Dance Vigilantes
Chapter 38: Might As Well Jump Pt. 1
May 28th, 2016. Saturday, 09:30 AM
Auditorium Theater, Roosevelt University, Chicago
Steph's POV
The competition is at 10:30 AM yet, we arrived at 9 AM. And we were the first of our group to arrive too! What's even stranger is how I'm the one who urged everyone to get up early!
For some reason...I felt really excited for this
"We are literally the first of our team to arrive here. Why the fuck do we have to be so early?" Mum said as she got off the car and got out some of my bags from the trunk. It was just me, mum, and the twins this time. Dad has work to be done in DJAK and the others have their personal businesses.
"Yeah. Why are you uncharacteristically happy about dance? It's not like you…" Anne Marie said suspiciously.
"Oh shut up all of you! This ain't a cakewalk. It's like a bloody martial arts competition but with lots and lots of bending" I said a matter of factly as I got one of my bags and started to go towards our venue, which is the Auditorium Theater. Its pretty big but then again, it is part of the Roosevelt University.
"I really feel those girls are starting to get to your head" Mum said as she adjusted the bag she's carrying on her shoulder and followed suit. The entrance has a lot of people, particularly little girls and young teens around. When some of them looked at me, they squealed and cheered.
"Its her! Ms. Starpower!"
"That's the beginner who beat Kaylee Quinn!"
"She's here too! Wave hi to me! Wave hi!"
"Where's the rest of the team?!"
"W-what's happening? Why are they so...happy and giddy to see us?" I said as we went inside. Usually, I don't mind being noticed by some people but not on this level. This was nerve wracking and a little pressuring. Something definitely out of my environment.
"I think it's only you Steph. Looks like you got some fans ever since your win!" Danny teased as he elbowed me in the arm
"What?! No fucking way?" I said back. No way am I celebrity material!
"Steph the celebrity dancer. Wonder how long until you turn out like Lindsay Lohan?" Mum laughed. I in turn, gave her a scowl as a response.
"You only want an excuse to take me out, don't you?" I asked mum
"Maaaaybe" Was her response. I will never get used on how a bitch Mindy can be
DM DM DM DM
Once inside, we were directed inside by the competition staff to a dressing room found along the corridors of the backstage. Several doors have signs up front that have either weird phrases or initials written on them. I realize they were names of dance studios when I saw the words "studio" and dance company" written all over them. We stopped on one door that had "SCDC" written on its sign.
"Oh for the love of fuck! Really?!" Mindy exclaimed. We look over her and see her face scrunched in disgust with the staff in sheer confusion as to what just happened to mum
"What's wrong mum?" I asked her.
"This day just got a lot more interesting in a fucked up way" Mindy said in disgust as she pointed on the door across ours. I got myself scowling and understanding why mum was so riled up. The door had its sign written as "Dancemania Studios"
"Bloody hell. They really put us across from them?" I groaned, pinching my nose.
"Let's just go inside…." Mum said. I nodded and we proceeded to enter our room.
"Look on the bright side, Danny's close to her bitch of a girlfriend" Anne Marie teased as Danny glared at him
"Shut up! She's not a bitch! And she's not my girlfriend!" Danny huffed.
"Keep telling that to yourself" I added, much to my amusement and Danny's annoyance
The room already has the vanity mirrors and makeup sets set up inside with all the sidelights lit up already. And there were also two people present inside already.
"Oh! You guys are early!" Kamryn greeted. She was with her mom, Jodi, who had a huge sack in her hands that probably has our costumes for the competition
"Hey Kamryn! Jodi! You guys are even more early. And what's up with the jogger look?" I say to them
Kamryn was wearing blacks leggings and a red sports bra. She also had her hair in a ponytail and is beading with sweat
"You look like you stumbled in on DJAK and fought one of my bitch instructors" Mum said,smirking towards Kamryn
"Mindy, language please! And I wish she really did take up classes in your dojang. For self defence of course" Jodi chuckled, much to mum's annoyance due to her being told off for her language
"As for the reason of my get up, well I was Jump!'s overall winner last year and that gives me the privilege to lead a dance convention hosted by the competition" Kamryn explained
"Wow! So you won this whole thing last year?!" Danny said, amazed and that got Kamryn smiling. I was wondering as well what Kamryn is bloody capable of in dance if she managed to swiftly go through this
"Dance convention? What's that?" Anne Marie curiously asks
"I heard about it from the girls. They say that it's a sort of dance class from the competition" I explained to them
"Oh boy. Next thing you'll know, she'll give tutu facts for us" Mum sighed
"Maybe I will, just to get revenge for some things" I said sweetly to rile up mum. The twins were enjoying it too
"Steph's right about that. It's a dance class held by great teachers and we get to assist with them. We also get to choose some dancers to come with us as well if they're lucky. I wished you would have been there Steph. You would have slayed that class and be picked to assist with us" Kamryn said to me
"If it involves waking even more earlier, count me out! Steph can handle herself anyway" Mum said smugly
"How…..interesting" Jodi doubtedly said
"I think I'll focus with competitions for now" I explained to Kamryn
"Well that's okay Steph. If you win Jump anyway, you'll still be assisting for next year" Kamryn smiled as she turned around to fix something in her bag. I did notice something just below her shoulder. A scar that ran a few inches long, sideways.
