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𝗜 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢

chapter two:
annoyed !

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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 4 was going to happen whether Violetta liked it or not — and if she was going to be honest, she didn't like it. Nothing about having another camera shoved in her face enticed her, especially after what happened between her and EJ. It had been a little while since then, and she was still trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.

"Follow me, and keep your energy contained," Miss Jenn announced, leading them through the hallways back to the bomb shelter. "I'm told we have a special visitor meeting us in the rehearsal room."

Kourtney gasped in excitement. "If it's Dani, somebody stop me from saying something stupid."

"If it's Mack, somebody stop me if I flirt with him," Carlos said.

Kourtney laughed at them. "Carlos."

Ricky let out a chuckle and used his hand that wasn't holding Athena's to push him forwards gently. "Yeah, Carlos."

Violetta rolled her eyes at that — this whole thing was so ridiculous. "Oh my God."

Athena gave her a warning look. "It's fine, Vi."

They finally reached the hallway where the rehearsal room was, only for it to be completely blocked off from then by yellow caution tape. Multiple people were moving things in the hallway, and a man wearing a shirt that said HOMECOMING SECURITY was standing by the yellow tape holding a clipboard. Violetta's eyebrows raised as she slowed to a stop — what was this?

"Excuse me, hi," Miss Jenn greeted. "Um, my students and I need to get back to our rehearsal room."

"No can do," the security guard told her. "This hallway's been rented out by Homecoming to pre-light for a scene."

"But Homecoming isn't for, like, a month," Ashlyn protested.

The security guard gestured them towards him, and they leaned in. "Between us, Homecoming is the secret code name for High School Musical 4."

Most of the members of their group cheered in excitement. Violetta, however, stayed silent, glancing around at everyone. Sure, it was a huge thing, but she didn't want to do this again. That kind of heartbreak wouldn't be good for her.

Miss Jenn gestured the security guard closer to him. "Between us, you should not be a security guard."

Because of the hallway being completely blocked off from them, they had to go around basically the entire school to get back inside. And by go around, Violetta meant they went outside and climbed through the literal bushes. If Violetta wasn't already in a bad mood, this definitely made her be.

"Everyone, take a seat," Miss Jenn instructed as they walked back into the rehearsal room. "I'm sorry we had to climb through the bushes. Ashlyn, I did not know you are allergic to shrubs." She reached up and pulled a leaf out of Ashlyn's hair. "Hopefully, whatever this is won't take too long."

Violetta sat down on the risers and crossed her arms across her chest. Annoyed was definitely a term she would use. This really wasn't she expected when she imagined her first day of senior year.

Athena glanced over at her from her place next to her on the risers. "Oh, honey." She reached up and pulled a twig out of Violetta's hair. "I would say I'm surprised something got stuck in your curls, but I would be lying."

Violetta scowled — not maliciously, never at Athena — and pushed her best friend's hand away. "Oh, whatever." However, she then looked forwards, and her eyes widened in shock upon seeing the familiar person. "Oh my God."

Because walking towards them from the back of the rehearsal room was Corbin Bleu, his arms extended wide and his smile bright. Sure, he might've been in the movie, but what was he doing here, now?

"Corbin's on the clock," Corbin stated.

"Mr. Bleu?" Carlos asked.

"All right, look, you guys, I'm — I'm gonna make this quick."

"Is your helicopter waiting?" Ricky questioned.

Corbin pointed to him with a laugh. "You're funny. It's a private jet. I am aware that the Frozen documentary turned out . . . differently than any of us expected."

"Seb isn't talking to me," Carlos admitted.

"Big Red is in Cairo for six months," Ashlyn added.

"I broke up with my boyfriend because the doc made it feel like he was pushing me away," Violetta replied casually — well, it did happen.

"My mom's first husband disappeared under mysterious circumstances," Emmy voiced.

Athena slowly turned to her. "What?"

"I hear you," Corbin said. "And I think I found a way to make it up to you."

"Not another documentary crew," Ashlyn insisted, and Violetta nodded while placing her chin in the palm of her hand. "Please."

"No. No, no, no, no. It's something way better. Allow me to invite some friends to explain. Lucas? Mo?"

The door in the back opened, and Lucas Gabreel and Monique Coleman walked out. Violetta stared at them, her mind spinning impossibly fast. Her annoyance was still there, don't get her wrong, but seeing the people who practically shaped her childhood standing in front of her was kind of shocking.

