Free Showstopper by Sheryl Berk Page A

wink.

    Now, all that was left was to await the judges’ decisions. Anya crossed her fingers and hoped that their “House of Cards” routine was enough to beat everyone else’s over-the-top productions. Except for Liberty’s light show, their number didn’t have lots of bells and whistles—unless you counted the bells on Gracie’s costume!
    The announcer summoned everyone’s attention as the teams sat onstage, hoping to hear their names. City Feet took home first prize for best duet (Phoebe and Addison’s slot-machine tap routine “Ring Them Bells”), and Mandy won Mini Solo (for her acro routine to “Going to the Chapel”).
    â€œThey’re gonna sweep.” Anya sighed. “I can’t stand it!”
    â€œWe don’t know that yet,” Scarlett tried to comfort her. “Preteen Solo is up next. Fingers crossed.”
    â€œMy toes are crossed,” Rochelle replied. “In case that helps.”
    â€œIn third place, Dance Divas, ‘Magic to Do’!” The host read the judges’ ruling.
    Rochelle accepted her plaque and returned to her seat. “Oh well,” she said. “I can’t win ’em all.” She squeezed Scarlett’s hand. “I hope you take it home for Divas.”
    â€œIn second place,” the announcer continued. “Also from Dance Divas, ‘Superstition’!”
    Scarlett collected her plaque and looked equally disappointed. Anya couldn’t help but think that this was all her fault. She’d distracted and upset all her teammates—and now they were paying the price. She caught a glimpse of Miss Toni in the audience. Steam was coming out of her ears.
    â€œYou know who that leaves in first place . . . ,” Scarlett whispered.
    The announcer finished her sentence: “‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite,’ City Feet!”
    Phoebe skipped up to receive her trophy. She held it above her head and blew kisses to the audience. Justine stood on her seat and cheered with the rest of the City Feet moms.
    Anya felt sick to her stomach.
    â€œThere’s still Junior Group dance,” Bria reminded her.
    â€œWe might as well just hand the trophy to Justine,” Liberty said. “So she can start gloating now.”
    This time, when the announcer got to second place, there were three teams remaining: Razzmatazz, City Feet, and Dance Divas.
    â€œWhat if we don’t even place?” Anya asked, biting her nails. “I can’t take the suspense!”
    The announcer studied the card. “In second place, ‘Caveman Shuffle,’ Razzmatazz!”
    Anya held her breath. “That means it’s them . . . or us.”
    The Divas waited for what felt like an eternity for the announcer to read the first-place team name. “Congratulations, City Feet!” he exclaimed, as Phoebe, Addison, Regan, and Mandy jumped up and down.
    â€œI don’t believe it,” Liberty moaned. “I told you we should have gone with Gaga.”
    â€œIt wasn’t the costumes,” Scarlett insisted. “I guess the judges thought their dance was really creative—bats and all.”
    â€œYeah, thanks to us for giving them the idea,” Rochelle complained.
    â€œJust a second! May I have your attention please!” the announcer broke in over the celebration. “We have a tie for first place. Congratulations also to ‘House of Cards,’ Dance Divas!”
    Anya gasped. “Did he just say we won?” She grabbed Rochelle and shook her. “He said we won!”
    They raced up to accept the trophy—right next to the girls of City Feet.
    â€œNice try sabotaging our number,” Phoebe told Liberty. “Too bad you couldn’t stop us from getting a clean sweep.”
    â€œWell, someone should sweep you out of here,” Liberty replied. “That’s what they do with garbage, isn’t it?”
    Toni was about to