SCHOOL HAD started back and no one could prepare Jenna Russet to get a face full of Ricky Bowen before the first period bell could ring.

"Hey... Jenna."

She peeked behind her locker before dunking her head back into it. She wasn't blatantly ignoring him but it was obvious that he had said something to Shiloh to upset her.

"Okay... have you seen Shiloh?"

"Can't say I have."

Ricky sighed, "Jenna—"

"Look, I really gotta go. I'll... see you P.E.."

She shut her locker to make her escape but ultimately failed as Ricky grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards a secluded area.

"I'll scream."

"That's not going to help anyone."

"What do you want, Ricky?"

"Where's Shiloh?"

"I don't know. Probably with Evie, who is trying to convince her not to permanently close your folder."

"My folder?"

"Your Love Club folder. We had to meet with Principal Gutierrez before break. We decided if we felt like if we couldn't help people like we should that we permanently close their folders." Jenna explained, "Meaning, that if Shiloh closes your folder, we can't help you anymore. You're done. You have to go to the guidance counselors permanently, unless they send the folder back, which according to Principal Gutierrez, will be rare. Shiloh is the only one that can close folders."

Ricky sighed.

"What did you say to her?" Jenna asked, "It had to be pretty bad."

"I was already upset and took my anger out on her and Nini and I just... I messed up. I've got to talk to her." Ricky furrowed his brows, "She didn't tell you what I said?"

Jenna shook her head slightly, "She didn't say much. We had to tell her you asked for help, but— but we didn't tell her why we had to help. She was already thinking about closing your folder because things between you and Nini seem to be working out and everyone in the musical is getting along. I don't think she wants to close your folder. She definitely doesn't want to permanently close it."

Shiloh hadn't told them about his mom, about what he said to her, or about Homecoming.

"All I know is that... you joined the club for Nini, you like both Shiloh and Nini, and you said some pretty harsh things to both of them." Jenna answered, "Shiloh hasn't said anything else."

"Is there anything you can do to at least get us into the same room?"

Jenna sighed. She wanted to help Ricky. She really did, but whatever Ricky had said to Shiloh seemed to really hurt her.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you. You're the best."

"Whatever... I'll let you know when I figure something out."

EITHER JENNA was insane and stupid or sent her text to Ricky at a horrible time.

The entire cast of the musical stood inside the charred auditorium. According to Miss. Jenn, a small fire had happened in the theater over the holiday break.

Regardless of the large event, definitely not caused by Jenna (wouldn't shock them if she had accidentally had done it). The Love Club had gathered in the club room that afternoon going back and forth with Shiloh.

"Look, I'm done arguing." Shiloh huffed, "Take his folder. I just know that I'm done with it."

"Shiloh, we just think that—"

The phone to the club room rang and Shiloh quickly picked it up, "Love Club, Shiloh speaking. How can I help?"

The fire in the theater hadn't gone unnoticed by the five teens, but there was nothing they could do about that... unless Jenna caused it, which she didn't. They hadn't heard what Miss. Jenn had planned on doing whatsoever. The theater looked completely burned down.

Shiloh sighed, "We'll meet you there."

She quickly hung the phone up and faced the others.

"Miss. Jenn needs us in the cafeteria."

"Is this about the fire?" Jenna asked, "Because someone thought it was me."

"You caused an oil fire in Home Ec." Evie said.

"It was an accident."

Shiloh sighed, "No one thinks you've caused the fire... but it wouldn't shock them. You guys are going to see what Miss. Jenn wants."

"And where are you going?" Madison asked.

There was a soft knock on the door of the club room and Dylan peeked his head inside.

"Oh, come on." Evie scoffed.

Dylan had asked Shiloh to talk about "everything" and wanted to meet after school.

"Go see what Miss. Jenn wants."

"Shiloh."

Shiloh smiled, "Evie, I love you. I'll be fine. We're just talking."

"And talking leads to arguments between the two of you."

"Go see what Miss. Jenn wants."

Evie bit their cheek slightly before heading off with the others. Slowly, but surely.

"How's everything?" Dylan asked.

"Good, but I do have to see what Miss. Jenn wants so... I don't want to rush you, but why are you here?"

"I'm moving soon, so I just wanted to get some things off my chest. If you're willing to listen."

Shiloh hadn't faced him yet and wasn't planning on it. She was having a pretty shitty week and Dylan making a guest appearance wasn't on the top of her agenda.

"Who am I to not listen?"

