"Why are the moms in there?" Kenzie asks.

"Because the other team's in there." Mom answers.

"They're right there! Oh!" Jill says, "Hold your heads up, you're the team. She brought that team to beat you. So what? They beat, it won't happen again. Let's go."

We all enter studio A where the select team's dancers are on a line, Maddie's also with them. Abby is also there with their mothers.

"All right, I think it's time to get started on the pyramid. I've been gone for two months now, going to studios that we're in trouble. Seeing these problems first hand with somebody else, I realized the mistakes that I have made, and I'm not gonna make them anymore. I want kids that want to be the best, and that's why you guys are here-- to push these kids to the next level. Maddie, come over here with the winning team. Congratulations, you guys were the winning team."

I look over to the other team and back at Abby. After some chit chat Kalani was officially gone and Maddie was back with our team. 

"Kendall. You and Kalani went out on stage and got beat by two girls that had never danced together but worked their butts off. Next on the pyramid, Nia. We've been doing this for four competition seasons. The very first week, I corrected you on youur legs and your feet, I'm still telling you the same thing. Next is Melanie, you were great in the group dance, and besides that there's nothing to really judge you on."

Chloe

Maddie Mackenzie Melanie  Nia Kendall

"We are headed to Wheeling, West Virginia. We will compete at Sheer Talent. We first have a trio, and the dancers in it are Mackenzie, Scarlett, and Melanie. The name of the trio is 'Counting Stars' and it is jazz."

Kenzie and I hug and Scarlett smiles. Abby was going to work first on our trio so we have to stay there when pyramid's over.

Rehearsal was being actually kind of fun until we have to jump and Kenzie is late.

"MACKENZIE! This is the hundredth time I tell you, jump in time and point your feet. Will I have to take you out and turn it into a duet? I DON'T KNOW!" Abby yells at Kenzie and we all stop.

Kenzie starts tearing up and Scarlett hugs her.

"It wasn't that bad." I say and Abby looks at me.

"And are you now the dance teacher?" Abby asks and I look at her scared.

"N-No, but she is my sister, and I don't like to see her upset." I say.

"You can tell me that when her feet are pointed. You're dismissed." Abby says and I go to the Dancer's Den.

Scarlett and Kenzie follow me and close the door.

"No way you literally stood up to Abby." Scarlett says and I laugh nervously.

"Guess who will be at the bottom next week." I say.

"Thanks Melie, you literally got in trouble for my mistake." Kenzie says.

"I just hope that she doesn't take away the trio." Scarlett says and we nod, "If that's even possible."

"Oh, believe me, it is." I tell her.

"Scarlett, rehearsal is about to start." 'Tea says and they both leave.

Kenzie and I sit down and use our phones. I honestly can't believe I stood up to Abby.

•Competition Day•

I change into the trio costume and Mom does my hair.She does my makeup and I put my team jacket on. First up were the solos, Kenzie and Sarah H.

Kenzie comes out the mini-changing area with a gorgeous costume, with beautiful makeup, portraying a bird. It looked amazing.  

I sit on the floor and start stretching.

"Abby, she gets the beautiful makeup, the beautiful portrayal of the bird flying." Christy complains and points at Sarah, "You don't have any scare makeup on her. You put that child up here on this pedestal and you put every other child that you don't care about down here and that's it. You say, 'Who cares?'."

"You are relentless." Abby tells Christy.

We all go backstage and wait for Kenzie's and Sarah's solos.

"Judges, up next we have entry number 60, small wonder solo contemporary, 'Scary Little Monster'." The announcer says and Sarah H. goes on stage.

As if I just talk it up, are you happy little girl? Scary little monster is what you turn into. Is this you? Is this you?

She finishes and leaves the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen up next, we have entry number 61, the junior solo acro/gymnastics, 'Watch Me Fly'." The announcer says and Kenzie goes on stage.

No limitations, that's all in your mind but a heart bets strong for what it yearns. I'm moving up the mountain, yeah, yeah, yeah. 

As soon as she finishes we both run to the dressing room and she gets ready for the trio. 

