Free Bring It On by Jasmine Beller Page B

rocked the stage, and it was the most sizzlin’ experience of her life.
    â€œHow long have you been taking lessons?” a tall guy called to her. “You were awesome.”
    â€œI was born awesome,” Devane called back with a wink.
    â€œThat duet you did with the blond girl was so funny,” a girl wearing a pale blue sweater set told Devane. “But it looked really hard. Did you two have to practice a ton?”
    Devane shook her head. “Well, the other girl had to practice a lot. But not me.” She’d meant it to sound like a joke, but the words came out with more bite than she’d intended.
    â€œWill you sign my program?” the girl asked. “I want to have your autograph when you’re a star. ’Cause I can tell you’re gonna be one.”
    Getting asked for an autograph wasn’t on Devane’s calendar until next year! “Of course.” She took the girl’s Hip Hop Kidz program and signed it the way she’d always planned. Follow your own light. XXOO. Devane.
    â€œThanks!” The girl disappeared into the crowd. Devane looked around. Maybe somebody else wanted a Devane signature. She wondered if anyone would ask Blondie for hers. She didn’t see Emerson around anywhere. But she did see Gina and Maddy heading toward her.
    Devane waved at them. She couldn’t wait to hear what they thought of the spin she’d added to the ballet combination. They had to have seen the way the crowd grooved on it.
    It was so killer that Maddy was in the audience today. Maybe she would decide to invite Devane into the Professional Group right away. That group was one step above the Performance Group. They got some insane gigs. Not that Disney World was nothing. But the Professional Group did slammin’ performances all the time. They’d even been in a Lil’ Krypto video. A video! Getting in the Professional Group now could knock a year off Devane’s schedule.
    â€œWe need to talk to you. Come backstage, please,” Gina said when she and Maddy reached Devane.
    Yeah. They want to talk to me in private. They don’t want audience people hearing Hip Hop Kidz business. Like who
    gets invited to be in what group, Devane thought as she followed Gina around to the backstage area. It had pretty much cleared out.
    â€œI can’t believe what I saw from you during the show,” Gina burst out.
    â€œThank—”
    â€œWhat you did showed no respect for me. It showed no respect for the team,” Gina rushed on. “It was complete diva behavior.”
    Devane felt like she’d been slapped. “Everyone loved it. Didn’t you hear them? I got the most applause of anyone.”
    â€œWe talked about teamwork the very first day you were in my class, remember?” Gina asked. “Devane, it’s clear I can’t trust you. I can’t send you out onstage not knowing what you’re going to do. You could have ruined the entire show with that little improv. Your behavior might have thrown everyone else off. Did you even think of that?”
    â€œBut it didn’t,” Devane said.
    â€œThat’s because Emerson saved you. She covered for you.”
    â€œI knew she’d get what I was doing. I saw her and Sophie doing almost the same thing once.” Devane turned to Maddy. “Remember? That day you were watching their class.”
    â€œI remember,” Maddy answered. “But Devane, Gina’s right. Everyone in the Performance Group has to be a team player. I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to put you on probation.”
    A wave of dizziness swept through Devane. “What?” That was the only word she could get out. She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate, then opened them. “But I’m the best dancer. Maybe M.J. is better than me. But I’m the best girl.”
    â€œYou’re a phenomenal dancer, Devane. But talent isn’t all that it takes to perform