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     𝓥alentina and Isabel had broke off during their last class and planned to meet back up for lunch. So, when the bell had finally rung signaling that class was over Valentina practically ran out of the class already wishing that the day was over. Considering that Valentina did not trust the cafeteria food in the slightest she went straight to the lunch tables looking for her purple sweatered friend thinking she can just have the banana she threw in her backpack that morning for lunch. She had finally spotted Isabel sitting with two other people in the corner of the room, as she was walking over their she tried to figure out where she knew the two before remembering their in the drama department with Isabel. Valentina didn't exactly mind meeting new people but that didn't mean she really liked it either. But, these were friends of Isa so that meant she had to try and at least be friendly. She got to the table and sat down next to Isa but saw that all three of the table occupants were staring into the distance. To be honest she was contemplating whether or not to leave considering she was quite creeped out in the moment but she shook her head and snapped her fingers in front of Isabel's face. It seemed to get her out of staring as she started blinking and looked to whose hand snapped and found her best friend, "Oh hey Valentina sorry I didn't notice you at first," Valentina just chuckled at the obviousness, "anyways I think you know Seb and Natalie they were in the play Brigadoon, well Natalie was the stage manager."

"Uh yeah I think i remember you guys but still, hi I'm Valentina just in case you guys don't remember me," Valentina looked towards the two who seemed not as talkative since the girl named Natalie gave her a polite smile and looked back to whatever the three were staring at before and Seb also smiled but did a little wave in her direction. But Valentina really didn't mind since she wasn't as big of a talker herself unlike Isabel which is kind why they work good together.

Valentina tried to look towards where she saw Natalie looking still couldn't figure out what was such a big deal, "Okay I'm confused what is everyone so amazed about because all of you have been staring at something since before I got here."

Surprisingly it was Seb who answered, "The junior over there Nini and her new senior boyfriend EJ, you know she broke up with her boyfriend she had last year."

"Yeah Isa and I saw that whole fiasco this morning before the assembly, it looked bad," Valentina responded thinking back to that morning.

"Yeah but she is dating one of the most popular seniors, how did they even know each other?" Isabel suddenly said.

Natalie and Seb nodded, agreeing with her but Valentina honestly didn't care about the situation. Sure, it was unexpected but she wasn't friends with Nini or EJ and she'd rather stay out of the drama surrounding that whole situation. So, she turned to reach in her backpack and grab her snack as the three turned back to watching the new couple. As Valentina got her banana she saw Isabel getting up from the table as she saw some random person fleeting from the lunch room in the side of her vision, "Wait Isa where are you going lunch has barely started?"

"It's nothing I just wanted to check on someone, they looked kind of upset." Isabel said while looking like she wanted to sprint after said person.

"Uh okay, meet back up-" but Valentina didn't get to finish her sentence as Isabel grabbed her backpack and quickly made her way out of the lunch room. Valentina looked to the other two at the table with a raised eyebrow, but they looked just as confused. They all just shrugged and continued on with their lunch as Valentina got the courage to talk to them and ask about the musical for this year which they immediately perked up at the mention of and started ranting about it. The three new friends sat at the table together till lunch ended talking about the musical and the new year and Valentina was pleasantly happy with talking to Natalie and Seb and got both of their phone numbers. (Well I made two new friends at that was my limit so at least now I can be done talking to new people, Valentina thought as she made her way through the halls to her next class.)

•••

     𝓞nce Isabel had gotten out of the lunch room she looked for Ricky Bowen. She knew they were never really great friends just classmates but he looked pretty upset and if she could do anything about that then she could at least try. She turned a corner and found Ricky sitting on the stairs with his head in his hands muttering something. "Uh you look upset," Isabel scrunched up her face in embarrassment (really Isabel that's how you start this conversation, stupid) she shook her head and continued, "Um hi, I'm sorry for bothering you if I am and you probably don't recognize me but-"

Ricky looked up to the stampering girl slowly remembering who she was and interrupted her, "You're Isabel Ramirez, we were partners in creative writing last year."

Isabel blinked back the surprise she felt from him saying he remembered her and just nervously laughed,"Oh yeah you were the kid Mr. Peters constantly picked on cause you were always writing things in that notebook of yours and never paying attention."

"Hey now I was just so inspired by his lessons that I just had to start writing and suffer the consequences of never listening to the end of all of his speeches," He protested a small grin slowly making its way onto his face by the small girl with checkered pants.

Isabel giggled at his attempt to justify never paying attention in class, "Oh wow what a pity! But seriously be happy you never did all Peters did was drone on and on about the use of an exclamation point, it was excruciating."

Ricky let out a laugh at that and then remember he had cut off the girl when she first came over to him, "Wait I'm sorry I interrupted you early when you were saying why you came to talk to me."

"Oh yeah, well I saw you basically run out of the cafeteria a few minutes ago and I know that the food in there can be scary but not that much that people will run away from it," Isabel started as Ricky fought back a smile. "But anyways you looked upset and I know we don't really know each other well but I just wanted to make sure you were okay," she finished with a soft smile looking down to Ricky who looked shocked that she came over to just check up on him.

He quickly got over his initial shock and cleared his throat, "Uh yeah I sort of was, just you know a bad first day back." He replied unconvincingly but Isabel saw that he didn't want to talk about the real reason so she just nodded.

"Yeah of course first days back can be really stressful. Anyways lunch is about to end so hope the rest of your day gets better, I have to go but I'll see you later Ricky," Isabel smiled brightly at him before she slowly backed up from from the stairs and turned to walk down the hallway before he called out to her.

Ricky stood up from his spot as Isabel turned back to him, "Uh thank you for checking on me, even though you don't really know me well. It uh means a lot Isabel."

"Of course, bye Ricky," Isabel gave him one last smile before starting down the hallway.

Ricky watched her retreating figure thinking that the rest of his day was starting to get better because someone he barely knew, for some reason, took time to notice that something was up. He had never thought that his old classmate who drew rainbow flowers everywhere and always listened to music in class would take time and check on him after noticing that. He started to smile at the thought as the bell above rang and students started to pile into the hallways.

•••

AN: sooooooooo Ricky and Isabel had their first real talk! And the auditions are next chapter! OH AND SEB AND VALENTINA AND GONNA BE THE MOST PRECIOUS BEST FRIENDS AND IM SO EXCITED TO WRITE THEIR FRIENDSHIP
AND VALENTINA AND GINA WILL MEET NEXT CHAPTER!!
anyways hope you have a day your happy with.