This chapter is short…Just preparations for Nationals…BORING!!!!!!!!!!! This chapter and next are the "Interlude" chapters.

Chapter seventeen: The Arrangements

My aunt said,

"You're parents are goin' to arrange a way for you get to San Diego. Hard to believe you're goin' back?"

"Nah. I mean, I told my parents, 'I ain't going without Tracy, Link, you, Penny, Seaweed, Maybelle, and Corny. I need my support group.'"

"Of course."
"I can sit next to Fender, Tracy and Link behind us, but everyone in our group will be close to each other. Including my coach. She already has my "performance" outfits ready."

Tracy said the next day,

"I'm going?"
"Yes. Link's going, too. Penny, Seaweed, everyone. National won't be easy and we have a lot to do in two weeks. That's why we're so close to it."

"It must be nice to go back where you came from. You've been here for almost a year and you saw the place I was born in."

"Oh, well. I've told you San Diego's big compared to Baltimore. And it's a beautiful city. But I've still…"
"You still like it here and you feel uncomfortable going back."
"But I'm going there just for a few days. That National has several steps to it. Here it is…"

"Okay."
DAY ONE-ALL PERFORM

DAY TWO-TOP 10 ANNOUNCED, GROUP DANCES

DAY THREE-FINAL TEN PERFORM-RESULTS

"Four nights we will be there. We're getting in early afternoon and we'll have most of the day to take it easy. Then, three days of competition, and one last night there. Our flight will leave at eight am-we have to be there early-around 6 am-to make sure of everything we need."

"Now all you have to do is pack. And it's nice to have everything paid for."

"I've never left Baltimore before."

"Well, you have a first time for everything."