Showstopper by Sheryl Berk Page B

bathroom?”
    â€œProbably to shower off the dove poop,” Liberty said, smirking.
    â€œNo. She’s gone home to L.A. for good,” Rochelle replied. “She was planning on telling you guys after the competition, but her brother was in a bad car accident today. Sheand her mom flew home to be with him at the hospital.”
    â€œThat’s awful! But I don’t get it,” Bria replied. “You said for good. You mean Anya isn’t coming back to Divas?
Ever?
”
    Rochelle shook her head. “Her parents decided they wanted the family to be together in L.A. That’s the secret she was keeping till after this weekend. This was going to be her last competition.”
    Scarlett shook her head. “I can’t imagine Divas without her. What will we do?” She looked at Liberty who—for the very first time—was speechless.
    â€œWhat?” Liberty asked her teammate. “What do you want me to say? I’m not happy about it either. Anya was the best ballet dancer we’ve ever had.”
    â€œShe was the best friend we’ve ever had,” Bria said. “I can’t believe this is happening!”
    Just then, Toni barged in. “I take it that Rochelle has shared the news with you aboutAnya’s quick departure,” she said. “So we have our work cut out for us.”
    Liberty suddenly stood up, furious. “That’s it? We have our work cut out for us? One of our Divas is gone and that’s all you can say?”
    Toni’s cheeks flushed. “I know you’re upset that we have to redo the group dance, but I will not tolerate that tone of voice from you, Liberty.”
    â€œBut Anya’s never coming back!” Gracie piped up. “I miss her already!”
    Toni looked shocked. “You’re telling me that Anya is leaving Divas?”
    â€œShe told Rock,” Scarlett explained. “She was going to tell us all after Smooth Moves. It’s not her fault. Her parents won’t let her live in New Jersey anymore.”
    â€œI see,” Toni said simply. “Well, we’ll deal with that once the competition is over. Anya wanted it that way, and we owe it to her to win.” She turned to Liberty. “Don’t you agree?”
    Liberty stared down at her feet. “Fine.”
    â€œOkay, then,” Toni said, clapping her hands together. “Time to reshuffle this ‘House of Cards’ dance.”

Making Magic

    The next morning, bright and early, the Divas, their moms, and Miss Toni all reported to the Las Vegas Convention Center. “Game faces on,” Toni insisted as they walked backstage to their dressing room. “I know we’re all sad about Anya, but that is not going to get in the way of our dancing today. Do I make myself clear?” The girls all nodded sadly.
    Toni checked the program. “Preteen solos at 10:00 a.m. Scarlett. Get changed and run your routine.”
    â€œHave you heard from Anya at all?” Scarlett whispered to Rochelle.
    Rochelle looked worried. “I tried texting and calling but she doesn’t answer. I hope everything’s okay.”
    Scarlett climbed into her costume: a white chiffon dress spotted with black dots. “You look like
101 Dalmatians
,” Gracie told her sister. “Are you supposed to be a puppy, Scoot?”
    â€œI’m supposed to be rolling the dice,” she said, demonstrating a graceful turn.
    â€œMake sure you extend those arms,” Toni instructed her. “And keep the movements flowing. No breaks between.”
    Finally, the announcer summoned her to the stage: “Performing a modern routine, here is Scarlett dancing ‘Superstition.’”
    As she took her place on the stage, lying on her back and staring up at the ceiling, waiting for her music to begin, Scarlett couldn’t help thinking about Anya. She saw her sitting in a cold hospital waiting room, ringing her hands and worrying