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𝗜 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢

chapter one:
a pathological people pleaser !

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VIOLETTA CHASE WAS fine.

No, do not give her that look. Yeah, okay, sure, she had had a huge meltdown at camp where she was sure she had never cried harder in her life, but things were fine now. It was the day before her first day of school — senior year — and she was picking out an outfit . . . with EJ on the phone.

Sue her. Talking to an ex-boyfriend so regularly might've been weird to some people, but definitely not to Violetta. The filming of the Frozen documentary might've dragged them apart, but the premiere had brought them closer together. She had told him that night that her life sucked without him, which it did. They fell back into the same banter and friendship that they had when EJ got over his villain era, and they talked practically every day over the phone since EJ had gone off to college.

Violetta and EJ had once talked about the future and how everything was up to the universe. High School Musical 3 had made a big deal about the future, but looking back now, they were so right. It was her senior year, and she had to start applying to colleges, but she couldn't imagine herself anywhere else besides Salt Lake City with Athena Blake, her best friend, by her side.

She had admitted to EJ that night how she had a paralyzing fear that she'll maybe go nowhere. It hadn't gone away at all. The whole Frozen mess hadn't boosted her at all — it only seemed to bring her back down. She wasn't exactly sure how to fix that, but just like the past couple of months, Violetta had to take it one day at a time.

Violetta pushed through her clothes in her closet, searching for an outfit, but she sighed and put her hands on her hips. "I have nothing to wear."

"That's a lie, and you know it," EJ replied through her phone, which was propped up against something on her desk. "I've seen your closet."

"I don't really need your input right now, thank you."

"Then why exactly am I on the phone with you?"

Violetta glanced over at him, smiling slightly and definitely not getting butterflies from the way his hair flopped onto his forehead and his tired eyes. "Because Athena's dying her hair purple and you're my only other option."

"Wow, purple," EJ commented. "No more pink?"

"Nah, she said she wanted to be more muted after the whole Frozen situation." Violetta turned back to her closet and looked for a moment before pulling out a green ribbed tank top that had frilled edges. "This is cute."

"Never took you for a green girl."

"Well, try again," Violetta absentmindedly responded before grabbing a random pair of jeans and setting both down on her chair for the next day. "That was . . . actually easier than I thought."

"I told you you had things to wear," EJ stated.

Violetta rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah." She grabbed her phone and flopped down on her bed, her curls spilling around her. "How're you liking college so far, by the way?"

"I like it a lot. I'm glad I still didn't take that gap year."

Oh, right. EJ's original plan had been to take a gap year, but after the falling out with his dad, they had split. EJ was now working four jobs to help him pay for college plus starting some extracurriculars It wasn't ideal, but Violetta was really proud of him. Don't tell him she said that, though.

"Good, I'm glad," Violetta said. She let out a breath and stared at the ceiling. "It's crazy to think that it's my last year of high school. Like, how did I get here? It still feels like I was in elementary school throwing erasers at Ricky when he wasn't looking."

"Did you really do that?"

"Oh, yeah, it was my favorite pastime activity."

EJ shook his head. "Siblings." He then sighed. "Enjoy it, V. I mean it. It's gonna fly by. I mean, look what happened to me."

Violetta scrunched her nose a little at him. "It's gonna be so weird not having you there, though. I had just gotten used to having you around."

"I'm always a call away, you know that." EJ stared at her for a moment. "You're going to be okay, Violetta."

Her eyebrows knit in confusion. "Yeah, I know. Where'd that come from?"

"Because I also got really anxious my first day of senior year," EJ told her.

She blinked. "You? Mr. Cool Guy? You were so . . . arrogant."

"That was just a front. And I also know you tend to get in your head sometimes, so this is me telling you it's going to be fine."

Violetta nodded slightly. "Yep, got it, thanks." She rubbed her eye with the back of her hand. "After Frozen, I don't think things can get any worse. Like, there's no way they're filming at East High."

"Oh, definitely not," EJ agreed. His eyes then flickered up for a moment. "It's actually getting pretty late, and I have class tomorrow and it's your first day of school . . ."

