"You just go in there. Have fun. Don't worry about anything." Maddie tells me before entering for pyramid, "And remember that we're going to the People's Choice Awards tonight, and it's gonna be fun."

The two of us enter the studio and line up with the girls, the minis, and three new dancers. The only one who isn't here is Kenzie, who's attending a competition back at Pittsburgh.

"Girls, we have a lot of work to get done for today." Abby starts pyramid, "Welcome back minis! Welcome. We have three new faces today, and it's nice to have you all here. Okay, moving on. Girls, congratulations on the group dance last weekend." We all clap, "You had me in a trance. I thought it was a great number. So, let's get to the pyramid, okay?"

Maddie takes my hand and I look down as Abby reveals the bottom headshot.

"Melanie. I don't know what happened. You were so focused about your technique and stuff, that your forgot about this." Abby says pointing to her face, "We can not go back to the problem from like three-four seasons ago. But at the same time, I don't think you should've been fifth, you should've been at least third. I know this was really hard for you, and I can not believe it. So I have an idea which I'll explain later on."

Maddie

Nia   Brynn   Kendall

JoJo   Kalani   Mackenzie   Melanie

"Tonight is a very exciting evening. It's the People's Choice Awards." Abby says, "And our very own Maddie Ziegler has been nominated for a People's Choice Awards." We all clap, "All right, this week we are traveling all the way to Placentia, California. We will attend the Dream Dance Competition. The mini group will be performing a jazz routine. The name of the dance is 'The Monsters' and my junior elite competition team, your routine is entitled 'The Vultures'. Melanie will not be performing with the group."

Everything goes silent.

"Here's my idea. Melanie." I look at her, "You are going to redeem yourself. You will be performing a solo, contemporary. Melissa has said about how her mother would always wear hats with an angel pin on it. Your solo is entitled 'The Woman With The White Hat'. It's spoken, in a 'Where Have All The Children Gone?' style. You're going to focus in your solo and dance your heart out on that stage. This is your way to redeem yourself in front of me, the world, and your grandmother."

"I will." I assure her.

No one ever has second chances, so the fact that Abby gave me one is beyond amazing. I'll be able to redeem myself in front of everyone. This way, my grandmother can be actually proud of me.

I'll work harder than ever before.

Sadly, I mean it literally.

Maddie also has a solo and JoJo has an unaired solo, and she's going up against me.

The group dance rehearsal was up first, and I just sat on the floor and watched them. It was kind of refreshing knowing that Abby wasn't mad at me, because I've definitely been there before. New year, new leaf, am I right?

Aw, that reminds me of my Animal Crossing New Leaf town . . . Heck! I didn't bring my 3ds to LA! I've got to tell Kenz later, or my villagers are gonna move out and hate me for eternity. I don't want Rosie or Goldie leaving.

Twenty minutes later, rehearsals were over for the day. Meaning that Maddie, Mom, Abby, and I had to get ready for the event.

"I cannot believe I'm changing in the bathroom." Maddie comments as she takes her dress.

"Well, Abby offered you her room while she finished with the minis, but you refused." I tell her.

"Good point." Maddie says and walks away.

I was almost done, I had my dress on, heels, and my hair was also done.

The only thing left was the natural makeup, which the makeup artists were already taking care of.

About half an hour later, we were all finally done, except for Abby, who will meet us there.

I take my phone and rush outside.

"Where's Maddie?" Mom asks and I shrug, "Mads, we're leaving!"

"How are we leaving without the nominee?" I ask.

"If she wins you take the award for her." Mom says and we both laugh.

"I'm here." Maddie walks over to us, "And no, Melanie, you won't pretend you're me."

I stick my tongue out as the three of us get into the car.

"Who's Abby taking to the awards with her?" Maddie asks.

"What?" I look at her with a confused look.

"Mom gave Abby another ticket because Kenzie couldn't come." Maddie tells me, "And she can choose anyone."

"I have no idea, Mads." Mom answers, "We'll see later."

After a rather long car ride, we got there, and Abby still wasn't there. So you know, let's get on the red carpet and give paparazzi stuff to talk about! Best part of the night? Maddie won the award!

•Two Days To Competition•

"Melanie, this is the seventh time you go over your solo in thirty minutes." Maddie tells me as I finish my solo.

"I think it's great." Abby tells us, "You're doing amazing, sweetheart."

I smile as I take my water bottle.

"Okay, Maddie, let's continue working with your solo." Abby says and Maddie gets into position.

I sit beside JoJo as we watch Maddie.

"You're really working that hard, huh?" JoJo comments, "Just don't hurt yourself."

"Don't say that!" I laugh, "I'll become paranoid."

"It's okay," JoJo says, "Just be perfect--"

"JoJo!"

"Kidding!"

The two of us laugh and go back to watching Maddie. Later, the minis rehearse their group dance while JoJo learns it for fun and Maddie and I sit on the floor. I'm once again running the dance in my head, not listening to anything my sister's saying.

"Melanie!" I look at her with a nervous look, "You know what? We'll talk later."

"Yeah yeah." I say and space off again, "She had a smile that could light up an entire room--"

"What are you doing?" Maddie asks.

"That's just something of the music of my solo." I answer, "It's really sweet but also really sad."

"The solo in general is sweet and sad." Maddie tells me, "You just have to do it perfectly."

"I know." I smile at her.

We watch the minis rehearse, and Kaylee rolling her eyes, and simply, not dancing with the rest.

Fingers crossed, the show will not make her look like a brat. I mean, the producers lied to her about dancing with the junior team, and then placed her with the minis with dancers that are literally five years younger than her.

