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allowed to do their own warm-ups, and there’s no uniform. And it’s all about interpretation, not the steps. We haven’t even learned any of the choreography yet, but everybody’s already getting into character.”
    “You’re in the big leagues now, buddy,” Cam says, grinning. “Not like us poor suckers! Do you think Mrs. Montgomery will give you detention?”
    “No way she’ll ever let one of the dreaded ballet students have an extension,” replies Jeremy curtly. “You’re toast.”
    I shrug my shoulders and turn around in my seat. Who cares about an English essay? Or Mrs. Montgomery’s crazy hatred of the half-day ballet students who mess up her approach to teaching? We’re ballet dancers, not novelists. I turn around again to tell them more about the rehearsal, but they both have their noses buried in books. It’s not like we have a lot of time to do homework, I get that, but how can they not be interested? I turn around once more, sigh and pull out my science textbook.
    I can’t actually do detention because I have rehearsal, so Mrs. Montgomery gleefully assigns me an extra essay on top of the one that’s already not done. As if that’s going to work. I get most of my math done on the bus ride back to the ballet school. First up this afternoon is pas de deux class. Dancing a duet is new to us, and it involves working on lifts with the girls, which will be cool. After that is supper, then company rehearsal. I can’t wait.
    * * *
    Everybody stares when I walk into class. I mean, I knew they would, since I’m wearing my torn sweats over my uniform.
    “The company takes warming up really seriously,” I explain. “I think Mr. Colson should let us layer up a little more.”
    “ You think?” Odette sneers. “One rehearsal and you’re an expert now?”
    “Well, it works! I feel looser when I’m warmer. We’re here to learn new things, aren’t we?”
    “Yeah,” she shoots back, “but I trust my teachers to know what’s best for me, not you. You’re a real dork, you know that, Robin?”
    That’s the cue for Cam and Jeremy to get my back. Cam gives me a sheepish half smile but says nothing. Jeremy studiously concentrates on his warm-up. Odette raises her eyebrows and smirks at me, then gets to her warm-up as well. Fine .
    Mr. Colson comes in then and finishes off our warm-up with some group exercises. Then he pairs us up for the pas de deux.
    “Ladies, you’ll have to take turns with the men,” says Mr. Colson. “Use the barre to practice the positions until your turn.”
    Cam lets out this big sigh, then says just loudly enough for everybody to hear, “Another class where the boys have to work harder than the girls.” He rolls his eyes dramatically. “And yet the audience will never look past the tutu to see the crane that does the heavy lifting.”
    Odette spins around with a glare, prepared to defend the girls, but we’re already laughing. Even Mr. Colson is hiding a smile. It’s my chance to get back at her.
    “Mr. Colson, I’ve been watching weight lifters on TV . Do we lift the girls like that? You know, with a snatch and jerk? Can we make faces and grunt, then drop them when they get too heavy?” Even Jeremy can’t help busting a gut at that one.
    “Enough nonsense!” says Mr. Colson firmly. He starts to show us the lifting positions, and Jer whispers, “Weight lifters have it so easy compared to us!”
    I grin. It feels like old times, horsing around in class. But the moment doesn’t last.
    “Odette, you start with Jeremy,” orders Mr. Colson. “Mavis, you’re with Cam, and Johanna, you go with Robin.” As Mr. Colson continues matching girls with boys, Johanna makes her way over toward me. But talk about attitude! She’s rolling her eyes and grimacing as if partnering with me is the worst thing that could ever happen to her. Gee, thanks, Johanna. I love you too. I feel like dropping her accidentally-on-purpose, but I’m better than that.
    Mr. Colson goes over