"Hey, Wildcats," Lucas began.

"So, we want the fourth movie to feel authentic, a little bit more grounded, and absolutely accessible to new generations," Monique explained.

"So, what's the plot of this movie, you ask?" Lucas inquired.

"We didn't, but I was going to," Ashlyn cut in.

"Okay, it is our fifteen-year high school reunion," Corbin announced. "My character, Chad, is married to Taylor. Martha is a world-class choreographer. Troy and Gabriella are in couples' therapy."

Oh. That definitely wasn't something Violetta expected to hear. Troy and Gabriella were always endgame in her head — but, after her own experiences, she guessed high school love didn't last forever (ignoring that she was still hopelessly in love with EJ . . . God, maybe she needed another love back plan.)

"Ryan is happily partnered."

"With twins on the way," Lucas replied.

Monique took a moment to let the applause pass. "And the future of the East High drama department is on the line."

"So it's a horror film?" Miss Jenn asked.

Corbin laughed loudly at that. "No, not at all, Jessica. The real hook of this movie is that Miss Darbus is retiring. So the next generation of theater kids is absolutely freaking out."

"So it's a comedy," Ashlyn said.

"We need you to be featured extras," Lucas told them.

Violetta let her forehead fall into her hand. God.

"Front and center with every since with Miss Darbus," Corbin continued.

"I mean, what better way to cast a drama class than with real drama students?" Monique questioned.

"Wait, is Alyson Reed in this movie?" Ashlyn inquired. She then noticed everyone looking at her in confusion. "Cassie in the A Chorus Line movie. The original Miss Darbus, you guys."

"Alyson is in, one-hundred percent," Corbin confirmed. "She still has her original costumes."

"And her wigs," Monique added.

"That was a wig?" Carlos shouted. "Okay, I'm obsessed with Hollywood."

Kourtney raised her hand in the air. "Um, excuse me. Um, if we're going for authenticity here, then I think that Mack and Dani should consult us. The real-life kids at East High."

Corbin pointed to her in agreement. "Ooh, I love the integrity of that. Yeah."

"Yeah, great," Lucas stated. "You can cover Dani. Any volunteers to show Mack around?"

"Right, like somebody who grew up loving his TV show," Ashlyn agreed.

"Athena and Violetta," Gina offered, and Violetta picked up her head, glancing back at Gina incredulously.

Ashlyn slowly looked at her. "Girl, I was talking about you."

"I know, I know, but I just feel like I'm going to make an absolute fool out of myself. Besides, the two of them said they watched it together."

Ashlyn nudged Violetta's shoulder with her hand. "You're also single, girlfriend."

Please don't remind me, Violetta thought. Also, as if she would date Mack. Number one, he was dating Dani, and number two, not her type. Her heart still belonged to someone else, anyways.

Athena shrugged and turned to Violetta. "Dynamic duo, coming in hot?"

Violetta sighed — if Athena was there, it would definitely make her feel better. "I guess."

"Athena and Violetta, you are on Mack," Monique instructed.

"Well, this is fun," Ricky commented, not sounding very happy about it at all.

"Right?" Corbin asked, clearly not seeing how hesitant they were. "Rehearsals start this week. Prepare for your entire lives to change. This time, for the better."

Violetta didn't want that. She wanted a quiet senior year, focus on dancing and school and the musical until she graduated. Now she was expected to be in this dumb movie and told her life was going to change? Violetta had thought Frozen was going to change her life, and it did, but in the most sideways-up-and-down-topsy-turvy way possible.

She stood up, glancing down at Athena — might as well get this over with. "Movie star time?"

"Let's do it," Athena agreed.

She quickly said goodbye to Ricky before following after Violetta into the hallway. Violetta put her hands in her back pockets as they walked towards the dressing room, where the OG cast said Mack was scheduled to be. She snuck a glance over to Athena, seeing a conflicted look on her face — maybe she felt the same.

"Do you hate this, too?" Violetta questioned. "Something about this feels . . . wrong."

Athena let out a deep breath — yeah, she felt the same. "Unfortunately, it's just the aftermath of what happened with Frozen."

Violetta paused for a moment, thinking it over. "Does Ashlyn really think I'll go for Mack because I'm single? I mean, he is dating Dani."

