Free Showstopper by Sheryl Berk Page B

referee—and remind her girls to behave in public—when Justine stepped in.
    â€œI don’t think either of our teams deserves this,” she announced to the judges. “And I think Toni would agree with me.”
    Toni nodded. “Absolutely. Both the Divas and City Feet behaved in an unsportsmanlike way,” she said. “Justine and I feel first prize should go to Razzmatazz.”
    Anya couldn’t believe what she was hearing! Was Toni actually forfeiting a first-place win? And even crazier, was she
agreeing
with Justine?
    â€œI hope this teaches you all a lesson,” Toni scolded her team. “What you did was wrong,and you don’t deserve to hold your heads up as first-place winners.” The boys from Razzmatazz grabbed the trophy out of Liberty’s hand.
    â€œHey, Cave Boy!” Liberty threatened him. “Back off!”
    â€œNo, Justine and Toni are right,” Scarlett said. “It was mean to trick City Feet.”
    â€œBut they changed their dance to destroy ours!” Liberty protested.
    â€œWhich is why we are forfeiting as well,” Justine replied. “In hindsight, it was wrong to use the information the girls gave me against you.” She patted Toni on the back. “Besides, our team won the rest of our divisions anyway—and you lost. That’s good enough for me!”
    Toni gathered her team around her. “I know we’re all disappointed, so I’m not going to rub it in,” she began.
    â€œOh, thank goodness!” Rochelle heaved a sigh of relief. “I thought we were in for a lecture.”
    â€œOh, you are,” Toni replied. “But I thought I’d save it for the studio when we get home.You can think about it all the way home on the plane tomorrow.”
    Anya suddenly remembered she wasn’t going back to New Jersey with her friends. “I wish I could have left on a high note,” she said, hugging each of them. “But you’ll win the next competition for me, right?”
    Rochelle hugged her tight. “You bet. Those Feet better run!”
    â€œWe’ll miss you so much,” Scarlett said, welling up. “It just won’t be the same without you.”
    â€œL.A. is so far away,” Gracie sniffled. “Will you FaceTime me every day on Bria’s computer?”
    â€œYou better!” Bria said, getting in on the group hug.
    The only one who hadn’t said good-bye was Liberty.
    â€œYou know my mom goes to Hollywood all the time,” she told Anya. “I could go with her and visit you—if you want.”
    â€œThat would be great,” Anya said, holding her arms out for a hug.
    Liberty wrinkled her nose. “I hate getting emotional. It makes my mascara run,” she sniffed.
    Anya smiled. “Okay, then let’s just say, ‘See you soon.’”
    Finally, it was Toni’s turn. “Anya, I saw something very special in you from the very first time we met,” she said. “And I’m never wrong.”
    Anya nodded. “Thanks for letting me join your team, Miss Toni. I’ll never forget any of you or any of our crazy adventures.”
    â€œMaybe you don’t have to,” Mrs. Bazarov interrupted. “Alexei has something to tell you.” She handed her cell phone to Anya.
    â€œDude,” said a weak voice on the other end.
    â€œAlex, are you okay?” she asked.
    â€œI’m more than okay,” he answered. “I got into NYU film school, starting next year. The admissions letter came yesterday, when I was in the hospital, so I never got to open it. I’m in!”
    â€œWhat? That’s amazing!” Anya said. “You’re gonna be a famous director!”
    â€œAnd since both of our kids seemed determined to be on the East Coast, your dad and I decided we give up,” her mom added. “We’ll just have to move to New Jersey over the summer and set up Frosty on the lawn