Something came back to mind. "It's not even the first time she does something like that." I readjusted my black sports bra's right strap. "Back in twenty-ten, I was allowed to compete in something that wasn't a group routine for the first time in months, but she was still mad with me, so she set me up in this duet with Regan Check. It was some pretty bad acro, and we didn't even place. The song was also weird, and it was obvious that she was setting both of us up."

Realization flashed across Maddie's face. "I didn't even remember that dance-- But that makes so much sense--"

"So it isn't the first time she gets really mad at you?" JoJo asked and I shook my head in response. "Why was she mad at you before?"

My eyes widened. "For some random reason-- She is always overreacting."

It was an acrobatics routine called "Growing Pains", and the song is an old Katy Perry song. The choreography was a mess, we didn't even acknowledge there was someone else dancing with us until nearly the end of the routine, and we competed at the JUMP Dance Convention on February twenty-ten. It had been a bit over eight months since the whole incident happened, but Abby was not going to forget it any time soon.

Luckily, she did forget about it at some point. That's how we are where we are today.

It was kind of odd she was using her old tactics again.

Satisfied with the responses, JoJo left the room to check if Kenzie was done with her tap class, and the rest of the girls started doing their own thing.

As I've previously mentioned, Abby is a wild card. One day, she'll want to do things a certain way, but the next, she'll want to do them an entirely different way. She is a very confusing person, so when it seemed like she wouldn't be attacking me anymore, it felt kind of odd. It made me wonder if my little talk had had an effect on her, or if she had bigger things to deal with. Either way, I wasn't complaining about it. After all, I wanted to pursue my plans in California without a hitch.

The focus this week was JoJo. She did well with her solo, but she didn't do as well with the group. The Siwa girl doesn't seem like the kind of dancer to do much lyrical, just like Lexi isn't the kind of dancer to do acro. At all. She stuck out in the routine as a sore thumb, and ultimately, Abby and Gianna made the decision to cut her from the routine. Jessalynn was pissed about that, and she let everyone know.

It was also obvious that none of the moms could stand her. My mom usually isn't one to complain about mothers on the ride home ― most of the time ―, but when it's about Jessalynn, it's like she had a box of matches and burned the Siwa mother to no end. She doesn't do that even with Jill, and that's saying something.

There was just something about the Siwas that people didn't seem to like. It could probably be that they were very outspoken. It also could be that Jessalynn is the typical "my daughter's the best" mom. Or it could be that JoJo would talk back to Abby constantly, and barely anyone did that. I would sometimes talk back when I defended myself, but JoJo would be all about the side comments and smirks.

Personally, I thought JoJo was cool. She was definitely a breath of fresh air on the team, and the last dancer we had who was as energetic as she was performing was Asia. They're both outspoken and energetic, but there's only one difference. Asia won every competition she attended; JoJo did not.

Some of the other girls, however, didn't seem all that welcoming of the girl. Maddie, Nia, and Lexi seemed just as excited as I was, but Kenzie, Kendall, and Kalani didn't. Kalani was half-half. She knew JoJo from AUDC, so they had been friends for longer, but sometimes it seemed like they were merely castmates who could stand each other. Kenzie, on the other hand, seemed threatened by the older girl. They were close in age and they both specialized in similar styles of dance. Also, having Abby compare them all the time might take a toll on their relationship. Kendall was the least surprising, and she seemed to simply tolerate JoJo, but as Nia pointed out, it could be that she was still getting used to having the blonde around. I guessed it made sense, but hey, I'm not the one who chose to become enemies with the Vertes girl.

The following day ― Thursday ―, I spent most of the morning packing my suitcase. I wasn't sure how many things I needed to take, but we would be staying on the other side of the country for at least two weeks, so it meant that I had to pack a lot of clothes. We would all be staying at some very fancy-looking hotel ― it's called the Sheraton Universal ―, and according to the photos, they also have very fancy pools-- Okay, they have pools, and that's cool.

But I also knew that I would be spending most of my time between rehearsing for the show and rehearsing for the AMAs. Still, I wanted to be able to get in there at least once before we left. We would only be staying for three weeks, and depending on how it goes, we would be back later on. Most likely during next year.

