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𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞

chapter two:
pop, lock, jam, and break !

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"RICKY?"

"YEAH."

"AS in Ricky Bowen?"

"How many other Ricky's do you know?"

"Sorry," Violetta apologized. "It's just kind of hard to believe that Ricky Bowen is trying out for a musical."

Violetta actually couldn't believe what she was hearing. Apparently, last night Ricky had shown up to Athena's house to apologize and dragged her to Big Red's. There, he had told the both of them that to get Nini back (this was just getting ridiculous) he was going to try out for High School Musical. The whole plan was utterly stupid because Violetta knew it would just make Nini more mad, but he managed to convince Athena to audition — which Violetta had been trying to do.

Currently, it was the day of the auditions. Violetta was perched on top of the dressing room table with Athena sitting next to her The number eleven was displayed clearly on her shirt, courtesy of Carlos, and so that he wouldn't yet at her. Violetta felt cool, calm, and collected — and, well, she couldn't say the same for her best friend. Athena was evidently nervous and kept wringing her hands together.

EJ suddenly sighed from a little ways away from them from his spot with Nini and Kourtney. "You know, I'm actually kinda bummed that we don't have any competition here. It would make getting the leads all the sweeter."

Remind Violetta why she liked him again? She was this close to revoking her crush privileges. Not to mention he was also wearing a Troy Bolton costume — which was incredibly ridiculous.

Violetta scoffed. "Can you believe EJ is saying that him and Nini have no competition here? Like, I get it, they're talented, but do they really have to downgrade other people like that?"

Athena looked up at her and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say that he was the perfect guy yesterday? And haven't you had a crush on him since freshman year?"

Curse her for knowing her so well.

"Okay, that's besides the point," Violetta insisted. "Maybe I don't like guys who are so confident that they're getting Troy Bolton that they show up in costume with a basketball." She glanced down, only to see Athena's leg bouncing up and down rapidly and sent the girl a reassuring look. "Hey, 'Thena, don't worry. You're going to kill it."

Athena let out a sigh. "I just don't know where Ricky is. He told me he would be here."

"And he will be," Violetta stated firmly. "Ricky has never broken a promise to you. Why would he start now?"

There was suddenly a knock on the door. Violetta looked up to see it was Miss Jenn. The room went silent.

"Okay, theater people," Miss Jenn began. "Let's do this."

Cheers enveloped the room. Athena gave a panicked look to Violetta. Violetta reached up and squeezed her shoulder comfortingly in effort to calm her down. When they got off the table, Violetta offered her arm to Athena. With a smile, Athena linked her arm in hers and the two of them followed the rest of the crowd to the auditorium.

Carlos began to teach a small group of people choreography to a piano version of Stick to the Status Quo while Violetta and Athena stood in the wings. All of them picked up on it fairly quickly. Violetta wanted nothing more than to run out there and join them, her muscles practically begging her to dance, but she refrained from doing so and just watched. Her eyebrows raised in impressment as she watched the girl with the number one on her shirt. The girl's high kicks were phenomenal and she completed each move with complete flair.

"Great!" Carlos exclaimed and looked to Miss Jenn. "That's it for the warm-up."

"Warm-up?" Athena urgenly whispered. "That seemed like a whole number to me."

"Everyone, pair up," Miss Jenn announced. Violetta and Athena instantly looked to each other, but Miss Jenn shut them down almost immediately. "Not with a friend. Theater is a community."

Violetta unlinked her arm with Athena's and looked around for a moment. Suddenly, just her luck, her eyes locked with EJ's. EJ then began to approach her. Violetta felt her heart beat against her chest before she pushed it away. After sending a quick wink to Athena, she waited for EJ to approach her.

"Hey," EJ greeted once he reached her. He held out his hand. "I don't think we've met. EJ Caswell."

Violetta glanced at it before gripping it loosely and shaking it. "Violetta Chase."

"Interesting name," EJ commented.

"Thanks . . . I guess."

This was so painfully awkward, and Violetta wanted to leave. This was not how she thought her first interaction with EJ Caswell would go.

"So, who are you auditioning for?" EJ asked.

"Martha," Violetta answered. "I mostly just want to be a sort of background dancer, and well, she dances, so . . . felt like the perfect role for me." She gestured to his jersey. "And I presume you're going out for Troy?"

"Yeah. I don't know if you know my girlfriend Nini—"

"Oh, no, I do," Violetta cut in. She ignored the sort of sting she got when he mentioned girlfriend. "Um, she used to date my one of my best friends."

EJ got a knowing look on his face. "Right. That Bowen kid."

Violetta nodded. "Yeah, Ricky."

"Yeah, well, me and her are going to get Troy and Gabriella."