Shiloh randomly began to shove things in her backpack, hoping that it would speed up the process... it did not. Actually, it seemed to only make matters worse.

"I was the one who wrote the two star review about the club."

Shiloh paused. Dylan had left the school board meeting after Shiloh caught his sight.

Shiloh faced him, "What did you gain from doing that?"

"Nothing obviously."

Shiloh smiled. Dylan had been nothing but a menace to her since she broke up with him. Time after time she let it go. That's all she ever did. She was tired of letting things go so easily.

"You love to see me lose, don't you?" She asked.

"What did you lose, Shiloh?"

"You have no empathy." She smiled, "You want to win so bad. What do you win? You could've jeopardized something I care about and for what? Me? Do you think you can get me? Get me back or? Like, I don't understand. What was your motive?"

"There's no motive."

"No motive at all?"

"None."

Shiloh sighed. She wasn't going to let Dylan feel like he could intimidate her. Dylan had always driven Shiloh up the wall. She was done with that. She was done having Dylan step all over her and not fight back.

"I'm done. I'm done listening. I'm done with this conversation. I'm done with you."

"Shiloh—"

"No. You deliberately came for my club. There's no apology because you're not sorry."

"You haven't even given me a chance to apologize."

"Because I know you! Or at least I thought I knew you. You're done. I'm done with you." Shiloh said, "You're going to leave this room and never talk to me again."

"You're over exaggerating now."

"No, I'm not. You went too far... for nothing because at the end of the day, no matter the outcome of the board meeting, I was never going to get back together with you. So suck it up. You lost. And now we're done. Permanently."

"I lost?" Dylan smirked, "What do I lose?"

"This was all a game to you. I've had a pretty bad week already. So, wanna play games? Because no matter what, I'll win each game." Shiloh laughed, "You've already lost."

"Are you going to tell me what I lost? Or is this a game too?"

Shiloh dig through her backpack and pulled Dylan's folder out of the bag.

"You've lost me and I think you're biggest lost." She smirked, "Wanna walk and talk? Like I said, I'm a busy girl, but we both have to make a stop before I meet with Miss. Jenn."

"WHERE'S SHILOH?" Miss. Jenn asked.

"She's coming..." Evie answered, "but I'm pretty sure we can manage whatever until she gets here."

"Are you guys good at giving speeches?"

Evie looked down the line. Short answer, depends. They could give a good speech, but Shiloh definitely was better at them and didn't sugarcoat a lot of things. Madison didn't either... but Madison could be way too harsh with the truth, even if it was well deserved.

"Shiloh is probably the best option for good speeches. But, you know...depending on the speech... we could possibly help." Evie said.

The four teens stood behind Miss. Jenn. They (for the past ten minutes) worked on what Miss. Jenn could say to the others for motivation of some sort.

"Wait where's Gina?"

"I think she's going through a family thing right now." Ashlyn answered.

"Okay, prayers to our Gina. I'm not really sure what to say." Miss. Jenn sighed.

She quickly glanced back at the club who gave her a thumbs up before turning to back towards the others.

"You've all worked so hard. I've seen all of you grow so much. I can promise you that the club really has helped and I think we can all agree." Miss. Jenn started, "But if we don't have a theater we don't have a show."

"Come on, Miss. Jenn, we've gotta do something." Carlos said.

"I think we... I don't know, I guess we could consider other venues?"

Suggestions after suggestions were being thrown out by everyone, but Carlos' idea was the one that many agreed with. The El Rey.

"Any other ideas?" Miss. Jenn asked.

"Miss. Jenn, I feel like you just had a really weird reaction to what I just said."

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"Carlos wants to know if you could try and use the El Rey Theater." Ashley repeated, a small smile on her face.

"My uncle Ruben is the listing agent, and the last thing they had in there was a fashion show, like four years ago."

As Carlos began to call his uncle and the others gathering around Seb as he showed them the five hundred seats... or four ninety-eight according to Miss. Jenn, the doors for the cafeteria could be heard opening, and Shiloh, stoned-faced, entered.

She made sure she was going to win her fight with Dylan if it was the last thing she did. He wasn't going to leave Salt Lake satisfied and she one hundred percent got that job done.

"The El Rey theater it is."

One by one each of the cast members stood. Miss. Jenn instructing the group to grab whatever wasn't ruined by the fire so they can take it to the El Rey.

Shiloh had brushed by many of the others including Ricky, who took notice of her look. Ricky began walking backward and facing Jenna.

