After two weeks of attending competitions in Pittsburgh, oh, and being on the top of the pyramid for beating Maddie, Kenzie, 'Tea, and Ava, it was the week for the showcase.

"All right, this is the dance concert week. You'd better know what you're doing. All right, I have invited Kamryn here. You're going to perform on our big dance concert coming up. I'm gonna move along to the pyramid right now."

Abby reveals the first headshot.

"Chloe. You had an injury, you went to get it looks at, you missed a whole day of rehearsal. That's why you're on the bottom."

"Wait. She legitimately had something that we were taking care of, a medical thing." Christi says.

I really want to know if Chloe's injured or not, I mean if she's injured she should rest, but at the same time I remember that she's a Lukasiak and Abby's Abby.

Nia

Maddie  Melanie  Kendall

Mackenzie  Chloe

After the pyramid and group rehearsal, I start working on all the stuff I have to do for Saturday, this will be a busy week, and I know we say that every single year, but not every single year the dance concert is dedicated to Mrs. Miller. For example, the opening number it's supposed a senior jazz number, I'm supposed to dance after them with my 'Don't You Worry Child' solo. I'm actually really excited, but also really nervous because I don't want to let anyone down, but I have a lot of numbers.

"I'm not really sure if you should do your musical theatre solo or your tap solo." Gianna says as I enter studio B, "Which one do you like more?"

"Maybe the 'Little Miss Tapper'?" I ask.

"Okay, so let's get working, you also got the photoshoot on ten minutes." Gianna says and I look at her.

"Ten minutes? I'm supposed to practice that solo on ten minutes?" I ask and she nods.

"You have one of the most busy schedules around here. You also have to meet up with James after the photoshoot." Gianna says and I sigh.

"I forgot about that." I say and start practicing.

After those 10 minutes I have to go change into my 'Opportunity' costume and enter studio C.

"Oh good, you're here." Kenzie says.

"Wait, weren't you supposed to be rehearsing for the the group dances?" I ask.

"I rehearsed like five already and I'm not working with every single one." Kenzie tells me.

"Next!" I hear Abby say and I walk on front of the cameras, "Okay, I think a tilt would work well, also an a la secondé."

We take the pictures and then I have to go change into some other costumes and we continue like that. After 2 whole hours I leave and go back to the Dancer's Den.

"I give up!" I say as I enter and Maddie and Kendall look at me.

"Stressed much?" Maddie asks.

"I still have to meet up with James today, I have to go home to do some homeschool and I'm busy the whole day tomorrow. I want a break." I say, "Why did I say that I liked this?"

"No idea." Kendall says.

•Two Days To Recital•

"Sassy!" Abby yells as we practice.

The minis and I were practicing another group dance for the showcase. It's called 'Something I Don't Know', and the song is actually Selena Gomez's 'Tell Me Something I Don't Know'. I was the lead on the dance, and we also had to use props. The props were brooms, and we were supposed to dress as maids. Also the dance was jazz, and it was hard. One more thing, I had to pretend the broom was a microphone, so I had to lipsynch.

"Stop stop stop, Rylee, you're late, and Klara, don't let the prop fall." Abby says and we all stop dancing, "Melanie, I need you to actually learn the lyrics for the song because if you don't know them it will just be off."

It's so easy for her to say.

She dismisses the rest of the group except me and calls in the juniors/petite, they always have different names. We were going to now practice a tap dance called 'Soldiers And Sailors'. After that we practice another tap dance called 'Blame It On The Boogie'. 

"Come on girls." Abby suddenly says and leaves studio A, and the building.

We all look at each other confused but follow her outside. Abby is on A. Dunking. Tank. Awesome.

"Shut up!" I hear Jill say and laugh.

"These are my friends. This is Dave and Rich." Abby says pointing at two mans, they didn't have shirts, that was on purpose, right?

"Why is there always cute boys involved with you?" Mom asks.

"Cause that's the way I roll. Ten bucks a throw!" Abby says and I read a sign, it was for Mrs. Miller's charity.

