Bria was jet-lagged from the long flight back home, but she wasn’t about to let it stand in her way. She stifled a yawn as she made her way down the stairs of her house, careful not to wake up her dad and sister, who were still fast asleep.

“Have some breakfast,” her mom said, placing a plate of scrambled eggs and toast on the kitchen table. It was 5:00 Saturday morning, and Mrs. Chang had already been up for an hour cooking and packing everything they needed for the video shoot.

“Mom, you’re too much!” Bria said, digging into her plate. “I know sometimes I tell you that you’re too tough on me, but—”

“Sometimes? How about all the time?” her mother interjected.

“Okay, all the time. But I really appreciate everything you do for me.”

Her mom stopped sipping her cup of coffee and smiled. “I do it because I love you, Bri. And I know you have it in you to do great things. I believe in you.”

“You do?” Bria asked.

“Of course I do! And Miss Toni and all those Sugar Babies believe in you, too.”

“Sugar Dolls,” Bria said, giggling.

“Oh, whatever you call them,” her mom replied. “And I’m very proud that you’re doing this for a great cause. You know what I want you to be when you grow up?”

Bria wrinkled her nose. “A journalist like Dad? President of the United States? The first woman on Mars?”

“All of the above sounds fine,” she replied, laughing. “But most of all, I want you to be a good person with a big heart who tries to make the world a better place.” She put her arms around Bria and hugged her tight. “And you’ve already proved to me that you are.”

St. Ignatius was bustling with activity: cameras and lights were going up, and even a huge “cloud” backdrop was being rolled up a huge ramp mounted on the front steps of the church. Jane Montgomery stood in the middle of all the mayhem, barking orders.

“Careful with those costumes—they cost me a fortune!” she called as a location truck unloaded garment bags on racks.

Bria and her mom pulled into the parking lot. “Wow,” Bria said, climbing out of the car. “This is crazy.” A man pushed past her carrying a glittering harp.

Inside, the other Divas, their moms, and J. J. were gathered and waiting for wardrobe, hair, and makeup.

“Hi, guys!” Bria called.

“Make way for the star of the show!” J. J. said teasingly.

Liberty silently pouted. She hated when anyone else stole the spotlight.

“Where’s Miss Toni?” Bria asked.

Scarlett shrugged. “Don’t know. We saw her a few minutes ago and then she disappeared.”

Bria looked around the shelter, hoping to spot Reese. She knew how excited she would be that the Sugar Dolls were filming there.

“Excuse me,” she asked one of the shelter’s staff. “Have you seen a girl named Reese and her mom, Jenny? I talked to them last time I was here.”

The woman checked a list of names on a clipboard. “I’m sorry, dear,” she replied. “I don’t see anyone by that name here. Do you know her last name?”

Bria wanted to kick herself: Why hadn’t she thought to ask? “I’m sorry I don’t.” All she had was her e-mail address.

“Well, maybe she’ll come later. People drop in all day and night. The door is always open,” the woman said.

Mrs. Chang saw how disappointed Bria looked. “What’s wrong, honey? I thought you’d be so excited to be shooting your first big music video.”

“I am,” Bria said. “I’m just missing somebody, that’s all.” She sent Reese an e-mail on her laptop and hoped she’d get it in time to meet the Sugar Dolls:

Hi, Reese, it’s Bria. At St. I’s! URGENT!

But there was no reply.

Jane ran through how the entire choreography would go. The Dolls would dance through the rows of pews in the church while the Divas twirled around behind them, dressed like their mini-mes. The costumes were breathtaking: gold sequin dresses topped with silver leather jackets and cool knee-high leather boots.

“Oh my gooshness! I feel like a pop star!” Gracie said, twirling in her outfit. She was Baby Doll’s mini-me and wore a rhinestone-studded pacifier around her neck.

Liberty held up a gold-and-white swirled lollipop. “The least they could have done was made me Rag Doll,” she said, and sighed. “I love her clothes!”

“I don’t know what you’re complaining about,” Rochelle said as Sporty Doll. “I’ve gotta dance while swinging this!” She held up a gold tennis racquet.

“I wish Reese could be here to see this,” Bria said. “She would be in heaven!”

She sent her another e-mail:

Where R U? Come to St. Ignatius ASAP.

I have a huge surprise!

She waited patiently and refreshed her e-mail. But there was still no reply.

“Maybe she’s busy studying?” Scarlett suggested.

“Or maybe she’s ignoring me because she doesn’t want to be my friend,” Bri answered.

Jane clapped her hands. “I need my backup dancers in position now! Divas, that’s you!”

Suddenly, Bria spotted a familiar face at the entrance to the church, trying to get past the Dolls’ bodyguards. Reese! She raced over and pleaded with the big, muscly security men to let her friend in.

“Bria!” Reese waved at her. “I was at the library when I got your e-mail!”

But the guards stood tall. Bria raced over. “Please, let her in. She’s with me!”

“Sorry, we have our orders,” one of the guards replied. “Only talent on set.”

“But she is talent!” Bria said. She remembered Reese’s amazing dancing. She thought quickly: “She’s one of the Divas.”

“I am?” Reese asked, surprised. “I mean, I am! Totally!”

The guard stepped aside and Bria grabbed Reese’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she said.

“I got here as fast as I could,” Reese said. She gazed around the room. “This is amazing! I can’t believe I’m so close to the Sugar Dolls!”

Bria smiled. “Come with me. I think I know a way you can get a lot closer!”