She shrugged her shoulders. Shiloh seemed as okay as she could be before they left her and now it looked like she had blown a fuse.

"Good, you're here." Miss. Jenn smiled, "It seems like everyone is a little shaken by the... damages and I was wondering if you all could join us at the El Rey. Consider it a last minute wake up call."

"I think the only person shaken up is you." Evie said, "You seem to not want to have it at the El Rey."

"The El Rey... is definitely an option. I just want my stars to feel like they've been dragged backwards. Especially since they've done so well with your help."

"We're down, Miss. Jenn." Shiloh said, "What exactly do you need us to do?"

"What you guys do best. I'm sure you'll come up with something by the time we get to the theater." Miss. Jenn smiled.

Shiloh nodded before Miss. Jenn headed towards the exit, "Everything okay, Shiloh?" She asked.

Shiloh quickly nodded. Miss. Jenn stood a second longer before leaving the cafeteria completely.

"What's wrong?" Madison asked.

"Dylan wrote the two star review."

"Are you kidding me?" Evie asked, "Who does he think he is? What was the point? Our club could've been over in a matter of seconds!"

"I know... I've permanently closed his folder and gave it to Principal Gutierrez. He will not be coming to our club or me any longer."

"What do you mean?" Ashley asked.

"I told him about everything." Shiloh sighed, "About... Dylan constantly bothering me about us and everything I could think of for the past couple of years. Not much he can do, but it's almost the end of the semester, meaning, Dylan will be moving away soon."

"It's good that you told him everything." Evie said.

"Yeah, I just wanted to get it over with I guess."

Jenna threw her arm over Shiloh's shoulders, "Good. He was annoying. Glad you got it out of the way."

Shiloh rested her head on Jenna's shoulder. If Ricky was right about one thing, it was that she was constantly worried, bothered, crying, whatever over guys who obviously didn't care for or about her in the way she wanted. Dylan didn't like Shiloh. Dylan just wanted Shiloh, for personal gain. Nothing more, nothing less. As for EJ... Shiloh couldn't really figure out why EJ did what he did, it hurt and she had every right to feel that way. The only way she could figure out why he did what he did was from EJ himself.

"I think you should talk to Ricky." Jenna said.

"Why?"

"Because I know you don't want to close his folder." Jenna sighed, "We won't know what Ricky said unless he or you say something about it, but... he does want to talk to you about everything."

Ricky, one hundred percent didn't mean anything he said to both Nini and Shiloh. He was upset, angry, and frustrated. And when help came his way he pushed them out. Shiloh knew he was upset about his mother, but for him to take it out on her was a low blow.

"You know him better than any of us. You know more than what we do. You know he didn't mean it and you know he's sorry." Evie said, "You don't have to forgive him, but you can hear him out. Especially since you just told us you... you know... like him."

Shiloh sighed, "I've got to figure out what to do when we get to the El Rey, so we can help the others pack up, but for now, I think I'm done with guys for today."

Shiloh threw Jenna's arm off of her shoulder and made her exit out of the cafeteria.

"Ricky asked me about Shiloh." Jenna confessed, "He really wants to apologize."

Evie sighed, "I'll talk to Ricky and try to figure out what he said. Madison, try and convince Shiloh to even glance Ricky's way. There's not much we can do until we figure out what Shiloh is going to do at the El Rey."

"Are you sure?" Ashley questioned, "She genuinely seems upset with Dylan."

"Yeah, I am too. But Ricky and Dylan are two different people and I think Shiloh really think wants to give Ricky that second chance." Evie explained, "Just make sure Shiloh doesn't close Ricky's folder."

Madison nodded and quickly made her way to find Shiloh.

"As for you two... be the best person you can be." Evie smiled.

Evie quickly left to find Ricky, leaving Ashley and Jenna alone.

"Do you think this is going to work?" Ashley asked.

Jenna shrugged her shoulders, "If they really like each other... yes. I have faith."

JENNA HAD too much faith.

As Shiloh made her way down the hall, trying to figure out some plan for the El Rey.

"Shiloh!"

She held a heavy sigh, she turned and faced EJ who was holding a large red box in his hands.

"Hey."

She held a tight lip smile, "Hey."

"So... I've thought about what you said and I hope I know what I'm apologizing for."

"Well, give it a shot." Shiloh said, "I promise it will not be the worst apology I've heard today."

