"So, how do you think pyramid's gonna go?" Sandy asked the kids as she was driving them to dance. Sandy wasn't nervous that her kids would be low on the pyramid, it was actually the opposite, she was worried that the moms would pick a fight about them because of that. She saw that Amelia was getting more comfortable with Brady and Sarah, and Sandy didn't want her relationships with the moms to get in the way of that.

Max and Amelia already knew the moms would pick a fight about pyramid, it happened every week without fault. But they didn't get a chance to answer as they were already pulling up into the ALDC parking lot, ready for another week of constant yelling.

Entering the dance studio they noticed that they were the last people there and everyone was already talking and stretching. Max went to walk over to Brady, who was talking to GiaNina and Lilli, but Amelia quickly grabbed his arm to stop him. The boy turned to his friend with a confused look on his face, to which Amelia immediately caught, "What? I don't wanna interrupt him! Plus, when was the last time we stretched together?" Amelia also didn't want to go sit with a girl that seemed to hate her, but Max didn't need to be told that.

Max instantly knew the real reason that Amelia was apprehensive about sitting with them, so he sat the two of them down in the corner that was away from Hannah, Pressley and Sarah. And they started their stretch routine that they started doing when they were eight years old. It felt just like it used to at their old dance studio, the two of them against the world.

The other kids were quick to notice that Max and Amelia didn't sit with any of them, which caused Gia to scoff. Brady' head turned to Gia as he asked, "What is your problem with them?" The girl was taken aback by this. Sure, it wasn't like Brady was yelling at her but she didn't appreciate his tone.

"My problem? They're the ones that just waltzed in here and got everything handed to them! And they didn't even care enough to put in the effort to get to know us!" Brady and Gia continued to whisper fight while Lilli, who was stuck in the middle of it, decided that she was sick of it and went over to join Max and Amelia. Who were both shocked at her presence.

It was five minutes of stretching before Abby came in. Which for Brady and Gia was five minutes of arguing with each other about the new team members. For Sarah, Pressley and Hannah, it was five minutes of finding the funniest TikTok's they could to try and make the others laugh. And for Lilli, Amelia and Max it meant five minutes of getting to know each other and Lilli informing them of the quiet fight that Brady and Gia were having.

When Abby did roll in, the kids immediately shut up, mostly in fear, and looked up to face her. The woman just rolled her eyes and powered forward into the studio, shouting behind her, "Get your moms, now! PYRAMID!" The kids quickly rushed to get their moms, so they wouldn't upset Abby even more.

|| At this point why even do pyramid? I mean, we all know how it's gonna go! It's just to feed Abby' ego at this point! || Joanne Paolantonio

When all the moms and their children got into the room, Abby was already there and she was pissed! You could see that from a mile away, her face was red and it was a surprise she wasn't shaking with rage! Nobody was willing to make eye contact with her, in case that would be the tipping point.

|| Abby is a scary woman, but right now it's like ten times worse! || - Brady Farrar

|| I've seen Miss Abby on the television, screaming at everybody but in real life when you're in the room, it's a completely different experience! || - Amelia Hatchet

"WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND? IT WAS EMBARRASSING! I CAN'T STAND TO THINK THAT PEOPLE WITH ATTRIBUTE THAT GROUP DANCE WITH THE ALDC! IT'S SHOCKING!" If the kids didn't know that Abby wasn't happy with how the competition went before, they sure as hell did now! Even Amelia, who wasn't even in the group dance, was trying to hide her body behind Max, totally terrified at Abby' behavior.

|| I get that Abby' mad! I do! But could she tone it down so she doesn't permanently scar these kids? || - Ashely Hosbach

|| Abby on a good day is loud but this kind of Abby is some kids biggest fear! || - Sarah Georgiana

|| Abby scares me when she yells like that, I don't know anyone who isn't scared of her! || - Hannah Colin

The girls who were in the group dance were statues. It was like they thought if they didn't move Abby wouldn't be able to see them! The moms were not enjoying this either, but they knew better than to interrupt Abby when she was in a mood like this! "I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DO PYRAMID BECAUSE ALMOST NONE OF YOU DESERVE IT!"

Abby took in a big deep breath and continued more calmly, "But alas, I am contractually obligated to," There was a tense laugh around the room, hoping that the yelling was finished, but with Abby you could never know. Sandy was looking towards Amelia and Max making sure they were both okay, knowing that neither of them were great with yelling, though one of them hid it better.

|| Even if you think you did well, you can never be sure with Abby, she's insane! || - Sandy Hatchet

"Bottom of the pyramid is, Lilli! I don't know what's happened to Lilli, last year you were getting a perfect score and had the top spot of the pyramid! What are you doing?" Lilli looked down as Abby continued berating her, "I don't know who the kid on stage was but it sure as hell wasn't the Lilli I used to be proud to show off with solos every other week!" Stacey looked quite offended at that comment, but once again chose not to say anything, knowing that it would only get worse if she did.

