GENEVIEVE

After almost a year, here I was, standing in front of the building I was so eager to get away from. After thirty-five shows, my Broadway run was finally over. The reason behind it was that in the contract, I was supposed to perform thirty shows before being replaced, but I got five more because Dance Moms was on a break, so I had more time before I had to come back. I was replaced by one of the many understudies, Lilla, and I knew she was going to do amazing.

It was bittersweet to have to say goodbye to everyone, especially Emily and Sadie, but we're still going to be in contact. We may not appear on Broadway together anymore, but there will be more things.

I felt as if I was entering the eye of the hurricane. I had left two competition seasons ago, and I don't even know what's going on anymore. Mom said that Annie left and a new girl called Asia joined the team. I knew about Asia; I had seen her perform before while she was on AUDC. I had also been invited to be a judge in AUDC. Weird experience, but it was entertaining. I appeared on the show in the final two episodes. In the first one, I was a judge. In the second one, I performed a solo, but maybe the first one is way more entertaining.

I stood backstage, watching a monitor as Abby talked with the remaining contestants.

"So when she introduces you, you will enter right after she finishes." Francesca, a worker from the crew, explained to me as I nodded along, my eyes not leaving the screen. "You walk up to her, hug her, and then sit down over there." She pointed it somewhere on the screen, but I didn't notice it.

"--judged on your interpretation of the character," Abby told the contestants. "Now, I think I need a little help about that, so I called up a friend." A grin came onto her face. "This friend of mine lives through the character. Each time they perform, they tell a story and leave you feeling something." She clapped her hands together. "So please welcome Miss Genevieve."

That's my cue.

I entered the room, being greeted by cheer and clapping as I walked over to Abby and hugged her. After that, I waved at the girls ― who waved back ― and sat down, all while keeping the same sweet smile on my face.

Tessandra Chavez came in, teaching the girls the choreography for the new challenge. All while that happened, Abby sat next to me.

"Are you nervous?" She asked me and I shook my head. "Remember, you have to judge them. You cannot care about hurting their feelings. If you do, then how are they going to get better?"

"I'm really excited," I admitted as I tightened my ponytail. "Who do you think is going to win?"

"Maybe that one in blue." Abby pointed at one of the girls.

She had her brown hair in a perfect bun. She also had a huge bow with blue and white stripes. She wore two-piece dancewear, which was also blue. She looked confident while dancing, but I wondered if that was what she needed to win.

"Now that you've learned the choreography, we're going to give you a character." Abby looked over to me and I look over to her, nodding while smiling in response.

As she continued explaining, I placed my arms on the table in front of me, putting my hands together as I looked around the group of dancers. The first character ― which Abby chose ― was the White Rabbit. I had no idea of who the White Rabbit was, but I wasn't going to ask, and I certainly wasn't going to pretend like I knew who it was.

I thought they looked adorable, but I also had to remember that I'm younger than all of them. Shouldn't they be the ones calling me adorable instead?

"Trinity. Your characterization was excellent." Abby spoke up after they finished dancing. "But you scooted back in pigeon-toed feet." She pointed over to the group of moms. "You're cut."

The next one was a dormouse, and McKaylee ended up being cut this time around.

I looked down at the script and then followed what it said. I tapped her on her right shoulder. When she noticed, I whispered into her ear the character and then sat back on my chair.

"Genevieve has a suggestion." All eyes fell on me.

"The next one should be--" I took a pause.

The script said "dramatic pause". I don't know what a dramatic pause is, but I know what a pause is.

"--The queen of hearts," I announced.

Smiles came onto both of the girls' faces and I smiled back at them. My eyes fell back to the script and widened as I read the next part. Taking a deep breath, I stood up as Abby continued talking.

"I'll have Genevieve help you this time around." She explained. "I want you to get an idea of how I want you to do it before the final round."

I stood in a space that Trinity had previously occupied.

Queen of Hearts. Queen of Hearts. Queen of Hearts. What does the Queen of Hearts do?

