Scarlett made it to ballet class just seconds before her teacher shut the door of studio 3.
“Sorry, Miss Toni,” she said, panting. She silently prayed Miss Toni wouldn’t notice that her tights were “mocha” and not “theater pink.”
Toni furrowed her brow. If there was one thing she couldn’t tolerate, it was tardiness. “Start stretching,” she told Scarlett. “Everyone else is warmed up already.”
Scarlett took her place at the barre next to Anya, Rochelle, Bria, and Liberty. Rochelle shot her a concerned look.
“Don’t ask,” Scarlett whispered. “Hurricane Gracie turned my tights and leotard into a Project Runway episode.”
Rochelle laughed. “I know it’s not funny … but it’s kinda funny.”
“We’re just lucky she’s not old enough to be in pointe class with us,” Anya said.
Tell me about it, Scarlett thought. It was hard enough having a pesky little sister at home. But Gracie was also an official member of the Dance Divas Elite Competition Team, and that meant that every day, at every rehearsal for a competition, she was there to drive her crazy. Her only Gracie-free zone was the more advanced pointe class.
“Straighten that supporting knee!” Toni barked as Scarlett ran through the warm-up. “Tuck your butt in and stand up straight in that roll-up!” Scarlett glanced in the mirror: her arch did look less than spectacular. And she struggled to keep up with the combination. “Scarlett, are you on another planet today?” Toni said. “Those feet should be in fifth position!”
By the end of the class, Scarlett had fallen into sync with the others, but Toni was still eyeing her. “You’re all dismissed—except for Scarlett,” she said.
“Uh-oh,” Bria whispered. “That’s never a good thing.”
“Maybe she wants to talk to you about a solo at Dance Fusion?” Anya suggested. Scarlett had almost forgotten about their competition two weeks from Saturday. Toni had yet to tell any of them the details of what they’d be dancing—only that their rival team, City Feet, would be competing as well.
“Maybe she wants to kick your butt off the team?” Liberty smirked.
Scarlett gulped. Miss Toni had been pretty hard on her the entire class. Was she mad enough to ban her from the next competition? Or worse, from being a Diva? She was always threatening to replace anyone who didn’t “toe the line.”
“Miss Toni loves you,” Rochelle assured her. “You’re our best dancer!”
Liberty picked up her dance bag and tossed it over her shoulder. “You mean she used to be our best dancer. Now that title belongs to me.”
Rochelle bristled. “Says who? I don’t see anyone handing you a crown, Liberty. Unless your rich mommy, the big-time Hollywood choreographer, bought you one?”
Rochelle knew how much Liberty hated when people accused her of being successful because of her mom’s connections. The truth was, Liberty worked just as hard as any of the Divas. She had an attitude, but she could dance. Still, it was fun to push her buttons.
Scarlett put her hand on Rochelle’s shoulder. “Rock, that’s enough,” she said softly. She knew that Liberty loved to brag, but underneath it was a lot of hurt and insecurity—especially when it came to her mother.
Liberty stormed out of the studio. “You guys better go, too,” Scarlett said. “I’ll let you know how it goes.” She walked over to Miss Toni, who was busy jotting notes on her clipboard.
“You want to talk to me?” she said nervously.
“Yes, I do.” Toni didn’t bother to glance up from her work. “I assume your appearance and your performance today were a one-time scenario?”
“Yes! Absolutely! I’m so sorry! Gracie was just driving me nuts right before I got here. She gave her Barbie my tights and, oh my gosh, my leotard is now a red carpet …”
Toni put down her pen. “Are you and Gracie not getting along?”
“Well, she’s kind of a pain,” Scarlett tried to explain. “I mean, she just has no respect for me or my things.”
Toni nodded. “You know how I feel about fighting on my team,” she said firmly. “Anyone who can’t get along with her teammates cannot be a Diva.”
Scarlett held her breath. Here it comes, she thought. Liberty was right; she was kicking her off the team.
“That said,” Toni continued, “I think I have a solution.” She got up from her stool and went to the corner of the studio where she’d placed a small cardboard box. She carried it over and placed it at Scarlett’s feet.
“I think you and your little sister need something to remind you what it is to be loving and caring. Something you can do together.”
Scarlett had no idea what she was talking about, but she did notice that the box had several large, round holes punched out of its side.
“Go on,” Toni said. “Open it.”
Scarlett knelt down and lifted the lid. Inside was a ball of orange fur. “A kitten!” she exclaimed, scooping it into her arms. It was so small, she could practically fit it in the palm of her hand.
“My neighbor had a litter. I asked your mother, and she said you can have one—as long as you and Gracie promise to take good care of him.”
“Oh, I will! We will!” Scarlett said, stroking the tiny kitten. “He’s so sweet! Thank you, Miss Toni!”
“You’re welcome.” Toni almost smiled. “Just don’t ever come to my class again in mocha tights.”