After Ricky's transformation and curtain call, most of the actors went backstage to get out of their costumes and to get ready for the after-party. In Nadia's case, she had to get ready for her date with EJ, which they still had to make a decision about since the after-party was also at Slices.

But, since EJ was in the same room as her, she had to wait until she fully got into her date clothes to surprise him. And by that she meant applying makeup and whatnot. "Oh, my God, y'all! Ricky's transformation," Kourtney said as she ran in excitedly with Ricky behind her.

"Wait. How'd it look?" Nadia asked.

"Honestly? Passable!" Kourtney exclaimed, making them all cheer.

Ashlyn then walked into the room, making Nini stand up from her seat. "Hey! Give it up for our star!" Nini shouted, making them whoop and cheer even more.

"Aw, you guys!" she said with a smile before she furrowed her brows. "Uh, has anyone seen my boyfriend? It feels like I've been missing him all night."

"I think he pushed himself a little hard," Carlos told her.

"But I'm pretty sure he left a letter at your locker," Ricky said and Nadia tried to hide her smirk.

"Uh, couple letters, actually," EJ added.

"Oh, okay, wow that — that's sweet," Ashlyn said, looking down for a second. "Um, maybe I'll read them on the way to Slices. Good show, everyone." She then walked out of the room and everyone waited a second before they quickly rushed over to see Big Red's big reveal to Ashlyn.

They all leaned over in the doorway to see the big sign that Big Red had made for Ashlyn. "Yeah. No. Sometimes I was actually puking," Big Red told Ashlyn when Nadia stuck her head out, putting a hand on EJ's shoulder for her to lean on. She couldn't see his face, but when she put her hand on him, he frowned. "You were the perfect Belle tonight. I was really proud."

Ashlyn started crying. "Come here, you evil genius," Ashlyn said, trying to go in for a hug but the sign was in the way.

"Wait." Big Red pushed the sign to the side and hugged his girlfriend. "Wait, I just got paint—"

"It's okay," she said before she pulled him in for a kiss. Nadia smiled, happy for her two friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Nadia had finally got her makeup done, she walked in the hallway to try and find EJ. Once she saw him with Mr. Mazzara, she called out, "Hey, Gaston!" She then posed like she did as Kelsi a few months during the curtain call, showing off her outfit for him before Mr. Mazzara walked away.

She then walked up to EJ, not reading the annoyed expression on his face since she was too excited. "So, do you still want to go to Slices, or another pizza restaurant? I'm fine with either, but I just think that maybe it would be weird to keep the date at Slices since that would mean we would be sitting just alone while everyone else is—"

"I was actually thinking we should just cancel tonight and go with everyone to the after-party," EJ cut her off, making her give him a confused look.

"Oh. You sure?"

"Yeah, I mean, it's Ashlyn's big night and everything, and it seems like we should stick with the gang tonight," EJ told her, trying to keep his cool.

"Now, does this mean we have to reschedule for, like, the millionth time?" Nadia asked jokingly, exaggerating.

"No, I just think we should play it by ear, you know? I don't think I should really be making any concrete plans with someone I barely know," he said passive aggressively.

Nadia furrowed her brows, swallowing hard. "What are you talking about, EJ?" she asked seriously, standing up a little straighter.

He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Don't worry about it," he said, not caring that he was being kind of a jerk. He was just too upset to completely keep his cool with her.

Nadia opened her mouth, not knowing what to say to that. What is going on? Does he not trust me? she thought to herself. Before she could even explain, EJ turned around and walked out, leaving her standing there, about to cry.

She closed her eyes, letting a few tears fall before she turned around and began to walk the other way. As she walked down the hallway, she felt like the only person in the school.

Nadia:

I never needed you like I do right now
I never needed you like I do right now

EJ pushed through the exit doors, walking out to the parking lot as he felt his eyes get wet.

EJ:

I never hated you like I do right now

They both wiped their faces at the same time.

Both:

'Cause all you ever do is make me...

A tear both dropped down their faces at the same time.

Nadia then placed her hand against the wall before she fully leaned against it, putting her head back.

Nadia:

Gave you up 'bout 21 times

EJ made it to his car and leaned against it, also putting his head back.

EJ:

Felt those lips tell me 21 lies

Nadia then looked down at the ground, the tear drop falling onto the floor.

Nadia:

You'll be the death of me

EJ also looked down at the ground, the tear drop falling onto the pavement.

EJ:

Sage advice

They then both looked back up at the same time from where they were, staring at nothing.

Both:

Lov — Lovin' you could make Jesus cry

Nadia then pushed up from the wall, walking down the hall once again.

Nadia:

When I hear you sayin', "Darlin'
Your kiss is like an antidote"

EJ pushed up from his car, opening his car door and sitting inside as he sang.

EJ:

I'm fightin' like I'm Ali
But you got me on the ropes

EJ then placed his hands on the steering wheel, looking down at the same time Nadia stopped in the middle of the hallway and looked down at the floor.

Both:

I never needed you like I do right now
I never needed you like I do right now
I never hated you like I do right now
'Cause all you ever do is make me...

Nadia then looked up again, another tear falling so she wiped at her face as she continued to walk.

Nadia:

Couldn't hear the thunder

EJ started his car.

EJ:

But I heard your heart race

Nadia:

Couldn't see the rain

EJ:

We're too busy makin' hurricanes

Nadia:

Love ain't easy when it ain't my way

EJ then began to pull his car out of the driveway.

Both:

But it gets hard, when you ain't here makin' me crazy

EJ wiped at his teary eyes as he drove away from the school.

EJ:

Baby, say the word, darlin'
You know just how to hold the sucker down

Nadia then found her way to the dressing room, opening the door and just standing in the doorway for a second.

Nadia:

So I'll see you in the morning
I can't watch you walk out

Nadia slowly walked into the room as EJ drove down the road towards Slices, tears dripping down their faces.

Both:

I never needed you like I do right now
I never needed you like I do right now
I never hated you like I do right now
'Cause all you ever do is make me...

Nadia then slid into one of the seats that had a tissue box in front of it, quickly taking some tissues and dabbing at her face. EJ leaned over and sifted through his glove compartment, trying to find some tissues. Once he pulled out the small case of tissues, he pulled some out and began to wipe at his eyes.

The both of them tried to stop their tears, but they just kept on crying. Then both took a deep breath at the same time, looking up at the mirrors in front of them.

Both:

I never needed you like I do right now
I never needed you like I do right now
I never hated you like I do right now
'Cause all you ever do is make me...

A tear slid down their faces at the same time and landed on their laps.

I'm so sorry 😁🥲