Showstopper by Sheryl Berk Page B

you all are excited to make plans,” Toni continued. “I would just like to remind you that two weeks later, we are competing at Smooth Moves. City Feet will be there as well, and losing is not an option.”
    â€œCan’t Justine give it a rest?” Rochelle complained. City Feet’s coach—and Toni’s archnemesis from her ballet school days—was always trying to outdo the Divas.
    â€œNo, she can’t,” Toni replied. “And I guarantee her team isn’t resting either. I’m sure they’re working straight through the holiday week. Which means we have to work ten times as hard now if you want to have those days off.”
    Toni then dug into her tote bag and pulled out a deck of playing cards. “See these?” she asked her team. “I want each of you to pick one.”
    â€œIs this a magic trick?” Gracie asked. “Are you going to make a card appear behind my ear?”
    Toni tried not to laugh. Gracie was the youngest member of the Divas, with the most active imagination. “No, Gracie. It’s my idea for our group choreography and costumes.” She held the deck fanned out in front of her. “Pick.”
    Gracie pulled a card out and looked at it. “It’s a ‘joker,’” she told the group.
    â€œWell, that’s appropriate,” Liberty said, smirking. She was the next to choose and drew the queen of hearts. “And so is my card! I’m the queen!”
    Each of the girls pulled their cards as well: Rochelle was the jack of spades; Scarlett wasthe king of clubs; Bria was the ten of diamonds; and Anya was the ace of hearts.
    â€œThe card you chose will inspire your costume,” Toni instructed them. “I don’t want a giant playing card made out of cardboard for this routine. I want something that’s flashy and fabulous and worthy of Las Vegas.”
    â€œI’ll have my mom call Lady Gaga’s costume team,” Liberty volunteered.
    Toni shook her head. “Nope. No costume designers, no moms, just you. I want you to make your own costumes so you are truly invested in this number.”
    Liberty looked shocked. “I don’t sew!” she protested. “I don’t even own a needle and thread. My mom has people who do that!”
    Rochelle elbowed Scarlett. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
    â€œCouldn’t I get a teensy-weensy bit of help?” Liberty pleaded with her teacher. “I hear Katy Perry’s designer isn’t very busy at the moment . . .”
    But Toni put her foot down—literally. She stamped her heel on the studio floor. “Enough! I want to see a sketch of your ideas and some fabric swatches by this weekend.”

    When they got back to the dressing room, Bria immediately tore a sheet of paper out of her notebook and started sketching.
    â€œI think I should do a black leotard and skirt covered in shimmering faux diamonds, don’t you?” she asked Anya.
    â€œDon’t ask me,” Anya insisted. “The last time you BeDazzled our costumes for our duet, it was a fashion disaster.”
    â€œIt wasn’t that bad,” Bria replied.
    â€œReally? It was so heavy I could hardly move! And the stars kept flying off and attacking the judges!”
    Bria shrugged. “Well, this is different. I’ll make sure the diamonds are superglued to the dress and don’t fly off.”
    â€œWhat does a joker wear?” Gracie asked.
    â€œHe’s kind of a clown,” Anya explained. “With a silly hat and pointy shoes.”
    Gracie studied her card. “I could do pom-poms on the hat and collar.”
    â€œAnd two different colored tights for your legs,” Scarlett suggested. “Something really fun. I’ll help you, Gracie.”
    Gracie shook her head. “Uh-uh. I’m doing it all by myself. Miss Toni said so.”
    â€œMy ace of hearts is going to wear a red tutu,” Anya said,