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𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥

chapter thirteen:
fireworks !

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THEY WERE IN another activity now, one called Dewey Says. It was basically Simon Says, but if Dewey said Simon says instead of Dewey says and someone did that command, they would get out. Athena stood next to Ricky in the front while Violetta was behind her next to Jet, each standing in front of a cone that showed their team color.

"Dewey says hop on one foot," Dewey announced through his megaphone.

All of them started to do what he said.

Ricky raised his hand. "Hey, Dewey? Is Simon gonna sue you for stealing his game?"

"I don't know Simon personally," Dewey replied.

"Breaking news. Dewey locks Simon of Simon Says in his basement."

Violetta let out a laugh but quickly covered it with her hand. "Dude, you are so stupid."

Athena let out a laugh as well. "Ricky, what are you even saying anymore?"

Dewey blew his whistle and pointed at Ricky. "You're out. Buh-bye."

Ricky casually walked past Athena. However, as he did so, he reached out a hand and pressed his fingers onto the bare skin of her side. Athena gasped and her body slightly got off balance from him tickling her, but she regained it and continued to hop on one foot.

Athena pointed at him as he went to stand next to EJ, who showed up out of nowhere. "Don't sabotage me."

"Dewey says stop," Dewey stated, and all of them stopped, and they all stopped. "Dewey says hop on one foot." Athena sighed and started to hop on one foot again. "Dewey says stop jumping and put your right hand on your head." Everyone did the command. "Dewey says dance like you're at the Camp Prom."

Athena started to dance, but then her mind registered what Dewey had just said. Camp Prom? She continued her dancing, but her stomach rushed with excitement.

Ashlyn stopped fully. "What'd you say?" Dewey blew his whistle at her, and Ashlyn leaned in closer to Jet. "Did he say there's a Camp Prom?"

Dewey pointed at her. "You." He waved his hand and Ashlyn walked away. "Stop." He blew his whistle and pointed at a girl on the Yellow Team. "Dewey says spin in a circle." Athena spun in a circle. "Simon says stop." Athena caught on and continued to spin, but Violetta and some girl from the Yellow Team stopped. "Oh, I'm Dewey, not Simon! You two, you're out. Dewey says that is a great victory for the Yellow Team. Congrats, you three."

Athena high-fived both Maddox and Jet since the three of them were left before wandering over to her friends, her arms crossed across her chest and a smug smile on her face. "Yellow Team wins again."

"I hate Dewey says," Violetta mumbled. "It gets me all confused."

"Dewey says get ready for the climbing wall next," Dewey voiced. "We're having fun."

"Did he say climbing wall?" Kourtney asked.

"Yeah, I'll meet you guys there," EJ responded.

"Dude, where are you always going?" Ricky questioned.

"Just getting everything ready for the show."

"You can't do that at night?" Carlos inquired.

"Well, Miss Jenn thinks it's better to push . . ." EJ trailed off.

Athena's eyes widened. Miss Jenn?

"What?" all of them chorused.

EJ brought them into the barn. And sure enough, their drama teacher was standing there, smiling brightly at all of them. Athena instantly ran up to Miss Jenn and wrapped her in a hug. She had missed her so much. Everyone else gave her their own hugs of greeting before they crowded around the stage, which Miss Jenn had sat on. Athena sat on the stage by Miss Jenn with Violetta, and their whole group was talking at the same time, excitedly telling Miss Jenn about how camp was going.

Miss Jenn clapped her hands to get her attention. "Wildcats."

"What are you doing here?" Carlos asked.

"EJ asked me for a couple directing pointers and I had already been back from my Caribbean cruise for fifteen minutes, so I drove here."

"Wow."

"Are you tired?" Ricky questioned.

Miss Jenn just smiled for a moment. "It's starting to hit me. Tell me about you. What is happening with the show."

"Oh, I'm playing Anna and Kourtney is playing Elsa," Athena answered excitedly, and Kourtney grasped onto her hands, the two of them squealing for a moment at the prospect of playing the leads, sisters nonetheless.

