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𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗦

chapter thirteen:
violetta and ej . . . without the ej !

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VIOLETTA SAT AT the picnic table outside of the canteen, one of her knees tucked up into her chest and a journal and a pen in front of her. Her eyebrows were knit in thought as she just wrote. It had actually been Ashlyn's idea — she said writing all of her thoughts down helped her, so she thought it would help Violetta, too. Violetta really appreciated her advice, because as each letter was written onto the page, she could feel her mind spin a little less.

It was still the morning, since all the girls agreed they would get ready together in the afternoon. Violetta had managed to sneak away from the cabin and came

She had just finished writing down I still feel stupid when she heard footsteps approach her. Violetta looked up to see EJ standing there in front of her, a small smile on his face and his hands in the pockets of his jacket. She gave him a tight smile in return and closed her journal, watching as he sat down on the opposite side of the table.

"Morning," EJ greeted. "What're you doing?"

"Journaling," Violetta replied. "It was Ashlyn's idea. I have a lot of thoughts, so I wrote them down."

EJ placed his chin in the palm of his hand. "What kind of thoughts?"

"Oh. Um . . ." She thought for a moment. "You've got no reason to be afraid. Kind of vague, but . . . it can apply to many different things."

He frowned at her. "V, I'm sorry. I know you're disappointed that we can't go together, and I am, too. I literally want nothing more than to be your date, but—"

"Camp Shallow Lake tradition, I know," she interrupted. "Just . . . save me the last dance?"

"I will," EJ promised. He then stood up and kissed the top of her head gently. "I'll see you later."

Violetta watched him go, absentmindedly tapping the pen against her journal. How had things gone so wrong between them? Whatever happened, all Violetta knew if that EJ forgot about her tonight, she wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it.

She wrote for a little while longer before heading back to the cabin. Her, Athena, Kourtney, Ashlyn, Gina, and Maddox all started to get ready together. Kourtney was in charge of basically all of their makeup, and while she was doing Athena's makeup (Violetta was the last one), she worked on her hair. Violetta stood in front of the mirror and tied half up her hair up in a ponytail, letting the rest of her curls cascade over her shoulders and down her back.

Finally, it was time for Kourtney to do Violetta's makeup. Violetta sat down in front of Kourtney and let her work her magic. Since her outfit was blue, Kourtney matched blue eyeshadow to it with some white in the inner corner of her eyes. She also had on mascara, blush. The last thing that just needed to be done was lip gloss.

"Okay, I am very hyped for this dance tonight, but someone needs to explain to me why we're doing a vintage theme for Camp Prom," Ashlyn insisted, who had curlers in her hair.

"Ooh, I think it has to do with Susan Fine's birthday," Gina voiced from where she was sitting on her bunk. "Or the day she died."

Ashlyn pointed at her in agreement. "Definitely one of those two."

"Honestly, I've never known," Maddox admitted.

"Look, any camp tradition that doesn't involve climbing a wall is good by me," Kourtney said, reaching forwards and putting the lip gloss on Violetta's lips.

Violetta let out a sigh, honestly just loving the atmosphere in the cabin right now. "You know, I'm really gonna miss this. Spending time with you guys."

Gina nodded. "Sisterhood vibes all night, okay?"

Well, that was hypocritical coming from her.

"It's gonna be a night of many vibes," Ashlyn added. She then walked over to the mirror and checked on her curlers. "Hey, Vi, are you good going solo to the dance tonight?"

"Not so solo if I have you all by my side," Violetta replied casually. However, as always, Athena knew her better than she knew herself, and Violetta caved under the look her best friend gave her. "I'll be fine. Just another Shallow Lake tradition."

Maddox stood up from her bunk. "That's right, it is."

"Nobody has dates, so I'm just like everyone else. And to be honest, Ash, your cousin's probably going to spend the night away from me like I'm not his girlfriend, like he's been acting all of camp. Who knows, maybe he'll realize he's literally been ignoring me for a week and a half and come to his senses. Whatever happens, he did promise to save the last dance for me, so I'm holding onto hope. Maybe the night will end with a bang."

"In one way or another, it always does."

The door to the cabin then opened, followed by the sound of rapping knuckles on the yellow lockers. Violetta turned around and saw Jet walk in with his whole seventies outfit on.

"Excuse me," Jet stated, but stopped for a moment to allow them to all make noises of shock at his appearance. "Uh, Maddie, can we talk? Alone?"

All of them besides Maddox left the cabin, allowing them to talk. However, Violetta, Athena, Ashlyn, Kourtney, and Gina didn't go far. They stayed close to the cabin and tried to listen in on their conversation — hey, Maddox was their friend, and they wanted to make sure everything was okay.

