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

head. “Rock doesn’t know who won. She’s just feeling defeated.”
    Gracie looked puzzled. “Da feeted? What’s wrong with da feet?” she asked Rochelle, staring at her toes. “Are they hurting you? Maybe you should stretch?”
    Rochelle laughed and gave Gracie a hug. “What would I do without you, Gracie?”
    â€œYou’d have a ketchup-less life, that’s for sure,” Scarlett said, and chuckled.

    The Divas waited anxiously as Rochelle’s mom tallied the votes. She double-checked everything before writing a name down on a slip of paper.
    â€œWho got the solo?” Gracie asked, bouncing up and down. “I hope it was me!”
    â€œYou were all absolutely brilliant,” Mrs. Hayes said. “But I am sworn to secrecy.” She handed a sealed envelope to Rochelle. “Go ahead, honey. Read the results onstage before Gracie turns into a human pogo stick!”
    Rochelle stepped nervously out into the spotlight once again. She adjusted the microphonestand and summoned everyone to attention. “Excuse me! Can we have everyone take their seats? We have the winner of the dance-off.”
    She gently tore open the envelope and pulled out the folded slip of paper inside. “And the winner of the solo at Leaps and Bounds is . . .” She opened the paper and saw the name. It couldn’t be!
    â€œHayden Finley.”
    Hayden bounded onto the stage, pumping his fist in the air. “Yes! I won!” he exclaimed as the audience applauded wildly.
    â€œEncore! Encore!” they called.
    â€œWell, you should give them what they want,” Rochelle said.
    â€œOnly if we do our duet,” Hayden replied. “Come on. Let’s give them a sneak peek. We have the smoke machine backstage.”
    Rochelle panicked. “Wait! I can’t! We’re not ready! We don’t have our music.”
    Scarlett handed her the CD Toni had given Rochelle for practice. “You’re as ready as you’llever be. Go ahead, Rock. Show ’em what you got.”
    â€œBut I don’t have my skirt,” Rochelle said nervously.
    â€œHere, improvise,” Bria said, tying a ballet wrap sweater around her waist.
    â€œBut, but . . .,” Rochelle said, trying to think of another excuse, just one more reason why she couldn’t go out onstage and dance with Hayden.
    He held his hand out to her. “You coming?” He smiled and Rochelle’s hesitation melted away.
    As their music started, Rochelle dashed out onto the stage, lunging at Hayden as he did his best to catch her in his arms. A white smoke billowed out of the machine, making it hard to see. Rochelle could barely find Hayden in all that fog, but she trusted he would be there beside her. Every time he moved forward, she stepped back; it was thrilling choreography that had the audience on the edge of their seats.
    As she broke away into her
piqué
turns, she heard her fellow Divas cheering from the wings.She remembered everything Toni taught her. She pointed her right leg straight out into the floor and came up into a
passé
with her left. Then she spun, trying to keep her eyes focused on a spot on the back wall of the theater. But the smoke was stinging her eyes. She was concentrating so hard as she traveled across the stage that she didn’t notice the sweater coming loose around her hips. It fell to the floor, and she didn’t see it beneath her feet. She tripped and fell, landing on the stage with a hard
thud.
    â€œOh, no!” Scarlett yelled. “Stop the music!” As Bria raced for the sound system, Scarlett ran out to her best friend.
    â€œAre you okay, Rock?” she asked, worried. She knew how embarrassing it was to fall during a routine. She’d done it herself in competition.
    â€œIt hurts really bad,” Rochelle said, holding her ankle.
    In seconds, Toni was up on the stage beside her, along with Rochelle’s mom.
    Toni kneeled down