Tumbling Down (Dance Moms Fanfic)

What To Do (Ch.20)

It's the bell that breaks us apart. Even though we are going to the same place next period, I don't want to be farther away from him. He's the only one that keeps me sane. When he drops me off at home, for once, I'm not relieved. I feel lonely and small, but don't cry over what I have been.

It's so hard to focus at dance. I know I have to be perfect for the competition tomorrow, but I can't keep myself from bending my knees when my legs should be as straight as boards.

When it's finally over, I wipe sweat from my forehead multiple times as take my bag, slugging it over my shoulder. As I leave, Abby stops me.

Abby: So we seem to be in a better mood today. Why?!

She puts so much emphases on "why" is makes me jump.

Me: I...decided not to let certain things bother me.
Abby: Like...?
Me: Like...what goes on at school.

I smile and head out the door, quickly losing the expression on my face. I do care about that stuff, a lot. And the fact my mom makes me walk home because she has to be with Maddie.

And the fact it's so cold outside. Snow is falling. A lot of it.

I make it home fifteen later than I should have.

Mom: Why were you late?

As soon as I walk in the door. Seriously?

Me: Do you not see that it's snowing outside? Like...a blizzard?
Mom: No excuse. You knew you were gonna be late. Why didn't you call?
Me: How was I supposed to know it was snowing?! I've been in a windowless studio for four hours!
Mom: it's December! You should have known it would snow!
Me: I'm not a meteorologist! I can't predict the weather!!!
Mom: Fine. Go to bed.
Me: So you're gonna yell at me and then order me away!?
Mom: Go upstairs now or your phone becomes mine.

I huff out a breath of air and stomp up the stairs.

Mom: NO STOMPING! OH AND YOU GET DOWN HERE.

Seriously?! Uhhh...

Me: What?!?!
Mom: Your grades are slipping. You have an 89% in Algebra 2. I don't accept Bs.
Me: Oh but you do with Maddie?
Mom: Maddie is found to be on Broadway one day so she doesn't need to do well! You on the other hand, I don't know if dance is something you really want to do for the rest of your life! Will you drop dance like Brooke did?
Me: Brooke didn't drop! She took a break to let her back straighten out! She's dancing again!!! And don't throw that in my face! I wouldn't be dancing every day if I didn't want to go somewhere in life with it! I just like having good grades so people don't look at me and think I'm a compete moron who doesn't know who won the Civil War!
Mom: So you're calling your sister an idiot?!
Me: Kind of. What if for whatever reason she didn't dance? There would be no back up system for her!!!!

And with that, I stomp up the stairs again. No, I don't believe she'll need the backup plan. She will be on broadway. I know it. I could be too. Or Cirque.

Being smart and getting good grades is my backup plan. I don't know if I need it or not.

But what would I want to do if I didn't dance? I don't want to do anything else.

Well. I guess I'll just let whatever happens happen.

~*~*~*~*~*~

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

BEEP BEEP BE-

I slam my hand down on the alarm. Several times. But I finally get the thing to shut off.

I drag my feet over the bed, taking the first few steps of the day. I look outside, seeing nothing but white. Everything is covered in snow. It must've snowed all night.