She's a queen, she's red, she's small-- that's the wrong one. Are we working with the animated one or the not-so-animated but still animated one?

Okay, I've got something. She's mean and wears a crown. Deal with that.

I don't know how true Abby's claim of me living through the characters is, but I'll use what I've always done; except that I can't start singing of all of a sudden. The music started, and I felt as I entirely changed. After performing the entire routine, the music finished while everyone clapped.

"This is why Genevieve can't compete in these things," Abby commented as I sat back in my seat. "She'd beat everyone and be first place in seconds."

The next round was portraying Alice. This time around, I had to judge Kalani and Gianna and choose the winner. No pressure, right? It was when they both perform almost flawlessly. When they both finished, they all turned to look at me. I took a deep breath, despite the burning sensation in my chest, and looked at Kalani.

"You did amazing." I started explaining. "You embodied her character and lived through her, but--" I turned over to Gianna. "Gianna actually made me feel as if I was watching the movie again." I looked at both of them. "Technically, Kalani was better, but besides the technical, the point of this challenge is to get into character, and in that part, Gianna was better."

"Kalani?" Abby took over. "You're gone! Off with your head, go!"

Gianna smiled in relief as Kalani walked over to the rest of their group.

Acting like Abby didn't feel as bad as I thought.

But maybe it could be.

Back to where I started: front of the studio. The camera crew was following me, and I knew I had to put on an act. Abby was supposed to greet me as if we hadn't seen each other at the competition show. Letting out a sigh, I pushed the door open and walked inside. The cold air from the air-conditioner immediately hit me as I grinned and stopped in front of the desk. At that moment, Abby walked out of the dancer's den and we locked eyes.

"My favorite broadway star!" She exclaimed as she hugged me, squeezing a little too much. She then pulled away. "You know, I've never had a redhead on the team before. You're my first one."

I chuckled in response as I placed my right arm on top of my black dance bag.

I didn't know what to expect from the girls. I hadn't been told much, but apparently, they'll be giving me the silent treatment for some reason whatsoever. I was told it was for some more drama in the episode. I wished it was already over, though, so that I could go in and hug all of them. Giselle had gotten way into the character. She wouldn't even look at me and had opted by coming in today with the Hylands instead of Mom and me.

Like I didn't want to think that much, I changed into my dancewear in the bathroom and left my dance bag at the front desk with Lilith. When I saw Abby enter studio "A", I knew I had to do the same too. After a minute of debating myself, I shook my head and entered studio "A", soon feeling the awkward tension in there. For this week, I wasn't going to be able to stand in my usual spot between Maddie and Chloe, so I decided to stand next to Kenzie.

"So," Abby started with a grin. "Did you miss me?" She did some jazz hands.

To my surprise, everyone smiled and said yes in response. Abby took a glance at me and smiled before turning back to the rest.

"So, while you guys were in the studio-- well, some of you-- were in the studio practicing, learning, training-" She continued. "I was doing Abby's Dance Competition. All of you had the opportunity to come and see me in L.A. Evie and Maddie came out. You both worked with the kids and performed new solos. Did you have a good time?"

"Yes." Maddie nodded.

"Yeah." I smiled at the teacher.

Christi: Over break, all the moms made a pact that none of us would send our girls to Abby's West Coast competition because of the way she treats the girls. And when the whole judging mishap took place, she handled that terribly.

"I'm anxious to get started. I want to see what all you've learned, and I've checked the roll books. I know who has been in class, and I know who wasn't been in class. Let's go through the pyramid." She turned over to the mirror. "We can all remember back then-- Brooke. Brooke, the faculty here didn't see too much of you while I was away."

Brooke spoke up. "I was recording a CD, so I was gone all week, too."

Abby then revealed the next headshot. "Paige. Do you feel that you've improved?"

"Yeah, I think my turns have been getting better because we've had normal classes," Paige answered. "So that I've been able to work on them more,"

Abby nodded. "And next we have Kendall. Kendall, do you think you have been improving?"

