"Welcome to the East High Morning Show. I'm Marie Jones-Porter." Marie announces into the camera that was filming her and E.J on the first ever morning show for East High. "And I'm E.J Caswell. And we're co-hosting the first-ever East High Morning Show. 'Cause I'm president of the AV club." He announces, "And I'm his only friend who agreed to do it." Marie remarks, earning the slight glare from E.J.

"That's right. Back to you, Marie." E.J says, smiling towards the camera then over to Marie. "Thanks, E.J. Now, for our first ever guest. You know her from The Rose Song that's been blowing up the East High Instagram." Marie starts before E.J interrupts her, "Oh, quick reminder, tickets for Beauty and the Beast go on sale next week."

"Hmm, that's right, E.J. Now, please welcome Nini Salazar-Roberts." Marie announces before her and E.J get up to walk over to Nini, who was sitting down with her ukulele. "Hey, guys! Thanks for having me." Nini thanks. E.J then acts like he's a real reporter with a earpiece, which he doesn't have. "This just in, Nini's song has over 2,500 views, making it the most viewed post in drama club Instagram history."

"Are you serious?" Nini says in shock, "Songwriting skills, universal acclaim... How does it feel to be you right now?" Marie asks the girl. "Uh, feels good." Nini chuckles. Marie and E.J ask Nini a few more questions before signing off. "Well, there you go. I'm E.J." He says, "And I'm Marie."

"Good Morning, East High!" They both exclaim in a sing-song voice.

...

All of the main cast was in the dressing rooms all having their own conversations with each other. Miss Jenn breaks the teens talking, "Everyone, attention please! I'm sure you're wondering why I called this special midday drama club meeting." Seb decides to take a guess, "Oh, are you announcing the fall musical? I vote Dear Evan Hansen."

"No, Seb. It's March. And the rights won't be available for five years. I tried." Miss Jenn answers, "I am announcing that we are in such a good place after our improv workshop. We'd getting one step closer to Menkies gold. And today, our wonderful actor/designer, Kourtney Greene, is going to show you your completed costumes!" Miss Jenn finishes announcing, everybody cheers. Nini then pulls the sheet off of the costume rack, which shocks everybody with how good they look.

Marie and Gina look at each other in disbelief, "Oh, my god" Marie mutters, looking back at the costumes. "Speech! Speech!" Nini chants. "Okay, I'm, I guess I'm making a speech. I'm super excited for you all to see your costumes because-" Kourtney is interrupted by her phone making a weird animal noise. "Oh, uh, sorry that's Howie." She says with a big grin on her face. She laughs, before clearing her throat and continuing. "Anyway, with your costumes this semester, I really tried to-" Kourtney was interrupted be her phone again.

Carlos gets annoyed by the noise and says, "Can you not keep you phone in silent in rehearsal, like everyone else?" Seb then goes to cover for him, seeing how harsh his tone was, "Sorry everyone,' is what Carlos would say if he were more like me." Carlos then goes to apologize, "Okay, Kourt, I am sorry, but listen to this caption from North High. 'It took twenty people over fifty hours to create our Belle dress. Beast costumes ever'" Carlos quotes. "On the day we're unveiling our costumes. How did they know that?" Kourtney's phone goes off again as Carlos continues. "They've been trolling us for weeks you guys, and I'm trying to not let it get to me-" He is interrupted by Kourtney's phone, again. "Oh my god, is your phone hungry? I don't understand what I'm hearing." Carlos snaps at her.

"Okay, okay, let's get back to costumes. Go ahead, Kourt." Miss Jenn says, "Anyway, took me awhile but I built you some abs that would make Captain America proud." Kourt says to E.J, grabbing the Gaston costume. E.J looks at her in disbelief, "But, I have abs." Kourtney looks at him and says, "E.J, everyone has abs. These are Kourtney originals. Oh, I also padded the tush for you."

"Oh, thanks, I actually need that. This is amazing, Kourt." Marie chuckles at E.J's comment. Nini then came over and handed Marie her the Belle costume. She was shocked to say the least, she loved all of it and actually couldn't wait to preform on stage with this. Marie is pulled out of her thoughts when Kourt asks everybody if they've seen the beast mask.

"Haven't seen it." Big Red answers, "We're too busy being obsessed with our costumes." Ashlyn says spinning around with her costume. They begin to laugh at her antics before Carlos steps in, " You guys, I know where our Beast mask is." He says show his phone to see a picture of North High showing off their costumes, they all look towards it but can't find anything. "What are we looking at?" E.J asks, Carlos then zooms in on the photo. "Look at the trunk." They all still didn't see it, "I still don't get it." Marie says, confused to what Carlos was trying to explain.