|| If Abby cared about Lilli, like she claims she does, she wouldn't yell at her like this! || -Stacey Ketchman

|| I don't get how Stacey is completely fine with Abby yelling at Lilli week after week, like how has she not snapped yet? If those were my kids I probably would've quit by now! || - Sandy Hatchet

||I get why I'm at the bottom of the pyramid, I really do! I screwed up the group routine! But it doesn't feel nice to have it pointed out! || - Lilli Ketchman

After seeing that Stacey wouldn't cause a commotion, Abby ripped the next headshot off, "Next we have Sarah!" The reveal wasn't shocking to anyone, she did place the lowest out of all the soloists, Abby never did like low placing dances. "Now Sarah, I thought you were okay, not great, not even special but okay. That's not good enough!" Michelle went to open her mouth to disagree with the older woman but was cut off, "Even if I think that you did better than fifth place, it doesn't matter does it? It's what the judges think,"

|| At least I'm on the pyramid this week! Little victories, right? || - Sarah Georgiana

|| I know Abby wanted Gia to score worse but she didn't so SUCK IT ABBY! || - Joanne Paolantonio

Everyone was holding their breath, knowing that Abby was in a foul mood made everyone not want to be on the bottom of the pyramid even more than usual. Joanne knew that Gia wasn't going to be at the top of the pyramid, if anything she was thankful that Lilli had screwed up so bad so Gia wouldn't be yelled at like that! So now it was just a waiting game to see when her daughter would appear.

"Right next to Sarah we have," The room was silent. The room was never silent during pyramid. "GiaNina! Now, Gia feel lucky that you're even on the pyramid! If you're going to freak out over a costume, then you just won't get solos! You need to learn that the world doesn't revolve around you!" You could see it on everyone's faces that they were shocked when Abby said that, she was usually mean but that was cruel!

|| God that's harsh! I think Joanne needs to hear that more than Gia! || - Sandy Hatchet

|| I couldn't care less about what Abby says about Gia, because Gia is famous and Abby is last week's news! || - Joanne Paolantonio

Joanne, as much as she didn't want to admit it, was affected by Abby' words. They hurt. To hear someone say that kind of stuff about your child, it felt like someone was stabbing your heart. But, Joanne knew that if she didn't respond she'd be seen as weak for not sticking up for her daughter, especially if she didn't respond in anger. The woman took a deep breath, "Abby, I don't know who you think you're talking to! Gia is special! She goes out there, with sh*t choreo, sh*t music and a sh*t costume and you know what she does? She kills it! Wanna know why? Because my kid is a star! And it doesn't matter what you say because everyone that needs to see that she's a star already does!"

|| Joanne really needs to get her attitude in check because I'm this close to throwing her out of my studio and never letting her back in! || - Abby Lee Miller

Abby just rolled her eyes, already done with Joanne, "If your kid's so special, walk out. I'd like to see her succeed without me!" Joanne' jaw dropped to the floor, totally flabbergasted that Abby would say that to her face. Before Joanne could even form a coherent thought Abby had already ripped off the next headshot. "Next we have Hannah! Now Hannah, you weren't the worst in the group, you certainly didn't lose any of your costume," Abby took the opportunity to take a dig at Lilli, again.

Ann seemed okay about how this pyramid was going, at least Hannah wasn't being yelled at again. When Abby saw no comment from Ann she moved up a row on the pyramid, "Moving up, Pressley! Pressley, I thought you were the best in the group, which isn't saying much! But you knew the choreo, you were clean and you were enthusiastic! If that was a solo, I think you would've placed with it." Pressley appeared shocked at the comment, Abby had never really said that to her.

|| I'm ecstatic with Press' placement on the pyramid! She works hard and she deserves to be up there! || - Ashley Hosbach

|| I don't think it's fair that Pressley gets praised for the group dance, when she was part of it! She was on that stage with the rest of us, yet she's the one getting praised? It's not fair! || - GiaNina Paolantonio

Most of the mothers rolled their eyes, they knew that this was a ploy to get them to yell at Abby, why else would she be praising Pressley? With their thoughts occupied, they had missed Abby pulling off the next headshot, Brady. "...and yes, you could've landed that standing back tuck better but this dance wasn't what you're used to, I think you kept up well with the others," Of course it was Brady, ever since the new kids had come the moms were wishing they could go back to last season, because at least then they were being treated like this.

Tricia, on the other hand, was quite pleased. She liked the new kids, they brought some life into the group and especially Brady, you could see him working hard to keep up with them. So of course she smiled when Abby pulled off the next headshot and it revealed Max. "Max, you were fantastic! You were fun and fresh, kind of like a breath of fresh air! You landed you're tricks and didn't hit anyone in the face!" There was a little laugh around the room but it died out quickly when everyone realized who was on top.

|| Yay, Amelia's on top! Again. || - Stacey Ketchman

"Amelia! You were a joy to watch in both of your dances! Jazz isn't your thing but you gave it a go and you killed it! Moms, see what happens when you trust my vision!" Abby dramatically looked towards the mothers with pointed eyes. "I know what I'm doing! And when you trust that, you get a star! Because that's what you are, Amelia! A star!"