(And they were just nosey.)

"Okay, should we be spying on them?" Kourtney asked.

"No, we should not," Gina responded.

"Can you guys keep it down?" Ashlyn complained. "I'm trying to spy on them."

"Hi," a new voice then cut in. Violetta whipped around, placing an innocent smile on her face and trying to act as casual as she could. Standing in front of them was a girl with blonde hair who was wearing a very sparkly suit. "Is, uh, Gadget still in there?"

Athena nodded and pointed to the cabin. "Yeah."

The girl then walked into the cabin. All of them collectively decided to disperse from the cabin and not try to spy on them anymore — which definitely became a reality when Jet left the cabin and saw them all standing there.

After a while of just walking aimlessly around camp, the girls decided to go back inside to finish getting ready. Violetta had put on her outfit, which was a cropped halter top with bell bottoms, both of them having a matching pattern of blue and white chevron. She matched it with a pair of white boots and a pair of white hoop earrings. And, obviously, the ring that EJ had given her still glinted on her finger. Violetta stared down at it, twisting it around her finger.

Tonight would either make them or break them. Violetta hoped it wasn't the second option.

Once they had all finished getting ready, they walked to the barn together when it was dark. The outside of the barn had an orange buggy car decorated with flowers, and the sign that usually said the barn was covered with a new decorated sign that said Flower Power. Violetta walked in next to Athena while Kourtney, Ashlyn, and Gina trailed behind them. She held onto the strap of her purse that she had brought and looked around at all of the bright and vibrant decorations. Everybody seemed to be having fun — she could only wish that she would be a part of that.

Once all of them had completely gotten ready, they headed to the barn when it was dark. On the outside was an orange buggy car decorated in flowers, and a sign that said Flower Power covered the sign that usually said the barn on the outside. Athena and Violetta walked in first, trailed by Kourtney, Ashlyn, and Gina. She glanced up at the bright decorations, smiling slightly at it. It all looked so vibrant. Not to mention that so many people were having fun on the dance floor.

Violetta looked over and stopped in her tracks, noticing EJ, Ricky, and Carlos standing by the table. The others stopped as well. Carlos' jaw was dropped, obviously gushing over their outfits and makeup. Ricky was staring right at Athena, his face red and his hand tugging on the collar of his suit. EJ had his eyes locked right on Violetta, and they were a little wide. He looked especially handsome in his pink and blue suit and gold chain. Violetta felt her heart beat against her chest a little from it, but she felt her spirits sink when she noticed him holding his director's binder in his hands.

"Hello, boys," Gina began.

Ricky did nothing but clear his throat, clearly trying to regain his senses.

"You okay?" Athena questioned teasingly. "You seem a little . . . tongue-tied."

His eyes narrowed at her, because he could tell she knew what was happening. "Yeah. It's just, uh, polyester, am I right?"

"Uh-huh," Violetta commented, totally unconvinced.

Kourtney squealed in excitement. "Ooh! The photo wall is lit."

Ashlyn took Violetta's arm in one hand and Athena's in the other. "Oh, we're stealing them. Come on."

"I'll be there in a sec," Athena promised.

Violetta allowed herself to be dragged off. She laughed as she got in front of the photo wall. Violetta took a lot of pictures with her friends, which managed to make her spirits pick up. Kourtney, Athena, and Gina all started to trickle away, which just left Violetta and Ashlyn. Violetta squished her cheek against Ashlyn's as Carlos took their Polaroid, and the two giggled with each other before walking up to Carlos.

Carlos pointed at Ashlyn. "You are extra-glowing tonight."

"I'm still me," Ashlyn responded. "Just more."

"I don't want this to be weird, but I brought you a little something to say welcome to the community."

He presented her with a pin of the rainbow flag. Last night, after Color War, Ashlyn had discovered that she actually liked girls, too. Violetta smiled softly at it.

"Carlos, look alive," EJ called, walking up to them with his director's binder open. Violetta sighed and looked away from him.

"Well, that moment passed," Carlos stated.

"Olaf, your prompt is, How did you get in here?"

"Oh my God. Okay, um. I picked the lock with my carrot nose. Turns out it's cute and useful. Truly disgusting line."

"You're gonna have to go a little faster," EJ told him, making Violetta frown.

"Well, I usually practice my cues with Seb, but I'm all alone in the woods, so, doing my best," Carlos insisted.

"You ready to get cold tonight?"

Carlos sent a nervous glance to Violetta for a second. "Actually, EJ, um, I've never been the boy who takes my shirt off for people, or myself, frankly. Is that okay?"

