Are we here to stay?*Rewriting*

9-Was it Mia or Nia?

Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Mia walked into Studio A before Nia did.

"Hi!" Abby greeted her, smiling.

"Hi, Abby." Mia grinned back. "How are you?"

"A little stressed after the last rehearsal, but I'll get over that," Abby replied. "You?"

"Ready to dance," Mia answered with a huge beam.

"Good answer," Abby responded cheekily as Nia entered. Instead of greeting her, Abby immediately began the session. "Mia. You'll be doing a routine called InShock. You're a rock star, and you're going to prove it. This dance is all about playing to the crowd. Nia, you have a song called Dance All Night. Unlike Mia, you haven't placed at all for the past few months. There's a very high probability that Mia is going to beat you out for the spot in my company, so if you want it you'll have to work."

Nia nodded. "Just tell me what to do."

"This is going to be complicated because it's basically just a hip-hop routine. To be honest, about half the girls in America could probably manage this," Abby told Nia. "You're going to have to make it very special. You're going to have to show those judges that the only person who could possibly do this dance is Nia Frazier. Nobody else. Can you do it?"

"Yes," Nia answered firmly. "I can."

"Okay."

"I could have danced all night and still begged for more. I could have drunk six shots and gone to war. I'll do a thousand things I've never done before."

"Glide to the left, spin, and drop. Now lift your arms and throw your head back. Then jump to your feet and—no, Nia, you need to act determined. It looks like you've stolen Mackenzie's cute. This isn't a happy, funny dance. This is you."

The rest of Nia's dance was uneventful. It didn't appear to be a winner, but nothing Nia did ever was. It wasn't the dancer's fault. Abby had never given Nia a routine that could make her a star. Instead, she'd forced Nia to blend in, to lose. And Nia was sure that Abby would go out of her way to help Mia win.

Nia bit her lip and glanced at the clock, then at her mother in the viewing room. "I'm so proud!" Holly mouthed at her daughter, blowing a kiss. Nia returned a smile and sat down on the spot Mia had just vacated.

"Mia," Abby began, "you come from a studio that raises stars, and I respect that. The ALDC isn't the only decent institute in the world. But here, you will learn to shine. But first, you need to get in. I have nothing but utter confidence in you. Don't prove me wrong." She hit play, and music filled the wood-paneled room.

"There's something in the air tonight; everything just feels so right."

Mia danced sideways, smiling toothily.

"No matter where you are, you will find the light."

Nia looked away. She could already see that Mia was an enthralling dancer. Her eyes were wide and beautiful, her hair flipped and swung perfectly, and she was absolutely captivating. It was impossible not to watch and love her. Nia was no match.

"Okay, girls, I expect you both to practice for an hour or so. You can both head to Studio C; I don't think there's anyone in there right now."

"Yes, Miss Abby," they responded in unison.

☆☆☆☆

"This does look really great, Kenzie," Maddie complimented her sister as Mackenzie practiced her solo. "I can't believe how good you are. This is going to be a win. I can feel it." Maddie grinned as she made her promise.