Amelia felt her face heat up at the high praise, never had someone she wasn't related to told her that. It felt special. She felt special. She started smiling so wide it hurt her face, so did Sandy, that was her kid!

|| I know the moms hate the fact that Amelia's on top which just makes me love it more! || - Sandy Hatchet

|| Choreographing for Amelia makes me want to teach, she reminds me of Maddie in that sense. You can never get bored of coaching a kid like that. || - Abby Lee Miller

Max clapped his hands for his best friend, proud of what she had achieved and excited for the new week. Abby smiled at the boy and sped up just so she could give him good news, "Moving on, this week we are attending Hollywood Vibe," Abby paused and a sour look took over her face, "In Ohio!"

|| Is Abby crazy? We just got our asses handed to us on a silver platter and she wants to go back for round two? || - Michelle Georgiana

|| Are we seriously facing Cathy again? After what just happened? Really! || Lilli Ketchman

The room quickly turned tense, nobody was ready to face Cathy again after the loss. "We need to meet the witch on her own turf, scare her a little bit! Go full force Abby Lee! Okay!" Abby said, pumping up the group a little bit, "Which is why, this week the group dance has everyone!" The kids were more excited than ever! They had danced with everyone but never all together!

|| I'm really excited to dance with everyone! || || A little nervous though, I mean what if we don't all mesh together? || - Max Fevoro and Amelia Hatchet

"The group dance is entitled Blissfully Ignorant, it's about being shown the horrors of the real world and wanting to be able to unsee it. It's dark, contemporary and you need to be able to act, okay?" The kids nodded so Abby continued, "We also have two duets facing off head to head!" Everyone got quiet, wanting a duet.

Abby could sense the tension so she decided to toy with them some more, "One duet is acro and the other is hip hop," The way Max's eyes lit up was indescribable. It was pure, unequivocal, childlike joy! You could see the desire in his eyes! Especially since he didn't get the hip hop solo last week!

|| If I don't get this hip hop duet, I'm walking out! || || I'll be right beside you! || - Max Fevoro and Sandy Hatchet

Stacey on the other hand was not happy with this. Acro, really? Just tell Lilli she has a duet! Sure, Lilli was good at acro but they had been through this last season, Lilli didn't want to do acro anymore!

|| As soon as Abby said the word acro, I knew Abby was going to give it to Lilli! || - Stacey Ketchman

"The hip hop dance is called Rivalry, there's going to be a lot of tension in it, it's filled with raw passion so," Abby paused and turned her chair to face one specific person, "You up for it, Brady?"

|| WHAT! || - Tricia Farrar

|| Is she serious? Brady? || - Joanne Paolantonio

|| What kind of sick joke is this? Brady doing hip hop! || - Ann Colin

The room was shocked! Brady: ballet dancing, pointed toes, turner, Brady, doing hip hop? The boy's mouth was open in shock, this was not what he was expecting! He didn't do hip hop! He wasn't cool like that!

Max was also shocked and turned to face Brady and glared at him slightly until Amelia grabbed his shoulder reminding him that a duet had two people, so he still had hope.

"Of course, we couldn't do a hip hop dance without Max, could we?" Abby put Max out of his misery rather quickly, seeing his expression change immediately! His smile lit up the room and he held out his hand for a high face from Brady. The other boy was still too shell shocked to notice the gesture until Amelia lifted his hand up to do it for him.

|| I'm pumped to do a dance with Brady! He's cool and last week he seemed really into learning more hip hop! It'll be fun! || - Max Fevoro

|| This can not be happening! I can't do hip hop! Especially not when I'm compared to Max! I can't pop or lock or break! || - Brady Farrar

"The other duet is, obviously, an acro piece entitled Opposition, now in this dance it will be the two dancers showing off their best tricks to prove who is the champion for the ALDC, so Lilli and Amelia, are you ready for some competition?" The girls looked at each other wearily, each having seen the other dance. This was going to be challenging.

Just as Abby was about to go on and dismiss the moms the door to the studio opened to reveal a woman with long brown hair and sunglasses on. She did not look excited to be here and they all assumed she was a new producer or lawyer based on how she was dressed, so when she opened her mouth it shocked everyone.

"This is where pyramid is, right? I'm looking for my son,"

Hi! I kinda hate this chapter with a burning passion, that's why it took a while to get out, I'm sorry! Anyways what do you think? Were you surprised by the pyramid?  Also if you want to check out my page, I'm going to have a new book out that I'm genuinely so excited for! 

I just wanted to take a moment to ask you to be prepared for some long ass chapters because apparently that's what I've been feeling like writing recently, which is also part of the reason that I don't update as often as I like, which I hope is okay!

Question: Do you think that the moms will get along with our surprise guest?

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