To Be a Broken Smile (sequel to Tumbling Down - DM Fanfic)

Dance For Life (Ch.23)

Abby: Did you even practice?!

For that hour beforehand...yes. Not anymore than that.

Me: Yes I did.

At least I remembered the choreography...

Whatever. I'll lose anyways.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Man, was I right about that losing thing.

Me - 4th place. Nia - 3rd place. Maddie - 2nd place. Chloe - 1st place.

I mean, it's better that there was no places between us. I'll still be low on the pyramid, but not completely at the bottom.

And just as I thought:

Chloe
Maddie Nia me
Everyone else.

Abby: This week, we're going to Sheer Talent Competition in...

I zone out.

When she starts introducing assignments, I half listen.

Group dance. Chloe and Kendall have solos.

Abby: And...I have a duet. It's called Silent Violence. And I think I'm gonna use Mackenzie and Maddie.

I don't perk up at my name; I perk at Maddie's.

It's as if I'm in a movie where something doesn't go right for the popular girl. What? Excuse me? Is she serious?

I almost burst out in protest but Abby is already giving me that face. That "say anything and you're toast" face.

I roll my eyes to protest instead.

~*~*~*~*~*~

♪if you hit me with words you don't say it still hurts♪

I swear Abby picked this song specifically for what me and Maddie are fighting about.

♪so I'll hit you back by biting my tongue♪

I roll my eyes and keep dancing.

When we're done, we leave at the same time, telling Chloe she can go in.

Then we wait.
Alone.
In this den.
For a while.

Group rehearsal feels so much longer now that Maddie's back. It could be because she's slower than she used to be, or the fact I can't stand her.

Whatever. I get through it.

Abby: Alright, before you all go, I have an announcement.

That you couldn't have made before rehearsal?

We all stand in a semicircle before her.

Abby: This competition is gonna be big, alright. A scout will be coming to the competition looking for newcoming Broadway dancers.

We all start chattering.

Abby: Settle. Now I'm not saying you'll get main roles, but you will be getting quite a bit of stage time, from what I've heard.

That means Abby is gonna be so uptight and strict this week I'll die.

Greaaaaaat.

Abby: This means we've gotta be on our top game, correct?

We nod.

Abby: Good. Dismissed.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Gianna: Duet is up first! 15 minutes!
Abby: Get backstage. And remember, scout. Don't screw it up.