The Male prodigy(Slow updates)

Chapter 14: Ethan's character

The stage lights dimmed, casting a soft melancholy glow on the worn wooden flooring as Ethan stepped gingerly into the performance area. His heart pounded with anticipation and his chest tightened with emotion. This solo dance was Abby Lee Miller's masterpiece, choreographed specifically to showcase his talent and dedication as a permanent junior elite competition team member.

As the haunting melody began to fill the auditorium, Ethan felt a surge of bittersweet emotion course through his veins. Each fluid movement of his body told a story of longing and heartache, every leap and turn echoing with an exquisite sadness that could be felt by each audience member. As the music swelled, so did Ethan's determination; he poured every ounce of his energy into each step, each beat.

Abby watched from the sidelines, her eyes flickering with pride and amazement at the raw vulnerability her protégé exuded on stage. The piece seemed to have taken on a life of its own, becoming more than just an amalgamation of Ethan's passionate leaps, turns and elegant lines – it was poetry in motion.

Yet Ethan knew that despite Maddie not being in the same age division, competition would be fierce among his fellow teen dancers. Moreover, the fatigue from performing their duet earlier in the day weighed heavily upon him like a thick shroud, threatening to slow his movements and rob him of precious grace.

Ethan dug deep within himself for every morsel of strength he could muster, determined not to let Abby down. He let the emotional undercurrents of the dance wash over him like waves against a battered shore, each new crest pushing him towards his physical limits.

As the final poignant notes filled the room, Ethan brought his solo to a close with one last breathtaking pirouette. The audience erupted into thunderous applause as he sank slowly to his knees, his muscles quivering with exhaustion as tears streamed down his flushed cheeks.

Whether victory was his or not, Ethan knew one thing for certain – he had danced not only his heart out but also the very essence of Abby Lee Miller's poignant choreography. This poetic sad lyrical solo etched into the memories of all those who had witnessed it.

Awards

The air was thick with anticipation as the children stood on stage, fidgeting impatiently. The competition had been fierce this year, but now it was time for results. Eager eyes scanned the audience, searching for their parents' reassuring smiles. Whispered prayers reached the heavens as everyone held their breath.

The emcee stepped forward, holding a microphone in one hand and a stack of envelopes in the other. "First up, ladies and gentlemen, we have the solo awards!" The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. "In the junior division," he continued, "in fifth place, we have... Chloe!"

Although she wished to have ranked higher, Chloe walked forward with a tight smile on her face, receiving her trophy graciously. Her friends clapped enthusiastically to support her.

"And now," the emcee boomed, "in first place for the junior division... Maddie!" The audience went wild, and Maddie's face shone with joy as she walked up to collect her trophy. Backstage, Abby nodded approvingly at her young prodigy.

Now it was time for the teen division. "In second place," announced the emcee, "we have Ethan!" He stepped forward, struggling to hide his disappointment but determined to show good sportsmanship nonetheless.

As the remaining awards were handed out and the ceremony wrapped up, a fierce thunderstorm brewed behind Abby Lee Miller's icy glare. She stormed over to the judges' table and demanded to see their score sheets.

Upon closer inspection, she discovered a mistake in their calculations - Ethan should have won first place! With fire in her eyes and justice in her heart, Abby confronted the judges about their error.

Shocked by their oversight, they hastily recalculated Ethan's score before announcing their revised findings to the stunned crowd. Bursting with emotion and pride in his unexpected triumph, Ethan stepped up to accept the upgraded trophy amidst thunderous applause.

The buzzing energy in the auditorium was palpable as the MC adjusted his microphone and cleared his throat. The trio and duet competition was over, and everyone anxiously awaited the results. Teams from various dance schools exchanged nervous glances, mentally preparing themselves for whatever outcome awaited them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your incredible performances today!" the MC boomed, passionate about announcing the results. "Without further ado, let's begin! In the fifth place..."

The halls echoed with applause as each team accepted their awards graciously – some relieved, some disappointed – but all proud of their efforts during the competition. Finally, the time came for the announcement that everyone had been holding their breath for: first and second place.

"And now…" the MC paused dramatically, relishing in the tension that filled the room, "in second place… Maddie, Brooke and Chloe!"

As they stepped forward to accept their award, a mix of emotions flashed across their faces: pride in reaching that far, yet a lingering tinge of disappointment.

"But our winners for today's competition," he continued triumphantly, "Ethan and Mackenzie!"

There was deafening applause as Ethan and Mackenzie jumped in excitement; they were beaming smiles while bouncing up and down. They could hardly contain their joy as they proudly took their spot at the top of the podium. It was a moment they’d remember forever.

In contrast to her students' happiness, however, Abby Lee Miller sat stewing in her chair from afar. Seeing Maddie and Brooke fail to claim first place; along with Nia, Paige, and Chloe’s trio not placing left her feeling angry and frustrated.

With bitterness in her heart, Abby vowed to herself that she would never allow Chloe to participate in two trios simultaneously again. She believed this division of focus compromised their chances for victory – a misstep she wouldn't allow to happen under her guidance.

Although Abby's demeanor remained stern, a tiny spark of satisfaction flickered inside her as she glanced at Mackenzie and Ethan. Their hard work had paid off, clinching the first place. At least some of her students – and by extension, her own teachings – had triumphed in this fierce competition. The dance teacher acknowledged that small victory and stored it away in her mind for future motivation.

Abby Lee Miller opened the door to her dance company dressing room, and immediately felt the air turn tense. She knew something was off, but her thoughts were quickly distracted by the possibility of an impending confrontation.

Standing in the center of the room, she glanced around impatiently, waiting for the kids to come in and join their moms. The silence was almost unbearable when suddenly, Ethan and Mackenzie burst through the door.

Abby's face lit up at the sight of them, and she enveloped both Ethan and Mackenzie in a big hug. As they pulled away, she spotted Maddie standing nearby and made her way over to give her a high five for winning her division. It should have been a celebratory moment – but something was off.

Melissa looked visibly upset, taking notice that Abby seemed to be treating Mackenzie better than her sister Maddie. Ethan couldn't bear it any longer and finally spoke up against Melissa.

"Melissa," he started cautiously. "You need to treat both of your daughters fairly. Maddie and Mackenzie are equally talented, so it's unfair that you seem to favor Maddie."

Mackenzie hid behind Ethan throughout the conversation, feeling anxious and uncomfortable by the sudden change of atmosphere in the room. When Melissa yelled at her to come forward, Mackenzie stubbornly refused – fearful of what might happen next.

Surprisingly, it was Abby who stepped in to defuse the situation. She decided to take matters into her own hands and calmly asked Mackenzie and Maddie's dad for permission to keep Mackenzie at her house for a few days.

Everyone knew better than to argue with Abby Lee Miller. Her plan in place, she left with both Ethan and Mackenzie – leaving the dressing room more silent than before.

Melissa was distraught but didn't dare call the police; after all, Abby was an influential figure in their lives. The tension in the room dissipated somewhat but hung heavily in everyone's hearts as they wondered what the future held for both Maddie and Mackenzie – and how the events that unfolded would shape their dance careers.

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