It's finally nationals week, once again, I'm trying to be excited, but what I really am is super nervous.

Maddie

Mackenzie    Asia    Chloe   Melanie

Payton   Kendall   Brooke   Nia   Paige

"Girls, we are here in New Orleans to win at Nationals. The Wicked Witch of the West is here to beat you. You are all in the group routine. At Nationals, we will be performing a tribute to the hurricane victims. Eight years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated this city. Now my soloists, to be 'fair', everyone will be learning a solo for nationals. Brooke, you and Payton will be learning the same choreography. Chloe, you and Kendall, you will be learning the same choreography. Asia, you should be the automatic shoo in, but last week, you made some mistakes. Mackenzie, your solo won the overall. Both of you will be learning the same choreography. Nia, Paige, you will be learning the same choreography. Maddie, I'm throwing you in there too. This is nationals, so if you're going to be here, and you're gonna be on this team, you're gonna be the absolute best you can be."

I look at her with a nervous and hopeful look.

"Melanie." Miss Abby says and everyone looks at me, "You are the only one who has an automatic solo." Everyone claps, "Don't disappoint me, kid."

"I won't." I smile.

•One Day To Nationals•

"Only one day left!" Kendall exclaims as we all stretch.

"Why do I feel so nervous?" Chloe asks, "It isn't my first time at nationals."

"I feel like that every year." Maddie agrees, "Nationals is just so different from the rest. Obviously."

"Girls, I have an announcement to make." Miss Abby enters with Kristie and we all stand up, "It is with great sadness, Asia has to cut her trip short and not participate on our national finals. We're saying goodbye to a superstar."

We say goodbye and hug, but why did she suddenly leave before Nationals? Let me guess, the moms. Mommy was pretty quiet yesterday when she came back of hanging out with the other moms, so something had to happen. Also Chloe has been talking of going to a family vacation, but I'm not sure about that. Payton and Chloe are now out, because of their mothers, because they physically fought yesterday. Coincidence. Now we gotta move on with three dancers less.

•Nationals•

"Don't talk to me!"

I slowly wake up to see Maddie and Kenzie arguing.

"You just asked me where your phone was, I was answering!" Kenzie yells and walks away.

Maddie starts rehearsing her solo and I look at her.

"Is this going to be every morning?" I say as I sit on the bed.

"Shut up!" She yells and my eyes wide.

"Fine fine." I start my way to the bathroom.

Mommy and Maddie almost started arguing, that's nationals Maddie. 

Twenty minutes later, we all leave to meet up with the rest of the team, part of the rest of the team, because Chloe and Asia are not here. Neither Payton, but she wasn't part of it. We go to the dressing room and start getting ready. I change into my aolo costume. Mommy works with my hair as I do my makeup.

We go backstage, and I was nervous for two reasons. First, I'm dancing before anyone else, because I'm the youngest. Second, I'm doing a front aerial for the first time in public, and I can't mess up.

"Have fun." Maddie tells me, "Do your best, you know."

"Don't worry." Nia tells me, "Don't worry about what Miss Abby thinks."

"Good luck." Kenzie hugs me.

"Thank you, guys." I smile at them and all of the girls hug me.

"Next on stage is act number 12, welcome 'Only Human'."

Emotion. On. Face. On. Everything. Perfect. I walk on stage as everyone cheers and the music starts.

I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one

​​​​​​Then I do the 'Maddie face'

I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it
I can do it
I can do it

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

I can turn it on
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds
If that's what you need
Be your everything

I can do it
I can do it
I'll get through it

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

I'm only human
I'm only human
Just a little human

I can take so much
'Til I've had enough

I run to the front and do the front aerial. Everyone cheers when I'm successful and I continue.

'Cause I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

This dance means a little bit more to me because, I'm trying to tell everyone, especially Miss Abby, that I'm trying my best every single time but I'm only human, I'm sometimes tired, sometimes I don't want to do anything at all, if on one practice I'm not giving it my all it doesn't mean that I'm sloppy or lazy. I'm just a kid.

~~~

After all the dances, it was time for awards, Maddie's and Kendall's division was already announced. Kendall was first runner-up and Maddie won.

"Starting in the elite mini solo division of competition." The announcer says and Kenzie and I look at each other, "Your first runner-up was Miss Mackenzie with act number 28, 'Doctor Beat'."

We all clap as Kenzie goes receive her award.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, your highest scoring mini soloist is Miss Melanie wit act number 12, 'Only Human'."

Everyone starts cheering and clapping as I go receive my award. We bow and go sit back down.

"Moving on to our elite junior small groups. In third place, act number 67, 'When She Came Back.' In second place, act number 93, 'Voodoo.' from Candy Apple Dance Center." The announcer says and we hold hands, "Your highest scoring elite junior small group is act number 92, 'Home Again. From the Abby Lee Dance Company."

We all go receive the award as everyone cheers and scream into the microphone,

"ABBY LEE DANCE COMPANY!"