"You're utterly confident," Violetta said, crossing her arms. "What makes you so sure that you're both going to get the leads?"

"What makes you say that we're not?"

Violetta shrugged. "There's a lot of other talented people here. More competition. I'm sure you're both insanely talented, but it's probably not good to be too overconfident." She offered him a small smile at the dumbstruck look on his face. "Just saying."

They then migrated towards the center of the stage. Everyone, with their partners, began to do some partner exercises. Miss Jenn then instructed everyone to line up so she could get a read on who would audition for who. Violetta walked up to Athena and her blonde-haired partner to stand by them.

Miss Jenn moved down the line. She gave scripts for Ryan, Taylor, Chad, and a red-headed girl who was in the dance group earlier a script for Ms. Darbus. To literally no one's surprise, the girl with the one on her shirt was given Gabriella's script and EJ Troy's script. Miss Jenn then suggested to Nini that she read for Kelsi (Violetta almost laughed, almost, because of what EJ had said earlier), but Nini politely declined and told her she wanted to read for Gabriella instead. Miss Jenn then stopped in front of Violetta. Violetta raised her chin a little higher.

"Martha," Miss Jenn decided.

Exactly what she wanted. With a wide smile, she took the script for Martha from Carlos. Miss Jenn then stopped in front of Athena, who clasped her hands in front of her and grinned.

Miss Jenn smiled back. "Kelsi, yeah?"

Violetta knew it. Athena nodded and took her own script from Carlos. Finally, the blonde boy who was Athena's partner got a script for Sharpay (literally how iconic.) Now that everybody had their script, it was time for their individual auditions. Violetta sat next to Athena on the stage floor to wait and watch other people audition.

All of the Taylor's, Chad's, and Ryan's went. Finally, it was time for the Martha's.

You got this, Vi, Violetta kept reminding herself. Cool, calm, collected.

"All right, number eleven," Miss Jenn called.

Violetta felt Athena squeeze her arm gently before she stood up. She moved towards center stage and waited there for a moment, listening to Miss Jenn and Carlos' discussion.

Miss Jenn leaned over to Carlos. "Tell me about her."

"Violetta Chase," Carlos explained. "Dancer, has never been in a musical, but definitely not afraid to speak her mind."

Miss Jenn turned her attention back on Violetta. "All right, Violetta, I want you to sing Martha's part of Stick to the Status Quo. When the speaking part comes up, I'll be the other people. Sounds good?"

"Sounds great," Violetta approved.

The blonde boy — who Athena said was Seb — began to play the piano for Stick to the Status Quo. She pretended to read her script like it was a textbook like Martha did in the movie and counted the beats until she began.

"Look at me, and what do you see?" Violetta sang. "Intelligence beyond compare. But inside I am stirring, something strange is occurring, it's a secret I need to share."

Listen, singing wasn't Violetta's strong suit, but she wasn't terrible. Nevertheless, she felt pretty good about it.

"Open up, dig way down deep," Miss Jenn spoke rather than sang.

"Hip hop is my passion!" Violetta exclaimed. She then began to do the signature movements. "I love to pop and lock and jam and break!"

"Is that even legal?" Miss Jenn recited. "Not another peep."

"It's just dancing," Violetta continued. "Sometimes I think it's cooler than homework."

Miss Jenn nodded appreciatively as Seb stopped playing the piano. "That was fantastic, Violetta. You can go have a seat."

Violetta nodded before going back to sit next to Athena. Athena smiled widely and gave her a side hug in celebration. Violetta also felt the same. That audition went . . . pretty good, actually.

Finally, it was time for the Troy's. Violetta saw Athena check the time on her phone quickly and frowned momentarily. The whole part of Ricky's plan was to try out for Troy, and now he was going to miss it? Not to mention he had promised Athena he would be there for his audition. If he actually did miss it . . . well, let's just say that boy better have a good excuse, or Violetta was going to beat him up.

EJ did his Troy audition. Violetta had to admit — he was pretty good. There was no doubt he was the perfect Troy and good lead material, but being extremely overconfident and dressing up as Troy for the audition . . . that was really setting him off.

Then it was the time for the Gabriella's. The girl with the one on her shirt was also perfect lead material, clearly a double threat with her singing and dancing. Nini then went next. She started off quiet until her voice gained confidence — and then she went above and beyond. Nini sang more bars than was needed, but it definitely showcased how much talent she had.

"Okay, and finally, it is our only Kelsi audition," Miss Jenn stated. "Number ten."

"You got this," Violetta whispered to Athena.

Athena stood up and walked to the middle of the stage while clutching her script. Violetta glanced back towards the door for a moment, disappointment rising up inside of her. Ricky was going to miss her audition. Violetta knew that Athena would've felt better with him here — so, therefore, she needed to double up her support to make sure Athena would be okay.

