Chapter 9 - The Waiting Room
The awards ceremony wasn't until 8:00 PM.
We had four hours to kill.
We left the chaotic convention center and went to a small diner down the street.
Lily ordered a massive cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake.
She looked lighter.
The heavy burden of trying to please her aunt was completely gone.
“How do you feel?” Mark asked, stealing a french fry from her plate.
“Happy,” Lily said simply. “Even if I don’t place, I’m happy.”
“You’re going to place,” I said with absolute certainty.
We headed back to the auditorium at 7:30 PM.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.
All the dancers were seated on the stage, grouped by their studios.
It looked like a massive patchwork quilt of neon colors.
And sitting alone, right on the edge of the stage, was Lily.
She looked small compared to the massive studio teams, but she sat with her back straight and her head held high.
Vanessa was pacing in the aisles, chewing nervously on her thumbnail.
She needed Madison to win.
Hartline Dance Studio’s entire marketing campaign for the next year was built on securing a National Junior Title.
The announcer walked onto the stage holding a gold envelope.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to announce the awards for the Junior Solo Contemporary division.”
The crowd went wild.
“We will announce the top ten. The top three will receive platinum trophies and cash scholarships.”
He started reading the names.
“Tenth place, entry 45...”
“Ninth place, entry 82...”
With every name called, the tension ratcheted up another notch.
Madison was squeezing her eyes shut.
Lily was breathing deeply, her hands resting calmly in her lap.
“Fourth place... entry 109, Sarah Jenkins!”
The crowd cheered.
Only the top three left.
My heart was pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird.
Mark reached over and grabbed my hand, his grip white-knuckled.
“Third place, taking home a platinum trophy... entry 74, Mia Brooks from Star Dance Academy!”
A girl in a yellow costume jumped up, crying, and ran to get her trophy.
It was down to two.
It was down to Madison and Lily.
Vanessa had stopped pacing. She was frozen in the aisle, staring at the announcer.
“And now, your runner-up,” the announcer’s voice boomed.
The entire auditorium held its breath.
“Taking second place in the Nation...”
Silence.
“Entry 114, Madison Clark, representing Hartline Dance Studio!”
The words echoed through the room.
Second place.
Vanessa’s jaw dropped.
Madison forced a smile, stood up, and walked to the front to accept her trophy, but she looked devastated.
Vanessa wasn’t clapping.
She was staring at the announcer in sheer horror.
If Madison was second... that meant...
“Which means,” the announcer yelled, his voice rising with excitement. “Your National Champion for the Junior Contemporary Solo Division...”
The spotlight swung across the stage.
“Scoring a nearly perfect 99.5 out of 100...”
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The spotlight landed directly on my daughter.
“Entry 127, Independent dancer, Lily Hart!”
