Hip-Hop Hustle by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox [Maddox, Jake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: books for kids; capstone; chapter books; children’s book; friendship; jake maddox; social emotional learning; sports; sports stories; sportsmanship; stone arch books; teamwork; dance team; hip-hop; dance
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2023-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

L IS FOR LAUGHINGSTOCK

Before long, Chery’s name was called. A tall man with pink hair waited by the conference room door with a clipboard.

“Junior? Hip-hop?” he asked. “We need to hurry. We’re running behind.” He confirmed the name of the song and artist she would be performing to.

Before Chery knew it, she was ushered onstage. She was hit by bright lights, her name was announced over the loudspeakers, and someone offstage gave a ten-second countdown.

Chery’s stomach felt queasy, and she was still tired. She spotted the stern faces of the judges. Whenever she danced with her squad, people usually had smiles on their faces. Not frowns.

Then the beat hit. Automatically, Chery’s leg lifted. She brought it down with a hard, deliberate stomp. She shuffled to the beat, just like she practiced. She jumped and flared her arms.

At the early break in the song, Chery froze with the music as choreographed. But, suddenly, everything left her brain. Including her moves!

What comes next? Chery’s mind raced.

The audience’s glare wasn’t helping. Nor were the voices that suddenly popped into her head:

“Muscle memory,” said Ana’s voice.

“You’ll be nervous,” said Trina’s.

“Forgot your moves,” said Kai’s voice.

“Keep the streak!” the school kids chanted in her mind.

The voices played in her head on an endless loop.

Chery’s feet felt heavy. Her arms and shoulders felt weighed down. The beat came back. But she was still lost.

Then an image of the flash mob popped into her head. That crowd had loved them. Especially the guy who did the windmill. If she did a spin move like that, everyone might love her too.

I practiced it a few times, she thought. Bet I can save this dance if I can pull it off!

Chery got down on the floor. She spun her legs to start the backspin. But she didn’t have enough energy to spin onto her shoulder. And she was too tired to lift her legs. She was like a turtle on its back trying to get up.

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