"It gives me a little bit more confidence." He chuckled, "I'm really sorry about how things went down between us and it is completely my fault. You're a great person and a great person to be with. I lead you on for months, asked you to be my girlfriend, and broke up with you in two weeks. A real douchebag thing to do."

"I really liked you, EJ."

"I promise I liked you, Shiloh. I don't know. I think I liked the fact that you were so willing to give me a chance. That you cared, I guess. I rather hurt you before you got the chance to hurt me because you cared and what would've happened if you just stopped caring?"

"You're an idiot." Shiloh smiled, "But I guess I understand... in a weird way."

"It's the Love Club in you." He joked.

"I know you can be a good guy and I know that you can care about a person other than yourself."

"I've also said some pretty bad things at Homecoming and the beginning of the year. You really didn't deserve any of that. I'm really not expecting any forgiveness, but know that I'm genuinely very, very sorry."

"I told you it wouldn't be the worst apology."

EJ smiled, "I'll tell you what." Shiloh started, "I can't forgive everything."

"I understand. I wouldn't either."

Shiloh held her hand out, "I can agree to be friends and... learning from mistakes."

EJ grabbed ahold of her hand, shaking it lightly, smiling as he did so.

"I'll see you at the El Rey." She smiled.

"You're going?"

"My job is never done."

EJ watched as she ventured further and further down the hall.

He could be thankful for semi-forgiveness from her. Better than nothing at all. He really didn't expect her to even talk to him.

Maybe Ricky would get the same chance.

RICKY DIDN'T sound like he was getting that chance to speak to Shiloh today.

"Why do you care?" Shiloh asked.

Madison had tried convincing Shiloh to speak to Ricky or at least what had happened between them on Thanksgiving on the way to the El Rey, but she didn't budge.

"Don't you think he was being irrational? Like, it's really weird that he just snapped on you and Nini the way he did."

"Which gives me more of a reason to turn his folder in to Principal Gutierrez."

Madison shut her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. The two of them had been standing outside the theater for several minutes as Shiloh unpacked her car for the plan she literally pulled from the crack of her brain. She had also offered to take things from East High to the theater.

"What did he say?"

"Does it matter?"

"Because I know you don't want to do that. We all know you don't want to do that." Madison said, "I don't know what he could've said but you know he didn't mean it. You know Ricky wouldn't just pop off at you like that and you know that you like him. Pushing that away isn't going to make it better."

Shiloh finally shut her car door and pressed her back against the door.

"You can't just push him away thinking that this crush is going to die down once you give that folder up. You would know that better than anyone."

"I'll compromise." Shiloh started, "EJ apologized for everything and if I can hear him out I guess I can hear Ricky out."

"Good, and think before you turn his folder in."

Shiloh nodded before forcing Madison to grab a crate of props and heading inside the theater.

Meanwhile, Evie had entered the building with Ricky by their side.

"I assume Jenna told you everything." Ricky sighed.

"I know you talked that's all. Oh, and that you said something to Shiloh. That's it."

"I just want to apologize, but she's ignoring me so, I don't think I'll get that chance."

"What did you even say?"

Telling the best friend of the girl you liked that you told her that she was bad at something she was passionate about and pointing out how she's been in two bad relationships wasn't ideal. Maybe that was the reason Shiloh didn't say anything to anyone about it.

"I already know it was bad." Evie said, "You know saying some harsh things to the girl that you, you know. So, whatever you said, might as well tell me."

"I brought the fact that her relationship with EJ didn't last very long and how her and Dylan didn't work out. Then—"

"Then?"

"Then I told her that she was bad at her job in the Love Club." He whispered.

Evie sighed, griping the flashing tightly and running her tongue across her teeth.

"Yeah, I wouldn't talk to you either." Evie chuckled.

"Encouraging."

"Ricky, I mean, you can't deny that Shiloh hasn't helped you. She's the main one there for you and the only person you've really allowed in these past couple of months."

"I messed up. I was already upset before I got to Ashlyn's and I guess it boiled over." Ricky said, "I've tried calling, texting, anything and nothing."

"Look, I'll help you."

"Help me?"

"Do you want it or not?"

Ricky nodded. Evie had honestly not come up with a plan whatsoever. This whole winging it thing seemed to be working out, so why not try it one last time.

— lucy has something to say !!

i love saying that someone sighed.

ricky sighed. shiloh sighed. BITCH ARE YOU OKAY????

someone remade that portwell edit i was screaming about with rini and i think i'm only screaming because the edits use glee songs 💀

bye :))))