The story of Kalani's life with me.

•One Day To Competition•

I sat outside as the girls rehearsed the group dance. None of the moms were there. I suddenly hear yelling and look over to the door.

Bingo!

They're arguing, the junior team moms and the mini team moms against Jeannie, the new mom whose kid is acting like a 'brat'.

This just got juicy.

Instead of listening to whatever they were saying, I walk into the other studio and start dancing again, each time perfecting it even more.

~~~
As Maddie once again finished rehearsing her solo for the night, Mom and I sat outside watching. This was pretty similar to the last time, and it actually makes me scared.

"So I know you have a lot of pressure on yourself of going out there and doing everything perfect." Mom starts, "I just want you to know, that it doesn't matter what happens, you're an amazing dancer and an amazing daughter. Don't pressure yourself. I know that grandma is really proud of what you've become, okay?" I nod and she smiles, "Come here." We both hug and I smile.

This was exactly what I needed.

Even though I spent the entire night practicing instead of going to sleep, so I just slept for three hours.

Big yay for me.

•Competition Day•

"So, Maddie, what happens next?" Jill asks as we get ready, "Are you staying with the ALDC next season?"

There's a lot of rumors going around that Maddie's leaving. In all honesty, I want to know who found out. The only ones who know are Kalani, Maddie, Mom, and I. But what about me and Kenz? Are we staying for season seven?

I sit down after changing into the ehite dress costume and Mom starts styling my hair into a bun.

"I mean, I obviously want to stay dancing." Maddie answers as she sews the headpiece in.

"As of right now." Mom adds.

"Hey hey!" Abby walks in and everyone greets her, "Maddie, Melanie, are you ready?"

"Yes." Maddie answers.

"I'm going to sew in the headpiece now." Mom tells Abby as she takes the white straw hat.

"All right, Maddie, come on." Abby says and the two of them walk away.

Mom finishes with the headpiece and takes out a small black box.

I'm getting deja vu right now.

She carefully takes out the angel pin and pins it to the hat.

"Do you remember when you wore it when you were five?" Mom asks as she kneels down and I nod, "I remember you were so nervous, but so excited. You went out there and won first place with that solo." She sighs as she takes my hands, "I'm proud of you, I know you were up until three in the morning practicing your solo, I know you've worked really hard to get where you are right now. It doesn't matter what happens today, we're all so so so proud of you, Melanie."

"Thanks." I whisper and we hug.

"Melanie, come on." I hear Abby say and we pull away.

I walk over to Abby and Maddie, who puts her arm around me.

"You need to leave everyone in that audience in tears." Abby tells me, "You need to do what you always do, and maybe ask Maddie for some tips." The three of us laugh, "Let's go."

We all go backstage and wait to go in, first was JoJo, next was Maddie.

"Next we have entry number 10.2. It's Maddie with 'The People's Choice'." The announcer says and Maddie goes on stage.

"You need to do this for her, Melanie." I whisper to myself, "You need to do this for Granny, you need to make her proud of you and everything you've ever done. You have to do this perfectly. Not like last time. I trust you, I know you can do this, just go out there and dance with your heart, just like everyone has told you all along."

Who'll make me promises
When I'm in need
Give me back what I've lost
To help me believe
Will you?

Everyone cheers as Maddie walks off stage and I hug her.

"Next up is entry number 11. Welcome Melanie with 'The Woman With The White Hat'." The announcer says.

"Good luck." Maddie whispers and I walk on stage.

I close my eyes as the audio starts playing, and I dance with it. Not caring about anything else in the world, only her. Once I finish, I turn around.

I face the judges, my face full of tears. I look everywhere, and I definitely wasn't the only one crying. Everyone was. The judges. The other dancers. The moms. My mom. Even Abby.

"This was for you." I whisper as I walk off stage.

Everyone cheers and claps as I walk off stage and I'm greeted by a teary eyed Maddie.

"You were amazing." Maddie squeezes me, "Kenzie would have loved it, and our grandma definitely did."

"Thank you so much, Mads." I cry into her, "I love you."

"Love you too."

~~~

A couple hours passed, and I sat backstage. I didn't go back to the dressing room when the girls got ready for the group dance. I just watched both group perform, and it was time for what I waited for all along, the awards ceremony.

I was really nervous, both of my hands were shaking as I sat in between Maddie and Nia.

"Let's start off with our elite junior solo division."

JoJo and I look at each other and smile.

"Fifth place is entry number 39, 'Angel'." The announcer says and we clap, "Fourth place is entry number 42, 'Bedtime Stories'."

I'm freaking out I admit, I really do need to know why do they take so long to announce. The suspense is killing me . . . Again.

"Third place, with a score of 259, is entry number 31, 'You Raise Me Up'."

"Since when do they mention the scores?" JoJo whispers.

"Since now, I guess." I tell her.

"Second place, with a score of 271, is entry number 9, 'Own It'."

We all clap as JoJo stands up and goes receive her award.

I don't know about you, but I feel pretty confident.

You sure?

And who are you?

Your friend, anxiety.

Shut up.

"And in first place, with a score of 300, is entry number 11, 'The Woman With The White Hat'."

Oh my gosh!

Everyone starts cheering and clapping as I stand up and go receive my award.

I did it!

We all bow and sit down.

"I told you that you would win!" Maddie exclaims, "Maddie knows best."

"Sure sure." I smile.

Maddie was first with her solo, the junior team group was also first. The mini trio was second, and the mini duet was first. Back at the dressing room, I was in the best mood that I had been in for weeks now.

I finally proved myself to everyone, and her.

I definitely made her proud this time.