"Nasty scar you got there" I asked Kamryn. She turned around and looked to where I was looking at
"Oh? That old thing? Pretty nasty right? Got it from a scratch on a counter top when I slipped once" Kamryn explained. I squinted my eyes once she turned again on fixing her bag. I look over mum and she nodded. She was looking at the scar too. It was suspicious as the scar didn't look jagged like a scratch would make. It looked sleek and clean. Like a deliberate cut and slash.
Before I could ask further, the door burst open and in came the rest of the team.
"Okay, who the fuck's the asshole that decided to have us roomed across the Dancemania bitches?!" Kenzie yelled as she stomped her way inside with everyone following suit in a cautious manner
"Damn! What got into her?" I asked as Kenzie opened her bag to swig a drink and huffed
"Mackenzie Frances Ziegler! Watch that mouth of yours!" Melissa shouted
"She's…..PMS'ing right about now. You wouldn't believe the hell we go through when she has it" Brynn said as she laid her bag beside me and cringed towards her best friend
"I can relate to that. Mum has the same hissy fit when she PMS. She's like a hideous monster around the house" I laugh
"Keep that up and I'll have your mouth sewn shut permanently when the next month comes around" Mum said ominously. I gulp as I know what Hit Girl could do
"Tsk tsk. Steph. You never learn" Anne Marie laughed
"Remind me to do the same to you when you're asleep later" I said, grinning madly to my squirming little sister
"Remind me to stay away from you when you get your first period one day" Brynn said nervously. Kenzie is still having a fit on Dancemania being across from us and saying a lot of admittedly ingenious mix of curses.
"Normally I'd say to watch your language too but she's relatable at this point" Nia said, coming closer to us
"Why would you call out someone who's telling the truth anyway? Most of the mania dancers and manic bitches anyway" Kendall added taking a swig of water from her bottle
"It's still ringing my ears. I think they're gonna bleed…." Sarah said, cringing
"Oh, I'll make sure to get you used to it. You'll have no choice soon anyway" I laugh at her and she looked at me with slight horror
"Wow! You guys are really early and Kamryn! You're here too?!" JoJo said far too excitedly. I look over Brynn and mouthed "sugar" as her response. That made so much sense
DM DM DM DM
Once everyone got settled in and had Mackenzie calmed down and Melissa pampered, we got into our solo, duet, and trio costumes, did our hair, if it was needed for the dance, and got our makeup done. Unfortunately for me, it's mum who gets to do it again and this time, with no help but I have to hand it to her, she's getting better. Sort of.
"Mum, I hate makeup and all but at least try to do it right" I sighed as mum grunted and applied some itchy eye shadow in my face
"Hey, at least I'm fucking trying. Chloe and Abby didn't make this easy for me" Mum growled
"You got to do circular strokes over her eyes to really even the eye shadow. And to also not itch in the eyes" Kalani said right besides me. Mum did just that and it looked way better now
"There! I'm finally fucking getting the hang of this" Mum said triumphantly
"Steph looks really weird" Danny added
"Steph looks like she had nightmares and couldn't sleep all night!" A thick irish accent said behind me. A familiar irish accent
"Saoirse! You came! And you brought Lauren too!" I said, shocked to see them.
"I thought you didn't like girly stuff like this Saoirse?" Mum said, confused
"I don't. Still do but you only get a chance to see your best friend dance like a pansy up stage" Saoirse said, sniggering. I scowl at her as a response
"I tagged along to see all the fuss was about with dance. Plus, Kendall really wanted me to see it too" Lauren added.
"Hey! That's not true! Steph is a very beautiful dancer!" Sarah said from my left, glaring at a confused SD
"Uhhh pretty sure it was just for a lighthearted joke Sarah" I sigh, shaking my head
"Oh uh...okay then?" Sarah said, confused. Her innocence really makes me laugh sometimes.
"Don't worry Sarah. I'm not belittling the little shit. You know how we are" Saoirse laughs
"Well if you say so. You Urban Predators are so weird. Honestly" Sarah sighs and we shushed her for mentioning
"Restrictley on the predatoraley" Lauren whispered in pig latin
"Sorry!" Sarah quickly said
"We really need to work on your mouth" Mum sighed
"Funny. We should say the same thing to you" Anne Marie quipped. That was quite hilarious and the glare from mum was so worth it.
DM DM DM DM
"There sure are a lot of dancers here huh?" I say, looking over backstage and the audience. There was a lot of people present. With the theater packed with people and the backstage filled with a lit of dancers. All looking very experienced.
"No kidding. Some of them came from other states too. Though, I don't spot familiar faces at this time" JoJo said besides me
"Hmmm I'm sure that the minis would come. I wonder if they really came?" Brynn said on my other side
"Minis?" I asked, curious. Brynn chuckled and explained what she meant
"The minis are these kids we had back in the show. Around the ages of your brother and sister. There was Arianna Lopez, Alexus Oladi, Peyton Evans, Elianna Walmsley and -" Brynn said and got cut off by JoJo
"Lilliana Ketchman. A.K.A., mini Brynn!"
"Yeah, a lot of people say we look alike and we really do. We treated them as our little sisters and they're fun to be around. Here, a picture of us with the minis" Brynn said. She handed her phone and gave it to me.