"Okay, trio. Mackenzie, you got better at rehearsal, don't forget it. Scarlett, don't rush it. Melanie, don't fall out of your turns. Leave the judges knowing who to give the first place award, and that's you." Abby says and we go backstage again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, next up is entry number 88, this is a jazz trio, 'Counting Stars'." The announcer says and we go on stage.

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Yeah, we'll be counting stars

I see this life
Like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
In my faces flashing signs
Seek it out and ye shall find
The old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I, feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I, feel something so wrong
But doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

I feel the love
And I feel it burn
Down this river every turn
Hope is a four letter word
Make that money
Watch it burn
Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I, feel something so wrong
But doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned

Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned

Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned

Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned

Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

Everyone cheers as we leave and go to the dressing room. By the way, I haven't seen the group dance costume. I take a bag and go change. I open it and see, pajamas. Pajamas? Now I can say that I'm dancing in my sleep. I put it on and go back to the dressing room.

"I don't wanna dance in pajamas." I say.

"Then Abby says that everything is fair." Kenzie comments and we look at the select team's costumes. 

Them? Gorgeous dresses. Us? The pajamas that were on clearance. 

After Chloe getting hurt and reheasing, we all go backstage.

"Okay, judges, entry number 62 is a preteen group contemporary, 'The Rapture'." The announcer says and they go on stage.

"Did you really believe Abby when she said 'May the best team win?'." Nia asks as they start dancing.

"It was more like 'May the team that I chose win'." Maddie says, "Just look at them, and look at us."

"It isn't the first time." Chloe says and we look at her, "I'm kind of used to it at this point."

"She just cares about the wins." I say crossing my arms and they all look at me, "And I'm tired of it."

The select team finishes their dance and leave the stage. 

"Entry number 63 is a preteen group contemporary, 'Light As A Feather, Stuff As A Board'." The announcer says and we go on stage.

~~~

"Okay, so these are the high score awards for overall solo. In fifth place we have entry number 69, 'His Kiss', Haley. In fourth place we have entry number 60, 'Scary Little Monster'." The announcer says and Sarah goes receive the award, "In second place, we have entry number 49, 'Blue Sky', Haley."

There's a couple Haleys around here today.

"And in first place, entry number 61, 'Watch Me Fly', Mackenzie."

Kenzie goes receive the award as we cheer and they start with the duo/trio category.

"In third place is entry number 72, 'Birds Of A Feather', McKayla, Yvonne and Fallon. Ladies and gentlemen, there's a tie--"

Scarlett and I look at each other, then I look at Kenzie. 

"On second place is entry number 88, 'Counting Stars', Mackenzie, Scarlett and Melanie." The announcer says and Scarlett goes receive the award.

The group was second, and the select team was first, again. We all pack our stuff and are about to leave when the camera crew follows us. 

"No. No tears, you know what? They were better, they won." Jill says as we get off the elevator.

Geez Jill, thanks.

Then Abby arrives.

"What's going on?" She asks.

"You have six really upset, sad children." Jill says.

"We just want it to be fair." Holly adds and Christi backs her.

"Life's not fair." Abby simply says and I try not to roll my eyes, because if I do and they get it on camera, I'm gonna be labeled as a brat.

"Life's not fair but you know what? These kids deserve better." Holly says.

"It's sore losers. You didn't like to lose." Abby says.

To be honest, if we actually were sore losers, which we're not, we learnt it from you, Abby! You're the one who says that only first place matters, and you are the first one upset when we don't win! So the real sore loser here is you.

"They have to stop being a doormat for everyone else who walks through the door." Holly says.

"Straighten your legs, point your feet, do what you need to do." Abby says, "Well, you know what?"

"And you just turn your back on the world. You're just like, 'I'll just walk out'?" Holly asks, "That's a very cowardly way of approaching life."

"It's not-- I'm not being a coward, you're wasting my time and I'm not getting paid to stand out here to argue with you." Abby as the elevator door closes and there she goes.

 We leave and after traveling for a while, we arrive back home. I don't really want to know what Monday will bring.