"Hey, we don't do hazing here," EJ said. "Whatever makes you happy, okay?"

"Didn't even acknowledge me," Violetta muttered. "Wow. Great."

She then turned around, however, her eyes widened and she reached up, covering her mouth in shock. Her eyes had just set on the person standing behind Carlos — it was none other than Seb Matthew-Smith. Carlos' boyfriend, resident piano player, Sharpay Evans, and overall a good friend.

"Wait, why are you two smiling?" Carlos inquired to Violetta and Ashlyn.

"Because I see something that makes you happy," Ashlyn revealed.

Violetta nodded. "Turn around."

Seb smiled brightly and walked up to Carlos. Carlos immediately took Seb in his arms and kissed him before hugging him tightly.

"Sebastian!" Carlos exclaimed.

"Hi, honey," Seb responded.

"Why are you dressed like my grandfather?"

"Someone said the theme was seventies, so I dressed like I'm in my seventies."

Violetta giggled a little, holding onto Ashlyn's arm. Oh, bless his heart. Seb was truly the most precious person on the planet.

"I've missed you so much," Carlos voiced.

Seb looked at Carlos' outfit. "Why do you look like John Travolta in Hairspray?"

"Honey, not now."

Seb then looked over Carlos' shoulder at Violetta. "Vi, baby!"

"Sebbie!" Violetta shouted, running up and pulling him into a tight hug. "Oh, God, I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." He let her go and looked around the room. "Where's EJ?"

"Oh." Violetta looked around for a moment too and saw him standing by Ricky, Athena, and Kourtney. "He's just over there. Actually, thanks for reminding me. It's dance time."

Violetta then walked up to him with a smile, linking her arm through EJ's when she got close enough. "Hey, Eej. Dance with me?"

EJ grinned at her, which got Violetta's hopes up. "Yes, definitely. Just a couple of more prompts and then I will be all yours."

And then all her hopes came crashing down. Violetta instantly got a crestfallen look on her face when EJ opened up his binder. She let her arm fall back limp to her side, and EJ didn't even seem to notice it. Okay, she got it. The show was tomorrow, but here he was again, blowing her off for it?

"Elsa, when Anna says . . ." EJ flipped through the pages in his binder. "But why? I don't understand, you say . . ."

"Uh, I know this one," Kourtney said. "Um . . ."

Kourtney didn't say anything for a moment.

"Curtain's up, cameras are rolling," EJ insisted, and Violetta glared up at him.

Kourtney looked panicked now. "Yeah, uh, I — I know. Um . . ."

"Kourt?"

"You know it, Kourt," Athena encouraged softly. "Remember?"

Kourtney struggled for a moment longer. "I'm blank."

EJ closed his binder. "You've still got twenty-four hours."

"And counting."

Violetta looked up at EJ, wishing that she knew what was going on in his mind. Why couldn't he just spare her five minutes of dancing? What was five minutes out of the whole night for him to actually pay attention to his girlfriend?

Athena extended her hand out to Violetta. "Come on. You and me."

"Hang on, I think Maddox is taking the stage," EJ interjected.

"Uh, one second," Ricky said, brushing past them all and kissing Athena's forehead.

Violetta smiled sadly at Athena and took her best friend's hand. Kourtney took Athena's other hand with a nervous laugh. Together, the three of them moved back into the crowd and started to dance towards the stage.

"Hey, gang," Maddox announced.

"We love you, Gadget!" a boy shouted.

"Thank you. Uh, just a . . . just wanna make an announcement. Actually, it's not an announcement, it's, um, an explanation."

Violetta leaned closer to Athena, her voice low as Gina and Ashlyn joined them. "Thank you."

Athena shook her head. "You would've done the same."

"I would've punched Ricky if he didn't dance with you."

"Who says I don't want to punch EJ?"

"I push people away," Maddox continued. "Good people who screwed up like I probably screw up, basically, every day. So I thought I might sing something tonight."

"Shallow Lake song!" a girl yelled.

"Actually, I had another idea. It's a song that used to be my favorite when I was little. It made me happy, and it made my little brother happy, and I think maybe we're ready to be happy again."

"Maddie, I—" Jet began

"And I know we've had a hundred ups and downs since then, but, Jet, I wouldn't change a thing."

Wouldn't Change a Thing. It was honestly one of Violetta's favorite Disney Channel Songs. Her and EJ had sang it very dramatically in her living room to each other once. It was one of Violetta's favorite memories, but as she looked around the room, EJ in his pink suit was absolutely nowhere to be found.

