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𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗦

chapter one:
ready for a summer romance !

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VIOLETTA CHASE SAT in her last class of her junior year, absentmindedly twirling one of her curls around her finger. She was just about ready to scream. For some reason, her math teacher had decided that it would be a great idea to teach a lesson on the very last day of school.

It was safe to say nobody was paying attention. Even though the teacher was talking, whispered conversations were still happening. Nobody had any notebooks out at all. After all, summer was only just in their reach. Who wanted to listen to math when all they could think about was summer?

The teacher droned on and on about something Violetta didn't really care about. Not that she ever cared about math, but today, it was significantly less. Her eyes trailed up to the clock, and her heart instantly started to race in excitement. There was only about a minute left until the bell rang.

Only a minute left until school would be done for a couple of months, until the pressure of assignments would be gone, until sleeping in became an everyday thing, until going to camp was actually becoming a reality, until Violetta was free to spend as much time as she could with her boyfriend—

And then, the familiar high-pitched bell sounded throughout the school.

Violetta let out a breath of relief. She immediately stood up and slung her backpack over her shoulder. Her teacher was saying something that sounded a lot along the lines of don't forget your math, but Violetta could not be bothered to listen. She left the classroom and entered the crowded hallway, which was bustling with excitement from everyone just wanting to get home to start their summer. Violetta, however, only had one specific person in mind.

She found him — well, more like he found her. Violetta suddenly felt two arms sling around the front of her chest, pulling her into them. She grinned at the familiar feeling and looked up to see the grinning figure of her boyfriend, EJ Caswell. Violetta felt the same feeling she always did when she was around him — the racing heart, the fluttering stomach, the spinning mind.

God, she was so in love with him.

However, she felt her heart sink momentarily. This was EJ's actual last day of school. His final day of school before graduation in a couple of days. Although EJ wasn't leaving her completely because he was taking a gap year, it would still be really weird to not have him in school with her.

"Hey, you," EJ greeted.

"Hey," Violetta replied, her faltered grin coming back when he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "How're you feeling?"

EJ shrugged, removing one arm from her around her and moving the other to rest around her shoulders. "A little weird, but I'm good. What about you? You excited for summer?"

"Oh, absolutely. I've been waiting to stop waking up at six A.M. since September."

"You mean the beginning of the school year?"

"Exactly."

EJ let out a small laugh. "You still up for swimming? There's one of your bathing suits that you left at my house."

Violetta nodded with a smile. "Sounds great. Nothing kicks off summer than a pool."

She suddenly started to feel annoyed with all of the people around her. Seriously, some people did not know how to walk. Violetta looked up at EJ and smirked to herself, getting an idea in her head. She ducked out from underneath his arm and went behind him, instantly jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. EJ slightly stumbled a bit from the force but placed his hands underneath her thighs to hold her.

"What're you doing?" EJ asked, chuckling at her.

"Having you carry me," Violetta answered. "Duh. What does it look like I'm doing?"

EJ scoffed. "Whatever."

Violetta then spotted two familiar people in the hallway from her new height. "Oh, hey, there's Athena and Ricky." She raised her voice. "'Thena!"

The girl in question, none other than Athena Blake, Violetta's best friend, turned. Ricky Bowen, Violetta's other best friend and Athena's boyfriend, had his arm around Athena's shoulders. The two of them looked very happy — which, they probably were because summer meant love. EJ maneuvered his way through the people to catch up with them and slowed to a stop, the three — not Violetta since she was on EJ's back — of them moving down the hallway together.

"Hey, Vi," Athena stated. "Hi, EJ."

"You're not driving with us to camp, right?" Violetta questioned, tightening her grip on EJ a little bit as he pushed his hands upwards on the back of her thighs so she would sit more comfortably on his back.

Athena shook her head in response. "No, Ricky and I are going separately. If we get there late, it'll be his fault."

Ricky looked at Athena incredulously. "No, it will not be. As long as you don't leave packing until the last minute, we'll make it there on time."

"You know that's not going to happen," Violetta responded, knowing that Athena was extremely bad at packing.

"Yeah, but one can dream."

"You guys have no faith in me," Athena complained. "Whatever. What are you guys up to today?"

"V and I are going swimming at my house," EJ said. "You're free to join, if you want."

Violetta watched as Athena and Ricky shared a glance. She knew what it meant. They just wanted to spend the first day of summer together. Violetta agreed. As much as she loved Athena and Ricky, she kind of just wanted to hang out with EJ for the time being.

"We're okay," Athena replied. "We'll leave you two to spend the first day of summer together. Have fun swimming."

EJ hiked up Violetta a little more and turned his head, evidently trying to look at her. "You ready?"

Violetta's eyebrows knit in confusion, because she had absolutely no idea what he meant. "Ready for what?"

EJ gave a smirk to Athena and Ricky. "Gotta run."

Violetta's eyes widened in realization. "EJ. EJ, no—"

EJ decided in that moment he wasn't going to listen to her. He then broke into a run, weaving in between groups of people. Violetta started to laugh, clutching onto him tighter so she wouldn't fall even though she knew EJ wouldn't dare drop her.

He ran all the way until they left the East High building and entered the hot summer air. Violetta's laughs died down, but she couldn't help her giddiness. Their summer was already going amazing. She had a good feeling about the rest.

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IT WAS FINALLY the day they were all leaving for camp. Violetta had packed everything she needed beforehand since EJ wanted to leave sort-of early, due to there being a long drive to Camp Shallow Lake.

Violetta's parents still worked during the summer time — obviously. Even though they had cut their work time down significantly less than from what it used to be so they could spend more time with her, they couldn't really get off the day she was leaving. That was okay, Violetta understood. (She was becoming more understanding with them.)