"Right." Violetta waved to the camera. "I'll see you later."

EJ smiled at her. "Get some sleep, V. Goodnight."

"Night, Eej."

He then hung up the phone. Violetta let her arm fall to the side, still holding her phone as she stared at the ceiling. She rolled her head over to her bedside table, which still had a picture of her and EJ framed on it, one that she couldn't find the heart in her to move — she was smiling brightly, leaning backwards with her arms around his neck while he had his arms around her waist, a smile on his face as his cheek rested against her temple. As she stared at it, there was only one thought in her mind.

Uh oh, I'm falling in love again.

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"I'M TELLING YOU, we should just skip," Violetta insisted.

It was no secret that Violetta hated waking up early. Summer was supposed to be a time of sleeping in, but she had to get up early at camp on most days, and now she was back in school where she had to wake up early every single day. All she wanted to do was go back to sleep, but she couldn't, because she was currently walking outside of East High.

See, her and Athena had a tradition — a best friend tradition. Every first day, they would walk into school together. They had done it the past three years at East High, and today was no exception. Ricky and Big Red usually joined them, completing their group of four, but not this time. Big Red was in Egypt studying abroad for the first semester of senior year, and Ricky . . . well, who knew where he was.

Violetta was wearing the outfit she had picked out last night — the green tank top, jeans, and her white Converse with green laces. Her curls cascaded over her shoulders and down her back, since she decided to just leave it down. She had on a necklace with the letter V on it that Athena had gotten her, but since the summer, she felt incomplete with the screw it ring she had given back to EJ.

Athena gave her a look, the light shifting on her hair so the purple she had done last night really popped. "No, Violetta. We can't skip the first day of school."

"Why not?" Violetta asked, complaining more than anything. She stepped into the crowded hallway that was covered in people meeting up with friends after the summer. "It would be the best senior prank."

"Or you would completely screw up the final time we can do our tradition."

Violetta shook her head. "Yeah, you're probably right. I can't believe Big Red isn't here, either. It feels incomplete without him." She then immediately turned to her best friend, pointing to her accusingly. "If you tell him that, you're dead to me."

Athena let out a laugh and raised her hands in surrender. "Your secret is completely safe with me."

"And where is lover boy, exactly?"

Lover boy was Ricky's token nickname. It had really stuck ever since he started dating Athena, but Violetta had been calling him that way before, when Athena and Ricky had just been two idiots in love not doing anything about it.

Athena rolled her eyes. "I have no idea. I can barely keep track of him as is." A smirk then settled onto her lips and she elbowed Violetta. "You talk to EJ yesterday?"

And, like always, Athena knew Violetta better than she knew herself. Of course she saw right through Violetta. Violetta talking to EJ again after being shattered from their breakup was a telltale sign to the girl, no doubt.

Violetta placed her hands on her arm and pushed her gently. "Shut up."

They then walked into the bomb shelter, which was dubbed as their official rehearsal room. Their drama teacher, Miss Jenn, had called them in to talk before the pep rally that kicked off the start of the year. Everyone was all chatting on the risers. Violetta saw her best friends, the ones she had met in theater — Gina Porter, Carlos Rodriguez, Ashlyn Caswell, and Kourtney Greene. She also saw Emmy, which was a surprise, because that was a girl she had met at camp who played young Anna. Violetta took notice that Seb Matthew-Smith wasn't there. After the documentary, Seb thought Carlos cheated on him with one of the boys in the cabin — which wasn't true — and had been avoiding him ever since.

But then Violetta spotted someone who she hadn't seen since June, and her spirits brightened.

"Kaden!" Violetta exclaimed. She rushed up to the blonde. "Hi."

"Violetta!" Kaden shouted, matching her tone. He held out his arms to her as she sat down beside him, and she fell into them. "Hey, you."

She had met Kaden last year in the production of High School Musical. Since Violetta was mainly a dancer, she got really close to the rest of the dancers of the cast — Kaden especially. They just seemed to get each other with no romantic feelings involved.

