The Callback

by Maddie Ziegler

  “Hailey, that’s my Little Mermaid costume,” I said. “I need my leotard.”

  “Ew,” she said. “That was all bunched up in the trunk. You don’t want to wear that. Wear this! It’s so pretty!”

  I looked at the dress. I guess there was no reason I couldn’t wear it. I mean, between this and the wrinkled leotard, I had a better shot of Vanessa letting me onstage in this, right?

  “You’re a genius,” I told her. “You are a genius.”

  “I know,” Hailey said. “You’re welcome.”

  I raced back into the studio and pulled on the costume. I gave myself a quick look in the mirror. Okay. It would have to do. The dress definitely looked nice! I looked a little frazzled, but I didn’t have any time to spare. I raced into the studio.

  “Oh, that’s so smart!” Lily said when she saw me. “Your costume from the musical!”

  “So pretty!” Trina said. “You know, it looks a lot like Megan’s!”

  Megan’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me.

  “You can’t wear that,” she said. “That’s not your solo costume.”

  “I don’t have a choice,” I said. “I can’t find mine.”

  “Oh, but Megan, you love Harper’s costume,” Trina said. “It’s why you made your mom sew pearls on your skirt so it would look like Harper’s, right?”

  “You did?” I asked.

  “Whatever! But see you can’t wear a dress that looks a lot like mine!” Megan said. “I’m going to get Vanessa!”

  She jumped up and stormed out of the room. Everyone shot me panicky glances. I definitely didn’t want her stirring up things with Vanessa. I ran out after Megan.

  “Megan, don’t!” I said. “We want Vanessa to think our team has our act together.”

  “No, we don’t,” Megan said. “You just want Vanessa to think you do. That’s why you got her to go to your musical Friday night so you could be all la la, look at me onstage getting all the applause! Well, guess what? That’s not fair! I focus on dance every day, I never miss rehearsals, and I definitely don’t skip them for a class play!”

  She whirled around and looked me straight in the eye.

  “I deserve this solo! I’ve devoted everything to dancing here and you think you can come in and just take everything—even wearing practically the same dress as me.”

  “Megan,” I said. “Remember, we talked about this before our last competition. I’m not trying to take everything from you. I just want a chance at the solo—”

  “IT’S MY SOLO,” Megan said. “The Bells left, I’m next in line, I’m the number one dancer here. You go dance at your school, ’kay? Oh good, there’s Vanessa.”

  Vanessa was coming up the hall toward us. Oh, no.

  “Vanessa!” Megan pointed at my dress.

  “My costume is missing, so may I wear this?!” I said to Vanessa. “Please?”

  “You’re responsible for your costume being ready to go.” Vanessa shook her head. “Well, the show must go on.”

  “But—” Megan protested.

  “Megan, where’s your skirt?” Vanessa interrupted her.

  “Uh!” Megan stammered. “My mom is doing a last-minute fix! I don’t go until last, so I have time!”

  “What did I just say about costumes being ready? Both of you, very disappointing,” Vanessa scolded. “Megan, I’m going to introduce all of you before your dance, so you have a little time. But not much.”

  Megan looked really upset. I couldn’t really feel sorry for her since she’d thrown me under the bus.

  “I’ll go put it on,” she squeaked.

  “Harper, tell everyone to meet you in the hall now. I’ll send someone to get you,” she said. And she turned and walked away.

  Whew. I’d gotten off easy. I took a deep breath. I went into the studio.

  “Squad!” I announced. Lily, Trina, and Riley looked up. “It’s time!”

  Everyone had their game faces on as we stood in the hallway.

  “Where’s Megan?” Riley whispered.

  “Getting her skirt,” I told her. “Actually, there she is.”

  Megan came up the hallway, looking stressed. She held her skirt with one hand. Vanessa came up behind her.

  “CALL TIME!

  “The other students are seated on the floor of the studio,” Vanessa said. “You’ll all wait your turns—silently—in the small lounge attached to the studio. You’ll each perform on the small stage. I will introduce you, and your song will begin. Harper, you’re up first. Let me signal the sound person, and when I wave you in, enter.”