It had a picture of the girls in display but had 5 more kids included. One looked like she was of latin descent and wore too much make up, one was of a tall blonde that had small eyes, one had auburn, long hair and a wide, welcoming smile that goes well with her green eyes. One also had auburn hair but this time, her hair was short and was more tanned. The last one, who was seated on Brynn's lap, was a small, blonde girl that if you look closely, had a very uncanny resemblance to Brynn. From her hair, to her green eyes.
"That one's like a bloody carbon copy of you!" I said, pointing at the last girl. Brynn chuckled and sighed
"That's Lilliana. A lot of people say we really do look like sisters but we aren't really related" Brynn said
"You'll never know. The world is quite small after all" I said back and Brynn nodded her head in agreement
"Wish they were here though. I'd love to see those kids again"
"Hey, maybe at the next competition we will. Right now, I'm sure they'll want to see us do our best" Kenzie said, appearing behind me
"She's right. Have no bloody clue who they are but I think they'd be with you in spirit if they aren't around" I added. Brynn nodded and smiled
"Thanks guys. You're right. Let's win this for them" Brynn said with a determined face and we got ready for our duet later on
Mackenzie's POV
Now that everyone got settled, it was time for the competition to begin. The moms and the rest of our friends are already seated with the audience. Up front and personal too. Wish I could say that they were lucky to have those seats but then again, Dance mania was just a row behind them. I sneak a peak and wouldn't you know it, Jeannie was already there, besides a troubled looking Helena and she was already getting it on with my mom and Jill.
Honestly, can we get even the slightest of peace in a competition for once?
"Okay girls. Trios first and you three are the only one from the team to do a trio. Nervous?" Gianna said, eye level to us. It was me, JoJo, and Sarah for our three stooges trio. Given how wacky me and JoJo can be, we'd ace this for the win! Sarah,s pretty tame for the number but she manages to pull of some whacky techniques
"Nervous? Nope! Not like I'm sweating all over or anything" JoJo said excitedly
"But you are sweating. A lot. Your forehead is like a waterfall" I said back to her and that got JoJo looking in a mirror and panicking, looking at her face. Her cluelessness can really be a treat at times
"Well I'll admit, I'm nervous but is comedic musical theater. We can make it work!" Sarah said optimistically.
"Just breath it all in and just have a mindset of a great comedian. Or a whacky person" Gianna pepped
"So basically be JoJo?" I added and everyone got a laugh at it. Even the bow haired whack. Gianna then went out and checked out Nia and Kalani for their duet later on.
"Good luck out there guys! Go make everyone die of laughter" Brynn said, coming towards us. She had Steph with her.
"But don't do it literally okay? We don't want a bloody headline about death by laughter" Steph added. Both blondes were in their duet costumes already. The costume looked like someone mugged them and took half of their costumes each. One side of their costume was fully covered by long sleeves from shoulder to toe while the other half was bare of anything minus a bra pad and half a panty attached to the other part of the costumes to cover their assets. It's supposed to represent of a rebirth from one life to another: Samsara. Their hair was tied in a ponytail that had ribbons tangling in a criss cross pattern tied to the ponytail
"Looking good you guys! Guys got mugged and took half of each or something?" I joked towards them, much to their scowls
"Blame Nia and Guy. They thought of this bloody frankenstein of a costume!" Steph breathed.
"You guys still look nice nonetheless but….I'm still cringing on all the bruises and scars you have" Sarah solemnly said and everyone turned serious at that. I scan Brynn and Steph and see a lot of scars and bruises. Brynn's were a few but looked very fresh. Steph however, had old looking ones but they were so many! Everywhere in her exposed torso has a scar. How does a little girl get so much scars at her age?!
And now! Our next entry for the trio teen category is Three Stooges from Second City Dance Company!"
"Showtime girls! Let's be like me!" JoJo said to pump us up
"Good luck you three!" Brynn cheered on. I nod and give her a thumbs up and we proceed to enter the stage and take our positions. I push out the nervousness and synch myself with JoJo and Sarah, as they do the same to me. We channel our inner wackiness, to fuse our dance character with our own
Then the music started and we were doing what is considered a musical madness. Musical theater is a style unlike contemporary and lyrical. It's a mix of jazz and drama acting and it's very lively. We do our moves and do some bits of exaggeration to really give it that comedic feel. We heard laughter and cheering and that made music to our ears. Once we were done, everyone had wide smiles and huge cheerings for us. We took a bow and exited the stage and all three of us hugged and congratulated each other.
"Looks like it was a hit!" I breathed and JoJo and Sarah nodded, catching their breath
DM DM DM DM
"Oh bloody fuck, that was hilarious!" Steph laughed as she clapped at us. It looked like she was hurting her stomach now.
"Wow, is that really that good or bad? I think being like JoJo is a little of an over stretch" I I said, confused if Steph can still breath
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" JoJo exclaimed beside me
"Can she even breathe anymore?" Sarah added, gesturing to Steph
"Oh believe me, it was so good! That was the best comedy jazz trio I've ever seen! Love how you ended it with you being grabbed in the ass!" Brynn laughed
"Wow! Out of all the dance, the ass part is what got you?" I deadpanned to my best friend and that got Brynn laughing and Steph laughing even more. Even JoJo and Sarah laughed on too.