Maddie takes the ball and we all look at her.

"Go, Maddie! Go, Maddie! Go, Maddie!" We all chant.

"Now I'm afraid." Abby says.

"She said she's afraid, I love it!" Mom exclaims and Maddie throws the ball, sadly missing.

"Who's next?" Dave asks.

"Me!" Chloe exclaims taking the ball.

We all miss when we throw and decide to do something even better, we run and hit it, making Abby fall into the water.

"Watch out on rehearsal tonight. Everybody'd better get to that show, you'd better be on time, and you'd better look amazing." Abby tells us and we all laugh.

It was a great day.

•Dance Concert Tech Rehearsal•

Abby decided to reunite everyone to say a couple things, I hope it doesn't involve the dunking tank. 

"All right, couple things. We want this to be a first-class presentation, and that starts with you. I have my eyes on all of you, but especially my junior elite competition team. I want to see what's gonna happen with Nationals. All right, thank you."

We all start with the rehearsal. I go to the dressing room and put my 'Don't You Worry Child' costume on. I go backstage, where the seniors were.

"Good luck on getting Abby not to yell at you today." I say.

"I hope so." Ryleigh says and we laugh.

"I think she's on a better mood today." Payton says and we hear Abby talking, "Let's go."

They all leave and I watch them as they perform the opening number. 

•Dance Concert•

"Today's the day, oooooh I'm so nervous!" I say looking at myself on the mirror, "Everything will be perfect, Melanie, don't worry, don't worry, don't worry girl! Should I be worried, nah, I don't think so, right..?"

Everyone starts entering the room and I change into the 'Don't You Worry Child' costume on. Mom does my hair and makeup and I take the teddy bear.

"Don't stress yourself out, I know this is a huge week for you but I want you to be happy and well, okay? Love ya." Mom says and kisses my cheek.

"Love you too." I say and we hug.

"The show's about to begin, we need Melanie out there." Gianna says.

"Good luck!" I hear Chloe says and I leave with Gianna. 

We arrive backstage and I see the seniors perform the opening number. I cheer as they finish and leave the stage, some people take the props out and I enter the stage, kneel down and look at the teddy bear.

There was a time, I used to look into my mother's eyes
In a happy home, I was a queen I had a golden throne
Those days are gone, now the memories are on the wall
I hear the sounds from the places where I was born

Up on the hill across the blue lake
That's where I had my first heart break
I still remember how it all changed
My mother said
Don't you worry, don't you worry child
See heaven's got a plan for you
Don't you worry, don't you worry now, yeah

Don't you worry, don't you worry child
See heaven's got a plan for you
Don't you worry, don't you worry now, yeah

There was a time, I met a guy of a different kind
We ruled the world,
Thought I'll never lose him out of sight
We were so young
I think of him now and then
I still hear the songs, reminding me of a friend

Up on the hill across the blue lake
That's where I had my first heart break
I still remember how it all changed
My mother said
Don't you worry, don't you worry child
See heaven's got a plan for you
Don't you worry, don't you worry now, yeah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
See heaven's got a plan for you
Don't you worry, don't you worry child
See heaven's got a plan for you
Don't you worry, don't you worry now, yeah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah ​​​​​

I leave the stage and run back to the dressing room. I change into the 'Something I Don't Know' costume. I do my hair and leave the same makeup on, it was supposed to be the same.





"We're up next." Emma says entering the dressing room, "You excited?"

"I have like twenty numbers today, I also have to sing but yeah." I say and we laugh.

"Let's go!" Emma exclaims and we run backstage.

"Okay is everyone here?" Gianna asks, "Each one take a prop and remember, you have to be perfect, but also have fun out there."

We all take our props and wait to go onstage. We enter and pose, let's lipsynch.

Everybody tells me,
That it's so hard to make it,
Yet so hard to break it,
And there's no way to fake it,
Everybody tells me that it's wrong what I'm feeling,
I shouldn't believe in,
The dreams that I'm dreaming,

I hear it everyday,
I hear it all the time,
I'm never gonna amount to much,
But they're never gonna change my mind.
Oh!