To say that Athena absolutely crushed the speaking part of her audition would be an understatement. She managed to portray Kelsi's shy yet frantic character perfectly. Miss Jenn then went to suggest for the song part that she do Kelsi's slow version of What I've Been Looking For, but Athena interjected and said she wante to audition with an original song. Violetta's face broke out into a wide grin as Athena went over to the piano. She was doing it. Athena was actually showcasing her talent to everyone. Violetta was so proud of her.

Athena pressed her fingers onto the piano keys and started to play the familiar opening notes of her original song, Wake Up. When she began to sing, her voice was quiet. It was obvious she was nervous. Violetta's eyes locked with hers. She nodded in encouragement. Athena could do this, Violetta knew she could.

And so she did. Athena's melodious voice and her incredible song filled the auditorium. Everybody was watching her in awe, and even though Violetta had heard it before, she was too. The trance of awe Violetta was in only broke when the loud auditorium doors suddenly opened. Violetta turned to see Ricky standing there, his guitar case in his hands as he stared at Athena in wonder. She rolled her eyes. At least he was here, but he couldn't have been more obvious. She really didn't understand why Ricky was auditioning to get back with Nini while Athena was right there. It was literally a real-life reenactment of You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift.

Athena didn't seem to notice him. She continued on with her song until she ended. As the last notes faded into nothing, nobody said anything for a long couple of moments. Violetta wondered who was going to break the silence.

"Attie . . ." Ricky trailed off.

How fitting that it was him, huh?

Athena's head snapped up to look at him as she stood up from the bench. "Ricky."

"Ricky?" Nini repeated incredulously, turning around to look at him.

He kept his gaze on Athena. "Am I too late?"

"Just a little," Athena revealed.

"We're all set on Troy's," Miss Jenn voiced. "We're low on Chad's. You can audition now." She turned back to Athena. "That song was wonderful, Athena. You have a real talent. Take a seat."

"Thank you," Athena replied before sitting back down next to Violetta.

"You did amazing," Violetta told her. "And I'm not just saying that. That was incredible, 'Thena."

Athena grinned. "Thanks, Vi. You did amazing too."

"I only studied the Troy scenes in the movie," Ricky admitted.

"Troy would have arrived on time," Carlos insisted.

Not only was Violetta feeling protective over Ricky, but Carlos' statement was just completely innacurate.

"Um, no he wouldn't have," Violetta argued. "Troy was late to literally everything. The audition, the callback, the pool date in High School Musical 2. So I think Ricky's doing pretty well in my opinion."

The room was encaptured in silence once more. Violetta looked back over to Athena and shrugged. Well, somebody had to say it.

"Okay, um, you, late boy," Miss Jenn announced. "Let's do the Chad sides."

Ricky recieved a script and stood at center stage awkwardly. "Hey there. I'm Ricky Bowen, I'm a junior, and here it goes." He took a deep breath and started to read very stiffly. "I don't get it, Troy. What kind of spell has this elevated IQ temptress girl cast that suddenly makes you wanna be in a musical?"

He then shook his head and crumpled up his script before throwing it to the side. Violetta was confused for a moment until she realized what he was doing — he was going to spill his own feelings about him and Nini, right in front of Athena, the girl he so obviously loved? Oh dear God, this boy was dumb. Athena let out a sigh and leaned her head on Violetta's shoulder. Violetta frowned and wrapped an arm around her comfortingly.

"I don't know," Ricky continued. "Maybe it's the way Gabriella always had your back, and maybe you can't stop beating yourself up for totally blowing it with her. And look, Troy, even if you never said the L-word to Gabriella, 'cause that's, like, not even a word your parents say to each other anymore, that doesn't mean that you don't. Maybe it just means you were waiting for the right time to say it so that everyone could hear it. No . . . so that she could."

Well, that was deep.

Miss Jenn moved on quickly to get rid of the awkward silence in the auditorium. "Okay, kiddo, time to sing."

"Oh, no, actually, if you don't mind, I kinda prepared my own song?" Ricky questioned, making Violetta raise an eyebrow.

Miss Jenn looked sort of taken aback. "Sure."

Big Red (woah, where did he come from?) then handed Ricky his guitar. Ricky slung it across him before he began to strum. The tune of the song Nini wrote for their one year anniversary when she said she didn't not love him, also known as the night went everything went wrong, then echoed throughout the auditorium. There was just absolutely no way that this was happening right now. Listen, Violetta loved Ricky, but this boy was just stupid.

"Oh, no, he is not doing this," Nini voiced quietly. She quickly rounded on Athena. "Did you know?"

Athena shook her head rapidly. "No, I had no idea." She smacked her hand to her forehead. "Oh, Ricky, what are you doing?"

