I started waving and laughing boisterously.

“Yes! Yes, it’s you! I’m crossing the street right now!”

I watched as Eliza’s long blond hair practically floated behind her, she was running so fast across the crosswalk toward me! She was wearing a navy coat, buckled up over black tights and flats.

“Trina is happy with the shiny things in there,” Megan said as she came out with Riley. Then they stood like astonished statues as Eliza ran from the crosswalk and and we hugged and squealed and shouted and hugged again.

“Wow, I didn’t realize you’d be staying this close to the venue. We’re just leaving rehearsal at the dance studio,” said Eliza.

“We have ours tomorrow.”

“Ahem!” Megan cleared her throat.

“Oh, I almost forgot. . . .” I turn to the Squad. “Eliza, meet my new Squad members, Lily, Megan, Riley—and here comes Trina.”

“Hi, everyone!” said Eliza, giving the group a big smile. “I hope you’re looking out for my girl. She’s very special to me.”

I take a look at the Squad, but they’re barely smiling.

“Of course we are,” Megan said finally. “She’s special to us, too.”

“Speaking of special,” Eliza continues. “I’ve got a special treat tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at lunch.”

“Awesome, I’ll see you then!” I said.

Lily’s eyebrows go up, and Megan exchanges a look with Riley and Trina.

Eliza gave everyone a friendly wave. “It was nice to meet you guys! I hope we get to hang out a little this week.”

“Isn’t she great? Isn’t this whole trip the coolest?” I ask.

“Cooler than the rink,” Megan said.

CHAPTER

9

The next morning, after a yummy New York breakfast—including bagels, of course—we walked to the rented studios assigned to most of the nationals competitors. We had a specific private room and practice time. We had to get there early and use our time wisely, because that would be our only private run-through while we’re here. Tomorrow we’d be running through a sort-of dress rehearsal at the hotel ballroom, making sure we all knew our designated performance times, and marking everything. And there, people were invited to stay and watch from the audience.

“This is it, girls,” Vanessa said when we entered the sunlight-drenched white space. We’re a few floors above street level and out the windows are buildings that look made for black-and-white photography.

It’s one thing to have the choreography down, but it’s another to adapt it to the space you’re rehearsing or performing in. Vanessa believes a choreographed work can change its look and feel depending on the setting. And from the sound of it, she definitely thinks this dance comes to life a little differently here in this studio. Who’s to say how it will play out once we hit the competition stage at nationals?

But that’s our job. To make adjustments on the spot and remember them.

“That last move on the ‘and four’ isn’t working anymore,” says Vanessa. “Let’s instead reverse the step and see if that works better.”