"Yes," Kendall answered. "I have a private with James every week, and he works on my turns, and he says that they're getting much better,"

"Okay, and Giselle." She revealed. "What do you think?"

"I've been getting much better in my technique and using my facial expressions while performing," Giselle answered in a monotone tone.

"Okay, and Nia." Abby moved on. "What about you?"

"I've been getting four extra classes every single week," Nia commented.

"I think that's great. Good for you, nice to hear that." Abby told the girl. "Moving up, we have Mackenzie. Mackenzie, you didn't win. You let Asia beat you. It's this. It's that confidence. You let your face go blank. Are you cute? Yes. But you're getting a little too old for cute."

Kenzie looked pretty upset about losing to Asia, but it wasn't like I could say anything. I wasn't even there to watch the performances.

"Chloe. You had a great performance. You went out onstage, you looked beautiful, your mom was beaming, they announced you as the winner. The scores were not right, you did not win; you were second." Abby explained. "Next we have Asia. Now, Asia's not here. Asia will be back in pyramid next week."

I was kind of looking forward to seeing Asia.

"Next up is Maddie. You gave a flawless performance, and when they announced Chloe as the winner, you didn't even flinch. You were thrilled for your classmate." Abby told her. "And on top of the pyramid--" She revealed the headshot. "Is Evie."

Everyone was not looking, but glaring at me. I swallowed some of my salivae as I looked back to Abby, hoping that she'd explain the reason quickly and move on.

"You haven't been here in the whole season, but where were you?" She started off. "Broadway, turning your dreams into reality. You did thirty-five shows in the past nine months. You missed a lot of things, but you'll catch on pretty quick."

Genevieve

Maddie    Asia    Chloe   Mackenzie

Nia   Giselle   Kendall   Paige   Brooke

Jill: Of course. Only Genevieve comes back after almost a whole year of not competing to be on top of the pyramid. She rolled her eyes.

"This week, you will be traveling to Syracuse, New York. The competition is In10sity Dance." Abby announced. "Now, this week's assignments--"

"Abby, if you claim that Genevieve was so good while she was gone, why don't you give her a solo in that style?" Christi spoke up, raising an eyebrow. "We want to see if what you claim is true."

"I would have done that if you let me--" Abby tried to say.

"Oh, and it should be a musical theatre piece." Jill piped up. "So that she feels she's at home."

Okay, were the moms supposed to act like that?

"Stop interrupting me, geez." Abby turned back to look at me. "Genevieve, you will be performing a musical theatre solo. Thanks to those two, I'll have to start it from scratch."

That's nice.

Abby turned over to the older Ziegler. "Maddie, you will be doing a tap solo." And then to the younger. "Mackenzie, you will also be doing a solo this week. You will not be performing with the group. You will be doing a straight acrobatic-gymnastic routine. This is your last shot before Asia gets back."

Wow, the thing between Kenzie and Asia is apparently pretty serious. Makes me wonder how it went with Annie.

"I have one more solo to give out. And due to what happened last time, that solo will go to Chloe." We all clapped. "Chloe, you better start concentration on your hip-hop, because it is hip-hop."

Uh . . . shocker . . . ?

"The group routine is called "Gone Too Soon"," Abby announced. "And of course, we're referring to all those Hollywood tragedies." She looked over to Nia. "Nia, you will portray Whitney Houston. Kendall, I want to see the sass and spunk of Selena. Brooke-- will be inspired by Amy Winehouse."

Kelly looked particularly excited for that one, and it looked like Brooke did too.

"Giselle, you will be portraying Brittany Murphy." Abby continued telling us. "Paige, Anna Nicole Smith. Your buddy, Chloe, will portray Marilyn Monroe.

"No!" Paige yelled. "That's not fair!"

"Maddie, you'll portray Janis Joplin." Maddie smiled as Abby continued. "And Evie, who else is left other than Princess Diana?"

A gasp escaped my lips as I smiled.

Princess Diana? I love her!

