CHAPTER SEVENTEEN!

Eliza walked out of the El Rey Theater after the kiss with Ricky. She knew she was going to be labeled as the bad guy— kissing her friend's ex in front of everybody. But she didn't care, it was the least of her worries. She sent a quick text to Miss Jenn that she was sorry she couldn't haul the stuff back to East High, she had a family thing to attend.

When she arrived, the family that lived near Salt Lake were already there. Like the past two years, she looked around for Nicole. Her sister couldn't even be bothered to come home for a memorial. It was a small room of the event center— but it was full of laughter and life, remembering her grandpa in his best moments. It's what he would have wanted.

Before she knew it, it was time for her speech. She stood in front of the room, awkwardly. All eyes on her— which she didn't mind most of the time, except at this moment.

"Hi, my name is Eliza Parks. But to my papa I was Lil, I had asked him why he called me that, he said it was because I was the smallest baby he had ever seen, and I was his second born granddaughter. My papa was always there for me and my sisters. I started gymnastics when I was four, and he went to all of my competitions. When I started doing local theater, I was always the smallest character or had the smallest part, but he'd always be in the audience with the two of biggest bouquets for me and my sister," Eliza gave out a shaky chuckle. "He always supported me in everything I did, and he was the first person to take me to a theater show. It was this small show that the name is forgotten but I remember telling him that I wanted to be the lead one day. Then he found more information for the local theater and signed me up for it. My sister was already a part of it, and she was upset because it was her thing, but my papa told me that if I enjoyed it I shouldn't let her get to me. And I kept with theater, until we lost him. Except now, my school is doing High School Musical and I was casted as the lead. It was our favorite movie, he had taken me to see the third movie in theaters when it came out," Eliza smiled, her eyes glanced around the room and saw Ricky standing by the entrance. "Um, that's all I have. But everything I do in my life is for him, and I know he'll always be rooting for me no matter what," Eliza finished.

"What are you doing here?" Eliza asked Ricky when she walked up to him.

"You mentioned you were doing a speech— and I didn't think you'd want to be alone."

"I'm not alone," Eliza corrected. "Thank you, I really appreciate it," she hugged him. He hugged her back.

"Anything for you."

🏀

Youth Actor's Conservatory would like to thank you for applying.

Kourtney Greene

Eliza: I would like to know why you signed me up for an actor's conservatory. The same one Nini was talking about.
Kourtney: because my two best friends are talented. and maybe it might heal the rift between you two.
Eliza: she's the one that needs to apologize. It really started with her asking Ricky out before sophomore year.
Kourtney: you're really going to let a boy come between the two of you? Years of friendship down the drain?
Eliza: no, she's going to let a boy come between the two of us.
Kourtney: Ricky's not even that great of a guy to be fighting over him..
Eliza: tell that to Nini.
Kourtney: it really sucks that you two are speaking.
Eliza: it's not entirely my fault. and besides, you knew that I liked Ricky before she did. she's possessive over someone that doesn't want her back
Kourtney: I just want you two to talk.

🏀

You have a missed call from Unknown. A new voicemail.

"Hey, little sis. I know it's been awhile, but I've seen that you're Gab—"

Eliza erased the message before she could hear the rest. It's been years since she's heard her sister's voice— on anything besides Instagram stories or slime tutorials for when she's on stage.

🏀

"I'm not here to apologize for kissing Ricky," Eliza started when Nini opened the door to her house. "But I am sorry for not telling you when it first happened."

"When did it first happened?" Nini asked.

"Homecoming— it was an emotional night, I saw Luke with Andrea. And then he drove home and he just kissed me."

"Oh. And the second time was at the El Rey?"

"Actually it was on Thanksgiving after the party at Ashlyn's. He came over and we just— he admitted his feelings that he liked me, and we kissed again. I really wanted to talk to you before we did anything else. And then Miss Jenn sent us to practice our lines, and then we just— I'm sorry for you to find out that way and I'm sorry for kissing him in front of you on purpose."

"I'm sorry for overreacting," Nini apologized. "I don't even know why I was upset about it—"

"Do you still love Ricky?" Eliza interrupted.

"I think a part of me will always love him," Nini admitted. "Like a part of you will always love Luke."

"I love you, Neens," Eliza told Nini. "And I never want a guy to get in the middle of our friendship, besides Ricky. He's a great guy."

"I can already see that you two have been happier— I didn't know why until recently. And I love you, too, Eliza."

this is more of a filler chapter, but a background chapter too.

and surprise double update <3

three chapters left after this one...