Violetta also had to agree. The fact that she wanted to slam her head against the wall from this was only heightened when she noticed that Ricky was only staring at Athena while singing the song. She glanced to Athena to see him watching him with a love-dumb smile. Violetta internally screamed. Seriously, she just wanted to force their heads together and make them kiss to make them stop ignoring their feelings for each other they so obviously had. This whole thing was torture.

Ricky finished his song — while also mumbling the part about guessing he didn't not love someone. Within the silence of the room, Ricky gave everyone an awkward silence. He put his guitar back in the case and left the auditorium with Big Red. An angry and heartbroken Nini followed after them.

"I'll be right back, Vi," Athena told her after watching the three of them leave.

Violetta nodded, obviously knowing she wanted to go after them. "Go. I'll see you in a few."

Athena left. Violetta sighed and absentmindedly rolled up her script.

"You did good," EJ's voice suddenly said.

Violetta looked up to see him standing there, looking a little mad. "Thanks. You too."

"You still doubting mine and Nini's abilities to get the leads?"

She scoffed. "I never doubted your ability to get the leads. I only said that you shouldn't be so overconfident. It was kind of like you were downplaying the talent of everyone else. There's always a possibility you and Nini will be Troy and Gabriella. But the others, like Ricky and Athena? They also killed it in their auditions. There's a possibility they can get Troy and Gabriella too."

"Bowen?" EJ inquired. "No way. He doesn't even know how to act."

"Cast list!" Carlos suddenly shouted over the chatter. "I'm posting it in the hallway!"

The cast list? Already? Oh God, this was it.

Violetta raised an eyebrow at him. "Guess we're about to find out, aren't we?"

With that, she left him behind to follow the crowd of theater kids. As she followed them, she saw Athena watching a conversation between Ricky and Nini. She completely ignored that fact and grabbed Athena's hand.

"Come on, the cast list is up!" Violetta exclaimed.

The two of them ran towards the place on the wall where Carlos had taped the cast list. They pushed their way towards the front of the crowd that was murmuring in excitement and disappointment. Once they made it, Violetta looked for her own name. She instantly found it listed next to Martha Cox as well as ensemble dancers. Relief spread throughout her entire body and she smiled widely. She had done it!

"Vi, please tell me that next to my name it doesn't say Gabriella Understudy," Athena voiced slowly all of the sudden.

Violetta's eyes trailed up and down the cast list. Sure enough, Athena's name was listed to both Kelsi Nielsen and Gabriella Understudy.

She turned to her best friend with her eyes wide. "Oh my God, 'Thena, you got both Kelsi and Gabriella's Understudy!"

Seriously the best of both worlds. A role that Athena would be comfortable with, and a part in the show that could potentially give her the lead. Everything was just so perfect right now.

"Chad?" EJ then cried. "She thinks I'm a Chad?"

"If the shoe fits . . ." Violetta muttered to herself.

Her head then snapped back up in realization. If EJ didn't get Troy, then . . . who did? Violetta's eyes trailed up to the top of the cast list. Ricky Bowen was listed next to Troy Bolton. She let out a laugh of amazement and turned to see Ricky slowly walking up to the cast list.

"Holy crap, dude," Big Red said.

Ricky stared at the cast list in utter shock. Violetta then locked eyes with EJ again. She raised her eyebrows once at him as to say I told you so. His harsh glare then moved from her to Ricky, which made Nini take his hand and lead him away. Athena then placed her hand on Ricky's shoulder and snapped him out of his trance.

"It worked," Ricky breathed out. "I'm Troy."

"Yeah, you are, Ric," Athena responded. I'm so proud of you."

He looked down at her. "And you got Kelsi . . . and Gabriella's Understudy."

"And I'm Martha!" Violetta cut in.

The two of them ignored her as Ricky picked up Athena and spun her around in a circle in celebration. She shook her head and playfully rolled her eyes while she crossed her arms. Violetta decided to let them have their moment. She then turned to Big Red, who was grinning slightly at her.

"I'm proud of you, Vi," he told her.

She smiled back and slung an arm around her shoulder. "Thanks, Red."

And as the four best friends celebrated with each other, Violetta couldn't help but think how EJ was feeling having his ego fall all the way from the sky. Just because she sort of maybe liked him didn't mean she liked how overconfident he was, and maybe this would finally put him in his place.

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

I'm very proud of this moodboard. let's appreciate it for a sec.

guys I asked on my message board what kind of energy I gave off and literally like three people said I sent memes in the group chat . . . and they were absolutely right I have a meme for every occasion

they also said that I'm smart, chaotic, and comforting and I really do hope that's true

also the love back music video 🥰🥰🥰 my boys are so cute I love them