Let's Rock! by Sheryl Berk Page B

love them!”
    Scarlett looked out at the audience, which was applauding wildly. “Yeah, the audience loves them, too. And you know Miss Toni always says that the judges like to see boy dance teams.”
    â€œI saw them and I don’t like ’em,” Rochelle said. “We’re gonna look ridiculous following them with another Charlie Chaplin routine!”
    Unfortunately, the Divas had no choice. The stagehands were already setting up their props, and the announcer called them to the wings.
    â€œDancing a contemporary routine called ‘ListenUp,’ please put your hands together for the Dance Divas!”
    It was so silent as Bria waddled out onstage that a pin drop could have been heard. She began to worry that having no music might have been a huge mistake. The audience looked confused.
    â€œGo! Go!” J. J. whispered, pushing the rest of them out onstage. As Scarlett did her
grand jeté
, a strobe light pulsed above the stage. The effect made it look as if they were all in an old film from the 1920s. The sound of wind whistling came over the speakers, then cans being kicked and crows cawing. It was eerie and sad at the same time. Bria crouched down as the girls closed in around her. They tugged at her clothes and taunted her. Then, there was a single clap of thunder. Bria stretched her hands over her head and stood up. The Divas shed their black-and-white dresses to reveal rainbow-beaded leotards beneath them. The entire stage lit up in a kaleidoscope of colored lights. Anya and Liberty lifted Bria up and hoisted her onto Scarlett’s and Rochelle’s shoulders.Gracie pulled a red rose from behind her back and handed it to her. Their fingers touched as Bria took the rose and sniffed it. The words DIGNITY, COMPASSION, and LOVE flashed behind them with images of the Divas working at the soup kitchen. Then the entire stage went pitch-black except for a single spotlight shining on the rose in Bria’s outstretched hand.
    When the lights came on for their bows, the audience was already on its feet cheering. Miss Toni looked pleased.
    J. J. greeted them backstage. “You girls kicked it!” he said. “That was cray-zee to the tenth degree!”
    Bria peeled the mustache off her lip. “It was pretty good, huh?” she said breathlessly.
    â€œIt was so good that there’s no sign of those Feet anywhere,” Rochelle said, looking around for their rivals.
    â€œWe must have scared off those Lord of the Ring-Dings!” Liberty added.
    But if there was one thing the Divas hadlearned in the past, it was to never underestimate their rivals. The announcer had already called for the solo and duet competitors to line up backstage. Yet there was no sign of City Feet and their coach.
    â€œI have a bad feeling about this,” Bria whispered to Scarlett. “A really, really bad feeling.”

Toni ducked backstage to congratulate the girls on their performance. “I saw a few glitches, but overall, great job,” she said. “I think it had a very strong message about helping the homeless, and the judges seemed very moved.”
    J. J. agreed. “If that doesn’t win first place, I’ll eat Bria’s hat,” he said, taking her black bowler and placing it on his head.
    â€œThen I hope you’re hungry,” said a voice behind him. It was Justine.
    â€œYour little statement about the plight of the homeless was very touching,” she addressed Toni. “It broke my heart.”
    â€œI didn’t know you had one,” Toni fired back. “Nice to know.”
    Justine didn’t seem at all fazed. “Cute, Toni. Very cute. But you should really put your money where your mouth is.”
    â€œMeaning?” Toni asked.
    â€œMeaning I just had a lovely chat with the judges. City Feet had a group meeting and unanimously voted to donate any and all of its winnings today to the St. Ignatius Homeless