Part 9 (1/2)

It was finally time to enjoy the ride.

MERRI-LEE MARVIL'S NEW YEAR'S YVES PARTYTHE STAGEFriday, December 31st9:15 P.M. P.M.

Alicia took the raucous applause for the Canine Chorus as a good sign. If people went this wild for three mutts who barked what sounded more like ”Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” than like ”Auld Lang Syne,” surely they would go mad for BADSS. And if they they didn't, didn't, someone someone would. Maybe a talent agent in L.A.? A pop star looking for a video honey? A Broadway director out to cast the next Maria in would. Maybe a talent agent in L.A.? A pop star looking for a video honey? A Broadway director out to cast the next Maria in West Side Story West Side Story? Millions of people were watching. At least a hundred of them could make Alicia's dreams come true.

Brooke and Alicia held hands in the wings, anxiously bobbing up and down on the b.a.l.l.s of their Capezios.

”Forty-five seconds,” said a male stage manager with bigger b.o.o.bs than Alicia.

”Poor guy,” Brooke mumbled, eyeing his chest.

”I know how he feels.” Alicia glanced down at her bulging vest, where the glitter was starting to flake. She had deliberately worn a bra one size too small to be sure Thing One and Thing Two didn't try to jump out and steal the show.

”At least you have have b.o.o.bs.” Poppy unb.u.t.toned her vest to the belly b.u.t.ton. ”I'm so well proportioned it's boring.” b.o.o.bs.” Poppy unb.u.t.toned her vest to the belly b.u.t.ton. ”I'm so well proportioned it's boring.”

Alicia and Brooke rolled their eyes but held their tongues. Poppy had learned the routine in fifteen minutes and saved their act. If it weren't for her well-proportioned body they'd still be listening to the mutts.

The houselights dimmed. Merri-Lee spoke into the mic.

”Up next we have some local talent....”

This was it!

”Ahhhhhh.” Alicia and Brooke squeezed each other's hands numb. Brooke squeezed because she was nervous. Alicia squeezed because she was on the verge of greatness. With Skye and her studio-owning, daughter-favoring parents two time zones away, Alicia would finally get the attention she deserved-and introduce Mrs. Fossier, and the world, to the real real captain. captain.

From the front row, Nadia Rivera flashed an encouraging thumbs-up to her daughter and dabbed her almond-shaped eyes with a handkerchief. Len put his arm around her and squeezed proudly. Alicia wanted to smile back at her parents with love, but all she could do was lift her hand in heartless acknowledgment. It was their fault her hairy calves were sweating in her leg warmers. And if that sweat was responsible for distracting her from her performance...

She blinked back the thought. Anything less than perfect was not an option.

”I am proud to introduce BADSS!” Merri-Lee gushed.

The audience applauded. The cameras turned to face them. Alicia's stomach dipped. Her ears rang. Her legs sparked with electricity. It was time for her mind to take five and let her body take over.

Shakira's ”Ojos Asi” blasted through the speakers, and the girls flick-kicked onto the stage. From there, they exploded with raw energy and refined talent. Poppy was punching every move in ways that And-rrhea never could. And the audience was going crazy. They whooped, clapped, and whistled. Cameras started flas.h.i.+ng. The audience was dancing along. Alicia's mother began chanting her name and soon the entire party was chanting, ”Alicia! Alicia! Alicia!” Their support and approval filled her with something lighter than air.

She danced with the grace of a swan and the strength of a bull. With every layout, twist, and triplet, Alicia grew confident-no, certain!-that her future as a captain-slash-superstar would be cemented in- What the...?

Her Capezio came down on what felt like a pebble; a slippery pebble that took her left foot for a skate while her right foot remained planted firmly in second position. Pulled in opposite directions, her legs felt like the rope in a ruthless game of tug-of-war. The next moment, Alicia was on her b.u.t.t in a half split, struggling to breathe.

Brooke rushed to her side.

The camera lights dimmed.

The Shakira track stopped playing.

Merri-Lee decided to ”check in” with the party in Orlando.

Alicia's ankle throbbed.

Her head spun.

Her heart was broken.

And Poppy had made off with her Marc Jacobs bag.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORTMERRI-LEE MARVIL'S NEW YEAR'S YVES PARTYTHE PARKING LOTFriday, December 31st10:17 P.M. P.M.

”You better be quick,” Ali called from inside the limo.

”I will, I promise.” Kristen slammed the door, exhaling a puff of air.

”Hurry!” Ali called one last time.

Kristen raced to the entrance, paying little mind to the s.h.i.+vering crowd of onlookers behind the gates, the giant purse at the top of a pole, or the red carpet-which was now littered with cigarette b.u.t.ts, silver gum wrappers, and empty water bottles. She was on a mission. And, as with everything she set her mind to, Kristen was determined to succeed.

Clutching the gold dollar-sign charm in her palm, she hurried past the snaking line of wannabe guests outside the door and marched straight to the front.

”Hi.” She smiled brightly at the large gatekeeper in the white suit and matching fur hat. Cold wind blew against her sensitive Whitestripped teeth, sending a shock of pain that resonated all the way down to her frozen flip-flopped feet.

”Back o' the line!” shouted some grumpy man in a leather trench coat.

”Yeah!” shouted a woman in Lucite platforms and a tacky pink puffy coat. ”Who do you think you are? One of those Olsen twins?”

”Where's your ticket?”

”You on the list?”

”Go home to Mommy!”

Others quickly joined in, cursing her out and wis.h.i.+ng her harm for cutting the line.

Kristen finally turned to face her detractors. ”I have this this, okay?” She pinch-held the charm over her head, proving she had something more valuable than a ticket or a name on a list.

She turned back to the man in the white suit. ”I'd like to get in now, please.”

”So would they,” he grumbled, chin-pointing at the angry mob behind her.

Kristen smiled politely. ”I don't want to see the show, I just have to give something to my friend,” she said, loving the way friend friend sounded. sounded.

”So do they.” He chin-pointed again.

”No, but I really do. I'll just be a minute. Here...” Kristen searched her body for collateral. A watch, a tennis bracelet, diamond earrings. But she had nothing. Ironically, the only thing she had of value was the gold dollar sign. And she was there to give it back.

Tears began to fill Kristen's eyes. Tears she didn't even know she had. Yet there they were, in a state of permanent readiness. Destined to fall whenever she thought about things she couldn't afford-things that came so easily to everyone else.

”You just come from the gym?” the human marshmallow asked, like she would ever wear Juicy to the gym.