And All That Jazz Read Online Free PDF

Paige,’ I said. ‘I don’t know why you had to keep it a secret from me.’
    â€˜I don’t want to,’ whispered Paige. ‘But Mum wants me to enter … she picked Benji for me, so we can, you know, like she used to … the dancesport stuff.’
    The other girls started to trickle into the studio so I didn’t say any more. I could seePaige holding her head like she does when she’s trying not to cry.
    That made me want to cry. I knew the ballroom was probably her mum’s idea. Mrs Montreal used to be a professional ballroom dancer; you should see the huge pictures of herself she has everywhere in Paige’s house. I guess when I’d seen Paige practising in secret, I’d been hurt but also a little … jealous? Worried? I wish I could take ten different classes a week so my dancing could improve too, but Mum seems to think that paying for silly things like bread and milk and petrol is more important. I mean, geez, I could go without sandwiches for a week.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ I whispered to Paige. ‘I just don’t want to lose my duo partner! We’re such a good match!’
    She gave me a trembly smile, and then class started.
    Riley raised her hand. ‘Miss Caroline,’ she said, ‘I have to leave early this afternoon; I have a basketball game tonight.’
    Miss Caroline pursed her lips but didn’t say anything.
    â€˜We have a big competition in less than two weeks,’ said Jasmine. ‘No one should be leaving early.’ She glared at Riley and raised her chin in this snooty way that made her look like an angry emu.
    â€˜No one,’ echoed Tove.
    â€˜That’s enough, girls,’ said Miss Caroline briskly. ‘That’s fine, Riley, but you’ll need to come in early on Saturday to make up for what you missed today.’
    â€˜My brother plays football early –’ Riley began, but then closed her mouth when she saw Miss Caroline’s face. ‘Okay,’ she said.
    â€˜Very well,’ said Miss Caroline. ‘You may leave, but do it quietly so you don’t disturb the class.’
    â€˜That wouldn’t happen at Dance Art,’ said Jasmine. ‘Would it, Ashley? No one’s allowed to leave early. My cousin goes there and she said it’s really strict.’
    Ashley shuffled her feet while Jasmine waited for a reply.
    â€˜Well, that was an interesting answer,’ said Jasmine, turning around to swap mean glances with Tove.
    â€˜So interesting,’ said Tove.
    â€˜The front’s that way,’ said Riley, pointing.
    â€˜You mean where I always stand,’ said Jasmine, acting surprised. ‘And not at the back, where you are?’
    â€˜All the better to see you with, my dear,’ said Riley. Ashley giggled.
    â€˜Very funny,’ snapped Jasmine, narrowing her eyes at Ashley. Someone had just made a new enemy.
    While Miss Caroline was lecturing the girls on the importance of refined manners in class, two small hands wrapped around my arm.
    â€˜You won’t lose me as a duo partner, Ellie,’ Paige whispered. ‘I love dancing with you. I’m sorry I kept it a secret. I guess I was embarrassed. Mum makes me do all these things and sometimes I just don’t want to.’
    â€˜Don’t worry about it,’ I whispered back.
    I didn’t want to stay mad at Paige, anyway. It takes so much energy to be mad at someone, much more than just being their friend. And I needed all my energy if I was going to win Jazz Groove.

Chapter Eleven
    Costume-fitting time! One of my favourite parts of competitions, eisteddfods, concerts and shows. Sometimes when Mum is grocery shopping I even sneak into the material store, just so I can plan out my future costumes with all the new fabrics.
    When I’m famous I’d like to have a special room filled with every single costume I’ve ever worn. People will come from everywhere tolook at them. As