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

How many inches in a mile,
What it takes to make you smile.
Getcha not to treat me like a child, baby.

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Tell me, tell me something I don't know,
Tell me, tell me something I don't know.

Everybody tells me I don't know what I'm doing,
This life I'm pursuing,
The odds of me loosing.

Everybody tells me that it's one in a million,
More like one in a billion,
Or one in a zillion.

I hear it everyday,
I hear it all the time,
I'm never gonna amount to much,
But they're never gonna change my mind.
Oh!

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

How many inches in a mile,
What it takes to make you smile,
Getcha not to treat me like a child, baby.

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Are you ready for it?
Yeah I'm ready for it.
Really ready for it?
Yeah I'm ready for it.
Let's get ready for this.

I'm on my way,
I know I'm gonna get there someday,
It doesn't help when you say,
It won't be easy.

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

How many inches in a mile,
What it takes to make you smile,
Getcha not to treat me like a child, baby.

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

How many inches in a mile,
What it takes to make you smile,
Getcha not to treat me like a child, baby.

Tell me, tell me, tell me,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,
Something I don't know,

We all leave the stage and hug.

"That was so cool!" Klara exclaims.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get ready for the group that appears on the show." I hear Nia says and I turn around.

"Cool, let's go then." I say and we both go to the dressing room.

I change into the group dance costume and we go backstage to perform. We go and perform and that's just how it goes. Soon I change into the 'Little Miss Tapper' costume and do my hair. After that go onstage, this my 45 second audition for a Nationals solo.

~~~

"We're getting closer to finishing!" Kenzie exclaims as we enter the dressing room, we had just finished a ballet group routine of the juniors called 'Hungarian Waltz', I was the only mini on it.

"But when we finish it will mean that I have to sing." I say and sit down.

"Yeah, it will be so cool!" Kenzie says and sits down.

"No it won't be, I've never really sang on front of anyone, except at that party back at 2010, and we don't talk about that." I say.

Back at 2010 the ALDC had a big party, and 3 year old me thought she was Beyoncé herself, that was really embarrassing and it still is, because everyone remembers it clearly.

"Oh yeah." Kenzie says as she tries not to laugh.

The door opens and Mom enters.

"You need to start getting ready, the show is almost over." Mom says and we both look at her, me nervous, and Kenzie excited.

"Okay." I say and go change into my dress.

I slip into my shoes and Mom starts doing my hair.

"Mom." Maddie says entering the dressing room, "Melanie's next."

"Yay!" Kenzie exclaims.

Mom finishes with my hair and I stand up.

"Have fun!" Mom says and we all leave.

Mom goes to sit with the other moms and Chloe while my sisters and I go backstage.

"Don't worry Mel." Maddie whispers and I sigh.

"Go in now, Melanie." Gianna says and I take a microphone and walk on stage.

I look at all of the people there looking at me, the lights are all over me, it's amazing. The music starts and I smile and start singing.

Under the glow of the very bright lights
I turn my face towards the warm night sky
And I am not afraid of a thousand eyes
When they're above five hundred smiles

Oh I used to think (she used to think)
What wouldn't I give (what wouldn't she give)
For a moment like this? (For a moment like this?)
This moment this gift

Oh, now look at me and this opportunity
Is standing right in front of me
But one thing I know it's only part luck and so
I'm putting on my best show
Under the spotlight I'm starting my life
Big dreams becoming real tonight
So look at me and this opportunity
You're witnessing my moment, you see?

Now I find myself here, and it's time
Yes this is real, and it's a gold-mine
I'm not afraid to fly
When it's above five hundred smiles
Oh I used to think (she used to think)
What wouldn't I give (what wouldn't she give)
For a moment like this?
This moment, this gift (for a moment like this?)

Suddenly I close my eyes and sing a high note. I hear people cheering and I open my eyes and continue.

Oh, now look at me and this opportunity
Is standing right in front of me
One thing I know it's only part luck and so
I'm putting on my best show
Under the spotlight I'm starting my life

Big dreams becoming real tonight
So, look at me and this opportunity
You're witnessing my moment, you see?
My big opportunity
I won't waste it, I guarantee

Everyone starts cheering and the dancers start coming on stage for the curtain call. I wait for the rest of the Dance Moms girls to come and then I stay with them. From there we go to the Dance Concert Reception. 

"I'm taking some chocolate covered strawberries." I say as soon as I see the chocolate fountain and the plate of strawberries beside it.

I take two of them and eat them quickly, then sit with the girls, soon I notice that Kenzie was holding a piece of paper with some drawings . . . I recognize that paper.

"Kenz, from where did you get that paper from?" I ask and they all look at me.

"From nowhere." Kenzie says standing up and giving Abby the paper.

"Kenzie!" I yell.

She sits back down and Abby starts talking.

"Can I have your attention please? This is a tribute to my mother, Maryen Lorrain. She passed away on February 8 at 7:30 p.m. Her last words were to Melissa and one of her daughters, Melanie, and she said, 'I just want to dance.' My mother touched so many lives and she made the world a better place. I don't think the same will be said about me. But her dancing shoes are too big to fill."

She calls me up there and I give Kenzie a death stare, which she just laughs off. Abby gives me the paper and I unfold it. I wrote this the night Mrs. Miller passed away, I couldn't really sleep and that just helped me, it's supposed to be a mini song but I'll just read it.

"When someone fades away, and you can't say goodbye.The pain is in your heart, the pain is on your soul. You are just not ready to move on. It was someone special, someone you would give your life for, but what do I know? I'm just seven, I'm just a kid. What do I know about death and life?"

I try to hold my tears in as I continue reading and I hear a lot of sobbing.

"Today someone else is gone, and we still stay strong. We say goodbye and continue with our lives. Since when did so many people love her? Why didn't you all visit her once? When she was in pain, no one was by her side, but now she's gone and she was the most loved."

I start crying.

"Because when someone fades away on front of your eyes, the memories flood your mind and you just want to cry, but you have to stay strong. I don't know how . . ."

A little bit more, Mel...

"I'm just a kid I want to run away and cry, and cry and never stop. Until I get tired and then go over again and just cry. I've never been good with goodbyes so I'll just cry."

Abby hugs me from behind as I continue crying, I miss her so much...