  We waited out in the hallway.

  “This whole thing stinks,” Megan said. “Why do we have to dance in front of everyone else to get our solo? Vanessa probably already knows who’s she’s going to pick. This is stupid.”

  One of the Minis arriving late hurried toward the studio. She stopped when she saw us.

  “Hi, Squad!” she said, excitedly waving before she went inside. “Hi!”

  I closed my eyes to get into the zone, but something was bothering me. “Wait. I know we’re competing against one another, but we’re still a team.”

  “So?” Riley said.

  “So, I think we should keep up with our tradition,” I said. “I know Megan said we’re going in as rivals, but I think we’re representing DanceStarz as the Squad.”

  “Yes,” Trina said. “See how that Mini looked at us? Like we’re role models.”

  “We need to act like it.” Lily nodded.

  “Let’s huddle,” I said quietly. Everyone, including a reluctant Megan, huddled. “Remember our corrections.”

  “Watch your feet,” Trina whispered.

  “Be high energy,” Lily whispered.

  Megan didn’t say anything. But she didn’t stop us either.

  “Remember to connect with the audience,” I whispered. “This is our first chance to tell our stories, individually, but together as the Squad.”

  “We’re here to represent Vanessa and the DanceStarz Squad. Let’s be thankful for this opportunity to dance!”

  And Megan started our new ritual.

  We whispered:

  “Dance!” And did a little dance.

  “Starz!” We fluttered our fingers like sparkling stars.

  Then we leaned into a huddle and whispered:

  “Squad!”

  I smiled at my teammates. Then I stepped back. I wanted to have a few seconds for myself, to get in the zone. I closed my eyes and tried to picture myself dancing perfectly. Then I remembered the story.

  Taking the leap!

  I’d moved to Florida, into a new house, started at a new dance studio, auditioned onto the Squad, made new friends, joined the school musical, danced in the school musical, and was now auditioning for the very first solo. . . . I could show my journey with this dance. I knew I could be fearless here, too.

  “From the Squad . . . Harper McCoy!” Vanessa announced from inside the room. The studio door opened, and I went in.

  I took my place at the front of the room and struck my pose.

  The room was packed with dancers, little kids up front and teenagers lining the walls. They were all staring at me. Megan’s mom was at the computer, doing the music. I saw Vanessa give her a signal to start, and I took a deep breath.

  And I danced. I did my best to let me body feel the music and really let my mind feel the emotions. I let my energy pour out to the audience, especially to the little kids who someday might be part of the Squad. I wanted to connect with them, to tell them they could do it. Take the leap!

  I spun, I twirled, I leapt!

  And finished with my pose, strong and solid.

  I did it!

  I was breathing hard as I jumped up. Everyone was clapping like crazy for me, and I smiled gratefully. From the corner of my eye, I could see Vanessa also clapping but not letting her expression give anything away.

  I walked with purpose out the door into the hallway.

  I DID IT!

 
I was so happy it was over, when I saw the Squad I gave them each a big hug. Trina! Lily! Riley! Even Megan. I was so happy and relieved it was over, I would have hugged the Bells if they’d been there!

  “Oomph,” Megan said grumpily. And then I heard the sound of something small hit the floor.

  “You lost a pearl,” Trina pointed out.

  “I know,” Megan snapped. “Don’t anyone touch me.”

  Clink! Another pearl fell off.

  “Trina!” Vanessa came out and called up Trina next.

  “Break a leg!” I whispered to her.

  Clink! Clink! Clink!

  Vanessa slowly turned around and frowned. She looked down at the floor.

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing,” Megan said at the same time Trina said: “Some of the pearls from Megan’s skirt.”

  “Are you having a problem with your skirt?” Vanessa asked.

  “No!” Megan said. She stood completely still. I think she was even holding her breath.

  “Lily, you’re up,” Vanessa said.

  “Break a leg, Lily!” I told her.

  Lily gave a little “Eek!” and followed Vanessa into the studio.

  “This is just great! Now my skirt is falling apart and it’s totally your fault, Harper!” Megan looked at me accusingly.

