Free And All That Jazz by Samantha-Ellen Bound

Chapter One
    There were two surprises waiting for me at dance class on Wednesday.
    Talk about being unprepared.
    I walked into class focused – I wanted to show Miss Caroline I’d worked on all the parts of the routine that she said needed attention. Secretly I was hoping the other girls hadn’t been practising as much as me – that they might even forget the new moves.It’s not like I wanted them to do badly. I just want to be the best.
    When it comes to dancing, you’ve got to stand out. No one looks at you if you’re in the back row.
    My name is Eleanor Irvin, but everyone calls me Ellie. I’m ten years old, and dancing is my whole life! Tap, ballet, lyrical – I’ve tried it all. Ever since I was a toddler. But my all-time favourite style is jazz. When I’m older I’d like to be a famous dancer, or maybe even a choreographer for pop stars. That’d be the coolest job ever.
    So when I showed up for class on Wednesday, ready to work hard, the last thing I needed were those two surprises. That really pulled my focus. But another rule of dance is that you have to be adaptable.
    I was lacing my new hot-pink jazz sneakers when Miss Caroline called out to the class,‘I know it’s short notice, girls, but I’ve decided to enter a Silver Shoes dance troupe into the Jazz Groove Dance Competition. The competition is only three weeks away, so we have to really work!’
    Three weeks! My stomach did a triple aerial right down to the floor. My left foot still had this annoying arch, which totally ruined the line of my legs when I did my grande jeté, and my triple turns were more like two-and-a-half stumbles. How was I going to fix that in three weeks!
    And then Miss Caroline dropped in the second surprise.
    â€˜Today we also welcome a new dancer to Silver Shoes. Ashley has just moved to Bayside and she knocked our socks off at the audition!’
    Miss Caroline makes everyone ‘audition’ when they come to Silver Shoes so she can seewhat level we’re at, and also if we might be suitable for any competition troupes. Usually it’s just a trial class – I don’t know why this new girl got her own special audition.
    Ashley looked kind of embarrassed and stared down at her shoes, which were tattered old jazz slippers – obviously second-hand. She had short, straight brown hair and kept pushing her fringe out of her eyes.
    â€˜What other classes will you be doing at Silver Shoes, Ashley?’ asked Miss Caroline.
    â€˜I’m hoping to try hip hop,’ she said.
    Only jazz and hip hop ? I thought to myself. She’ll never improve if she only takes two classes. Everyone knows you have to be a good all-rounder if you want to get anywhere in dance.
    We were all staring at Ashley, but Jasmine and Tove were being super-friendly and waving at her to come over. Their smiles were full of huge, bright white teeth.
    Jasmine and Tove are my least favourite people at Silver Shoes. I mean, they’re good dancers and pretty or whatever, but that’s where the positives end.
    Last year I asked Mum if I could get my teeth whitened so my smile could be as shiny as Jasmine’s. It looks so good when you’re on stage. But Mum put her no-nonsense face on and said, ‘One thousand dollars on tooth whitening, Eleanor, or one thousand dollars on dance lessons for this term. You choose.’
    I chose dance lessons. Duh. What’s the point of getting my teeth whitened if I can’t dance to show them off? Gosh, Mum can be silly sometimes.
    Anyway, just as I was wondering if Ashley could be a threat to my place in the troupe, Miss Caroline said:
    â€˜We’ll be auditioning for places in the comp troupe today – I only need eight dancers forwhat I’ve got in mind. Let’s start warming up. Everyone get ready to bring me your best moves!’
    Auditions! Well, that was it for me. I just about died right there.

Chapter