TABLE OF CONTENTS

  COVER

  TITLE PAGE

  CHAPTER 1: DANCE CAMP

  CHAPTER 2: BIG NEWS

  CHAPTER 3: THE FIRST DAY

  CHAPTER 4: DANCING SOLO

  CHAPTER 5: OUT OF SYNC

  CHAPTER 6: MOVING ON

  CHAPTER 7: LEFT OUT

  CHAPTER 8: FACING THE TRUTH

  CHAPTER 9: BACK IN THE GROOVE

  CHAPTER 10: FLOURISH

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  GLOSSARY

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  WRITING PROMPTS

  MORE ABOUT DANCE TEAMS

  EXPLORE MORE

  COPYRIGHT

  BACK COVER

  CHAPTER 1

  DANCE CAMP

  Lily Richter’s hands hit the floor. She pushed and launched herself back onto her feet in a perfect back handspring. Her arms snapped straight up to finish the move and then out to her sides as she lunged forward. She spun into a graceful pirouette, followed by another. Then it was back to second position stance.

  Without even looking, Lily knew she was in perfect step with her best friend Amy, who danced beside her. Their bodies moved confidently in time with the loud, pumping music.

  Hips swaying and shoulders dipping, Lily jazz-walked forward. After seven steps, she stepped to the side and crossed her working foot over her supporting foot. Then she pivoted quickly and took four cross steps to the left.

  With a bright smile, Lily thrust her arms out to the sides like a T. She knew that Amy had stepped into place right behind her. Stiffening her body, Lily fell straight back.

  Amy caught her teammate smoothly. With their arms linked for support, Lily rolled across her friend’s raised knee with a high double kick.

  Perfect, thought Lily as she landed back on the floor.

  The two girls marched off in opposite directions to form a circle with the rest of their dance team. Several of the dancers broke into the center, causing the circle to bend into a star formation.

  As the last notes of the song blasted out, Lily snapped her hands up high. She stood triumphantly in line with four of her teammates. Amy and the other girls had dropped into a dramatic floor pose in front of them. It was the perfect flourish to end the routine.

  Coach Jackson applauded loudly. “Very nice, ladies!” she exclaimed.

  Lily felt as triumphant as she looked. Dance camp was always her favorite time of year. It was a time to bond with her teammates, have fun, and get her mind and body in shape for the long dance season — and school year — to come.

  This year was even better than most. Lily had her best friend by her side, new dance skills to show off, and a wonderful coach to learn from. Now they were only a week away from the beginning of eighth grade. She felt completely ready to take on the new year and the new season.

  The girls broke out of formation. Everyone jumped around happily. Amy linked her arm through Lily’s with a big grin.

  “You were awesome!” Amy gushed. “That handspring was perfect!”

  “You were amazing too!” Lily replied. She sighed happily. “Dance is the best.”

  She and Amy had been taking lessons with a private dance school for years. In sixth grade, they had both joined the Greenville Middle School dance team. Dance was Lily’s life, and she loved being able to share that passion with teammates.

  “Good work this morning, team,” Coach said. “Let’s go ahead and break for lunch. I have some announcements to share at the end of the meal.”

  The girls ran off to the bunk rooms to wash up and change before the meal. Dance was fun, but it was also a lot of work! Everyone was sweaty and exhausted after a whole morning on the floor. Now, they were also really hungry.

  After getting cleaned up, Lily and her friend Kala ran down the stairs. They were the first ones to arrive in the kitchen at the camp house. The two girls started carrying the trays of sandwiches, salads, and drinks out to the buffet tables in the dining hall.

  By the time everything was ready, the other girls had formed a line. Lily and Kala each grabbed a plate and joined in. After getting their food, they found a seat at one of the long tables.

  “What do you think Coach is going to say?” a tall girl named Dani asked, taking a large bite of her turkey sandwich.

  Lily shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe hand out practice schedules and stuff? Actually, I haven’t even gotten my class schedule yet, have you?”