~~~

I was sitting on my bed looking at all of the selfies I had taken throughout the day, the day was finally over, and I felt so good, I mean, I was able to do everything I needed to do. Then Mom and my sisters enter my room and sit on the bed too.

"I'm so proud of you." Mom says and hugs me.

"Everything was amazing." Maddie says.

"And now, why did you have that paper, Kenzie?" I ask and we all look at her.

"I just found it on the kitchen floor and decided to read it, then when I found out what it was about I decided to keep it, and like I knew that you would never read it out loud I decided to take it to the dinner, there you really wouldn't have any options, but it was all just for a good cause." Kenzie says and I smile.

"Thanks Kenz, it felt really good to read it, just had to let everyone know." I say.

"Now let's talk about that high note you did when you were singing at the showcase." Kenzie says.

"Yeah, I have no idea of how it happened. Also--" I say as I take out my purple notebook and open it, "I kind of wrote this song a while ago, it's called 'Shine', and like you're like the official singer of the family, would you be interested on it?"

Mom takes the notebook and starts reading it.

"Hey, but you could also be a singer." Maddie says and I laugh.

"Maybe someday, but not for now." I say.

"This is really good, Melie." Mom says and Kenzie takes the notebook, "Now you all have to go to sleep, I know that there's no dance tomorrow but remember that we have to go to LA for nationals."

"Finally nationals again!" I exclaim.

"It's almost the end of another season, it's crazy. The show could have five seasons" Maddie says.

"True." Kenzie says and stands up, "Goodnight."

She leaves the room.

"Yeah, goodnight." Maddie says and leaves the room.

"Goodnight Mel." Mom says and turns off the lights.

"Goodnight."