The music then started to play, which was a more upbeat remix of the song that matched the seventies vibe of the dance. Athena nudged Violetta to get her to start moving, and Violetta sighed and nodded her head to the beat. She knew it was bad when she didn't even want to dance.

Maddox and Jet started to perform a duet of the song. Once they finished signing the first verse and the chorus, Ricky made his way to the front of the crowd and moved his hand backwards. Instantly, they formed two lines with a row in the middle so they could dance. Jet and Maddox continued singing while Ricky and Ashlyn were the first one to dance down the row in the middle. People continued to go, mostly in pairs, other than Gina who went by herself.

Violetta suddenly felt Athena link her arm through hers and drag her out. She giggled a little from the motion, her heart warming at how Athena just knew what would make her feel better. Athena then unlinked her arm and extended her hand out. Violetta rolled her eyes playfully, but while smiling brightly, she took it. Together, holding hands, the two best friends danced down the aisle together.

Carlos and Seb then started to sing with Jet. The rows dissipated and a huge crowd formed, everybody wanting to dance with each other as a whole. Violetta was still holding hands with Athena and dancing by her side, but she noticed Athena staring at Ricky across the way. She wouldn't deprive them of a dance. Violetta squeezed her hand to get her attention. Athena looked down at her, and Violetta nodded, telling her that it was okay and she would be fine.

As Carlos and Seb started to sing together with Jet, the rows dispersed, and everybody wanted to dance with each other as a whole. Athena locked eyes with Ricky across the way, and Violetta suddenly squeezed her hand. She looked down at Violetta, only to see her give Athena a small nod, saying that it was okay and that she would be fine.

Athena let go of Violetta and went up to Ricky, the two of them starting to spin around. Violetta watched them fondly, but then she remembered that this was the last dance. She glanced around through the crowd, but just like earlier, EJ was absolutely nowhere. Violetta instantly felt her heart sink all the way to the bottom of her stomach, because the one that meant the most to her was the one that didn't show.

This really seemed like the final nail in the coffin. EJ had told her they would have the last dance together, and he wasn't there. She looked back down at the ring on her finger. Violetta couldn't live like this anymore. She truly loved EJ with her whole heart, but if he was just going to keep pushing her away, she knew she deserved better.

Gina then walked up to her and held her hand out. "Come on."

Violetta took her hand so they could dance together, but her eyebrows knit together in confusion and her eyes flickered to where Athena and Ricky were happily dancing. "But didn't you—"

"I did." Gina lifted their hands above their head, and Violetta twirled herself around. "And I regret it. None of what I said was true."

"Maybe you should tell her that, not me."

"I know," Gina agreed. "I just don't want to bother her right now with the whole show thing. Speaking of the show, where's EJ? I thought you said he saved you the last dance."

"He did say that," Violetta responded. "And he's not here. So . . ." She sighed. "You know, all I ever wanted was a relationship like Athena and Ricky. Stupid, I know. But they're, like, the gold standard."

"You have a relationship like that. Come on, you're Violetta and EJ."

Violetta shook her head. "I've been missing the EJ part lately." She swallowed nervously. "And I'm going to keep missing it after tonight."

It hurt. A lot. But Violetta had said tonight would either make or break them. They were completely broken now.

Gina blinked. "What do you mean?"

The song then ended. Everyone started to cheer, but not Violetta. She let go of Gina's hands and wrapped her arms around herself. Every moment that went by, she could feel everything starting to spin out of control.

"Everyone, everyone," Maddox stated, pulling the blonde girl in the sparkly suit over to them. "This is Madison of Mad and Mad fame."

Violetta didn't really register. In the back of her mind, she knew it was the girl Maddox had mentioned and the one whose texts were shown to Maddox's parents by Jet. However, she wasn't really focused on that. She had to find EJ.

"What's up, Wildcats?" Madison said.

"We have heard so much about you," Ashlyn admitted.

Madison looked over at Maddox. "Hey, I have a long drive home."

"I know," Maddox replied.

"You'll call when camp's over?"

"Like I could forget your number."

Athena stared at Violetta in concern. "Vi—"

"Will you be here?" Violetta asked, because after what she was about to do, she knew Athena would be the only one to keep her head above water. "When I get back?"

"Get back from doing what?"

"Athena, please. Will you be here?"

She immediately nodded. "Yeah, I'll be here. I'll always be here."

Violetta gave her a tight smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She then walked towards the one place she knew where EJ could probably be — backstage. Violetta paused by the curtains, and she took a deep breath before entering.

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WELL OKAY HERE WE GO WHO'S READY NOT ME