Free Let's Rock! by Sheryl Berk Page B

you mean cool as a cucumber,” Anya corrected her.
    â€œNo, I mean pickle. I like pickles. Especially supersour ones.”
    â€œGracie, if we win first prize in the Junior Group dance, I will buy you a whole jar of pickles,” Scarlett assured her.
    â€œThanks, Scoot!” Gracie said, smiling.
    The Divas had to sit through several awards until they announced the Junior Solo category. “In third place, ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop,’ Hashtag Dance Studios, Los Angeles,” the announcer read.
    â€œLocal favorite,” Anya said. “The judges love them.”
    â€œAnd in second place … ‘Breakable,’ Scarlett Borden from Dance Divas Studio, Scotch Plains, New Jersey!”
    Scarlett leaped up to accept her trophy. She caught her teacher glaring at her from the audience. She knew second place wasn’t good enough for Toni.
    â€œFinally, our first place Junior Solo award goes to ‘Rising Star,’ Rochelle Hayes from Dance Divas again!”
    â€œRock! That’s you!” Bria squealed.
    â€œIt’s me!” Rochelle exclaimed, jumping to her feet. J. J. was standing on his chair in the ballroom, pumping his fists in the air.
    Scarlett hugged her BFF. “If someone had to beat me, I’m glad it was you!” she said. “You deserved it, Rock! Congrats!”
    The trios and duets were the next to be announced. The
Ghostbusters
trio took home first place and the
Gone with the Wind
duet earned third place. It was down to Divas and City Feet for the top two spots in duets.
    Bria covered her ears. “I can’t listen,” she said. “I just can’t.”
    The announcer tapped the mike to make sure it was on. “Okay, this one was a close one. Just one-tenth of a point separates our first- and second-place winners,” he began. “In first place: ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,’ PhoebeMalone and Addison Gates from City Feet Dance Studio, Long Island!”
    Bria’s heart sank. Her queasiness had cost them the trophy. “I’m really sorry, Liberty,” she told her partner.
    â€œWhy are
you
sorry?” Liberty replied. “You held on to those reins and didn’t let go, even though you were ready to barf. That’s pretty impressive.”
    â€œReally?” Bria said. “You’re not mad at me?”
    â€œMad at you? No. Mad at those Stinky Feet? Yes. You better believe it. But the best Junior Group hasn’t been announced yet.”
    Toni and J. J. made their way to the front row. They wanted to be up close for the final awards.
    â€œGreat. She’s closing in so she can kill us when we lose,” Rochelle said.
    The other Charlie Chaplin routine came in fourth. “Oh great,” Anya groaned. “The judges don’t like Charlies. We’re doomed.”
    Bria glanced over at City Feet. Surprisingly, they all looked just as petrified.
    â€œIn second place,” the announcer paused. The Divas all held their breath. “‘Listen Up,’ Dance Divas Studio, New Jersey!”
    The girls all looked at each other. No one even wanted to go up and take the trophy. “You go get it, Gracie,” Scarlett said, elbowing her little sister. Gracie raced up and grabbed the trophy out of the announcer’s hands and held it above her head.
    â€œI’m glad someone’s happy,” Liberty said grumpily.
    â€œFinally, our first place Junior Group winners, ‘
Lord of the Rings
,’ City Feet, Long Island!”
    Justine and her team descended upon the announcer and blew kisses to the audience. “We just want to say we’re giving all of our winnings to that homeless shelter!” Mandy yelled into the mike.
    â€œUgh, she doesn’t even know its name!” Bria complained. “This is so unfair. After all we did with the Sugar Dolls, the judges still picked them.”
    â€œThat’s right. They did.” Miss Toni appeared