I would also need to pack the journal― imagine if I forgot about it. How would I even explain that to Teagan?

Setting the scene, it was just that. My hair was on a messy bun ― which is a false name because why is it so hard if it's supposed to be messy? ―, and I wore a black t-shirt that was way too big for me ― it was from Zane's baseball stuff, but why was it so big? It doesn't even fit him ―, and some black shorts I had worn to bed the night prior. I had also stolen my brother's earbuds yet again ― I was stealing everything from my siblings ―, listening to something very important: the freaking album Blondie wouldn't let me listen to before releasing it.

I had no idea when I started calling Taylor "Blondie", but I didn't mind. It was a funny nickname, even if it had been used to degrade me in the past. It was funny when I called someone else that, though, except that JoJo is the only other blonde on the team right now, and I don't think we're at that point yet.

I would call Giselle blondie sometimes, even if she was starting to become a brunette for some reason. It's kind of genetics stuff: when you're young, your hair is blonde, but when you grow up, it slowly turns brown. Seeing that happen to both Zane and Elle made me wonder if it would ever happen to me. My hair is blonde just like theirs, but there's a difference: mine was dyed.

My natural shade was long gone since it had been dyed red for "Annie", all because they thought it was a better idea than to wear a wig. Somehow, once Lilla took over the role, she got to wear a wig instead. They probably realized the damage it caused to the hair, but I liked it. I liked having my hair red for a while. It was something entirely new to me since I wasn't allowed to dye it as part of the ALDC. I still can't dye it because I'm an official member, but back on Broadway, it was something else entirely.

It probably meant that my hair wouldn't turn brown, then, since it isn't natural. Back to the topic, I was listening to "1989" and feeling like a music critic― It didn't work because I'm biased, but I was still on track four.

"Welcome to New York" was cool, but kinda ironic to me since it sometimes feels like I've spent more time in New York than in Pennsylvania.

"Blank Space" sounded very good for performances, and I was happy that it was the chosen song for the AMAs. It's also a clear dig at a lot of people, and I loved that.

I couldn't help but laugh during "Style". She could've easily added an "s" at the end, but she obviously didn't. It was really catchy.

And now, I was currently listening to the bridge of "Out of the Woods" and her car metaphor.

There were still some necessities I couldn't pack ― hygiene stuff and phone stuff ―, so I made sure everything else was in there and zipped the suitcase closed. However, before I could place it on the floor, I realized I had company. I took the left earbud off and turned to look at the three girls. "I thought you guys said one-thirty."

"Yeah," Lexi agreed from where she stood in the doorway. "But that was before my mom allowed me to do-- this!" She showed her right hand, and she was holding some car keys. "Did you guys know you can drive in Pennsylvania at fifteen? You can't even apply for a permit in New York if you're under sixteen!"

"But-- You don't have a license." I frowned, slowly connecting the pieces. "You drove all the way here?"

"I mean, we're alive." Kenzie shrugged from where she stood on Lexi's right. "But I think you can only drive with someone older--"

"And that has a license," I added, remembering the conversation between my dad and Zane a few weeks prior. "You can't go driving alone if you only have a permit--"

"I know, I know." The teenager brushed it off, stepping into my bedroom and skipping over to the bed. "And that's the thing-- I'm not alone. My cousin's coming with us because I still have to practice, and I can't do it while we're in L.A., so I gotta do it now."

My blue eyes fell on Maddie. "She seems chill, and she let Kenzie have control of the music-- A pretty big mistake."

The younger brunette hit her sister on her left shoulder. "She's really cool."

"Okay, then." I raised both of my hands in surrender. "But I still have to change, and--" I stopped the music. "I'm not doing it while you guys are in here."

Right after those words left my mouth, Kenzie rushed out of the bedroom, calling out for Ava. Lexi sniffled a laugh while Maddie sighed exasperatedly, and the two of them soon followed suit, closing the door behind them. I placed the suitcase on the floor and walked up to the closet, starting to think about what I was going to wear.

I ended up stealing some clothes from Giselle's room again ― including black jeans and a blue and white plaid flannel―, but I still wore my white t-shirt under the flannel and I also got for my birthday.

