Your mom gets in a argument with one of the moms ⸻

[Scene: ALDC Dressing Room, minutes before a competition, you are Meg Hyland and your mom is Kelly Hyland.]

(Melissa is fixing Maddie’s hair while Kelly Hyland , Christi, stands with her arms crossed. Meg stretches in the corner, trying to avoid the tension.)

Kelly Hyland: (huffing) Oh, so Maddie just happens to get the solo over Meg? Interesting.

Melissa: (raising an eyebrow) Are we really doing this, Kelly?

Kelly Hyland: I just think it’s funny how Meg starts proving herself, and suddenly Maddie gets a solo. Almost like Abby’s protecting her favorite.

Meg: (muttering) Mom, can we not do this now?

Melissa: (laughs) Oh, right, because Maddie never has to earn anything? Maddie’s been here five minutes, and you think she should just take every opportunity?

Kelly Hyland: I think Meg deserves the same chances instead of being pushed aside!

Abby Lee Miller: (walking in) Oh, give me a break. Are we seriously doing this now? Your daughters are about to go onstage, and this is what you’re focusing on?

Melissa: Abby, don’t you think it’s funny how Maddie got a solo right when Kelly started pushing for Meg?

Kelly Hyland: Excuse me? I haven’t been pushing for anything—I just think you play favorites!

Abby: (rolling eyes) Oh, here we go. First of all, I don’t “play favorites,” I cast winners. Second, Meg is new. She has to prove she can handle the pressure before I start handing out solos like participation trophies!

Meg: (groaning) Can I just dance without all of this?

Abby: Thank you! At least one of you gets it.

Kelly Hyland: (glaring) Fine. Meg will prove herself onstage, and when she does, I hope you’re ready for a reality check.

Abby: Great! Then stop bickering and let these girls win!

(Kelly Hyland storms off. Christi smirks. Brooklyn and Chloe and Meg and Maddie exchange tired looks—sometimes, the real competition is in the dressing room.)