"There's a new girl coming today, and I don't like the sound of that." Maddie says as we stretch on the Dancer's den. 

"I hope she's nice." Kenzie says.

"We probably shouldn't worry about that, Kenz. We should worry about her replacing us." Nia tells Kenzie and she nods.

"But we've won nine competitions in a row, we are the dream team!" Kendall says, trying to light up the mood.

"Remember that she's Abby Lee Miller." Chloe says.

"Yeah, she could kick us out whenever she wants." I add and we chuckle nervously.

"Let's go girls. Come on! Let's go, let's go, let's go. Come on, let's go."

We all line up and the new girl enters, and Abby is strangely nice to her, remember that this is her first day.

"So, Fallon, say hello to the girls." Abby says and Fallon says hi, we all say hi back, "And this is her mother, Cheryl, and they are from, uh, near Orlando, Florida. Can you tell us a few things about yourself?"

"I won four titles, and first overalls for a lot of them." Fallon tells us.

"And you're eleven now?" Abby asks her.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I brought Fallon here, because I'm building a new team. Is she gonna be part of the new team? Is somebody on this team gonna be part of that new team? Kalani's not here this week, not because she's not a great dancer. The problem is the mother. She doesn't understand my rules. So let's talk a little bit of our ninth victory in a row. We are undefeated." Abby says and we all clap, "Nine is nice, but then again, there's ten. Let's get to the pyramid."

I look at the pyramid and smile, hopefully I'm not the last at pyramid this week. Abby reveals the first headshot, that was Kendall's.

"No surprise, Kendall. You're were ninth overall high score, and it's only gonna get tougher out there. Chloe, disappointment in the improv. It's not the same turn combination four times. Next we have Nia. You were the first one of the girls on this team to get booted out of the improv. Don't keep doing the same thing over and over. Next we have Mackenzie. You did a great job on the character. You did more facial expressions than everybody else put together. Next, Melanie. Excellent job on the improv, you were the winner and I loved every second of your performance"

Maddie

Fallon   Melanie   Mackenzie

Nia   Chloe   Kendall

"This week, we will be traveling to Toledo, Ohio to attend In10sity Dance Competition. And you all know what Ohio means. Rotten Apples. We're gonna have to see that woman again. We're trying to be undefeated ten times in a row. Can you imagine what your life's gonna be like if you don't beat her? You'll all be gonna be doing a group routine, it is called 'Red with Envy'. So Mackenzie and Melanie, this a mature piece, so you could join us for the choreography, but you could miss this dance. Fallon, you're gonna to be doing a solo here with us. Melanie, you're also going to be doing a solo, I want to see how you are doing now that you are recovering. The name of your solo is 'Clarity' and it is contemporary-jazz."

The moms leave, and we start practicing the group dance, and as usual, it is Maddie front and center and us following her.

"We have two more days before we're going for our tenth victory in a row.  Got it? I don't want to lose." Abby tells us and dismisses the rest of the girls, except Fallon and me, "Fallon, I want you to see Melanie perform and then I want her to see you perform."

Fallon nods and sits in the back and I walk to the middle of the room and start dancing, I do the ending pose and Abby stands up.

"Great, you're dismissed, go drink some water, get some rest and we'll work more with it tomorrow." Abby says.

I leave to the Dancer's Den and then after a while we go back home.

•Competition Day•

I change into my costume and start working with my hair.

There's always something happening on the dressing room, today it was that Fallon's mom Cheryl FORGOT HER COSTUME AT THE STUDIO. And she said that she thought that 'The other Moms would bring it'. Woman, that's your child's costume, your responsibility.

"Let me take care of that." Maddie says spraying my hair. 

When she finished I practice my solo once and waited for the rest to finish. We all go backstage and I wait to go in.

"Okay, you know how this is, have fun and good luck." Kendall says and hugs me.

She walks away and I sigh.

"Next up is act number 37, this is Melanie with 'Clarity'."The announcer says and the music starts.

I go on stage and start dancing.

High dive into frozen waves
Where the past comes back to life
Fight fear for the selfish pain
And it's worth it every time
Hold still right before we crash
'Cause we both know how this ends
Our clock ticks till it breaks your glass
And I drown in you again

'Cause you are the piece of me
I wish I didn't need
Chasing relentlessly
Still fight and I don't know why

If our love is tragedy why are you my remedy
If our love's insanity why are you my clarity

Why are you my remedy

Why are you my remedy

Why are you my clarity

Why are you my remedy

Why are you my clarity

Why are you my remedy

Why are you my clarity

Everyone cheers as I get off stage and Kendall greets me. I sit down and wait for both Kendall and Fallon to do their solos.

