what does "held tight"mean?
“I didn’t let him hurt me. Not this time.” Abra clamped a hand on her mouth as the tears came. “Not this time.”
Maureen sat beside her, drew Abra into her arms and rocked.
“Sorry. Sorry.”
“Shh. You’re okay.”
“I am okay.” But Abra held tight. “I should be dancing. I didn’t fall apart—until now. I did everything right. He didn’t hurt me. I didn’t let him hurt me. It just . . . it brings it back.”1.does "hold tight"= hold other people tight? or "still nervous",or "keep whole body tight?"
2. does "I should be dancing. I didn’t fall apart—until now.'has any speical connotation here?

Question

what does "held tight"mean?
“I didn’t let him hurt me. Not this time.” Abra clamped a hand on her mouth as the tears came. “Not this time.” 
Maureen sat beside her, drew Abra into her arms and rocked. 
“Sorry. Sorry.” 
“Shh. You’re okay.” 
“I am okay.” But Abra held tight. “I should be dancing. I didn’t fall apart—until now. I did everything right. He didn’t hurt me. I didn’t let him hurt me. It just . . . it brings it back.”1.does "hold tight"= hold other people tight? or "still nervous",or "keep whole body tight?"
2. does "I should be dancing. I didn’t fall apart—until now.'has any speical connotation here?

Answer

As an idiom or expression "hold tight" often means "wait."

Example: "Hold tight for a minute, I'll be right back and then we can go."

In this excerpt though, it seems like "hold tight" is more literal. Abra holds her hand over her mouth tightly (firmly, unyielding, hard).