"Okay, so I know we've got our big pep rally coming up in a little bit, but I wanted to grab you kids early for a special sneak preview of our show," Miss Jenn began before clearing her throat over the excited chatter in the room. "Wait, where's Ricky?"

"What a surprise," Carlos stated. "Richard Bowen's running late."

Gina giggled. "Yeah, see? Some things never change."

Carlos turned to the back row, where Athena had sat down. "'Thena?"

Athena raised an eyebrow at him. "What, you want me to keep him on a leash?"

"He already follows you around like a lost puppy."

"Sorry," Ricky announced, rushing through the door. "Hello. I was in the bathroom thinking about senior pranks, so . . ."

Violetta raised her hand in the air immediately. "Consult me on them."

"Too much information," Miss Jenn voiced, gesturing him into the room.

Kaden bumped his shoulder into her. "Senior pranks?"

She smirked. "I'm so blowing up something in the science lab."

Miss Jenn cleared her throat again to get their attention. "Wildcats. This year, a special factor went into my decision about the musical. Some people may think they know you now that they've seen you on TV, but they don't know the real you's. Not really. And I want this show to be a safe space for you, where you can all sparkle and nothing is going to outshine you. And so, my babies . . ."

She took a couple steps backwards before taking a black sheet off of an easel. It revealed a sign that said Miss Jenn Presents — High School Musical. Violetta blinked at it and shared a confused look with Lauryn, one of the other dancers.

"High School Musical . . . again?" Gina questioned.

"Now, Carlos!" Miss Jenn ordered.

"Oh," Carlos said.

He took something out of his pocket before running up to the easel. Next to Musical, he placed on something that resembled the letter E. Violetta tilted her head at it.

"High School Musicale?" Gina inquired.

Carlos looked at it and noticed what was wrong. "Oh, my bad."

He flipped it around so it now read High School Musical 3. Violetta gasped, smiling widely. Out of the movies, the third was definitely her favorite.

"High School Musical 3?" Ricky read.

"I knew it was smart to come here," Emmy commented.

Interrupting their moment was the school bell, ringing to tell them the pep rally was starting soon.

"Okay, ahem," Miss Jenn let out. "Auditions are Friday, and I have not pre-cast this. So come with your hearts full and your minds open."

"So," Lauryn began, picking up her backpack. "You going for Gabriella, Vi?"

Violetta scoffed. "Yeah, as if. That's 'Thena's role for sure. I just want to keep it lowkey again, you know? Martha worked really well for me."

They moved outside to the football field, where the pep rally was being held. All of the theater group sat together at the very top. Violetta sat down next to Athena and next to Ashlyn, who was very engrossed in typing on her phone, for some reason.

"Apparently, there's some big announcement today," Carlos announced from his place in front of them.

Kourtney, wearing nothing but pink, sat down next to him. "Unless we're all getting Daytime Emmy Awards for Frozen, mentally, I'm not here."

Principle Gutierrez approached the microphone on the stage. "Good morning, good morning. All right, listen up. Listen up, everybody, settle down. It's hard to believe it's the start of another year here at East High."

Ricky shot both of his arms in the air. "Let's go, seniors!"

All the seniors in the crowd cheered for themselves. Violetta clapped a couple times and let out a cheer as well.

"This year, we have a special announcement. Ooh. Something that's gonna impact all of us that are still here at East. So, I want you to welcome, and I'm obligated to say this phrase, the OG Coach Bolton."

Bart Johnson then came out from behind the curtains. "Hey!"

Violetta's eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand in shock. Coach Bolton? Here? What was this?

Ricky turned to Miss Jenn. "Did you know about this?"

"Mmm-mmm," Miss Jenn hummed in response.

"My name's Bart Johnson, but many of you know me as Coach Bolton from the High School Musical franchise," Bart explained. He looked to the cheerleaders. "Can I get a drum roll, please?" They did as he asked. "Folks, we're getting the whole gang back together to make High School Musical 4: The Reunion, a movie that's gonna shoot right here in East High."

Violetta's smile dropped. Okay, sure, that news might be exciting for some people, but considering how literally everything fell apart the last time something was being filmed . . . well, let's just say so many people were harmed in so many ways. Violetta distinctly remembered absolutely sobbing her eyes out, clutching onto her hair like it would help her regain some sort of feeling.

