Let's Rock! by Sheryl Berk

from the popping camera flashes. “Where did these people come from?”
    â€œIt’s called buzz, Toni.” Jane took her aside. “It’s how legends are born in Hollywood.”
    Toni looked like she was going to lose it. “Thisis ridiculous. I don’t need all this attention going to their heads.” She pointed to Liberty and Gracie, who were blowing kisses to the crowd. “I need them to focus.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, Toni caught a glimpse of her archnemesis, Justine Chase. She and the rest of the City Feet had come outside to see what all the commotion was about.
    â€œOh, this is gonna be good!” Rochelle said, tugging Scarlett’s arm. “Can’t you see the steam coming out of Mean Justine’s ears? She is really mad!”
    â€œNice entrance,” Justine remarked. “Very subtle, Toni.”
    â€œIt wasn’t my idea.” Toni nodded at Jane.
    â€œWas it your idea to pay the actors to cheer for your team?” Justine continued. “So what’s the going rate for fake fans?”
    Mandy laughed. “That’s so funny! The Divas have fake fans!”
    Liberty stepped forward. “We couldn’t even pay people to be your fans,” she said. “There’s not enough money in the world for it.”
    â€œOh, nice one,” Rochelle said, applauding Liberty. The girl really had a gift for zingers!
    â€œWe’ll have tons of fans when we beat you,” Phoebe told them. She struck a pose for the paparazzi. “Over here, guys. You should be taking pics of the real stars of Electric Dance!”
    The photographers suddenly rushed at City Feet. Addison, Regan, Mandy, and Phoebe smiled and waved.
    â€œHey! Those are not your puppyrazzi!” Gracie protested.
    â€œIt’s paparazzi,” Scarlett corrected her. “And they can have them.”
    â€œEnough!” Miss Toni snapped. “Let’s go inside and get to work.”

Toni had booked a small extra room for the girls to run their routines, but Jane had other plans.
    â€œI got you the Crystal Ballroom.” She smiled. “It’s much bigger and has such a wonderful ambiance.”
    Toni sighed. “The room I booked would have done just fine, Jane,” she said. Then added through gritted teeth, “But thanks.”
    Rochelle was the first one up for practice. She still had no idea what she was wearing for her solo. Toni loved to keep her guessing.
    â€œSo, am I dancing in this?” she asked,pointing to her red crop top and shorts. “Or you got something else for me?”
    J. J. carried in a black wardrobe bag and unzipped it. “I thought this would do the trick.” He pulled out a black leather jacket, black leggings, and a colorful graphic T-shirt—just like the outfit he’d worn the first day she met him. “Ya like?”
    â€œIt’s so cool,” she said, trying the jacket on for size. “It rocks.”
    â€œThen it’s perfect,” Toni said. “Now let’s hope your dance is perfect as well.”
    Rochelle ran through the moves over and over, with J. J. shouting out the counts. When she was done, she collapsed on the floor waiting for Toni’s feedback. Instead, there was silence.
    â€œWell?” J. J. finally said. “Say something.”
    â€œGood,” Toni replied. “It’s good.”
    Rochelle sat up. “Good? Just good? It’s awesome! It’s crazy amazing! It’s gonna knock those judges out of their seats!”
    J. J. nodded. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
    But Toni refused to elaborate further. “Let’s just hope it’s good enough to beat City Feet.”

    The Divas had never seen a dance competition quite like Electric Dance. The teams pulled out all the stops: there were lights, there were tricks, and there were over-the-top costumes.
    â€œWhat is that supposed to be?” Bria asked as a