Showtime! by Sheryl Berk Read Free Book Online Page A

the Feet on Fire dance competition in Hershey Park. I was able to get us in last minute, which means we’re going head-to-head with your favorites again.”
    â€œOh no!” Bria cried. “So soon?”
    Miss Toni ignored the protests. “That gives us just five days to learn a new group routine, perfect it, and make the costumes. Warm up and be ready to go in five.”
    Scarlett wasn’t sure what to think of the news. Part of her was terrified to lose again, but part ofher really wanted the opportunity for Dance Divas to prove they were the best.
    â€œI can’t believe I have to see that pip-squeak Mandy standing on her head again!” Liberty said.
    â€œOh yeah.” Rochelle remembered. “Mandy! We can’t compete with those crazy acro moves. Who are we kidding?”
    â€œWait a sec,” Scarlett said, racing out the studio door. Gracie was standing on a bench with her nose pressed against the studio window.
    â€œGracie, come here!” she called.
    â€œMe? You want me to go in
there
?” her little sister asked. It was the first time Scarlett had ever invited her into a rehearsal space. Most of the time she had to sit outside, waiting for Scarlett’s dance class to end so they could go home. “Won’t Miss Toni be mad?”
    â€œI think she’s going to be really, really happy. Hurry up!”
    She ushered Gracie inside the studio and instructed her to take off her shoes. Then shedragged over a padded mat and set it in front of the room.
    â€œScarlett,” Miss Toni snapped. “You know I have rules about siblings staying outside . . .”
    â€œWait! Please! Just let her show you something!” Scarlett pleaded.
    Miss Toni put down her clipboard. “Fine. You have one minute.”
    Scarlett turned to Gracie, who was staring wide-eyed at the dance coach. “I told you she’d be mad at me!” she said, and gulped. “Can I go now?”
    â€œNo!” Scarlett said. “We need your help! Please! Just show everyone your awesome cartwheels and side aerial.”
    Gracie shook her head. “But Miss Toni—”
    Scarlett grabbed her sister by the shoulders. “Gracie, I am begging you! This is your chance to be a Dance Diva!”
    Gracie nodded at her sister. Then she walked to one corner of the mat, took a deep breath, and dove into an impressive gymnastics floor routine. It was kind of wild but also kind of wonderful. Scarlett smiled—it was very Gracie.
    â€œOMG!” Bria exclaimed. “She’s good.”
    â€œShe’s great!” Scarlett said. “And with the right training—”
    Miss Toni finished her thought: “We could have our own Tiny Terror.” Then she turned to Gracie. “How would you like to be a Dance Diva?”
    Gracie nodded her head and smiled. “Awesome!”
    â€œYou’ll have to work hard . . . harder than you’ve ever worked before . . . and do absolutely everything I tell you. Clear?” Toni added.
    The little girl clapped her hands and jumped up and down. “Yes! Yes! Oh my gooshness, I’m gonna be a Diva!”
    â€œThen welcome to the team,” Miss Toni said. “Take your place on the floor next to your sister, and let’s get down to business.”

    Over the next few days, the Divas spent hours in the studio, learning the intricate choreography Miss Toni had created to crush their competition. She rolled in a TV on a table with a DVD player.
    â€œCool! Are we gonna watch a movie?” Gracie chirped.
    â€œIs there popcorn?” Liberty asked.
    Miss Toni clapped her hands. “Enough,” she said. “This isn’t movie night. We’re going to study the competition. I want to show you why City Feet won last week—and why they’re going to continue to win unless we do something about it.”
    She hit Play, and last week’s dance routine popped onto the screen. “See how