I spun slowly. Stretching my feet. The music was blasting from the speakers, numbing my ears.
I was nervous. God I was so nervous! I turned to my two partners Lucas and Chloe.
"You guys wanna run through the dance quickly?" I asked them.
Chloe came over fixing my bun. "We already did 4 times Maddie. Calm down. We got this." She tightened my bun making it neater. She smiled at me.
I sighed. "We can practice again"
Lucas started stretching his back again. Chloe was fixing her makeup.
I sighed realizing I wasn't going to get anywhere with these two. I patted down my puffy side of my short. I fiddle with the hanging chain near my hip nervously.
The music stops. The competition begins.
"Hello! And welcome all to comp #3 where talented little dancers are will be dancing trios! First up, please give it up for Sophia, Carlee and Jamie!" I watch Sophia go on stage.
She starts dancing shifting her perfect self doing perfect almost impossible moves with ease. Carlee and Jamie come on from opposite sides doing turn splits from opposite directions.
We watch they dance. It seemed pretty good.
"Next up... We have Chloe, Emily and Kaylee!"
There song is a slow, sad, contemporary piece. Chloe rocks that dance but Emily and Kaylee don't look comfortable with the slow routine. Well I don't think Emily every looks comfortable. Kaylee usually blows my mind... But today I don't know, she looked awkward. She is better at fast jazz moves.
"Thank you! Next up, welcome Chloe East, Maddie and Lucas to the stage!" I breathe in deeply and follow my partners out onto stage.
The music starts and I begin the fast crazy upbeat jazz routine I could dance backwards or in my sleep. We finish with a bang. I think we hit every move right on. I smile at the whooping crowd breathing heavily.
Off stage our group hugs satisfied with our awesome performance.
Then we turn back to watch Janice Gavin and Rhianna's dance. It was good, but I think the other dances were better...
We stand nervously. As the announcers come out. I can see the awards! I clutch my hands together nervously.
"4th place loses 3 points! 3rd loses one. 2nd earns 3. And 1st place earns 5. Understand? Alright let's begin!"
I grab Chloes hand biting my lip hard.
"4th place will go out to, Janice and Gavin!" I watched the two walk out. Janice is crying and Gavin looks heart broken. I feel bad knowing they will be gone tomorrow.
"3rd place..." Lucas grabs my other hand. "Goes to, Chloe L, Emily and Kaylee!" The three walk out soberly.
"Now drum roll. 2nd... Will go to..." I clench my eyes together Please please-
"Sophia and Carlee!" Ohmygod we...
"And 1st goes to the breath taking dancers of the night Chloe East, Maddie Ziegler and Lucas Triana!" We run out. 1st!
I'm so happy! I see my mom and sister cheering. And Kendall! And there's Miss Abby waving a tissue... God I hope that isn't used.
I hug my partners.
We run off stage. "We did it! I can't. Believe this!"
"Come on Maddie let's go see the board" chloe said running toward the board. I chase after her Lucas on my heels.
Kaylee: 10
Carlee: -6
Gavin: -6
Chloe L: 8
Lucas: 1
Janice: -12
Chloe E: 14
Sophia: 20
Maddie: 16
Emily: 2
"LUCAS! You made it!" I throw my arms around him. The other dancers are coming over to see the scores.
I turned. "Carlee, Janice, Gavin..." I shook my head unable to put my thoughts into words.
"We'll miss you so much. Thank you for everything we've been through together. We'll have to keep contact with each other. Were family now" Sophia said, being able to communicate what I couldn't.
We had a group hug. We exchanged numbers with the three and had there last meal in the caf.
I liked Carlee she was a sweet heart and I'm gonna miss her. Janice was a pain at the beginning but she ended up okay. Gavin is amazing and I always looked up to him. These goodbyes are hard.
What am I going to do next week when I have to say goodbye to Lucas, and Chloe East and Sophia and Chloe and peter? I'm not going to be able to bear it!
No don't think about that yet. One thing at a time.
I'll face that later.