  “No,” Dani replied. “I’m really hoping I have Mrs. Kraft for English, though . . .”

  Amy plopped down next to Lily with her plate of food. “We’d better have the same lunch period, at least!” she said.

  Happy chatter filled the room as the dance team ate and relaxed. Julia, who had brought her guitar, ate quickly and then began playing some music.

  Just as everyone was finishing their food, Coach Jackson walked in and clapped her hands to get the team’s attention. The team quieted down. Lily turned around to hear what their coach had to say.

  “As you all know, school starts in a week. Practices begin that Tuesday — I’m passing out the schedule now.” She handed some papers to Julia. “Our first performance will be at a school pep rally in four weeks. We’ll need to hit the ground running to get our act together in time.”

  The girls at Lily’s table exchanged excited smiles. Everyone was looking forward to the first performance.

  “That’s not all,” Coach said. “I have one more important piece of news to share — the name of our team captain!”

  Lily nervously gulped down the rest of the cookie she had been nibbling. Being team captain of the Greenville Lions was all she’d ever dreamed about. Would this be the year?

  Amy nudged Lily and gave her hand a tight squeeze. “You’ve got this,” Amy whispered.

  “I’m so pleased to announce that due to her teamwork, spirit, and excellence on the floor,” Coach continued, “the Lions’ team captain for this year will be . . . Lily Richter!”

  Lily gasped as happy tears sprang to her eyes. All the girls in the room started clapping and cheering.

  “Told you so!” Amy said with a laugh.

  Lily jumped up and threw her arms around her best friend. Soon the whole team was surrounding her in a giant group hug.

  Team captain! thought Lily, still a little dazed. Now I know this is going to be the best year yet.

  CHAPTER 2

  BIG NEWS

  That afternoon, Lily spotted her mom’s car pulling into the parking lot. She jumped up from the steps of the camp house and raced to the curb. Her suitcase bounced along behind her.

  “Bye, Dani! Bye, Kala! See you next week!” she called over her shoulder. Only a handful of girls were still waiting for their rides home from camp.

  Lily’s mother got out and gave her daughter a big hug. “Hey, sweetie!” she said.

  “Hi, Mom! You’ll never guess my great news!” Lily began happily.

  Mom smiled, but there was an odd look in her eyes.

  “Oh?” she said, taking Lily’s suitcase and lifting it into the trunk. “Let’s get in the car, and you can share. I have some news too.”

  They climbed in the car. Lily waved once more to her friends as they pulled away. Then she turned to face her mom.

  “So camp was fun?” Mom asked.

  “Yes! And the best part is, Coach made me team captain!” Lily burst out. Her excitement was too big to contain.

  “That’s great, Lily. I’m so proud of you,” Mom said. Then she took a deep breath. “But remember how I said I had some news too?”

  “Yes . . .” Lily said. Her excitement began to fade and worry settled in its place. Her mom was acting strange. She knew how much Lily had wanted to be team captain, but now she was barely acting happy about the news.

  “Well, while you were at camp, I got a promotion too!” Mom said, smiling. It was a nervous smile.

  Lily’s worried feeling grew. Why would Mom be nervous about a promotion?

  “That’s so great, Mom,” she said. “Congrats!”

  “Yes, I’m going to be a regional manager now. It’s a big step up. I’ve been working hard for years to get this position,” Mom explained. “But . . . it’s in Wilmington.”

  Lily blinked. “Wait, you’re moving to Wilmington?” she asked, confused. “That’s, like, four hours away! You can’t live four hours away.”

  “No, honey,” her mom said. “We are moving to Wilmington. Our family. You and I head out on Friday.” Mom didn’t look at Lily but kept her eyes locked on the road.

  “What . . . Friday? That’s in five days,” Lily said. The news still wasn’t sinking in.

  “Dad will stay to pack up the house, and then he’ll join us later. We’ll be there just in time for the first day of school.”

