“If I have to explain that, you’re not ready to learn what it is.” Megan rolled her eyes.

“It’s some high-end department store,” I explained to Trina. “My mom said she walked in one day and nearly passed out after peeking at the price tags.”

Lily sounded confident with her guess. “Madame Tussauds wax museum. I read that it’s every tourist’s must-see spot, plus it’s supposed to be pretty close to our hotel.”

We looked to Vanessa, who was texting someone as we waited for the light to change.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” she said, giving secret smiles to the moms, who apparently were in on the big plan.

We walked up a side street for what seems like ages, but we finally come to the biggest intersection, right ahead of us.

The flashing lights, the ginormous faces on the billboards, the HD jumbotrons.

“TIMES SQUARE!” a couple of Squad members called out in disbelief.

Riley immediately started taking photos of the sights, of our amazement. Then she gave her phone to Megan’s mom and jumped into a group shot with us.

“The Squad in Times Square!” Riley shouted as Megan’s mom snapped away.

This was where everything happened. I’d never come here enough with my family. They were big on avoiding the congestion on this area’s streets and sidewalks.

“Every time I come here, I always feel like I’m in the center of the universe,” said Trina.

“I know! It’s like everybody in the entire world is here,” I said.

“Thank you, Vanessa,” said Lily. “I can’t believe I’m actually here, in the place I’ve seen in movies a zillion times before.”

“This is such a cool surprise!” shouted Megan, who was showing the most enthusiasm for New York since she got here.

“You’re welcome, but this isn’t the surprise.” Vanessa winked. Still, we dived into the frenzied energy of the broad strip, where two main avenues intersect and explode into a loud, bright, flashing epicenter.

We stood on the bleachers, which were in front of the famous TKTS booth (where you could buy discount Broadway tickets). Tons of people were standing or sitting there, but we found an empty spot and snapped away, taking in the view. Even the moms got in on the fun. After we were done, we joined the herd of humans migrating across the wide street when we got the green light.

We found ourselves on a quieter side street. “Here we are!” said Vanessa, holding open a nondescript white door leading to a flight of stairs.

We’d given up asking for clues by then. And besides, we were still buzzing from our cool Times Square photo shoot. Even Megan seemed a little giddy.

That’s when we saw the sign at the top of the stairs: THE ALEXIS ALMA STUDIOS.

“No way!” I shouted.

Alexis Alma was only this super-awesome choreographer and dancer who took hip-hop dance to top stages around the world. She was a legend who got her start dancing in the most popular music videos back when our parents were our age.