She had said goodbye to them when they left for work that morning, promising to have fun. Now, all Violetta had to do was wait until EJ got there. He was driving her, Carlos, Kourtney, Ashlyn, and Gina to camp together so they would have to take less cars. After all, they were all friends.

Violetta then got a text from EJ, saying that he was here. She grinned, grabbing her bag filled with everything she packed and slinging it over her shoulder. Violetta left her house, locking the door.

She turned back around, walking down the steps of her house towards EJ's familiar Jeep parked outside. Violetta was the stop after Carlos and Kourtney and the one before Ashlyn and Gina. He had evidently put the third seat up, because she could see Kourtney's familiar figure sit in the trunk. Meanwhile, Carlos sat in the backseat, leaving two seats open. And, of course, the passenger seat was open.

That was Violetta's seat, and everybody knew it.

"V, you're late," EJ said, but there was a big smile on her face.

"Shut up, I am not," Violetta refused, opening up the passenger side door and sliding into the seat. She reached over and ruffled his hair. "You texted me seconds ago. I'm quite literally on time."

EJ had started to wear his hair naturally now. Instead of having it styled up with gel or whatever he used, it was now fluffy and hanging over his forehead. If she was being honest, Violetta kind of liked it better. It made him look . . . sweet, if that made sense.

He ducked away from her hand, making her let out a small laugh. EJ then leaned across the center console, pressing his lips onto hers for a brief moment. Violetta grinned into it and when he pulled back, they just stared at each other for a moment.

"I have a boyfriend, and I feel single," Carlos admitted.

"Same," Kourtney agreed.

"You guys," Violetta protested lightly. "'Kay, Eej, let's just go."

EJ then drove over to Ashlyn's house so they could pick up Ashlyn and Gina. He parked outside, and without any sort of warning, he just honked the horn. Violetta slightly jumped in surprise and glared at her boyfriend playfully when he chuckled at her. Ashlyn walked out of the house, carrying her bags. She made no effort to hurry up because of EJ's insistence, making Violetta smile.

"Let's go, let's go," EJ urged as Carlos leaned over and opened the door for Ashlyn. "Last one's in a rotten egg, and that's no yolk."

"Ugh, he's on a dad joke kick 'cause he's taking us all on a road trip," Ashlyn said, sliding into the middle seat.

"That is completely false, and I just have one question. What's orange and sounds like a parrot?" He went silent for a moment, but he started giggling. "A carrot."

"Is he okay?" Carlos asked.

Violetta blinked at him, but the back of her mind was screaming he's so cute!. "I think you've reached your limit on talking for today. Please shut up."

"Just for a final headcount, who's not here?" EJ questioned.

"Oh, Big Red's gotta work," Ashlyn answered.

"Sebbie's gotta milk," Carlos added.

"Nini's with her moms."

"And Ricky and Athena are arriving later because they're driving separately," Violetta stated. "But knowing Athena and her packing, they'll be really late. My best guess is they're going to show up tomorrow morning."

"Hey have some faith in them," EJ replied. "I think they'll arrive tonight." He then cleared his throat. "And why are you all coming to the world's greatest camp for two weeks?"

"Because there's a secret celebrity!" Ashlyn, Carlos, and Kourtney all squealed together.

"Because I somehow couldn't find it in me to say no to you," Violetta responded truthfully.

"Oh, I was actually looking for because we all love each other, and something, something, Wildcats!" EJ revealed.

Ashlyn pointed at him. "Yes."

Gina then walked up to the car, looking absolutely stunning in the braids that she had gotten for the summer.

"Hey, G," Violetta greeted.

Gina stopped outside of the car for a moment, closing her eyes and pressing her hands together. She then opened up the back door and slid in the spot next to Ashlyn.

"What'd you wish for?" EJ inquired.

Violetta scoffed. "Did you learn nothing? She can't tell you or it won't happen."

"She gets me," Gina voiced.

"Now, come on." Violetta reached over and placed a hand on EJ's cheek. "Just drive, honey."

Violetta then leaned across the center console and pressed a kiss to EJ's cheek. She pulled back, smiling over at him, her heart fluttering in her chest and

"Let's go!" Carlos exclaimed.

Violetta pressed play on EJ's phone which was connected to the Bluetooth in his car. Obviously, she had to play the ultimate summer anthem — none other than What Time Is It? from High School Musical 2.

"What time is it?" they all chorused. "Summertime, it's our vacation. What time is it? Party time, that's right, say it aloud. What time is it? Time of our lives, anticipation. What time is it? Summertime, school's out, scream and shout."

"Finally, summer's here, good to be chilling out," Ashlyn recited, staring dreamily out the window.

"I'm off the clock, the pressure's off, now my girl's what it's all about," EJ stated, glancing away from the road to look at Violetta for a moment with a soft smile, making her roll her eyes fondly.

"Ready for some sunshine," Carlos voiced.
Kourtney made a heart with her hands. "For my heart to take a chance."

"I'm here to stay, not moving away," Gina added.

"Ready for a summer romance," Violetta sang, looking over at EJ as she did so and taking his free hand that wasn't on the steering wheel, interlocking their fingers together.

"Everybody ready, going crazy, yeah, we're out," everyone said. "Come on and let me hear you say it now, right now."

Violetta was determined for her and EJ to have their summer romance. She just didn't know, despite her efforts, how it would fade away like the sunset faded into the night sky.

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

HELLO HELLO HELLO

welcome to big plans y'all <3

now I'm not going to lie . . . this book is NOT going to be happy like it really won't so please mentally prepare yourselves lol

since I promised ricky & athena would be happy in their third book that automatically means ej & violetta would be sad in their third book that's just the way it goes

and considering how portwell went down we should've all seen this coming :)

also . . . his girl, was not, in fact, what it's all about