  Lily’s mind was racing. Moving? Now? Right before school starts? She could hear that her mom was still talking, but she couldn’t listen anymore. A new school, new kids she didn’t know, and . . .

  “Mom! What about dance team?” Lily burst out. “I can’t leave my team! I can’t go into eighth grade with no dance team!” Tears suddenly sprang to her eyes.

  “Don’t worry! I called and talked to the Wilmington dance coach,” Mom assured her. “They have a great team, and you’ve only missed camp. You can still join. All you have to do is a quick special tryout to show them you’re as good as I said you are. Don’t worry, honey, I know how important dance is to you!”

  Lily didn’t say anything. She just stared out the window as tears ran down her cheeks, watching the trees and houses rolling by. This wasn’t her home anymore. She wasn’t going to be team captain or enter eighth grade as a dance team champion with her best friends by her side. She was moving.

  “I know this is sudden,” Mom said. “I’m really sorry about that. But . . . at least you’ll get to start fresh with the new school year, right?”

  Lily sniffed and blinked back tears. She nodded a little, then took a deep breath. “I need to call Amy,” she finally managed to say.

  * * *

  “Moving?” Amy shouted over the phone. “You can’t be serious!”

  “I know!” Lily said, flopping back on her bed. She and her mom had just gotten home, but half-filled boxes were already lurking in the corners of the room. She had only been at camp for a week, and everything had changed.

  “But you’re team captain! You can’t leave!” Amy wailed.

  Lily sighed. “Well, maybe Coach will make you captain now. You deserve it. Silver lining?”

  “I don’t want a silver lining, I want my best friend!” Amy said angrily. She took a deep breath. “If there’s really nothing we can do to stop this from happening, I have to help you put together a killer routine for your tryout. No way are you moving and missing out on dance team. See if your mom will let me come over for dinner.”

  * * *

  Later that evening, after eating lots of pizza, the two friends huddled around Lily’s laptop in her room. They were watching dance videos on YouTube and writing down ideas for the tryout routine.

  Since Lily didn’t have much time, Amy had suggested she use the same song and basic routine they’d been working on at camp. Now all they needed to do was change a few things for it to work as a solo.

  “Oh, see that rolling move she does there?” Lily said, pausing the video. She backed it up and hit play. “I could do that in place of the kick.”

  “Yeah,” Amy agreed. “That would be great. And then go straight into the walk. But what about the formation? You need something else there too. You can’t make a star with one person.”

  “Ugh,” Lily said. “You’re right. This is so hard.”

  “No, you can do it,” Amy assured her. “You’re going to be awesome. Those Wilmington kids had better know how lucky they are to be getting Lily Richter!”

  Lily plopped her head on Amy’s shoulder and sighed. “I just hope I can be half as awesome without you.”

  CHAPTER 3

  THE FIRST DAY

  The following week, Lily stared out the window of her mom’s car. Wilmington Central Junior High was much bigger than Greenville Middle School. Her new school was a large, two-story brick building. Unfamiliar kids streamed up a short flight of steps and disappeared through the wide open doors.

  “Well, this is it,” Mom said finally, giving Lily’s knee a squeeze. “Do you know where you’re headed?”

  “Yes, Mom,” Lily replied, waving a stack of papers. “B102. I’ve got it.” She took a deep breath, then opened the door and stepped out into the bright September sunshine.

  “I’ll be right here at three thirty!” Mom called as she pulled away.

  When the car was gone, Lily joined the crowd and headed up the steps into her new school. Inside, kids were busy greeting friends, studying schedules, and searching for their lockers. Nobody paid attention to the new girl standing in the middle of the hallway, looking lost.

  All of a sudden, something heavy knocked Lily forward. Surprised, she turned and saw a tall girl glaring at her.

  The girl hiked a large backpack onto her shoulder. “Move, weirdo. People are trying to walk here,” she said rudely. Then she spun back to her friends, muttering something.

