"You're a liar!" A girl said.

"The team deserves better!" Another one said.

Dressing room. Dressing room. Dressing room.

I took a deep breath as I pushed people out of the way. When I felt my chest burning up, I knew there was no way back. I ran to the dressing room, dropped my suitcase off, and ran to the nearest bathroom. When I entered, I locked the door to make sure no one would walk in on me. I attempted to fan myself with my hands as I tried to take deep breaths and locked eyes with my reflection in the mirror.

Red. Hair. Blue. Eyes. Black--

I immediately unzipped my jacket, taking it off and letting it fall to the floor. I turned on the faucet, quickly washing my face to not feel like I was suffocating, but it didn't work.

Then I was gasping for air.

Then I was trying to feel the water.

Then everything went black for a second before I looked at my reflection again.

I was glad I hadn't worn any makeup because it would have been ruined by now. God, it had been so long since--

Another gasp.

One of these things--

Red. Hair. Blue. Eyes. White. Shirt. High. Ponytail. White. Sink--

And another.

Deepbreathdeepbreathdeepbreathdeepbreathdeepbreathdeepbreathdeepbreathdeepbreath.

Something that makes me happy?

Um.

I don't know.

The only things are slowly disappearing.

Well.

Kara.

And Emily.

And Sadie.

And--

And what?

What about Maddie? Or Kenzie? Or Chloe? Or-- my sister?

What had happened while I was gone?

It took me five more minutes before I finally left the bathroom and went back to the dressing room. Ignoring everyone and everything, I changed into my solo costume and brushed my hair down. I was sure it wasn't all that Elle Woods, but who knows.

Thirty minutes later, I waited to go onstage. I was the last out of the four soloists to perform, and only Maddie stuck around, but still didn't say a word.

"Next up to the stage is act number 23, is a junior musical theatre solo, welcome Genevieve performing "So Much Better"." The announcer said.

As soon as I stepped foot on stage, everyone cheered, but this time there weren't any signs. I fake-smiled as I got into my position and adjusted the mic headset.

All of this time I'd planned,
I'd be patient, and,
You would love me again.You'd come to respect my mind,
And at last, you'd find,
You could love me again.And I have turned my whole world
Upside down,
Trying not to let you go...
Watching you walk away
It's like a fatal blow.WHOA!

With the music, I turned to look at the black curtain, suddenly noticing that instead of pretending to have something there, there was actually a light-up sign with my name.

Christi: Really, Abb? And then you say there's no favorites?

Is that my name up on that list?
Does someone know that I exist?
Is this a mistake?
Am I even awake?
Pinch me now to make sure...OW!

Yes that's my name in black and white
Maybe I'm doing something right
WOW! I feel so much better

WARNER!Sorry I've been a pest
But I guess my best
Was not working with you
But looks like I've found a cure
And I so look forward to working with you

Hey remember when we spent spring break
In the hot tub every night
We said nothing else
Could ever feel so right
Well, this might!

Seeing my name up on that list
That beats the first time that we kissed
You thought I was dumb
But I think that somebody's judgment was poor
Seeing my name in black and white
It's like making love with you all night

It feels so much better
Hello much better
It oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Much better
'Cause I am so much better than beforeMaybe she's what you prefer

But hey last year I was her
Maybe you will change your mind
But you might look up to find
I've gone on to better things
Better jobs or bigger rings
I don't have the time to cry
I'm too busy loving my name up on that list
Kind of a cool ironic twist

Who else can I tell?
Oh, wait where's my cell?
Mom will fall on the floorHEY MOM!Look at my name in black and white

NO NO, I CAN'T WAIT!
I will be there at eight
When they unlock the door

OH OH
I'll even dress in black at white
See I have not begun to fight
And you'll go OH much better and
OH much better
And soon all y'all know much better

I am so much better
I am so much better
I am so much better
I am so much better

Than before

Right with the music, I stopped the turns as I faced the audience and caught my breath. The audience erupted in cheers as I walked offstage.

That wasn't that hard. Singing and dancing are pretty easy.

~~~

The mothers were mad about a sign and an apron.

Priorities.

Then, they were mad because I portrayed Princess Diana, which seems fair. I think everyone would love to have the honor to portray her, but I was the one who did.

"And now for our elite junior soloists." The announcer started. "In fourth place, with a score of 275.3 points is Miss Chloe with act number 15, "Beautiful"."

I slowly clapped as Chloe received her award.

"Third place, with a score of 280.7 points is Miss Maddie with act number 13, "You and Me Against the World"." Maddie went to receive her award. "First runner-up, with a score of 284.6 points is Miss Haley with act number 10, "Pardon My Southern Accent"."

Okay, so now I have to win or I'll never hear the end of it.

"And your highest-scoring elite junior soloist, with a score of 288.5 points is Miss Genevieve with act number 23, "So Much Better"."

Everyone cheered and clapped as I stood up and received the plaque award.

Abby: I knew Evie wouldn't let me down.

We all bowed and sat back down.

Christi: Hip-hop against tap and musical theatre, what a fair shot.

"All right, now for our elite junior small group." The announcer continued. "In third place was act number 81, "Mannequin". In second place, with a score of 275 points is act number 88, "Rockebel's Canon" from Tawn Marie's. And your highest-scoring junior elite small group, with a score of 277.5 points is act number 86, "Gone Too Soon" from the Abby Lee Dance Company."

Just like that, I won twice in the first week back, but as I entered the dressing room and saw everyone else, I started realizing how much I could have probably lost.

• • •

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! I missed Genevieve!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and made fun of that horrible "headshot", but you can pretend it actually looks good.

Another thing: welcome to the real deal.

UPDATE: Guys, I may have forgotten the fact that Genevieve has red hair and made her portray Princess Diana. Maybe we can pretend she was wearing a wig instead?

-A