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their coach replied. “This is yours.” She handed Liberty a brown, fuzzy unitard with a long tail attached.
    Liberty’s face turned bright red. Scarlettactually thought she saw steam coming out of her ears. “No way! I am not making a fool out of myself in that!”
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Rochelle taunted her. “Afraid of a little monkey business on the dance floor?”
    â€œThis is going to get ugly.” Anya sighed. “I can see it coming.”
    â€œI refuse to wear this—and to dance with that,” Liberty fumed. “I’m gonna tell my mother. She will never stand for it.”
    Toni stayed cool as a cucumber. “Then take a seat, Liberty,” she said calmly. “In the corner, on the mat. No one is forcing you to dance on the Divas team.”
    She turned back to the class. “Bria and Anya, you’re also doing a duet. It’s a lyrical routine called ‘Count the Stars,’ and I’m going to need your moms to help with the costuming.”
    â€œMy mom’s totally into it,” Bria volunteered. “She’s a whiz at BeDazzling.”
    Anya wrinkled her nose. “BeDazzling? I wasthinking more simple and classic like the night sky …”
    Toni held up her hand. “Girls, the costumes are the least of my concerns at the moment. We need to block out the group routine today.”
    She went to the closet and pulled out a large inflated beach ball. She tossed it to Scarlett. “I call this number ‘By the Beautiful Sea.’ You’re all going to be 1920s bathing beauties frolicking on the seashore.”
    Gracie’s hand went up. “Miss Toni, can I be the one in the bathtub?” she asked, hopefully.
    Scarlett sighed. “Gracie, there is no bathtub. It’s set on the beach.”
    â€œIn hideously ugly costumes with bloomers,” Liberty piped up from the corner. “As if the monkey suit wasn’t bad enough.”
    Miss Toni ignored the chatter. “I’ve found real vintage bathing suits for all of you—and parasols and bathing caps.”
    She held up a black-and-white photo of a woman in a navy-and-white striped skirted bathing suitwith baggy white bloomers peeking out from underneath.
    Gracie stared at the image. “I don’t get it. How’s she gonna swim in that? Can’t we just wear bikinis?”
    Liberty’s hand shot up. “I second bikinis!”
    Scarlett actually thought she heard Toni growl. “I have had enough of all of you today,” she said firmly. “The only voice I want to hear now is my own. Is that clear?”
    Six heads nodded in unison. Toni meant business.
    â€œI want two lines of three. Scarlett, Gracie, Rochelle. You’re up front. Anya, Bria, you’re in the back. And Liberty, too … if you care to grace us with your presence?”
    Liberty stood up and took her place in line.
    â€œThis number is nostalgic. It will be light and lively with lots of kicks and tricks. I want the judges to be wowed from the minute you set foot onstage.”
    She motioned for Scarlett to toss her thebeach ball. “This is going to be in constant motion during the routine, passing from hand to hand.” She tossed it at Rochelle, who was caught off guard and nearly dropped it.
    â€œAnyone who is not on the ball for this group number will have me to deal with.”

    Rochelle wasn’t sure that Liberty would show up for their duet rehearsal the next day. She could have kissed Miss Toni for making Liberty the monkey instead of her. How funny would she look jumping around onstage and shaking her tail?
    When Liberty walked into the studio, Rock had to try her hardest not to crack up. She knew Toni wouldn’t tolerate it.
    â€œOh, so you’ve decided to join us?” Toni asked Liberty. “If you’re going to do this duet, I don’t want any complaining—not about your dance, not about your