  Wait, what?

  “How can that possibly be my fault?” I asked.

  “Well, I was in such a hurry to get ready because you were late tonight. It messed everything up, so I had to rush my mom sewing the pearls on my skirt,” Megan said defensively.

  How could she blame me for that?

  “That’s not my fault,” I protested.

  “Well, it kind of is,” Riley shrugged. “Because the only reason Megan got the extra pearls to put on it is because she wanted her dress to be fancier after seeing your dress in the school musical. And good thing she did, since you snuck in your fancy costume to wear today.”

  “That’s not what I did,” I said. “I’m only wearing it because my solo costume went missing!”

  “Actually, that’s true.” Riley frowned and looked at Megan. “If her costume hadn’t gone missing, she wouldn’t be in that dress that looks just like your dress.”

  “The point is, Harper ends up making us look bad,” Riley continued.

  “I don’t think that’s true.” Trina frowned.

  “It’s true!” Riley said. “Harper makes me look bad by busting into DanceStarz and being a better dancer than us!”

  “Well, wait, she’s not a better dancer than us,” Megan said. “At least me, Riley.”

  “Uh, that’s not what I meant,” Riley backtracked.

  “Riley, you might be right,” Trina said. “Megan, you flipped out last night after you saw Harper dance in The Little Mermaid. Then you had to go copy her dress with the pearls on it. You’re trying to be more like her. Harper, you should take it as a compliment.”

  “I’m not complimenting Harper! Harper gets enough compliments from Vanessa!” Megan said.

  “Guys.” I needed to stop this somehow. “Can we just chill?”

  “Chill? How can I chill?” Megan was really worked up. “I’d better get this solo! Do you know how long I’ve wanted this? I was the very first dancer here at the studio, and I deserve it!” Megan was so upset she pounded the wall, and when she did it set off a chain reaction. Her skirt shook and pearls started flying everywhere. She grabbed at her skirt, which only made things worse.

  Just then Vanessa came out the door, followed by Lily.

  “Riley. You’re up,” Vanessa said.

  And that’s when it happened. Vanessa stepped on one of Megan’s pearls. And she slid.

  Oh no!

  We gasped as Vanessa teetered and wobbled on her high heels, trying to regain her balance as she slid down the hallway, stepping on pearls and landing right on her butt.

  We all stood there horrified. Thankfully, Vanessa was able to hop right back up and dust herself off, so she wasn’t hurt. Phew. But then she turned around slowly and looked at all of us.

  “Sorry,” Megan croaked.

  Vanessa walked carefully toward us with a steely expression on her face.

  “Riley,” Vanessa said slowly. “As I was saying, you are up. However, Megan: obviously your dress provides a safety hazard not only to you”—she paused and glared—“but to others. Trina will be dancing next, and Megan, if you do not have an acceptable substitute for your costume in time, you will not be able to dance tonight. At all.”

  She opened the door to the studio and beckoned Riley in. Riley shot a panicky glance at Megan and then disappeared inside.

  “Well, there goes my dream,” Megan said. “I might as well give up dancing, period, the end.”

  “Can you just wear shorts with the top?” Trina asked.

  “No, ugly.” Megan started to sniff.

  “Why don’t you borrow one of our costumes?” Trina asked her.

  “Oh sure, after you’ve already danced in them and everybody saw it,” Megan said. “They’ll laugh at me if I reuse your dress. My fans have high expectations for me.”

  I rolled my eyes at that comment and looked at Lily. She shrugged. Part of me wanted to help Megan, but I also knew she’d dug herself into this hole. I’d been prepared to dance in a wrinkled leotard if I’d had to, just to make sure I at least got to dance. If Megan was going to be this picky, after being so mean to me . . . I was going to have no sympathy.

  Then I saw tears forming in her eyes. Then she burst out crying.

  “My mother is going to kill me. She thinks I’m the grand finale so Vanessa will announce I’m the soloist, and she’s in there waiting for it!” Megan sobbed. “She was already mad at me that I went over budget on the dress! And then I made her sew on pearls! And she bought me a million private lessons with Vanessa, and if she did all that for nothing and I don’t even get a solo she’s going to be so mad at me. She’ll know I screwed everything up!”