"Looks like someone's developing huge booty huh Ziegler?" Kelly said, appearing behind me and putting an arm around me
"Well what can I say? But then again, you're ass is still fine" I said to Kelly, wriggling my brows at her
"Wanna smash it?" Kelly joked
"Oh now you ruined the fun you disgusting fuckers! Get a room!" Steph shouted, glaring at us
"Disgusting indeed" Sarah added
"No wonder Johnny dated you Kenz. You're a girl who can do both" Brynn laughed and it was my turn to glare at her"
"Watch your tongue Rumfallo, unless you want less of it" I warned which she just shrugged. This vigilante stuff is getting into her head for sure
"That was great guys! I love seeing that trio!" Came a shy and squeaky voice. We turn around and see Talia in a full flesh bodysuit with feathers and sequins. She had her hair in a ponytail adorned by feathers with eyeshadow that had a purple and green hue on them. She looked like a peacock!
"Hey Talia! You look gorgeous!" I say to her, who shied a little.
"Wow, loving the exotic look" Sarah said
"You look like a glorified chicken!. No offense..." Steph added. Which got a jab from Sarah.
"I think she's supposed to be a peacock" I mutter
"Nah! Steph's right. I look more like a weird chicken than a peacock. It was some weird idea by Jeannie. I'm in a duet later with Rihanna." Talia said, smiling.
"She's right! So that makes two of us looking like glorified cocks!" We turn to see Rihanna, smiling wide in a similar costume
"First of all, you do know what cock means right?" I questioned. Talia and Rihanna seemed confused as they look at each other
"Yeah! Cock is a male chicken. Another name for a rooster" Rihanna said with the expression that looked like we should know about it. I did know that part. Only, my mind is a bit messed up and thought up a whole different kind of cock in my head
"Uhh...cock means pe-" Steph but I found myself quickly covering her mouth along with Brynn. Steph then protested under our mouths and if words could hurt, my hand would be bleeding with all the profanity Steph's spewing
"Yes! Yes, cock does mean a male chicken!" I said quickly
"That's right, definitely a male chicken. Right Steph?" Brynn added, looking over Steph who scowled each and every one of us but then looked at Rihanna and Talia and nodded. Kelly and Sarah were sniggering, while JoJo looked like she could burst any minute. We then let go of Steph and she breathed in and out
"Here I thought I'd need to bite your hands off" Steph growled.
"Anyway, you still all look beautiful. Mind telling us what your dance is about?" I asked them genuinely
"It's a brazilian dance that talks about two mythical birds and the mythology around them. We get to dance like the brazillian girls we see on TV when they parade Brazil" Talia said happily
"You mean like the carnaval dancers? That's weird to be honest but good luck! I know you'll nail it!" I said over to them
"Thanks and to you guys too!. Can't wait to see your duets and solos. We saw the program for the competition" Talia said with a smile
"And love the 3 stooges performance. Really made me laugh hard" Rihanna added as they went their way
"Wait a bloody sec. Where's your sisters? They got tired of doting us yet?" Steph asked the two. That's right! Rihanna and Coco aren't with them. Or at least with Rihanna.
"Oh, they're getting ready for their duet with each other. Really strange too. This is the first time we get to be pitted against each other. Usually, mom doesn't want us sisters competing one another" Rihanna said as she shrugged and continued to leave on with Talia in tow. Pretty weird how they get to compete on one another. I wonder….
...nah, Jeannie ain't that mean to her own daughter and she probably won't stoop to that level.
Steph's POV
Now that the trio category's over, it's time for the duets. First would be the junior category, followed by the teen category. Me and Brynn were the last to perform, which was both good and bad. Good, because we would have more time to perform. Bad, because that just makes us even more nervous than before. Kenzie, JoJo, and Sarah went back to the dressing room to prepare for the group dance while me and Brynn were still hanging backstage. I have to remind myself on where to start on training those girls after this competition. I'm thinking very hard labor and why not put Brynn in toll as an instructor as well?
"Hey, nervous there Steph?" Talia said, squeezing my hand
"A little bit, yeah. How about you peacock?" I asked her. She just laughed and then began to speak
"The peacock thing ain't gonna go away that easily huh?" Talia chuckled
"With Steph? Please! She'll enjoy it for a long time" Brynn butted in with a goofy smile and that got me laughing too. Then Rihanna came towards us with a nervous expression in her face but relaxed as she saw Talia with me and Brynn
"There you are! Don't go disappearing like that in our dressing room. Mom might flip and go off at you again" Rihanna scolded gently
"I'm sorry. I just want to wish Brynn and Steph good luck. I was gonna go back quickly. Honest!" Talia said in a nervous way.