  Lily couldn’t hear what the girl had said. She did hear the nasty giggles afterward, though. Well, I’m off to a great start, she thought, rolling her eyes.

  Lily looked at her schedule again. Her first class was English, with someone named Broadman, in classroom B102. She found the room by following signs on the wall. Taking a seat by the window, she watched as her new classmates slowly filed in.

  A girl sat next to her, but before Lily could say anything, she turned to chat with a friend on her other side. A boy wearing headphones plopped down in the seat in front of her and started doodling on his notebook. Finally, Lily just looked out the window and waited for class to begin.

  After a few minutes, an older man in a brown suit came in, shutting the door behind him. The loud chatter in the classroom stopped as he began writing on the board.

  “I’m Mr. Broadman, and this is eighth grade English,” he began. “Let’s start with the basics. When I call your name, please stand up and move to the desk I indicate.”

  There were groans from around the room.

  “Yes, we’re doing assigned seats. All right, first up is Aikman, Madison,” he said, pointing to a desk in the front of the room. “Anderson, Michael. Beech, Emily.”

  Kids began to shuffle around the room as names were called. Lily was directed to a seat in the second row, near the middle. The space to her right stayed empty as almost all the other names were called.

  “Zabroski, Mia,” the teacher said finally, pointing to the seat next to Lily.

  A girl from the back of the room sighed loudly as she stomped forward and flopped down in the chair. Lily glanced over and realized with horror that it was the rude girl from the hallway. She looked down quickly before she caught Mia’s eye.

  The one person Lily had hoped never to see again was now sitting next to her for the rest of the year.

  * * *

  After quietly suffering through math, history, and P.E., Lily found her way to the cafeteria that afternoon. Her mom had packed a lunch for her, so she didn’t need to join the line. She paused inside the doors for a moment, searching for a place to sit.

  All the tables had at least a couple of kids sitting at them already. Everyone was chatting happily, and the thought of approaching any of the tables filled her with dread. Then she noticed some open doors on the other side of the room. It looked like they led to a small courtyard area outside.

  Maybe I can find a place to sit out there that won’t make me feel completely awkward, Lily thought.

  She quickly walked outside. There was a small group on the grass, a few couples, and three kids kicking a tiny ball around under a huge tree.

  Lily sat on a low wall in the shade and took out her sandwich. She watched the three kids as she ate. One of them, a tall boy with big curly hair, finally glanced over and noticed her watching.

  “Hey, you wanna try it?” he offered, flicking the ball over to one of the girls.

  Lily jumped a little, surprised. “Oh, me? No!” Then she realized that might have sounded rude and added, “Um, thanks, I mean. It looks fun, but I don’t know how to do that. What is it?”

  “Really? A hacky sack,” the boy said.

  “So what do you know how to do?” asked the girl. She flipped the hacky sack expertly on to the top of her bright blue sneaker, then bounced it over to her other friend.

  “Dance,” Lily said. “I’m on the dance team. Or . . . I was at my old school. I’m hoping to join the team here, but I haven’t tried out yet.”

  “Oh!” the girl said. She looked up at Lily and smiled. “I’m on the team. I heard someone new might be coming. What’s your name?”

  “Lily. I’m from Greenville,” she added.

  “Jill,” the other girl said. “I’ve been in dance for a while, but this is my first year on a team. It’s pretty fun so far. We had camp, but practice doesn’t start until tomorrow.”

  Just then the tall boy kicked the hacky sack back to Jill, and she went back to concentrating on their game. Lily quietly watched them until all her food was gone. She crumpled up the bag and stood.

  “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” Jill called without looking up.

  “Yeah, I guess so,” Lily said. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Later,” Jill said.

  Well, at least that’s something good I can tell Amy about today, Lily thought as she walked back inside. The whole day had felt like one long disaster, but meeting someone from the team was at least a start.

  CHAPTER 4

  DANCING SOLO

  The next afternoon, Lily walked out of the locker room and into the school gym. Her hands were sweating, and she could feel her heart beating loudly.

 

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