SNAPPY RICKY Bowen wasn't Shiloh's favorite person in the world. In fact, she would sucker punch him in the face if she could, and quite honestly the only thing stopping her from doing so was the fact that she would hurt herself by hitting him that hard.

She didn't know what it was, but something seemed to snap. From the quinceañaro to now something had shifted and Shiloh hated it.

She hated that she couldn't pinpoint the issue and she was blaming herself at this point. Every little thing, Ricky would snap.

"Hey, Ric? Do you think we should have one or two rooms for the hotel?"

"Shiloh, I honestly don't know and honestly don't care."

Shiloh remembered being hurt. It was the little things too. Shiloh had grown more and more excited about the trip to California and Chicago, but Ricky just kept snapping. Not only bringing Shiloh down but questioning her decisions.

Other days would be fine, like Ricky hadn't even blown up or snapped at Shiloh for something so small.

"Hey, do you think I should take this shirt or this dress?"

"I think you look good in anything, you know that."

Shiloh didn't know what to do. Talking to Ricky seemed to be a bust and talking to someone else about it just seemed worse. She left like she was back in her relationship with Dylan and that's what angered Shiloh the most. She didn't want a repeat offense. Dylan and Ricky were two very different people, but as time progressed... Shiloh just felt lost.

Regardless of Shiloh's worrisome thoughts, she still had priorities to take care of. The Love Club and the theater department had been called to school that Saturday morning. A slight inconvenience for the Love Club, but they had promised to help Miss. Jenn, so that's exactly what they were doing.

Everyone had gathered around Ricky's phone to watch North High's change of plans. They had also decided to put on Beauty and the Beast.

"Oh, my gosh, that's what's-her-name. Lily, from our auditions." Seb said, "She isn't just co-directing their show, she's starring in it."

Jenna ran her hands through her hair, "Yeah, yeah, of course. The pretty blonde girl gets the lead. Yeah, of course, the actual Disney princess-"

"Hey," Shiloh called, stepping towards Jenna, "you are just as good, if not better."

"Thank you all for coming so quickly on a Saturday." Miss. Jenn smiled, "Or most of you all. We're missing a teapot and a village idiot."

"Uh, I think Kourtney and Big Red are at the pizza place." Ricky said.

"Yeah, Kourtney texted in the group." Seb added, "They said they couldn't get anyone to cover their shifts. Oh."

"Oh... I didn't see that text."

The reason why she didn't see that text was because the drama department had two different group chats. One with Miss. Jenn and one without.

"I meant the group chat with me and EJ." Seb smiled, giving the group a thumbs up.

"Well, back to the matter at hand. I can tell from your solemn faces you've all seen... the video." Miss. Jenn sighed.

"It's incredible. Even I have no notes." Carlos said, "I can't believe they stole our show."

"I think their Lumiere is an actual French exchange student." Ricky added.

"Miss. Jenn, how are we shouting beat North at the Menkies if they're churning out this a second after changing their musical? It's like..." Ashlyn asked.

Soon, a ton of commotion between everyone started before Miss. Jenn cut it short.

"Wildcats! Take heart. North High is clearly focusing on bells and whistles. Impressive. But distracting. All we need is..."

"Friendship?" Seb asked.

"No, Seb, all we need is to get back to basics. Emotional performances that connect with the audience can make all the difference with these judges. And I have a plan. Which is why you've been called in today. And that plan is... a weekend acting intensive hosted by the Love Club."

"Acting intensive like..." EJ questioned.

"Improv. Character work. Movement exercises." Miss. Jenn said, "Hey, Gina. Gina. Are you here?"

"Mmm. Yeah. Yeah."

"We're going to connect with our characters. And impressive performances, not fancy staging or actual killer wolves, will be our key to the gold. And don't forget, we have something North High doesn't."

Seb smiled, "Friendship?"

"A brand-new original song for the Beast and the rose. Um, and, uh, how's that coming along, you guys?"

The two of them had really started on any song yet. They sorta nodded, sorta shook their heads no at Miss. Jenn's question, but if they wanted to get something to Miss. Jenn they had to get it done ASAP.

"Ricky, you stay here with me for deep-dive Beast character work. Nini, take the weekend, skip the workshop, and get a first draft of the duet down for the Beast and the rose! The Love Club has informed me about the trip to California and because of that, they will be limited with their help today to prepare, but they are here now, so ask for help while they are here!" Miss. Jenn clapped, "Okay!"

Everyone rose from the risers and began to have small conversations of their own until Miss. Jenn or the Love Club instructed them on the next step.

As Shiloh dug through her bag and pulled a folder out of her bag. Miss. Jenn had thrown out multiple ideas for the next two days. It seemed almost... crazy how Miss. Jenna wanted to get this much done in two days, but she had reassured them that it was the best possible thing to do, especially now.