"Hey Rihanna. Don't go all Kaylee with Talia here now. She already has enough with your mom and sister" I sternly said to the middle Quinn. That got Rihanna flinching and waving her hands in rejection
"Oh no no no! I didn't mean to scold her! I just wanted Talia to be safe and not wander off and be solded by mom" Rihanna explained
"I'm sure your intentions are pure Rihanna. Steph here's just very overprotective of her friends. Ain't that right?" Brynn said as she looked over at me with a goofy smile and patted my shoulder. I scowl at her then sigh and look at the two feather clad girls. It was true. I was very protective of my friends. Especially the timid ones like Talia. Fuckers who mess with them will have their faces stamped by my fists
"Sorry to blow you over 'Hanna. I just don't want to have Talia be fucked up again that's all" I explained
"It's okay Steph. I won't ever do that to little Talia here" Rihanna explained
"Yeah! Rihanna's my guardian angel at Dancemania! She always has my back" Talia added. I smile at them and Brynn does the same
"Better fucking be Rihanna. I'd to see you in the receiving end of my fists if you hurt her" I said to a gulping Rihanna
"Come on Steph. Not the time to scare the competition" Brynn teased and that got us laughing
"The other reason I wanted to find you Talia is because -" Rihanna continued but the announcer blared and stated something
Due to her duet partner being absent onstage for over 5 minutes, Millennium Dance Complex is disqualified for the duet category!
That got us looking at each other with nervous faces. The other dancer for Millennium ran backstage, crying while the other dancers comforted her at her loss.
"That's my other reason. Her partner was missing just now, even though they came here together and everyone was saying that she ran away due to pressure, I knew better" Rihanna seriously stated
"You think something bad happened to her partner?" Brynn asked, worried
"I agree with Rihanna over this. Something ain't right" I added
"Best we stick together for now and not hang out alone" I further added. Everyone nodded in agreement
Up next, is Carnaval, by Dancemania Studios!
That's our queue. Wish us luck!" Talia cheerily said
"Have fun and do your best!" Brynn said
"Show 'em who's the fucking boss!" I added, garnering me some shocked expressions from the other dancers. Talia and Rihanna happily entered the stage with applause and got into their starting pose. But my Predator mind kicked in, thinking of the missing girl. I recognized the crying dancer as she was with another girl with the same costumes minutes before our Trio performed.
When this happens, I know something wrong is up and I'm usually fucking right. I look over to Brynn who was watching the duet of our friends but her face shows she's thinking the same as me.
Mindy's POV
The fact that one competition has been crossed out due to a missing dance partner was kind of sad, especially considering that the one dancer who exited the stage, crying, probably just wanted to dance her heart out. On one hand though, one less waiting time until our girls can perform on stage.
"Sucks for that dance studio. Especially that girl" I said, gesturing to the stage. We were upfront of the stage. A little too close in fact. Saoirse, Lauren, Anne-Marie, Sadie, Noah,and Danny were seated in my left in that order and on my right, had Ashlee sit besides me followed by Gia, Melissa, Jill, Holly, Jess, Kira, Katherine, and Christy.
"Tough luck for that studio" I quipped
"Well, this rarely happens really but rules are rules and a big 5 is very strict" Ashlee said. I was informed that despite this competition having one weird ass name -seriously? Jump? - it is one of the five most prestigious competitions in the country. A win for us here would be big.
"Just wish that you don't get even tough luck this time" Jeannie said blared loudly behind us. I scowl at her smug, makeup caked excuse for a face. Also, who's fucking idea was it to make us seat together with them?!
"Don't you have a daughter to look after?" I growled at her
"Don't you have a competition to lose?" Jeannie said back
"Don't you have a nicer comeback?!" Saoirse shouted. That got some of the people around look over the teen Predator, who just grinned towards Jeannie. Some hollered and cheered like me, the kids and the moms, aside from Christy and Holly, who covered their mouths and shake their heads respectively
"Excuse me you little -" Jeannie started but got interrupted by Lauren
"How does it feel being roasted by a child?" Lauren quipped and that got people cheering even more with the now two embarrassed but laughing teens. I clap for them, clearly liking the show. Jeannie looked appalled as shit and just shut up. I noticed Helena, Talia's mom, hiding the laughter she was having from Jeannie
"You tell 'em!" Sadie cheered
"Louder for the people in the back!" Anne Marie added
"All fun aside, I think everyone should pipe down. Security's looking intently at us" Ashlee announced and sure enough, two guards were eyeing on us. Of course, I knew already they were there through counter surveillance so I signaled the girls to quit it and we all relaxed. Looming on to the next performance.
Up next, is Carnaval, by Dancemania Studios!
We clapped on as our enemy studio entered on stage. I was genuine in me cheering for those who entered, because it was Talia and Rihanna. They put on their pose and then the upbeat song started
DM DM DM DM
The dance was a bit…..interesting.
Okay, the dance of the two girls were weird as fuck! First and foremost, they were dressed like glorified turkeys! Scratch that, they were fucking glorified turkeys in different colored feathers! And their movement consisted of belly shaking, weird bending and twitching and bouncing. It was a simple dance but I felt something weird watching it
"The dance is wrong…" I heard Ashlee mutter
"What was that?" I whispered a little louder at Ashlee over the blaring drum ridden music for the dance
"The dance. It's wrong for their category. I've been to many competitions with the Quinns always being present and all three dance very advanced and professional styled dances. I may have not seen Talia before but I know it's the same for her. This choreography...looks like it's for a mini category" Ashlee explained.
"I'm sorry….mini category?" I said, confused. Sometimes the moms here forget that I am not the biggest fan of dance and that I'm only here because of my daughter.
