushes.

I can't believe I would want to sell out my own sister. Sure, we never have gotten along, but...but...she's my sister! And if I send this picture out, she'll be targeted. And I could never live with being the cause for her pain.

I hear a beep come from my phone.

I hit the "Send" button without realizing it.

No. No. No. No. No.

I wish I would've died on those stairs.

Mackenzie found me and called for help. She helped me.

And I don't deserve it.

*Mackenzie's POV*

I lean back, biting my lip lightly. Did I just...kiss him?

I mean, sure, I've been kissed before but...there's something different here. I want more.

Oh my god. I know what this is. The sweat palms, the butterflies, the smile I can't get rid of.

It's a...a crush.