When we started the group dance rehearsal, it was like I didn't exist. I was just there, occupying some space. The only one who glanced in my direction every now and then was Maddie, but no one else did. However, Abby wouldn't stop praising me. Normally, I would hate when she did that, but now it's the only words that are directed towards me, so I'll take it.

Thankfully, I was the first one to learn their solo, so after the group routine rehearsal, everyone left the room but Abby and me. The first thing we did was make up random choreographies and from there we continued changing until creating one that she liked. From there, it was memorizing it and rehearsing it.

Abby: Evie's solo this week is musical theatre. She's back here at the studio after being on Broadway for almost a year. I wanna take advantage of her newfound abilities, and also try to shut Christi and Jill up.

I did the last set of turns, in which I had to stop sharply and perfectly right with the music.

Abby: The solo is entitled "So Much Better", and it's from Legally Blonde: The Musical. But there's one thing: she will be singing.

"All of this time I've planned, I'd be patient, and, you would love me again." I read from the paper.

Abby: She'll sing while dancing. That's what she did on Broadway, and what better way to show the moms what she's all about than doing what none of their kids can do?

"Is that my name up on that list? Does someone know that I exist?" I looked up from the paper while singing, looking at my reflection in the mirror, and doing some exaggerated facial expressions. "Is this a mistake? Am I even awake? Pinch me now to make sure--" And then Abby pinched my arm. "OW! Yes, that's my name in black and white. Maybe I'm doing something right--"

And then I made the mistake of looking up to the viewing room.

Kelly: Abby always has to give Genevieve an advantage on everything. Couldn't she do a simple solo? No, she has to sing in her solo, something she's been doing a million times this past year.

An hour later, I was over for the day. I skipped happily into the dancer's den, almost forgetting about the whole silent treatment stuff. I sat down on a bench, noticing that there weren't any cameras outside, so none of the girls would have to act. I looked over to Kendall and Giselle, who were watching something on Kendall's phone.

"My solo's so cool," I commented, taking a deep breath as I calmed down.

The two of them ignored me; focusing on the phone instead.

"You know, there are no cameras in here," I told them. "You don't have to pretend anymore."

Once again, I was ignored.

I cleared my throat. "Did I lose my voice or something?"

"You should." Kendall snapped as she looked up from the phone.

"Whoa, what's with the attitude?" I asked, not being able to hold in a chuckle.

"Yeah, Genevieve, what's with the attitude?" Giselle mimicked me. "What's with your attitude? You say something and then do something else."

"What are you talking about?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "What did I say and what did I do later?"

"Look, Turner. Quit the act." Kendall looked at me annoyed.

"No, because I don't understand." I stood up. "What did I do wrong and why are you acting like that?"

"If you're offended, go tell that to Miss Abby." Giselle snapped. "What we did to Asia we could do to you. Or maybe even worse."

"What happened with Asia?" I continued asking.

"Shut up!" Kendall yelled, her eyes widening. "Stop asking stupid questions and stop talking!"

"No one was excited about your return, and they're not only acting like this for the show," Giselle told me with anger. "They just don't want to talk to you. They don't even like you. Not even Maddie, not even Kenzie, and not even Nia."

With that, the two of them left the room, leaving me completely alone. I teared up as I sat back down, trying to process the conversation.

If they weren't acting, why was I told by the producers that they were?

And what did I do wrong?

~~~

I decided to focus on my dance. It was extremely difficult and I wanted to do well for my first time back. None of the girls talked to me, and the moms wouldn't stop talking about me. The only person I had by my side was Abby, and that had to be enough.

I was the first one to get off of the bus, and I barely stepped foot outside when people started cheering from all directions. When I looked at one of the signs, it said: "Genevieve = Traitor" and another one said, "Giselle deserves to be the popular Turner". I decided to ignore the signs. Instead, I grabbed my suitcase and rolling in into the building.

Inside, it was even worse. Maybe I shouldn't have walked inside alone. Maybe it wouldn't look all that