"In common speak, its kid category. You noticed it too huh Ashlee?" Gia butted in from across Ashlee. Wow, that woman can hear! I nodded and continue to watch on as the kids continue to shake their literal assess on stage. I imagined Stephanie and Anne-Marie doing the same shake of their ass but shook it out of me because of how fucking ridiculous it was and how the two of them would kill me if they ever know what's on my head. Who am I kidding? As if they'd take me on
I may not know much about dance and have certain disdain for some of its aspect but even my eyes could see that the dance moves they do is like that of a toddler! Even the twins could do that while slicing heads off of their stumps!. I look over at Jeannie and she just smiled slyly. I squint my eyes and knew that something is wrong.
She may be a bitch but one thing we have in common is striving perfection and what I'm seeing is far from it
Steph's POV
Something wasn't right about Talia and Rihanna's dance. The choreography was too simple. Too basic. Too….childish! This was far from what I'm seen back at the last competition. These were fucking amazing dancers and they were reduced to this!
"The fuck is going on with their choreography?" I said to no one in particular as I watch on
"Leaps...bends...booty shakes. It's like Mackenzie on one summer day back in Season 2" JoJo quipped besides her
"Hey! Even I don't get choreography like this!" Kenzie rebutted
"These girls are very talented. I wouldn't expect them to dance a choreo for kids" Brynn muttered
I may have hated some aspects of dance but in the quick run, I learned fast to spot an advanced choreo from simple ones like how we spot complicated moves every time we spar back in the safehouse and DJAK. I've been watching dance videos during some of my free time - sue me - and I see lots of videos of our friends, including Rihanna and Talia. They were phenomenal in those videos but in here, they're making a fool out of their selves
"Why would they fucking agree to a choreo like this? They look stupid as shit" I say out loud
"That's the point you reject!" Someone said loudly from behind us. We turn around I scowl immediately at the form of Kaylee, smirking evilly at me. The youngest Quinn, Coco, was besides her. A scowl on her face. Both wore orange dresses with a tutu on their hips and their hair on a bun.
"Point? What are you fucking planning?" I demanded as I got closer to Kaylee, who was back up by not much. She's a bit scared based on her face but the smug look was still there!
"Are you really that dense? You already said what's happening. Their choreo was intended to make them look like idiots!" Kaylee chuckled. As if on cue, Coco's scowl was replaced by a poker face. But what got my attention and my blood fucking boiling was the last part of what Kaylee said. I knew exactly why already
"This was given to them on purpose?! Because Talia lost last time?! How about your fucking sister?!" I growled at her
"Whoah! Easy there Steph! Breath…." JoJo said, resting a hand on my shoulder
"Well the little bitch, Talia had to be punished for her mistake! As for Rihanna, well she's been a tad too friendly with you people. Shame she gets to be stupid on stage but she has to learn to not hang out with the enemy. I wonder how you even poisoned her mind to hangout with you?" Kaylee smugly answered. That got me even bloody mad! I closed the gap between us and grabbed her by the shirt. Maybe it was the anger, but I managed to lift up the bitch by a little bit. Now her smug look registered fear. I felt three sets of hands pulling me away and I saw Coco pull down her sister in my peripheral vision
"Steph, that's enough! Put Kaylee down!" Brynn said from my right
"You're pretty barbaric, you know that?!" Kaylee said shakingly
"Stop this now! Both of you are making a scene! People are starting to look!" I heard Sarah shout
"At least I know I can be barbaric! How about you? You can be pretty bratty. Maybe I should ruin that bratty face of yours…." I seethed over her. I already was thinking of a hundred and one ways to ruin a face that belonged to a bitch
"Do I have to pour juice on the both of you to calm down?!" JoJo shouted as I felt her running forward in front of me
"Let go of my sister!" I heard Coco shout as I felt Kaylee be pulled away from me. But I also felt myself being pulled back. Then a pair of hands grabbed my hands and broke them apart from Kaylee. Both of us tumbled back and got me seated on the floor and Kaylee stumble back but she got caught by JoJo. So she pulled Kaylee with Coco
I start to stand and charge at Kaylee but I felt myself being restrained. I loom over to my side and see Brynn, Kenzie, and Sarah stopping me while JoJo stopped Kaylee. Coco was beyond clueless as she was so confused on what chaos was happening between me and her sister
"Let me go and strangle that bitch!" I growled. I try to get out of their hold but they managed to subdue me. Me! A predator!
"Let go of me you bow loving reject!" Kaylee shouted over an obviously flustered JoJo
"Come on, control yourself for once Steph! We still have a dance to do and we don't want the extra attention!" Brynn pleaded. Kenzie then went in front of me and looked at me straight in the eye, which I only gestured with a glare
"Now's not the time to have your emotion go wild! You have a dance to do and you have to be in order for this. Get Kaylee next time outside dance but not now! And no, don't go all Psyche here with us to prove a point!" Kenzie hissed seriously towards me
"You dare say that to me?!" I hissed back
"May I remind you that your mother is here, along with Saoirse and Lauren. I may not have been with you for long but I know Mindy has a code when it comes to erratic behaviour. I'm sure you'll get burned pretty bad by Hit Girl!" Brynn whispered
"The twins might even put you out too! Also, the whole competition is livestreamed on the internet!" Sarah added. I struggled a little bit more before a relaxed and stopped. Despite that I wanted to punch Kaylee in her fucking face, they were right. I didn't want to disappoint the team and I especially don't want to know what Mindy might do to me if went out of line now. And being seen around the world go all Psyche would really be a bad idea.
