CHAPTER THREE
DANCE OFF
For the next two months, Chery and the rest of the dance team practiced three days a week. They needed a solid routine for the regional competition being held before winter break.
Then one afternoon, Miss Miller practically leaped onto the stage. “I have a really great opportunity for one of you,” she said. “I just found out a slot has opened for a solo dancer in a touring dance competition.”
A soft murmur filled the room.
“That means one of you lucky dancers can compete!” Miss Miller continued. “It’s in a few weeks, but the registration fees are paid, and a spot is reserved.”
The students erupted in applause.
Ana raised her hand. “You know how the boys football team is undefeated?” she said. “And the girls cross-country team is headed to the state tournament? I think the most seasoned dancer should represent the school.” Ana flipped her hair. “So we can keep the school’s winning streak going.”
“I came in first place in the jazz finals over the summer,” Trina Bell said.
“Pick me!” Kai Victor said. “I’m gonna be there with my brother anyway for his all-star dance team performance.” He jumped out of his seat with his arms at ninety-degree angles. “See my robot!”
Miss Miller waved her hands in the air. “Every single one of you has talent. But this competition is about more than just winning. It’s about preparation, showmanship, and learning.”
“So, then who gets to go?” Ana asked.
“This is a team sport. I think it should be a team decision,” Miss Miller said.
“How?” several voices asked.
“A dance battle!” Day-Day shouted, looking at Chery. Shouts of glee erupted.
Chery smiled. Dance battles were what her squad did for fun! But moments later, only seven students, including Chery and Ana, lined up for the challenge. Not even Day-Day stepped up.
“You got this,” he whispered in Chery’s ear.
“Let’s start with our warm-up routine,” Miss Miller said. The dancers started doing the familiar combo.
But not Chery. She waited for the music to speak to her. When the right sound hit, Chery’s body popped. She raised her knee right when the music went high. And dropped it when it went low. Then she dropped to her knees and twirled up and repeated.
Oohs and aahs erupted around her.
“Everyone improvise,” Miss Miller said after a while.
One by one, dancers ran out of moves, and bowed out. Soon, only Chery and Ana Aces were left. The students surrounded them.
“Since it’s just the two of you,” Miss Miller said, “let’s put on new music.”
As Chery waited for the right beat again, Ana moved first. She was confident and graceful. Her arms stretched long and wide. And when she bounced on her toes like a ballerina to the thump-thump, bump-bump- bump, she got big claps.
For her turn, Chery pumped her chest to start the challenge. She pointed two fingers from her eyes to Ana’s, giving her a hard stare.
Chery shuffled her feet, heel to toe. Then, stepping close to Ana’s face, Chery dropped her heel and slid backward.
The kids hooted and waved.
Ana came back with an arm wave to a body wave. Then she lifted one of her legs to her head and spun.
“Get it!” Kai shouted.
Chery rolled her head so her long braids whipped around and around. She lifted her leg, too, and ended with the Chery on Top move.
The class exploded in a huge round of applause.
“Cher-y! Cher-y! Cher-y!” some of the students shouted.
Miss Miller quieted the class. “Great dancing from all who participated. But it looks like you’ve decided—Chery is our winner!”
A week later, Chery and Day-Day were the first at dance practice when Fran Perkins hurried in and dropped her backpack. Several workbooks and a dance catalog spilled out. Chery helped Fran pick them up.
“Thanks,” Fran said, placing the catalog on top of the pile. “By the way, do you know what you’re wearing to the solo competition?”
More dancers filed into practice. “Something funky, I hope,” Kai said.
“It should be shiny,” Nell Sunri said. “So you stand out.”
“You have to go to DanceYes!” Fran said. “Ana’s aunt owns it. Tell her you know Ana, and she’ll hook you up.”
“You have to look the part,” Kai said, breaking into a robot dance and voice. “You must keep the streak! Keep the streak!”
As more dancers poured into practice, others joined him. “Keep the streak!” shouts grew.
Get a new outfit? Keep the streak? Chery just wanted to dance. But was everyone saying that without the right outfit, she wouldn’t be good enough to keep the winning streak going?