After dealing with the mascara and concealer, I brushed my hair once or twice ― I can't exactly remember ― before leaving my room and joining the rest downstairs.

When I was younger, I didn't understand how Spirit Halloween worked. Now that I'm older, well, I understand a little bit. The car ride there was a stressful one. Even with Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" playing in the background, the stress of Lexi forgetting which pedal was the one to accelerate the car with and which one was the pedal to stop the vehicle was too much to handle. By the time we got to the store, I knew there was nothing that could scare me more than Alexis Price driving.

Neither Maddie nor Kenzie seemed to disagree with me. In fact, it was the first thing the younger Ziegler commented as soon as we got out of the car. Even Lexi's cousin Helena ― whom Lexi nicknamed "Hell-Lena" because she wouldn't stop correcting her while driving ― agreed with us. Lexi was a complete danger behind the wheel. At least we now knew we should wait for Kalani to get her permit.

Leaving the cousins behind, the three of us entered the store. Kenzie then started dragging us through the aisles, showing us all kinds of costumes. After each costume, Maddie couldn't fail to remind us that we would be away at the hotel tomorrow night. It was a bit upsetting ― it felt like we were always away for Halloween ―, but at least it meant I wouldn't be ringing on random doorbells and asking for candy. I stopped getting excited about that ever since Brooke and Paige's next-door neighbors stopped giving out cookies and cream Hershey's bars.

As more time passed ― and the cousins didn't show up ―, things started to slow down a bit. For starters, Kenzie had stopped talking, and it was something both Maddie and I noticed.

"Huh." I looked at the girl over my right shoulder. "Cat finally got your tongue?"

"Shh!" Kenzie demanded, looking down at her phone and tapping on the screen. "I'm trying to think what to write!"

Maddie raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking with Prince Charming or something--"

"I'm just talking with someone, Maddie." The girl snapped. "Focus on finding the costume."

"All right, all right--" I turned back around. "Sheesh." I shook my head as we entered another aisle. "So, as we ignore Mackenzie back there, what are you guys' costumes?"

"Nia and Kendall are gonna be sumo wrestlers," Maddie explained. "I think Kendall wanted me to do it with her, but then Kalani started talking about some unicorn onesies, and well-- There are going to be three unicorns tomorrow night. Also, if I'm not wrong--" I noticed something and went to grab it. "Lexi's going to be Poison Ivy, I think. She's obsessed with hiding her costume 'til tomorrow, and--"

As she reached the end of the aisle, she realized that neither of us was following her anymore. The brunette turned back around, but neither of us was there. Trying to not laugh at her confusion, I stepped right behind her and tapped her on her right shoulder. When she turned to look, I swiftly moved to the left to stand right in front of her, and when she turned back--

"Oh my gosh--" She ripped the Jason Voorhees mask from my face. "Stop!"

Amid my laughter, I stopped for a moment and raised my eyebrows before making eye contact with Kenzie and starting to laugh again. Her older sister, however, didn't seem all that amused. Her face was slightly red, but she was also fighting back a smile. Considering it a win, I handed the younger Ziegler the mask, who pulled it up to her chest and continued texting whoever she was talking with.

"That's a good thing! I can be Jason and scare people." With an innocent smile, I skipped all the way up to Maddie, who was covering her mouth with her right hand. "Aw, I know you're laughing. I can see it in your eyes-- You're smizing!"

The last comment made her start laughing, and Lexi walked up to us right at that moment. As Maddie got into a laughing fit, Lexi sent her a weird look before turning back to me-- And Kenzie, who was standing right behind me. "Lena's dealing with some college dorm stuff, so she's talking with someone on the phone outside." She then smiled. "Anyway, how's it going? Found a costume yet? Also--" She turned back to look at the older Ziegler sister, who was still laughing. In an attempt to not let Maddie hear her, Lexi whispered: "You do know that the point of Halloween is to scare people, right?"

"Yeah, she just started laughing because I said "smizing"," I explained, crossing my arms over my chest. "She was mad at me less than a minute ago just because I scared her with this--" I grabbed the Jason mask from Kenzie's grasp, showing it to the teenager. "I was thinking of wearing something like this."

