Showtime! by Sheryl Berk Page B

bus and she could focus on the competition. Gracie was too busy shaking hands with a giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup character to bug her. Once they checked into the Hotel Hershey, there was barely any time to unpack before Toni scheduled a rehearsal.
    â€œBut I wanna go on the chocolate factory tour!” Gracie moped. “Why do we always have to rehearse? It’s so boring!”
    â€œGracie, you wanted to be part of the team,” her mom explained. “That means being a team player. You do what everyone else does.”
    â€œBesides,” Scarlett pointed out, “the competition is over tonight. We can go on the factory tour tomorrow morning.”
    â€œPromise?” Gracie pouted. “I want to buy one of those jumbo chocolate Kisses. I’m gonna eat the whole thing.”
    â€œI’m sure you will!” Her mom laughed. “Maybe you can save me
one
bite?”
    Gracie smiled. “Well, maybe one. And one for you, too, Scoot.”
    â€œThanks,” Scarlett said. But chocolate was the last thing on her mind. All she could think of was winning.
    â€œLet’s go practice, Gracie,” she said, taking her sister by the hand. “Don’t forget your Dance Divas jacket!”
    â€œOh yeah!” Gracie said, pulling on the black satin jacket and admiring the gold logo on the back in a mirror. “I look cooooool!”
    â€œThe coolest!” Scarlett said. “Now hurry . . . please!”

    When they arrived for rehearsal, Bria, Liberty, and Rochelle were already there, with their ears pressed against the meeting-room wall.
    â€œWhat are you guys doing?” Scarlett asked.
    â€œWhat does it look like we’re doing?” said Liberty, hushing her. “We’re eavesdropping on the competition. Those City Feet freaks are rehearsing, too.”
    â€œTheir music is really slow and soft. Sounds like lyrical to me,” Rochelle said.
    â€œLet me hear!” Gracie said, pushing in between them. “What are they saying?”
    â€œSomething about ‘bag’ and ‘over’?” Bria said, straining to make out the words.
    Miss Toni walked into the room. “Vaganova. It’s a Russian ballet technique. What are you girls up to?”
    â€œCity Feet is next door, and we’re spying on them!” Gracie volunteered.
    â€œNo, you are not.” Toni sniffed. “Because that is bad sportsmanship.”
    â€œBut if we knew that they were planning, we could make our routine better than theirs,”Rochelle said. “Why shouldn’t we do everything we can to win?”
    â€œBecause we’re Divas. And we’re going to win this competition on our own merits. Not by knowing someone else’s routine. So step away from the wall and hit the floor. Now.”
    Scarlett knew Miss Toni was right. But she still wished she knew what the City Feet team was planning for their group number. Was it contemporary? Jazz? Lyrical? What did their costumes look like?
    â€œI have an idea how we can find out what they’re planning,” Liberty whispered to Scarlett. “Are you with me?”
    She nodded.
    â€œThen bring Grace Face and meet me outside in five.”
    Liberty raised her hand to get Miss Toni’s attention. “I forgot my jazz shoes upstairs. Sorry! Be right back!” she said, dashing out the door.
    Miss Toni rolled her eyes. “All right, unless there are any other interruptions, I want to take it from the top—”
    â€œGracie needs to go to the bathroom. I’ll take her,” said Scarlett.
    â€œNo, I don’t—” Gracie started to say, but Scarlett covered her mouth with her hand. “Now, Gracie, what did Mom say about holding it in for too long? We don’t want a puddle on the floor, do we?” She dragged her little sister into the hall, winking.
    â€œI don’t have to go!” Gracie screamed once they were outside.
    â€œI know! But