  A few more pearls shook off and rolled down the hall. Clink, clink, clink.

  “Aw, Megan.” We all felt bad.

  “Megan, I’m sorry that’s going on,” I said. I totally get being under pressure.

  “Oh, give it up, Harper.” Megan sniffled. “You should be happy that things fell apart for me, after I sabotaged you.”

  “You have been pretty rough with our duet,” I said. Then I took a wild guess. “Too bad that nobody knows where my solo costume is, because I could let you borrow it to wear for your audition.”

  Megan froze.

  Lily picked up on that very quickly. “Harper, that’s such a nice gesture. It’s too bad your dress is still missing.”

  “You’d really let me wear your dress?” Megan asked quietly.

  “Yes, I actually would, because you are my teammate. We’re the Squad and we should stick together,” I said. “Even though you keep forgetting that.”

  “Look, it’s not like I planned it,” Megan said “The custodian asked me if I needed the costume, and I was honest. I didn’t need it.”

  “But I asked you if you knew where it was,” I said.

  “But I don’t!” Megan said. “I don’t know where she took it.”

  “I can’t believe you,” Lily said. “You don’t even deserve to dance today. You need to tell Vanessa so Harper doesn’t get in trouble.”

  Megan cried harder. I’d never seen her like this. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I knew I’d feel guilty later if I didn’t at least try to help her.

  “Let’s go see if we can find the custodian and my costume.” I sighed. “Come on.”

  “Really?” Megan looked at me suspiciously.

  “Yes, but only if you promise not to sabotage me anymore,” I said. “If you’re on my team, I have to be able to trust you. We have to trust each other.”

  Just then, Riley burst through the door.

  “Nailed it!” she crowed. Then she saw Megan and dropped her grin. “Uh, I mean, sorry you can’t dance.”

  “She
’s dancing,” I said firmly. “Hurry, before Vanessa gets out here. We need to find the custodian and get my costume from the rack for Megan to wear.”

  “I told her,” Megan said. “And from now on you have to be nice to Harper.”

  “Me?!” Riley looked taken aback.

  “I’m going to convince Vanessa to wait a minute for you. Lily, Trina, can you help them?” They both nodded. “Hurry, go!”

  They’d just rounded the corner of the hallway when Vanessa came out.

  “Where is everyone?”

  “They’ll be right back,” I said, my heart pounding.

  “So Megan is not dancing?” Vanessa asked me.

  For a split second, I thought of all the times Megan had been nasty to me and imagined myself saying no. I shook that thought out of my head. I could never do that.

  “She is, she is!” I said. I needed to stall. “I know you said the show can’t wait for anyone, but when I was dancing, I saw all those dancers in there looking at me and maybe some of them dream about being on the Squad someday so we all thought I could go in and say something, um, inspiring. That’s why they left me here: so I could be, uh, the . . . spokesperson.”

  Oh, that sounded ridiculous. There was no way she was going to buy it. I could tell from her skeptical look that she wasn’t buying it. But then she surprised me.

  “I suppose that could be a nice addition to the evening,” Vanessa said. “Go on and say something. You have a few minutes.”

  “Really?” I squeaked. “Great! Thanks!”

  I scurried into the studio before she could change her mind. This was great! I was so happy she’d gone along with me! Until I stood up in front of the room and all the dancers were staring at me. And I didn’t have anything prepared. Hmm. Maybe this wasn’t such a good plan after all. After all of this, was I going to completely embarrass myself?

  “Um. Hi,” I said. And then Hailey popped up from the crowd and called out, “Hi, Harper!”

  I could hear her whisper, “That’s my sister.”

  And I had an idea.

  “She’s right. I’m Harper, Hailey’s sister,” I said. Hailey looked thrilled. “So I wanted to give you advice I gave her. Maybe some of you want to be on the Squad someday. You’re all so talented!”

  Some of the girls perked up, but I noticed others deflated.