Two to Tango by Sheryl Berk Read Free Book Online Page A

you’re next,” Scarlett said. “I’ll introduce you.”
    Scarlett walked across the stage as the lights dimmed. “Performing a contemporary routine to the Star Wars theme, please welcome our Divas director for this dance-off, Rochelle!”
    Rochelle smiled. “Divas director” had a nice ring to it. These past few days, she’d really given it her all, never once complaining, even when Liberty tried to rattle her. She helped each of her team members with their music, costumes, and props. She handed out flyers and printed up programs and ballots so the audience could vote. It was an exhausting amount of work to do, and it made her appreciate Miss Toni a little more. Coaching a dance team was not an easy job!
    As the orchestral theme from Star Wars boomed over the speakers, Rochelle exploded onstage, swinging her lightsaber through the air. She felt like Princess Leia, leading the Rebel Alliance into battle against the Death Star. Her
grand jeté
was sharp and clean—a perfect split midair. And asshe did an
échappé sauté
, she seemed magically suspended above the ground for a few seconds.
    When the number ended, she saw that the audience was cheering and giving her a standing ovation. Even Toni was on her feet, applauding.
    From the wings, she heard her fellow Divas calling, “Brava!” Hayden was the first to greet her.
    â€œAwesome! You rocked it, Rock,” he said enthusiastically. Then he grabbed her in a big bear hug.
    Rochelle was stunned. “Thanks,” she said breathlessly. He was still hugging her, and she hoped he’d never let go.
    â€œNo fair! You like her more than me!” Gracie pouted. Rochelle suspected Liberty was thinking the same thing.
    â€œYou haven’t seen my routine yet, Hayden,” Liberty said, practically pulling him away from Rochelle. “I’m next. You’ve never seen anything like this.”
    She strutted out onstage, microphone in hand, to introduce herself to the crowd. “Hi, everyone! I’m Liberty and I’m going to be doing a jazz routinechoreographed by my famous mother, Jane Montgomery. It’s called ‘Pink Panther Revisited.’ ”
    â€œI thought her mom was in L.A.,” Rochelle whispered to Bria.
    â€œChoreo-Skype.” Bria sighed. “She even Fed-Exed the costume so Liberty would have nothing but the best. Britney Spears’s costume designer made it for her.”
    â€œShe’s really something, isn’t she?” Hayden said, then whistled through his teeth. Rochelle couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or a criticism. But he seemed riveted as Liberty slunk around the stage and purred like a kitty. Even she had to admit that her teammate’s moves were exquisite. How did Liberty get her leg up so high and not lose her balance?
    At the end of the routine, she zipped off the catsuit to reveal a pink sequin leotard beneath it. She did an amazing thirty-one
fouetté pirouettes
as the crowd clapped and counted.
    â€œThat is sick!” Hayden gushed. “Liberty deserves to win.”
    Rochelle’s heart sunk. Hayden thought Liberty was the best dancer—and as much as it pained her to admit it, he was right. Not even Scarlett’s graceful Sugar Plum or Bria’s exciting tap routine that followed could top Liberty’s nonstop spins. No matter how hard Rochelle tried, Liberty would always be better than she was.

Chapter 10

The Envelope, Please

    â€œEveryone is done voting,” Scarlett told Rochelle during the intermission. “Your mom said she’ll tally the votes and we can announce the winner after the break.”
    â€œWhy bother counting the votes?” Rochelle sighed. She saw that Liberty was chatting with Hayden in a corner. She was giggling and demonstrating her
pirouettes
for him. “We already know who won.”
    â€œYou do?” Gracie asked. “I wanna know, too!”
    Scarlett shook her