    "Hello? That is obviously Beast fur. Look, it all makes sense. Our mask happens to go missing on the same day they post this? They snuck in here and took it." Ashlyn then speaks up, "I hate to say it, but that did kind of look like a Beast mask to me." Big Red backs her up and says, "Classic Beast."

    "Do you really think they would steal from us?" Seb questions, "I would." Gina remarks. Nini then nudges her, making Gina chuckle. "No, I mean I used to be that kind of person, before the present day."

    Big Red then asks, "We have to get even, right?"

    They all start to agree with him. Carlos turns to. Miss Jenn, "You have to at least say something."

    "Guys, guys, guys. Enough. Do you really think North High would stoop so low as to sneak in here, break in, and steal Kourtney's work?" Miss Jenn questions, nobody answers as Carlos' phone vibrates. "And they just posted something new, captioned, 'North High's gonna steal your heart this spring'" Carlos scoffs, "Are they a witch? How do you explain these coincidences?"

    "It's just that, a coincidence. Now, I want you kids to keep looking for that mask and let the rest go. As I learned when I appeared in a regional production of Anything Goes opposite a women who once sued me for libel, you should never dance with the enemy. Understood?" All of teens listen to her, "Yes, Miss Jenn." They all say quietly. "Thank you."

...

    The teens are all now at North High, going to sneak around for the Beast mask.

    "The plan is simple. Based on that instagram post, the mask has to be in their costume shop. We know from their instagram overshares that North High has dance rehearsal today, so they'll be in their dance studio." Carlos explains, "They have their own dance studio?" Gina asks in disbelief. North High was definitely much different from East High.

     "We're raiding their costumes and not leaving until we have our mask." Carlos says. "Isn't this kind of trespassing?" Seb questions, "It'll be fine. There are people still here after school for clubs. We'll blend in. Though, Ashlyn you may have taken the camouflage thing too far." Carlos says, as everyone looks over to Ashlyn who was wearing a bright yellow North High sweatshirt and sweatpants.

     She looks down at her outfit then back to Carlos, "No, today, I am Diane. I play volleyball, and I love North High." Ashlyn explains, saying the last part extra loud for people to hear.

    "Diane, is it? How would you feel about dating a guy from East High?" Big Red grins at her. Ashlyn gasps, "Oh, a forbidden romance."

    "Focus! Who's gonna be lookout?" Carlos asks. "I'll do it." Marie says, maybe a little too quickly. Carlos seems a little shocked by this, "I would rather not look at the competition's amazing costumes, I'd like to have some confidence left over." Marie explains.

    "Just stay calm and act natural, okay? You got this. Everyone ready?" Carlos says, they all nod in response. Ricky then puts his hand in the middle of them all. "What team?" Everybody puts their hands in, as Carlos adds, "Wait, maybe we shouldn't yell."

    He was too late though, as they all raised their hands in the air and cheering, "Wildcats!"

    ...

    After the rest teens left, Marie was alone in the hallways of North High, waiting to hear from them.

   After checking her phone to see if anyone had found something, she looks up at a guy who was walking down the hallway, look at her. She quickly turns away from him to look in another direction, but fails when he walks around to talk to her.

     "Hey. Haven't seen you before." He says, "Yeah,  I'm super new." Marie says, trying to avoid eye contact with him. He smiles at her and asks, "What's your name?"

     Marie tries to come up with a random name, not wanting to tell him her real name. Then she remembers the name Ashlyn called herself earlier. "Diane."

    "Wow, that is actually my great-aunt's name." He explains. "Hmm... Amazing story." Marie says, giving him a obviously fake smile. "Okay, well, it was nice meeting a fellow North High student." Marie tries to cover. She starts to feel slightly uncomfortable with him.

     "Can I get your snap, or..." He asks taking a step closer to her. This guy does not give up does he. Marie thought. But before she has to come up with an excuse to leave him, E.J comes up from behind her and puts his arm around her shoulder, "Hey, babe."

    Marie is shocked to see him here, and calling her 'babe'. It did seem to give her slight butterflies in her stomach. She quickly plays along with the act. "Babe!" She says, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'm so glad you're here."

    Marie let's go of him as they both look at each other with big smiles on their faces. The guy starts to look away from the 'couple', feeling slightly uncomfortable.

    "So, are we still on for sushi later?" E.J asks her, Marie smiles and then looks over the the guy, making eye contact with him. "You know I would never miss sushi night."

    "And that's my cue." The guy says turning around and walking away. Marie and E.J start bursting into laughter. "Okay. Sushi?" Marie asks, questions the kind of odd choice of food.

    "I guess Miss Jenn's improv class really paid off." Marie chuckles at him. "Yes, and also made you weirder."

