Harry Chen got up and slung his guitar over his shoulder. Daisy Hargrove cleared her throat. And Derek and Vijay followed them up the stairs.

“I can’t wait to see what Sam looks like!” Vijay said.

“I sure hope whatever he did looks good,” Derek agreed.

They need not have worried. Sam was not only in full costume, with a black cape and top hat—he was also in complete clown white makeup, except for black circles around his eyes and black lips that made his teeth stand out like fangs! He’d even pasted long, sharp, fake nails onto his fingertips!

“Hi, guys!” he said. “Ready to go. You?”

“Boy, are we glad to see you!” Derek said.

“You look horrible!” Vijay said. “It’s fantastic!”

“Thanks!” Sam said. “Grrrr!” He stuck his fingernails out at them, and both boys giggled softly.

“SSSHhh!” said Harry Chen, who was awaiting his turn to go on.

Derek and Vijay put fingers to their mouths, but they couldn’t hide their smiles.

Harry blew the audience away, playing some Jimi Hendrix song that went so fast it was totally dazzling. The crowd shouted and gave him a standing ovation, and Harry came offstage wearing a smile that practically screamed I win!

Not to be outdone, Daisy Hargrove went out there and sang an aria. Her high note at the end made a glass of water that was standing on a table backstage rattle and buzz—luckily, it didn’t break.

It was the boys’ turn next. The door was rolled into place at one end of the stage. Vijay placed Sam behind it and gave a nod to the stage manager, who returned it with a thumbs-up.

The music started. Derek sashayed his way onstage—Mister Cool—and did a double-spin move just to kick things off. The crowd whooped and hollered—at least his family and friends did. Derek could see Sharlee, and he knew his parents would be right next to her.

He looked down at the front row, and there were Vijay’s parents—right next to Gary, who had a big smirk on his face. Derek didn’t care—he was ready to show Gary what dancing was all about.

He did a floor spin, causing another round of whoops and applause. Then Vijay came on—and the crowd really began to get into it.

Derek was known around the school as an athlete and one of the “smart kids.” But it would have surprised no one to find out he could break-dance.

Vijay, on the other hand, was known as a brainiac and a class clown who loved to laugh and tell jokes. To see him break-dancing up onstage came as a complete surprise. And to see him do it this well? Awesome!