"Don't listen to her. Hey, at least you aren't going alone."

"Oh, definitely. Thank God." She then lifted up her fist and knocked three times on the door to the dressing room. "We're coming in."

Violetta opened the dressing room door, the two of them slotting inside. She immediately stopped in her tracks, her eyebrows raising. Well, that wasn't she was expecting to see. Mack was standing there in nothing but his boxers — and Violetta meant nothing — getting fitted for some costume. Violetta reached over, ready to twist the ring around her finger, only to remember that it wasn't there anymore since she gave it back to EJ when they broke up. She really had to stop doing that.

Mack glanced in between the two of them. "Can I help you?"

"Uh, sorry about that," Athena voiced with an awkward laugh. "I'm Athena, this is Violetta. We actually go to East High, and we were assigned to help you out while you film."

"Yeah, I'd love to know who assigned you to interrupt my costume fitting."

Violetta's eyes immediately narrowed. Yep, definitely didn't like him.

"I'm sorry?" Athena let out.

Violetta crossed her arms across her chest — always the confrontational one of the two. "We didn't know you were actually getting fitted in here, so you can take it easy. If we would've know that, we wouldn't have come until later."

"Hey, would you mind turning around?" Mack inquired.

She turned around, now facing the door again. This was just making her even more annoyed. She hated the condescending tone of his voice — it was just stupid. Violetta then looked over at Athena and dragged her thumb across her neck. Athena giggled a little at her and gently pushed her to the side in effort to get her to stop.

Athena then turned around, and Violetta followed, watching as Mack buttoned up his shirt. "So, we're just going to go and pretend like this never even happened."

"Oh, I'm way ahead of you," Mack stated.

Violetta took a step forwards — she was so done with this, and honestly didn't care how famous he was if he was this rude. "Okay, you—"

Athena grabbed onto her arm and pulled her back while shaking her head. "No, Vi." She glared at Mack. "He's not worth it."

"Terrible luck with your movie," Violetta told him. "Have a bad day."

Athena pulled Violetta out of the room. Once the two best friends set their eyes on each other, they instantly fell into a fit of giggles. Violetta shook her head — this day was nothing short of a disaster, and all she wanted to do was go home.

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VIOLETTA FLOPPED ON her bed, her curls spilling around her head as she stared up at the screen of her phone. After the events of the day, there was only really one person she wanted to talk to — and no, it wasn't Athena.

EJ answered her FaceTime call after a few rings. "Hey, V." His eyebrows then knit in confusion. "You look . . ."

"Annoyed?" Violetta guessed, a weight lifting off of her chest just by the sound of his voice — she would never admit that, though.

"I was going to say exasperated, but that works, too. I'm guessing the first day of school didn't go too well?"

"Not exactly. Remember how we said there was no way they could be filming something at East?"

EJ blinked. "They're filming something at East?"

"High School Musical 4," Violetta answered, watching as his eyes widened. "It's this huge reunion movie, and the OG cast wants us all to be featured backgrounds."

"That's . . . insane."

"I know." Violetta rolled over onto her stomach, putting her chin in her hand. "Just . . . everybody's so excited about it, but after what happened with Frozen, I just wanted to stay out of the Hollywood thing."

"Yeah, that's — what?" EJ interjected, looking to someone off screen. "Yeah, I'll be there in a sec." He then looked back to Violetta. "I know this call was crazy short, but I have to go. Ping-pong team practice."

Violetta's eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry, did you say ping-pong?"

"Yes, I did, and I would really appreciate it if you took it seriously." His eyes then narrowed when she started to laugh a little. "Stop laughing."

"No, I'm — I'm not laughing." Violetta cleared her throat, but it didn't help with the smile on her face. "Have fun at ping-pong."

"Thanks," EJ replied before his face turned serious. "I meant what I said yesterday. Even with this whole thing, you're going to be okay, Violetta."

Somehow, she believed him.

Violetta nodded. "Bye, EJ."

"Bye. I'll talk to you later."

He then hung up.

A notification then came from the top of her screen from Instagram, one that made her utterly confused. Mack had just followed her on Instagram, even after she told him to have a terrible day.

Violetta stared at her screen for a moment longer before letting her head drop down into her pillows so she could scream. Why did everything have to be so complicated?

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

look at me sneaking that love back reference in there

also their theme song in this book is bad idea right? fight me on it