     E.J just smiles and shakes his head, as Marie continues laughing. "Wait, what are you even doing here?" She asks, "Oh, I felt bad that you got stuck here alone an lookout." He answers.

     Marie just chuckles, "Seriously?" She pauses before continuing, "Oh, that's, um... That's sort of sweet." Marie smiles. "Well, hey, what are fake boyfriends if not sort of sweet?" He chuckles, grinning at her. Marie laughs at his antics. "I just..." E.J starts, "Want sushi?" Marie finishes. "Yeah." He says. "Me too." She says, laughing.

     Little did the two know that Lily was behind them and was on her phone telling her other cast members that East High was here.

...

   Marie and E.J we're quickly out out of their thoughts when their phones both buzzed, they both pull out their phones to see the Carlos had texted them, saying the North High knew they we're there and to come to the costumes room.

    They both look up at each other before taking off towards the rest of the cast.

...

    "What are you all doing here? Scooping out the competition." Lily said, after the whole cast was in the room. "We came for our Beast mask. We know you took it." Carlos explains. "Pardon me, but our costumes are most excellent. Why would we steal your mask, when it is so, uh... I... We do not have a word for this in France, but in America, I believe you say 'fugly'?" The french exchange student, who Marie found out later to be 'Antione'.

    Everybody gasps at his comment. "What did you call my work?" Kourtney asks defensively, "Ouoi?" He questions. "Look, I'm sure your mask is super cute. But we're just in different leagues. I mean, we're literally a quasi-pre-professional theater company, and you guys put on shows based on made-for-TV movies." Lily chuckles.

     "Now maybe you should listen to your precious High School Musical and stick to the stuff you know." Lily continues. Seb scoffs, "Oh, yeah? What if we bop to the top?" He exclaims. "Honey, no." Carlos whispers to him.

     "Let's just wait for the Menkies. We'll see who's in what league then." Ricky suggests. "Or we could find out now." Lily says, confusing everybody. Big Red asks, "What does that mean?"

    "We challenge you to a good old-fashioned dance-off." Lily states, Marie scoffs at her. "Really? A dance-off?" Kourtney questions. "A schools-versus-school dance-off to a Beauty and the Beast song chosen at random. You'll do your version, and we'll do ours. We'll see which school has what it takes. No costumes, no makeup, just talent." Lily explains, "I'm sorry, no. That's weird." Ricky says, "Super weird." Ashlyn agrees pointing her flashlight towards Lily.

   "Even for me. Let's go, guys." Carlos says, as they all start to walk out. "Classic East High." Lily laughs, "Walking out of here with your tail between your legs. Just like your Miss Jenn did when she gave up on Broadway." Some of them gasp at her comments.

    "And, you know, let's be honest, maybe your Belle just can't cut it." Lily remarks, looking straight at Marie.

    Marie is slightly shocked at her comment, and has the sudden feeling to go sink in a hole. "No, I'm sorry, but nobody out-Belle's our Belle." Gina defends Marie, getting up close with Lily.

     Marie pulls herself together and walks up the Lily, glaring at her. "Let's do this." She states firmly. "Good. Ten-minute warm-up, then we settle this, street-style." Lily explains, not breaking eye contact with Marie. All of the teens then walk out of the room towards the auditorium.

...

    All of the theater kids were warming up in the auditorium. Marie was trying to get ready in the corner, also trying not to freak out. When Antoine came up to her. "Um, forgive me for saying, but it is a pity to be dancing against such a beautiful mademoiselle." Marie looks at him confused, "I don't know what you game is, but I'm loyal to East High. Though your accent is pretty cool."

     "Merci. I'm glad you appreciate it, I have had a hard time connecting with people since my English is, you know, not so good." He explains, "Oh, okay, yeah. That's pretty hard. Living in a new country, I mean. I'm sorry, i guess." Marie says.

    "We'll, perhaps we could, uh, go for a... How do you say... Um, date?" Antoine asks, leaving Marie shocked. "Oh! Wow! Um... That is very sweet but I, um, I'm kind of talking with someone at the moment." Marie explains,lying in the process. "Of course. I should have known. I assume it is that dashing young man who looks like Tom Holland on stilts." He says gesturing towards Ricky. Marie scoffs, "Ricky. Oh, no."

     "Oh, I see. It must be him, then." He says, this time gesturing towards E.J. "Oh, E.J. Oh, uh, no." Marie stutters. Marie thought what her and E.J's relationship was... were they becoming more than friends? She then quickly getting rid of any of those thoughts and looked back over to Antoine.

     "Well, whoever you like, you should dump him and date me." He says, quickly. Leaving Marie at a loss for words. Lily then shouted, "Okay, everyone. Warm-up is over, gather around." Antoine rushes over to Lily who was in the stage, bumping E.J's shoulder in the process.