"We have entry number 16, this is Gavin with 'Better When You're There's."

Honestly Cathy, what's up with you having all of your boy dancers dance shirtless? 

It's always better when you're there. It's always better when you're there... 'cause Graceland's falling and you're still calling.

He finishes his solo and leaves the stage. Still waiting.

"All right, up next in the Junior Solo Division we have entry number 18! This is Kendall with 'Just Rain'."

"Go Kendall!" I exclaim.

These faults are part of who we are and I can't breathe when you refuse to move, I just can't.

She finishes her solo and now it's time for the last one, Fallon's.

"All right, up next in the junior solo division, we have entry number 17, this is Fallon with 'Voices In My Head'.

That was a disaster. Why? First of all, she forgot it but she did improv, that was pretty good. Second of all, her Mom was like 'She forgot, yup, she she forgot it, she forgot it.' making it a big deal when it wasn't and last of all, Abby tried to get her disqualified. All of us girls go back to the dressing room before the moms.

"I mean, she did good, but it wasn't the best first impression." Chloe tells me and starts working with her hair.

"I think that it could have gone better if she had her original costume, she probably wouldn't have forgotten." I tell Chloe and the camera crew continues filming, guess this will be on the show.

"Oh, just stop it." Fallon says and we look at her.

"I was just saying." I say and take a makeup remover wipe.

"I don't need your opinion." She says and I wipe my face.

"I wasn't even talking to you!" I say, starting to get a bit annoyed.

"Oh, and how long have you danced, Miss Perfection?" Fallon asks with an attitude.

"I'm not Miss Perfection, and you know, this is my first time dancing in like two months because I was injured." I say and she laughs.

"So maybe instead of losing time with you, Abby could have given a solo to a girl that has actually worked hard." Fallon says crossing her arms and all the girls gasp.

It's really hard enough the fact that Abby is always talking about the new team, for Fallon to come and say stuff about me. I admit it, I probably have not worked as hard as the other girls, because I was injured!

"Excuse me, she has worked really hard." Kendall says and continues working with her hair.

"Yeah, she was amazing." Nia adds and starts working with her makeup.

"This is between the two of us." Fallon says and I cross my arms looking at her.

"Chill." Kendall says.

"You chill!" Fallon yells.

"I don't know what's up with you, but remember that you're just a guest." I tell her and try to calm myself down.

"Yeah and next week I'll be in the new team unlike all of you oldies." Fallon says and Maddie stands up from her seat.

"I wouldn't be so sure if I was you." Maddie says.

"I am and I could probably beat you!" Fallon says and the rest of the girls stand up.

"That's a lot to say." Chloe says.

"You should calm down." I say.

"I don't care, I'm a way better dancer than you'll ever be!" Fallon yells.

"Oh, and why?" I ask.

"Because . . . You're seven! And seven year olds suck!" Fallon tries to defend herself and I can't hold my anger in anymore.

"That's a lame excuse, and last time I checked, you were once seven too!" I yell.

"But--"

"And you should stop going around wanting to fight with everyone and then in the middle of the fight using the age excuse card because you don't have anything to defend yourself with. Age's just a number, and yeah, my age's short, just like your time at the ALDC!" I yell and everything goes silent.

Fallon starts tearing up and I smile.

"I was just trying to make a new friend, but it seems like I can't be friends with everyone." I say and sit down.

Done.

~~~

The camera crew told the moms and Abby everything, and Mom told me that we would talk about it back home, at least I got Mads to back me up. We were now on stage for awards. 

"And now's let's go to our mini solo division. Fifth place goes to act number 13, 'Never Say Never', Marissa. Fourth place goes to act number 30, 'I Like It', Hailey. Third place goes to act number 36, 'Warrior', Wendy. Second place goes to act number 49, 'Tomorrowland', Brianna. And now our highest scoring elite mini soloist, first place goes to act number 37, 'Clarity', Melanie." The announcer says and I stand up as everyone cheers.

I receive my award and go sit down. Kendall was second, Fallon was third and Gavin was first. The group was first and Cathy pulled her group dance. 

Some hours later, we were on the car on our way home, and everything was silent.

"So what happened between you and Fallon?" Mom suddenly asks.

"I was just telling Chloe that Fallon probably wouldn't have forgotten her solo if she had her original costume, but she took it on the wrong way." I tell her.

"She was a little bit too upset, so she took it out on Melanie and everyone else." Maddie adds.

"I don't even think she will be back after today." Mom says, "But you need to try and not argue."

"But Mom I tried, but she just continued provoking me, so I just lost it." I say, "Am I grounded?"

"Of course not." Mom says and I sigh happily.

We arrive home and I go take a shower. I go to bed and wait for Monday.