The Price girl grabbed the mask, inspecting it all around. "It's a good idea, but have you found the rest of the costume yet?"

I poked my lower lip out. "Not really, but we can go look for it now."

Finally, Maddie stopped laughing. She walked up to us and placed her arm on top of my left shoulder while looking at the older brunette. "Where's Helena?"

Handing the mask back to Kenzie, I chuckled as Lexi started explaining everything once again.

The next thirty minutes were spent checking different costumes ― there was not a single entire "official" costume for Jason-- but then again, it was the thirtieth ―, and then comparing. In the end, there were only two options left. I could either be Catwoman and wear matching costumes with Lexi ― just like everyone else ―, or I could go more classic and buy the single Chucky costume available in the entire store.

It was a tough choice. Theodore was such an easy option.

The three of us stood in front of the rack that held three Catwoman costumes, and we had placed the Chucky one on the rack right next to it. We looked back and forth between the two, but ultimately, the decision rested on my shoulders.

"Okay, if I get the Catwoman one, I'll be matching with Lex but the costume is really gonna stick to me and it's gonna be annoying." I considered my options. "But if I get the Chucky one, I could easily take the wig off and pretend it's an everyday outfit, but I'm gonna have to carry a knife around."

"They'll probably know it's a fake knife," Maddie commented from where she stood at my right, her arms crossed over her chest. "Unless it's the same woman that threatened to call the cops the year Zane dressed up as Jason and had a fake machete."

"Right--" I turned my head over to look at the girl. "What happened with Mrs. Smith-- What was her name again?"

"Karen." The brunette answered with a grin. "Don't you remember when she stood out on the porch and went, "Don't you know who I am? I'm Karen Elizabeth Smith, and I'm gonna call the cops on you little monsters"." She mocked the woman's voice. "Someone didn't get the memo that it was Halloween."

"Oh!" The memory came back to my mind and I grinned from ear to ear. "And remember that Zane tapped me on the shoulder to tell me something, and like I dressed up as Carrie, she thought he had hurt me because of the blood? And like it was getting annoying, Morgan started chasing her holding the bloody knife because she was dressed up as Chucky?"

"And then she started yelling, "This girl is threatening me! She is threatening my life!", but it was just a seven-year-old chasing her on her own porch?" Maddie chuckled. "But it kinda made me feel bad that I dressed up as Wednesday Addams instead of Ghostface 'cause my mom wouldn't let me."

"But Wednesday's really cool," I told her. "And it was still a scary costume. Do you remember how much Zane, Morgan, and I had to beg our parents to let us wear the scary costumes 'cause they thought it was "too scary", like, that's the point of Halloween, Mom!"

"Then buy the Chucky one."

After she indirectly interrupted our conversation, both Maddie and I turned to look at Lexi, who was staring down at her phone.

She looked back up at us. "JoJo just said she's wearing a-- Whatever costume this is--" She showed us her phone.

In the photo JoJo had sent her, she was wearing a black shirt with a skull on it, a golden chain hung around her neck, and black glasses. In a way, I felt bad that I couldn't recognize who she was dressing up as, but in another way, I thought she looked a lot like Sid from Toy Story. At least from the skull t-shirt part.

"So we don't have to match anymore." The teenager told me. "And Chucky's a classic Halloween costume."

Just like that, the Chucky costume was the big winner. Around two and a half hours after we first entered the story, we finally walked through the doors victoriously. I was enjoying that I wouldn't have to be Theodore anymore. No shade to him, though.

When we got to the car ― actually right next to it ―, Helena was in a heated argument with someone on the phone, so we knew we wouldn't be leaving the parking lot for the next ten minutes. Lucky for us, the doors were open, so we could get inside and relax while the eighteen-year-old finished arguing with who Lexi said was her roommate, Carlie.

It was just as Maddie pulled the handle to open the car's door that a gasp made all of us stop in our tracks. We all turned around to see where it came from, and it was from Kenzie. Contrary to popular belief ― also known as the three of us ―, it hadn't been a reaction from something on her phone. Instead, her eyes were filled with pure terror as she showed us the Jason mask she held.

However, before she could say anything, Maddie beat her to it. "You're a thief?!"

"I'm not a thief!" Kenzie