Dancing Diva Read online

  Almost before we know it, music starts playing. There’s a little TV in the dressing room that shows what’s happening onstage.

  We see the curtains part and Linc spring onto the stage for the first scene.

  “Girls to stage left. You’re on in five minutes,” we hear through the speaker.

  Anna leads us down a hallway and quietly opens a door. We pass through heavy black curtains, and all of a sudden, there we are, standing in the wings. We have a side view of Linc doing his solo dance. He finishes, and the stage goes dark.

  “You’re on!” Anna says.

  We walk onto the stage and take our positions for the beginning of the scene. I peek into the audience. It’s a little hard to see, but it looks like the theater’s full. Then the music begins, light floods the stage, and we’re dancing.

  We move as a unit, all seven of us together. Linc dances on from stage left. He takes Terrel’s hand, and they dance together as the rest of us continue with our steps. The music fills my heart, my soul, my body, and I dance the best I’ve ever danced, even though I’m doing exactly the steps I’m supposed to do. It’s a good thing that smiling is part of the choreography. I think the smiles we have plastered all over our faces are going to last a very long time.

  Before we know it, we’re back offstage.

  We watch the rest of the ballet on the little TV in our dressing room. There’s one scene where Linc is supposed to be angry. He flails around and dances like a crazy man. But he always lands right where the spotlight shines on him.

  “Everyone, prepare for curtain call,” the stage manager says through the speaker, right before the show ends. We wait in the wings until the music stops, and everyone starts clap-ping. My friends and I run onstage holding hands, and we curtsy. Terrel steps in front and takes a solo bow. A teensy part of me is jealous—but I will have plenty of time later to be a big star.

  The applause is deafening. All the other dancers come onstage. Linc takes a solo bow, and then we all bow together. Someone hands Linc a huge bouquet of roses. After he bows again, he comes over to us. He pulls out seven roses and hands one to each of us. The audience cheers and claps even louder.

  Finally, the curtain falls.

  Chapter 21

  Afterward, there’s a party in the lobby. We’re allowed to come out in our costumes, although Anna says, “Please, don’t spill any juice on them, okay? Please?”

  Food is set up on one side of the lobby, and drinks on the other. The place is packed. Jazz music fills the air, and everyone seems really happy.

  “My girls!” Ms. Debbé comes over. She’s wearing an extra-fancy turban for the occasion, one with blue feathers, and her neck seems to drip with blue jewels. “I am so proud of you. Of all of you,” she says, giving each of us a hug in turn.

  Mr. Lester is a few steps behind her. “Yes, great job, girls,” he says. “Mr. Tonetti is very impressed. He’s even talking about doing another ballet here next year, with more parts for young dancers.”

  Our families swoop over in a mob. Brenda’s mom, Al’s mom, the triplets’ parents, Terrel’s dad and his girlfriend, and my whole family. “Fantastico!” Nonna says, kissing my cheeks.

  “¡Fabuloso!” says Abuela.

  All their friends hug me, and so do Mom and Dad. I don’t think I’ve ever been hugged so much in my life.

  Even though it’s crowded, some people have started dancing to the music. The sea of people parts, and Linc appears. He comes straight over to me.

  “May I have this dance?” he asks.

  My knees feel like they’re going to buckle underneath me. Nonna and Abuela and their friends all have matching expressions: eyes wide and jaws slack.

  Linc grabs my hand. “Come on,” he says; then he drops his voice. “You told your family you were going to dance with me, right? I don’t want to make a liar out of you.”

  Okay—I know I’m way too young to think about getting married. But when I get old enough, Linc Simmons is gonna be at the top of my list.

  He pulls me over to a clear spot, and we start dancing—dancing however we want. He jumps in the air. I jump higher. I’ve never been so happy. Then I remember exactly why I am where I am tonight.

  “Just a sec,” I yell over the music. I run back and grab Terrel’s hand. She grabs Al, who grabs JoAnn, who grabs Jerzey Mae, who grabs Brenda, who grabs Jessica. I drag the whole line back to Linc, and we dance together in one big, crazy circle. My mom and Abuela join in, and soon, everyone, even Nonna, is dancing with us.

  “You are one lucky girl to have such good friends,” Linc says as I twirl under his arms.

  And you know what? He’s right.

  Epatha’s Guide to Ballet Terms

  (With help from Terrel)

  battement tendu—a move where you slide your foot on the floor and point your toe. If you want, instead of moving your foot in a straight line, you can swirl it around in little curlicues. No, actually, you can’t.

  châiné turns—turns that move in one direction across the floor. In a straight line, not little curlicues, in case you were wondering.

  demi-plié—a small knee-bend, where you keep your heels on the floor. I like to add fluttery arm swoops when I do these. However, you’re not supposed to.

  diva—a big star. Like Terrel was in this show. Thank you. But even if you say nice things about me, I’m still going to make sure you get these terms right.

  grand plié—a bigger knee-bend. Some people do big, superfancy arm swoops with these. Again, you’re not supposed to.

  improvise—to make up things, like dance moves, right on the spot. Right, Terrel? I wouldn’t know. The idea of making things up on the spot gives me a headache.

  jeté—leap. Got a problem with that, T.? No, that's correct. And by the way, you asked me to help you with these definitions!

  mantecaditos—Puerto Rican butter cookies, which are very tasty. At least we agree about this. But, they're not really related to ballet.

  pirouette—a fancy turn on one leg. A very good diva move. Epatha is particularly good at these, I have to say.

  Aw, thanks, Terrel!

  Simmons, Linc—a very talented ballet dancer. Who is also very cute. Eww, yuck!