Kaylee was still seething with her hair and makeup a little disheveled and made her look like a rodeo clown, which was funny to say the least.
"Another time then…" I breathed as I stepped away
"Look what you did! Now I have to fix this up again!" Kaylee shouted, gesturing at herself. I'm thankful that not too much people were present in the part of the backstage we were in. If there were, they either got talked out by Kenzie or looked away and didn't give a single care
"I'll make a fool out of you Lizewski! Mark my words!" Kaylee shouted as she stormed off with Coco in tow. I breathed steadily as I calm myself down but my mind was still reeling on what Kaylee revealed
"That was pretty intense!" JoJo laughed nervously
"Glad you still have your senses with you. I started to think you'd go all Psyche there.." Kenzie said
"I was very close to that. Believe me…" I growled
"I understand you and we are as angry as you are Steph but calm down. Just ignore her for now and let's support Talia and Rihanna as much as we can" Brynn cooed
"If you really want to get that frustration out, dance it all away at your solo!" Sarah suggested
"You know, I think I will…."
Then we heard a round of applause and we see Talia and Rihanna bow and glide backstage
DM DM DM DM
Both Talia and Rihanna were panting but they were all smiles when they returned. The girls hugged them and I did so too - somehow I caught their hugging bug - and congratulated them
"That was one beautiful dance the lot of you!" I said genuinely
"Yeah, you all nailed it hundred percent!" Kenzie added with everyone nodding in agreement
"Thank you all of you! I was pretty nervous with performing the dance but we did it!" Talia said excitedly
"Easy choreo but it was all good!" Rihanna quipped with a smile. But the smile faded and got replaced with confusion, as did Talia
"Hey, something wrong?" I asked them
"Why….are they looking at us funny?" Rihanna answered
"And laughing?" Talia added nervously. Me and the girls looked at each other and then looked around to see several people laughing at the duo. Some were even emulating the ass shaking they did!
"I knew it….I knew that choreo was too easy for a reason…" Rihanna muttered.
"Wait, you knew?" I whispered to Rihanna. She then looked confused at first but sighed and understood what I meant
"Kaylee told you didn't she? I knew this was punishment to humiliate us but I didn't admit it to Talia. The girl was just too excited and happy to perform. She's been hard at work with it for weeks! I didn't want to break her heart…." Rihanna whispered back forlornly. I can't believe it. She knew but didn't have the heart to say it to Talia because of all the work she put it in. How is this girl, so pure, be related to the bitch of the mother and sister that she had?! I look over the girls and based on the shock and scowls on their faces, they heard what Rihanna said too
"Is our dance that bad?" Talia said nervously
"No honey, it ain't. It was fabulous!" Sarah soothed
"Yup! Bowtastic dance, I'll say!" JoJo added but looking at their faces, they heard what me and Rihanna whispered about
"Their right Talia, you and Rihanna did great. You danced with your heart so that's a true sign of a winner" Brynn said
"Damn straight! Just focus on you Talia. Some fuckers just want to be bloody nosy in everyone's lives!" I say a little louder and some laughed even more. I grab a nearby mop from the side, took off the fabric end to make it a makeshift Bo staff and proceeded to beat the shit out of one guy who was laughing way too much towards the girls but not to a point that he was incapacitated. He pleaded to stop and I did, but not after I did a little more kicks for good measure. The laughing stopped and I then turn to look at everyone who laughed at my friends and glared each and everyone of them.
"None of what you laughed at is even remotely fucking funny! Make fun of them again and I will personally take your good feet and shove it all the way down your bloody arses!" I growled at everyone. Everyone got nervous and looked away and looked for other ways to get themselves busy, with some minding to the guy I beat up.
"You're one fucking psycho you know that?!" The beat up fucker spat at me. I just scowled at him. That got him backing up even more as I intimidated him
"I get that a lot but it's worth it if it means making shit people like you shut your bloody mouth and mind their fucking business!" I spat back and went back to my friends
"What did we say about going all Psyche?!" Brynn growled silently at me
"It had to be done. Also, I outrank you, remember?" I say nonchalantly. Brynn looked taken aback and just sighed and closed her eyes
"Um...what does going Psyche mean?" Talia asked. Oh shit!
"Um...nothing! Just do what you do okay? You and 'hanna danced beautifully. Don't mind your bloody haters. I'll be there to beat the shit out of them if they do it again" I said genuinely. Talia then smiled and hugged me for the second time
"Way to tone down the language!" Sarah quipped. I just scowled at her and she just shrugged
"You really are the nicest person I've ever met. Aside from Rihanna of course" Talia said and I just returned the hug as a response. I look at Rihanna, who was smiling but had a troubling look in her eyes. I went over to her and whispered in her ear
"You did what was right. You didn't break her heart" I say to her and Rihanna nodded in earnest
And now, from Dancemania one again, the piece, Shades of Autumn!