She felt Ricky's arms wrap around her shoulders and she rested her hand on his forearm as she continued to read the folder. She glanced up at Ricky, a somewhat somber look on his face.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. Just a little antsy." He answered.

Shiloh unraveled herself from Ricky's hold and faced him.

He continued, "Tonight's the big night."

"Oh, Miss. Jenn's first date with your dad." Shiloh smiled.

"Can you lower your voice? It's one thing to see them flirting on the sidelines, but it's another thing for it to be an official dinner."

This is what Shiloh was talking about. Just the little things with Ricky these past couple of days. She was excited for Mike and Miss. Jenn (though still helping Mr. Mazzara on the side), that's was the whole point of Shiloh, if she was being honest. She wanted to see people happy and together and finally feeling like they had someone or something good, but Ricky had quickly dismissed that.

Shiloh ran her hands through her hair, sighing as she did so, "Look, it won't be that bad, but if it is, my door is always opened."

"Ricky! Shiloh! We're circling up in thirty seconds."

"I know it's going to be awkward." Shiloh said, "Most first dates are, but I think you should be happy for your dad even if it's with Miss. Jenn. You already trust her, it's up to you to keep letting her in, but like I said, my door is always opened for you."

Ricky nodded, "Now, grab a hula-hoop." Shiloh smiled.

The Love Club stood alongside Miss. Jenn as they faced the group, each of them holding a hula-hoop in their hands.

"Today is all about warm-up games." Miss. Jenn started, "The important thing is that we all..."

She trailed off as her attention focused on Seb, who was playing with a hula-hoop.

Shiloh smiled as she stopped his hoop, "That's really cool, Seb. Maybe you can show me after this is over."

Seb returned the smile and Shiloh dropped his hoop.

"Strong start." Miss. Jenn sighed, "Here we go, my young thespians."

The hula-hoops transitioned to pool noodles.

"Okay. Everybody, drop your noodle and pair up for a mirroring exercise." Miss. Jenn instructed.

Ricky tapped Shiloh's shoulder, "Be my partner?"

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to get this stuff done for California and Chicago, maybe-"

"Of course."

Shiloh titled her head slightly, "I'm sorry?"

"It's just... you've been busy and I haven't really got Shiloh-Ricky time."

"Maybe Jenna can be your partner. If not, then I don't know what to tell you."

"Have I... done something wrong?"

"Do you think you have?"

"No."

Shiloh smiled, "Then no, you've done nothing wrong."

"Shiloh, what's up?"

"Ricky, I'm just trying to get things done as fast as I can. Whatever this is, isn't fun for me."

Ricky paused. He didn't like arguing with Shiloh, what couple liked arguing? They've had small arguments of course. Like, who was the strongest? Who at the last fry? And of course, they had their major arguments. Like, "it's just the Love Club with you?" or "you just don't care about what I have to say", but they always bounced back.

"I'll work with Jenna."

Shiloh nodded and put her attention back on the laptop in front of her.
Soon, another activity started. Shiloh
stood with her arms crossed and Evie
stood on her left, "Are you okay?" Evie asked.

Shiloh only nodded.

"Okay." Shiloh smiled quickly,
"Jenna and Gina will start us off. Gina, you will agree with whatever Jenna says and then add on to that. It's "Yes, And". Improv works best when you are all in. If you're not one foot in, you're not fully prepared and the audience, according to Miss. Jenn, "will smell your fear"."

"Can you get a location from the group?" Evie asked.

"The Louvre?" EJ suggested.

"Sure, the Louvre... whatever that is."

"Whenever you're ready." Shiloh said.

Jenna nodded, "Now, Madame Rousseau, I assure you're here to look into purchasing some art."

"From the Louvre?" Gina questioned.

"Well, if one's as rich as you are, Madame, one can purchase nearly any piece of art. Take this piece. Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I'm not sure."

Jenna glanced at Shiloh, "Keep going." Shiloh mouthed.

"Well, what is your heart telling you?" Jenna asked.

Gina took a glance at Ricky and brought her focus onto Shiloh.

"I really don't know."

"Yes, and?" Miss. Jenn questioned.

"Can we take a break, Miss. Jenn?" Jenna asked.

"Uh... I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Gina." Shiloh reassured, "This is all a learning thing. There are no mistakes. We'll just try again with Seb and Carlos?"

The two boys stood up and made their way towards the front. That's all Shiloh could do. Smile. Pretend everything is going as smooth as possible and smile. Too bad that smile wouldn't last long.

- lucy has something to say!!

omg no shiloh sad 😔

she'll be even sadder 😖

i'm gagging as they should

bye :))))