"I got Olaf," Carlos admitted. "But there's no dressing room, so I basically spend all day in the costume."

"Noted," Miss Jenn said.

"And I'm Kristoff, but maybe my dad already told you," Ricky replied.

"Oh, and remind me later, he sent me with an early birthday gift for you." Miss Jenn then turned to Ashlyn. "Oh, and who are you playing, Ashlyn? Are you Anna and Elsa's long-lost sister who they discover on ancestry-dot-com?"

"We're not allowed to add parts to this one," Ashlyn revealed. "I checked. Several times. I'm actually in the ensemble with Gina and Violetta."

Miss Jenn nodded in understanding. "A musical is a beautiful body. The ensemble is its sturdy backbone."

"Sorry, guys, we have to get back to the climbing wall or we're gonna forfeit the whole game," EJ cut in.

"Oh, boy," Kourtney let out, making Athena glance at her in concern.

"Miss Jenn, you should come watch us," Violetta suggested.

"Oh, I don't have my theater glasses or athletic footwear," Miss Jenn responded.

Carlos walked up to her. "Come on, Miss Jenn. Let's go to camp."

All of them instantly stood up — Miss Jenn included. They walked outside and joined the crowd around the climbing wall, which was actually pretty tall. Athena had her arm linked through Ricky's, standing close to him as she watched someone from the Yellow Team come down from the top. It wasn't necessarily that she was afraid of heights, they just made her uneasy.

Kourtney stared up at it. "Oh my goodness."

"It's big," Carlos said.

"This is our final athletic competition before the big sing-off," Val told them. "We'll do a series of sprints mano-a-mano, and one player will prevail each time." She looked at her clipboard. "Okay, um, Kourtney, Violetta, you're up."

Athena placed a hand on Kourtney's shoulder, smiling at her softly. "You got this, Kourt."

Kourtney and Violetta stepped up to the wall and got strapped up in safety gear. Athena took a step closer to the wall, making Ricky come with her. She frowned slightly at the way Kourtney's hands were shaking as she put on her helmet. Earlier when they had been placed into teams, Athena remembered Kourtney saying that she was incredibly afraid of heights.

"Let's look alive, people, we're up next," EJ stated. He then looked at his girlfriend. "Hey, V, everybody keeps saying that you had this basketball triumph. Tell me about it."

"Oh, it was kind of a more you had to be there sort of thing," Violetta responded. "Which you weren't."

EJ nodded once and walked into the crowd. Athena slightly winced. They had seemed better this morning, but now it seemed like everything was crumbling again.

"Let's do this," Val said excitedly.

"Oh, um, I just remembered that Indina Menzel mentioned on a podcast that Elsa's actually afraid of heights," Kourtney voiced.

"Really?" Carlos inquired. "She lives in a tower."

"Not now, Carlos."

"Come on," Val encouraged brightly.

Kourtney sighed and walked up to the wall, where Violetta was already waiting.

"Three, two, one," Val counted before blowing her whistle.

Violetta started to climb the wall with ease. Athena smiled at the way her best friend was moving, but then it instantly dropped when her eyes set on Kourtney. Kourtney seemed frozen in place before she placed her foot on one of the notches, but backed away again.

"You got this, Kourt," Jet encouraged.

Ashlyn was staring at Violetta. "She is remarkably fast."

Athena shook her head. "That's just Violetta. Dancer's body, I'm telling you."

In the end, Violetta made it up the wall and ripped off the velcro to signal she won. Kourtney, however, hadn't even climbed the wall a little, still firmly placed on the ground.

"Great!" Kourtney exclaimed. "Gina won. We're done. We're done."

"But you have to at least try," Val insisted.

Kourtney got detached from the rope and took off her helmet. "Look, you all are amazing at these games without even trying. If I were to try now in front of all of you, I wouldn't be able to control what happens."

"That's why we have to push through. Even when it's hard. Kourtney, Kourtney, Kourtney . . ."

They all started to chant with Val. Not Athena, though. If Kourtney didn't want to do it, she didn't have to.