It had to be Kaylee and Coco's solo. They were the only ones left in the junior category. Sure enough, out came back Kaylee and Coco, with the bitch having her look more proper now. She turned to glare at me and then to her two teammates
"I hope you did well Rihanna. As for you, I better hope that this duet was an improvement" Kaylee said nonchalantly with her glare not going anywhere. It made Talia cower behind us and Rihanna stare down at the floor. The two remaining Quinns then rushed on or rather, glide effortlessly on stage but not before we stared down at each other.
"What a total bitch…." JoJo muttered besides me
"Yeah. She's a bitch that's about to be destroyed later on" I said and that was a promise I was willing to keep
Saoirse's POV
The last dance was rather….interesting to say the least but I clapped as they were one of our fri3nds after all. The next dance was from the same studio, who I gather was SCDC's rival. I also knew that the mum's of these dancers were what the show premise of the show actually depicts them: Total chaos! Non stop, the mums were bickering and swearing their arses off of everything against the mums behind our seats, especially with the woman with the blonde, wavy hair that had too much makeup on her face. What surprised me is how Mindy was joining in too!
The woman - Jeannie if I recall - would slander on about the girls, especially Stephanie. She'd go all about Steph winning last time was only a fluke and for reasonable reasons, Mindy would bite back and in Hit Girl fashion no less! To think that she said that she didn't like dance that much.
"If you're really wondering, you should see how Steph and Kaylee go. They'd tear each other to shreds!" Anne-Marie quipped
"Really now? I have yet to see that and I hope I'd love it" I chuckled. A lot of things get my best mate riled up but recently she's been going on about, and I quote, "The bitch of Chicago that is Kaylee Quinn", which I slight if disagree as a certain purple clad vigilante deserves it more. I just hope that Stephanie doesn't go all Psyche and tear her to shreds, literally!
"See that dancer? The tall one? That's Kaylee. The other one's Coco" Danny pointed out to the tall and short one respectively. Kaylee looks like a charming and kind of nice girl in terms of looks but then again, looks can be deceiving. I should know, because we predators fall to that kind of situation.
"Just start the fucking dance already!" Anne Marie shouted. Needless to say, all the moms were appalled on the little tike's behavior.
"How dare you swear to my daughters!" Jeannie shouted
"Oh don't you start with my youngest daughter this time! As for you, dollar later in the jar!" Mindy growled which left little Anne Marie a bit shocked
"What the fuck-" Anne Marie continued but Mindy interjected
"Two dollars!" Mindy continued. Anne Marie them shut up and pouted unto the stage. The music then started and off the two dancers go. They were great and very graceful if I am being honest and quite beautiful to watch. But not to a point to get my attention. I want to watch the little predator dance more. I notice that Danny was quite mesmerized with the performance and as I trace his line of sight, he kept looking at the younger kid. Anne Marie was doing the same but with a scowl on her face
I stand up and went out for awhile
"Where are you going?" Mindy said over the music.
Just a quick wee. My bladder's kind if acting up" I reply to her.
"I'm coming with!" Lauren said as she also stood up
"Well come back soon. You don't want to miss Steph's performance. Also, no lesbian shit while in the bathroom" Mindy chuckled
"I dunno, kind of need the consent of the little one here" I say, smiling slyly at a shocked Lauren
"Oh no way! Not into that kind of thing!" Laurem laughed nervously
"Just go you disgusting fuckers!" Anne Marie seethed
"Three dollars Anne Marie!" that got Anne Marie to shut up again and all the people nearby shush Mindy. This was in no way, boring whatsoever.
DM DM DM DM
After a little wee, we proceed to go back to the auditorium but Lauren stopped me by the hand
"Something wrong Lauren?" I asked the poker faced girl
"You didn't really came out here for just a piss didn't you?" Lauren said with a smile. I chuckled, impressed at how far Nightmare had learned on showing through expressions and body movement
"I guess you got me after all. Yeah, I want to sneak backstage. Call me crazy but I can feel something about Steph. I feel she just went a little apeshit" I explained
"Kind of like a spidey sense?" Lauren asked with a laugh
"More like a predator sense"
It was obvious Lauren wanted in on my little reconnaissance and so we took the path down towards backstage. One we found the door, we surveyed the perimeter of anyone seeing us. Once everything is clear, we went inside the conveniently unlocked backstage door and went inside. Note of this university: Lock the doors when a lot of people are backstage. Especially when there are kids.
"Where's everybody? I thought all dancers were in here?" Lauren asked, confused as the part of the stage we were in was deserted with the noise coming from the music up front
"Either they may be in their dressing room or watching from the wings of the stage" I answered and Lauren nodded in understanding. We walked further down the corridor until we heard a scream. We stopped and looked over at each other
"Sounds like trouble!" I say and we ran to the source of the scream. Our training then kicked in and we followed another scream which was also mixed in with a large thumping sound. We turn round a corner and see several boxes and objects on the firm they must have been the cause of the thumping sounds.
"Help! Someone help!"
"It came from over there!" Lauren shouted and we ran and turned another corner and down another corridor. We heard the scream of a girl be muffled and a few voices that were struggling. We ran until we came to a foyer of sorts with a fire exit ahead of us. We stopped and I scowled at the sight I was seeing.
Four men were in front of us. One was holding a girl that looked like 11-12 years old, a hand of the man was in her mouth. Another one was carrying her pegs and making them close to prevent the girl from escaping. It was obvious what we were seeing.
A kidnapping was in place