Free On Pointe by Sheryl Berk

“We have to get there. Please, there has to be some way.”
    Her mom shook her head. “I’m so sorry, honey bunny. Unless someone shows up with a sled and a few Siberian huskies, I don’t see how. My car just can’t make it in this kind of weather.”
    Scarlett called the rest of the team, and they were all in the same snowed-in situation.
    â€œI know I said I didn’t love playing a mouse at first,” Anya told her, “but now that we can’t get to the theater, I’m really sad. Minnie kinda grew on me.”
    Hayden and Rochelle were equally disappointed. “All that work, all those hours rehearsing!” Rochelle exclaimed. “And now we’re missing our opening night!”
    It was 3:45 p.m. and Gracie had just about given up all hope.
    â€œThe snow will be cleaned up, and you’ll be able to do the show tomorrow night, honey,” her mom said, trying to be positive.
    â€œBut I’ll never have another opening night as Clara.” Gracie sniffled. “It won’t be the same. Liberty gets to have it, not me.” She was about to go up to her room and mope when the doorbell rang. It was Miss Toni and Marcus.
    â€œThe highways are pretty clear,” Marcus told them. “And Toni called in a favor. We’ve got a minivan with serious snow tires.”
    Toni blushed. “A lot of people owe me—thisone just happened to be a former student with a dad who owns a car dealership.”
    â€œWe’ve got Olivier, Rochelle, Hayden, Bria, and Anya. Are you girls ready?” Marcus asked.
    It took Scarlett and Gracie mere seconds to grab their dance bags and pile into the car with the rest of the Divas.
    â€œBe careful, girls,” their mom called after them. “Buckle up.”
    â€œAnother van is coming for you and the other moms around five thirty,” Toni told her. “We wouldn’t want anyone to miss opening night.”
    Just then, Gracie heard the
clank-clank
of chains and spotted the snowplow making its way down her block. “Hooray! The plows are coming! The plows are coming!” She applauded.
    As the van pulled out, she whispered in Scarlett’s ear, “I bet Liberty is gonna be really shocked to see us!”

Chapter 14
We’re All in This Together

    The van pulled into the parking lot of the Paramus Playhouse just a few minutes after 4:00 p.m. Mr. Minnelli was trying his best to rechoreograph the scenes with fewer dancers.
    â€œOh thank goodness you’re all here!” he said, running and hugging Marcus as he walked in the door. “I couldn’t cancel the show, not with the critic from the
Times
coming to review it. Just my luck that he lives in Paramus!” He motioned to the empty stage. “I’m at my wit’s end. We’re down two mice, a couple of gingerbreads, and a handful of soldiers and snowflakes. No one can make it in all this snow!”
    Addison walked through the door. “I made it. I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she said with a smirk. Her hair was already done up in a bun and topped with a delicate pearl and rhinestone crown.
    â€œI have my principals, but the corps is a mess,” Mr. Minnelli said.
    â€œWe can pitch in, Mr. Minnelli,” Anya offered. “We can teach each other the choreography and fill in for the missing dancers. We’re really fast learners.”
    Bria nodded. “Miss Toni loves to switch our competition routines at the last minute. I once had to learn a tarantella in ten minutes.”
    Toni shrugged. “I knew it would come in handy one day.”
    â€œAll right, if you think you can do it,” Marcus said.
    â€œWe need more soldiers or the mice are gonna kick our butts,” Hayden pointed out.
    â€œI can fill in for a soldier,” Marcus offered. “Toni? You game to join me?”
    Toni looked stunned. “Me? A soldier in
TheNutcracker
? I played Snow Queen at ABC, or did you