The lithe and supple fourteen-year-old danced to the throbbing music with all her heart.
Teens of all ages, and a few tweens, looked on with open mouths, the soft drinks in their hands forgotten. Three young celebrities sat at the judges’
table, pencils poised over score sheets.
For five precious minutes, the main dance floor of the teen club belonged to the dancer. The flashing, spinning lights glowed just for her. She had chosen the music, paid the entry fee with her own money, and practiced for weeks.
A handsome sixteen-year-old boy watched also, filled with pride that the girl everyone was watching belonged to him, much more than to any of them.
The music faded, the dancer held her final pose, and the room exploded with applause. She stretched up to her full height, only an inch shorter than the handsome boy, and bowed to the judges and the audience.
The cheering and clapping made the dancer glow with happiness.
“That was Priscilla Ka-mentha! Chelsea Ko-renlo is up next,” the D.J.
announced.
A minute later, the dancer slipped into the seat beside the sixteen-year-old boy. He wasted no time grabbing her and kissing her so deeply that she went completely limp and began wishing they were alone.
NEBADOR Book Nine: A Cry for Help 192
“You were awesome,” he whispered when they finally parted.
“Mmmmmm. Even if I don’t win the contest, that kiss was the best prize any girl could get. Can I have another?”
He didn’t answer, just delivered.
Finally they parted again. “I don’t see your body guard anywhere. We could slip out into the night . . .”
She chuckled. “Two tables to your left, blond hair.”
He looked. “Darn.”
Just then, a server stopped by the table. “Another mango-whatever juice?”
“Mangosteen. Crushed ice, lemon twist.”
When the server was gone, the boy raised his eyebrows. “How come you get free drinks, and I don’t?”
“Because
I
bring them the mangosteen juice. They can’t get it from their regular suppliers. They sell a few to other people who see mine and get curious, so that makes up for the ice and lemon twists. It’s really good with rum . . .”
He laughed. “Not here!”
“Okay, everyone,” the D.J. boomed. “That’s it for this month’s dance competition. They were all so great, I’m glad someone else has to choose the winners. You all know our judges — film star Pipi Bo-kelem . . .”
Most of the boys in the room cheered and called her name.
“. . . singer and heart-throb Brad Ta-doric . . .”
He grinned and waved from the judges’ table, and most of the girls screamed with excitement.
“. . . and world-class dancer Kristine Ka-sarta.”
She received a more modest cheer from both sexes.
“It looks like the judges have completed their tallying,” the D.J. continued.
“I can see them putting the results into The Envelope, sealing it, handing it to the owner of this fantastic club, and he’s coming up the stairs. He’s walking along the balcony now, approaching the D.J. booth, and laughing his head off at me as he comes. He’s handing me The Envelope.”
The room was tense with excitement.
“I am opening The Envelope.”
The room fell almost completely silent, as silent as a teen dance club could
NEBADOR Book Nine: A Cry for Help 193
ever be.
“Oh my God! You won’t believe this, boys and girls. Best musical interpretation, Priscilla Ka-mentha!”
The room erupted with cheers and whistles. Priscilla stood and waved.
“Best technical dance, Priscilla Ka-mentha!”
The cheering continued, people started crowding around the winner’s table, and the blond security sergeant made sure she was one of them.
“Sexiest dance, Priscilla Ka-mentha!”
Boys, and a few girls, started pawing at her from every direction. Priscilla bounced up and down with excitement.
The security sergeant watched everyone like a hawk.
“Best all-around dancer, Priscilla Ka-mentha!”
The cheering and screaming continued, and the owner shoved a microphone into Priscilla’s hand.
A minute passed before the winner could be heard, even with amplification. Another half-minute passed before she quit giggling with happiness.
“I promise not to enter the contest again!”
The entire room filled with laughter, and a glimmer of hope entered the hearts of the other six dance contestants.