By Marcia Maynard
Illustrated by Erin O'Connor
Loretta's friends clapped from the circle they formed around her.
"Thank you," said Loretta as she smiled and bowed so low her pony tail touched the ground.
"You're the best tap dancer in school," Erin said.
"It's easy to be the best," Loretta said. "I'm the only one here who taps."
Loretta was, until the new second grade boy arrived.
"I'm Shabro," he said to Loretta one afternoon and stepped onto her dancing spot. "I won thirteen trophies for tap dancing."
Loretta's eyes widened. "Thirteen?"
"I'm a better tap dancer than anyone," Shabro said.
Loretta stared at the skinny new boy.
"I'll bring my shoes tomorrow and prove it," he said then walked off towards the swings.
"He's won trophies," said Loretta to Erin. "I've never won anything."
"You'll beat him tomorrow," said Erin.
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