"Wait, we're still gonna do High School Musical 3, right?" Ricky asked.

"Why wouldn't we?" Miss Jenn replied. "This movie has nothing to do with us."

"Cool."

"Please join me in welcoming the new stars of the franchise," Bart stated. "You know him from his hit cancelled sitcom, Mark and Spark, and you know her from her viral TikTok videos that have taken America and parts of Latin America by storm, it's America's favorite couple, it's Mack and Dani. Come on, guys. Come on out."

Mack and Dani then came out from behind the curtain holding hands, and the crowd immediately erupted into cheers.

"Oh my gosh, I'm freaking out," Gina admitted. "Mark and Spark is my comfort show. I — I literally had a cardboard cutout of Mack in my room growing up, and I would kiss it every night before bed."

Violetta let out a small laugh and reached across Ashlyn, patting her shoulder. "A little too much information, G."

"Well, I gave up after season one, but he's adorable," Ashlyn agreed, shouting the last part towards Mack.

Athena giggled. "Vi and I used to watch Mark and Spark all the time when we were little. Besides Troy Bolton, I may or may not have had a tiny crush on him."

"I never saw it," Ricky revealed. "I — I've never seen that program."

Violetta raised an eyebrow at the tone of his voice. That was jealousy if she ever heard it.

Athena glanced at him. "Really? You never watched it with us?" She turned back to the stage. "Huh."

Mack tapped twice on the microphone to get the attention. "I guess I should, uh, say something. For seven years, I grew up in front of a lot of you on Mark and Spark, where my talking dog Spark taught me valuable lessons, from friendship to food. And yes, I am talking about episode six-seventeen, where Spark taught me to cook spaghetti al dente."

"Al dente!" Gina yelled at the same time he said it

Mack looked up in their direction, his eyes right on Gina. "I see someone has watched every episode. I — uh,  appreciate that. And, um, my role in this new movie, I will play the co-captain of both East High's basketball team and the drama club. Is it woke? Is it throwback? What if it's both? What if it's High School Musical 4?" The crowd cheered extremely loud. "Well, guess what? It is."

Dani planted a kiss on Mack's cheek before stepping in front of the microphone. "Thank you for your kind words, baby. I am so honored to be here and to be making my acting debut in the franchise that launched so many careers, and also Bart Johnson's."

Bart raised his fists in the air in celebration. "Yes. Yes."

"So, the tea is, she lip-syncs and can't actually sing live," Carlos voiced.

"Okay, we're on the same side of TikTok, because I saw the same exact thing," Emmy responded.

"And for all of my haters who say I can't actually sing live . . ." Dani began, taking the microphone out of the stand and handing the stand off to Mack. "I just wanted to say this."

Violetta stared at Dani, leaning into Athena a little so she could hear her better. "Is this real life?"

Athena patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Unfortunately."

Dani flicked a piece of hair over her shoulder before opening her mouth, starting to sing in an extremely beautiful voice. "Looking forward from center stage to graduation day, time to get the future started. What we leave, what we take with us, no matter what, it's something we're apart of. We learned to fly, together side by side, I just hope the rest of my life will feel as good as my . . ." A person then stepped up on stage, playing an electric guitar. "High school musical, who says we have to let it go? It's the best part we've ever known, step into the future, but hold on to high school musical, let's celebrate where we come from. All together, makes it better, memories that last forever. I want the rest of my life to feel just like a high school musical, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."

Violetta clapped a little, although she didn't stand up like everybody else. Her voice was good, sure, but this news . . .

Hey, remember what Violetta said last night about how there was no way they would be filming at East High? Well, she was so wrong.

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

MY YOU'RE LOSING ME COUPLE STOP I'M GONNA THROW UP

hi my loves :) welcome to violetta's last book!!! oH MY GOD I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT

and yes, before you ask, don't worry, vi & ej will turn out okay <3 my girl has a BIG BIG part in the plot of this story *wink wink* BECAUSE SHE FUCKING DESERVES IT.