    "I will now press shuffle to choose the song." Lily announces, "After which, I will prepare a dance remix of the song, since I, on occasion, DJ." Antoine explains.

   "Everyone, ready? And it's..." Lily presses shuffle on the phone, "The Mob Song."

     E.J seems to be the only one excited, "Yes!" As everyone else groans in response. "I knew you all didn't like The Mob Song." E.J exclaims, "It's not really a dancing song." Big Red, says. "It's fine guys. We're East High. We can make anything work." Gina encourages. "Yeah we can." E.J says, Lily then shouts, "Open the curtain!"

    The curtain opens to see the amazing sets and their Beast actor, with the mask and gloves on. East High is so shocked at how good everything is. "May the best school win." Lily announces. "Places, please.".

    They all get in their spots, Ricky and North Highs Beast grab guitars and start the battle.

Ricky: Through the mist, Through the woods
Through the darkness and the shadows
It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride

Howie: Say a prayer
Then we're there
At a drawbridge of a castle
And there's something truly terrible inside

East High was not expecting North Highs Beast mask to be so good.

Ricky: It's a Beast

Howie: He's got fangs

Ricky: Razor-sharp ones

Howie: Massive paws , Killer claws for the feast

Ricky: Hear him roar
See him foam

Howie: 'Cause we're not coming home, till he's dead
Good and dead

All: Kill the Beast

East High: Light you torch
Mount you horse
Screw your courage to the sticking place
We're counting on Gaston to lead the way
Through a mist, through a wood
We're within a haunted castle
Somethings lurking that you don't see everyday

North High: It's a Beast
One as tall as mountain
We won't rest until he's good and deceased
Sally forth, tally-ho
Grab your sword, grab your bow
Praise the lord and here we go

Antoine: No one's safe until he's dead
He'll come stalking us at night

Carlos: Set to sacrifice our children
To his monstrous appetite

Antoine: He'll reek havoc on our village
If we let him wander free

Carlos: So it's time to take some action boys
It's time to follow me

All: We don't like
What we don't understand
In fact it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least
Bring your guns, bring your knifes
Save our children, and our wives
We'll save our village, and our lives

All: We'll kill the beast

Lily: Hearts ablaze, banners high
We go marching into battle
Unafraid although the danger just increased

Marie: Raise the flag, sing the song
Here we come, we're fifty strong
And fifty frenchman can't be wrong

All: We'll kill the beast

Marie loses her balance and almost falls down the stairs on the set, but before she could fall, Antoine grabs her hand and pulls her close to him. Leaving both of them in shock.

...

After the dance off, East High is back stage, waiting for North High. But they then decide to leave. "Let's get out of here, guys." Ricky says, Lily then comes running in out of breath. "Uh, for the record, we won."

Carlos chuckles, "Are you serious?"

"Just because someone almost fell?" Gina questions. "Yeah, did you see Gina's moves? No way you could be that." Kourtney snaps back. "Maybe we should have figured out some sort of point system?" Seb asks, " You know what, it's fine. Let her say she won. This dance off doesn't matter. The Menzies matter, and we're gonna win that, because we've got one thing you don't have." Carlos explains.

"The sympathy vote?" Lily questions. "No. Nini's Rose song." Seb calls back. "Yes, we do." Kourt agrees, Lily chuckles, "Um, sorry not sorry, Wildcats, but if you preform her song in your show, you will be disqualified from the Menzies. You can't alter the original Menken text." She explains. "Well, let's just do it anyways. Stick to the plan and take the risk" Nini states, "And risk letting them win? Isn't there a sports metaphor for this?" Carlos questions, as they look over to E.J who's eyes widen, mind going blank.

"E.J, you had one job!" Carlos exclaims, everybody else groans at his lack of help. "I mean, what if the song didn't really fit in the show anyway, you know? Seems a little heavy." Ricky says, looking over to Nini, who then storms out of the room. "Let's go." Carlos says, quietly. Everybody then starts to walk out.

...

Marie and E.J walk out together back into the halls of North High. E.J sighs, "I guess we're not boyfriend and girlfriend anymore." He says, referring to the improv from earlier.

"Yep. Just co-anchors. Back to normal. Back to you E.J." Marie jokes, holding her hands together to act like a microphone. "Good morning, East High!" E.J draws out, playing along.

The two continue to hang out and walk together all the way back to East High.

-
a/n
hiya i am back here for a last minute holiday gift!! i didn't really know hot to write the dance off, so just use your imagination.
hope you have had a happy holiday, whatever you may or may not celebrate.
bye y'all <3