Miss Jenn stepped forwards. "Campers." She motioned zipping her lips. "Mommy's talking."

She turned back to Kourtney and had a quiet conversation that ended in a hug. Athena unlinked her arm through Ricky's and placed her hands on her hips, looking back up at the climbing wall.

"Yeah, I get it," Athena agreed.

Ricky looked down at her. "You're afraid of heights?"

"No. Not doing something because you're not ready. Like that time you asked me to skateboard down that huge ramp even though I had literally no skateboarding experience."

"You could've done it."

Athena shook her head. "No, I would've broken my arm, and then you would've felt guilty about it."

Miss Jenn turned back to them all. "Well, I have got to get back on the road, because I have a hard out at being up for more than forty hours in a row."

"When we get back home, I'm teaching you to skateboard fully," Ricky told her.

"I hope you're ready to clean up all of my cuts," Athena replied.

"Hey, I'll be there to catch you when you fall."

"Richard," Miss Jenn called. She then dug through her purse and brought out a very heavy-looking present. "From your dad." She threw it at him, and Ricky caught it, doubling over slightly from how heavy it was. Athena laughed slightly at him, covering her mouth with her hand when he playfully glared at her. "Break a leg out there. Jennifer, out." She walked for a moment before stopping. "Where's the door?"

It was finally time for the last activity of Color War. They all gathered in the amphitheater, the Yellow Team on one side and the Blue Team on the other. Athena sat in between Maddox and Carlos.

"Okay," Val began, speaking into a microphone from the stage. "Hi. Um, it's a tie game, so the outcome of this cheer-off determines the fate of Color War." They all cheered. "Okay. So, this year, I have picked It's On from Camp Rock 2. And I printed out lyric sheets, bit if you don't know the words, that means something went deeply wrong in your childhood and you didn't watch this iconic sequel. Oh, and as I reminder, when I stop singing, somebody has to take over. Here we go."

Val pointed the microphone at Jet.

"Drums," Jet recited.

"A little guitar, please," Val continued as the music started to play. "One, two, three, four. I hope you're ready for the time of your life, just look at me, I put a gleam in your eye, buckle up, we're gonna take you for a ride."

Ricky took the outstretched microphone from Val and walked over to the Yellow Team. "Let's go, we got you going good in the vibe."

He crouched down to Athena's level so that they were eye-to-eye, smirking slightly at her. Athena narrowed her eyes at him, placing her chin in the palm of her hand. Oh, she was so going to get him back.

Gina took the microphone from him. "Everybody, put your hands to the sky."

"Hands to the sky," EJ added from behind her.

Ashlyn took the microphone next. "Buckle up, we're gonna take you, take you high."

"Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what you got," all of them sang while performing choreography while sitting down. "Come on, come on, come on, come on, ready or not, la-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bop, it's on, it's on, it's on. Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top, 'causе we, 'cause we, 'causе when we rock, we let it rock. Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop, it's on, it's on, it's on."

Jet took the microphone from Val. "Okay now, are you ready? One, two, one, two, three, four." He walked up to the Blue Team. "Show stopping when I step in the place, before it's done, you're gonna beg me to stay, get on board, come on, let's ride the wave."

Jet then walked back over to the Yellow Team. He looked down at Athena and held out his hand. Athena smiled up at him and took his hand, allowing him to pull her up. She let go of his hand and took the microphone, heading over to the Blue Team.

"Let's go, let's go, we just do what we do," Athena voiced, walking casually over to the Blue Team. "Watch me break and pop, I'll pass it to you."

Athena looked down. It seemed like Ricky was looking anywhere but her. Athena smirked slightly down at him, just like he did to her. She placed a finger under her chin and tilted it upwards, forcing him to look at her.

She nodded slightly at him, feeling all giddy inside as she watched his face flush pink. "You wanna rock like us 'cause we're never second place."

Athena handed the microphone back to Val, and all of them stood up, doing new choreography.

"Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what you got," they all recited. "Come on, come on, come on, come on, ready or not, la-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bop, it's on, it's on, it's on. Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top, 'cause we, 'cause we, 'cause when we rock, we let it rock. Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop, it's on, it's on, it's on."

Val held up the microphone to Jet for a moment, who extended the last note in a perfect run. Athena nodded in impressment.

Ricky took the microphone, stepping up to the front towards the stage. "Okay now, are you ready?"

They all followed his lead, standing at the front, the Yellow Team and Blue Team facing each other.

Carlos had another microphone now. "One, two, one, two, three."

Jet stepped up with the microphone. "Th-Th-There, there, there is no competition, that's why we in the number one position. That crew can't hang with us, man, we too dangerous."

Maddox skipped forwards, taking the microphone from him. "Ah, ah, ain't got the style or the stamina."

"Just doin' our thing, get hooked on our swing," Ricky and Ashlyn voiced together.

"Rocking the place, dropping the bass," Carlos and Kourtney continued.

"Making everyone sing," Violetta and EJ stated.

"Uh-huh, yeah, we make the bell ring," Jet and Maddox finished.

Val walked down the aisle they had made between the teams. "It's on, it's on. Ooh-oh, it's on."

Jet placed his elbow on her shoulder. "It's on, it's on, it's on."

"It's on, it's on, it's on, it's on."

"It's on, it's on."

"It's on."

They all did choreography, now mixing the two teams together like they did it Camp Rock 2. "Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what you got, come on, come on, come on, come on, ready or not, la-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bop, it's on, it's on, it's on."

All of them then paired up, doing choreography with a member of the opposite team. Athena was with EJ while Violetta was with Ricky.

"Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top, 'cause we, 'cause we, 'cause when we rock, we let it rock. Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop, it's on, it's on, it's on."

Jet got lifted up onto two members of the Yellow Team's shoulders, finishing out the song. "It's on."

All of them cheered. Athena smiled at Kourtney, the two of them holding hands together to wait to hear who won now that the cheer-off was over.

Corbin looked into the camera Channing was holding. "America, I am so glad that the missing camper got rescued, 'cause he just caused the Yellow Team to win Color War!"

Athena gasped excitedly and surged forwards, wrapping Kourtney in a tight hug. Kourtney laughed loudly and hugged her back, starting to jump up and down, which forced Athena to jump up and down as well. They let each other go just in time to see Val hand Jet an oar, signaling their victory. Blue and yellow streamers then erupted.

She started to high-five some other members on her team before approaching Ricky. He had just patted Violetta's shoulder, who looked the tiniest bit crestfallen. Violetta, however, just walked over to talk to Ashlyn. Athena watched her go for a moment before looking back at Ricky.

"Oh, well, would you look at that," Athena stated smugly, placing her hands on her hips. "Yellow team victory. Looks like you went down, Bowen."

Ricky scoffed and crossed his arms across his chest. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever, Blake."

Athena's eyes narrowed playfully at him before she pressed up onto her toes and kissed his nose quickly. She giggled at the way his nose scrunched up and dropped back down onto her feet. Ricky turned back to her, sighing a little, before leaning down and kissing her properly. Athena obliged in the kiss for a moment before pulling back. The two smiled at each other in nothing short of love and adoration.

Neither of them seemed to notice the camera recording them. Or maybe they did, but just didn't care.

"I'm gonna go talk to Maddox for a second," Ricky told her, glancing over at how Jet and Maddox were talking.

"Okay," Athena replied. "I'll go talk to Vi, make sure she's all right."

Ricky kissed her forehead quickly before making his way to Maddox. Athena walked up to Violetta, who seemed to be staring at something longingly. She followed her gaze to see her looking at EJ, who was talking to the other campers.

"You okay?" Athena asked quietly.

"Yeah," Violetta answered. "I'm fine. Maybe just thought that today would end differently."

"Well, the day isn't over."

Violetta looked over at her, her eyes widening. "Can you help me with something, actually?"

"Yeah, of course," Athena agreed immediately. "What's up?"

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

IT TOOK SOME time, but Athena and Violetta had managed to set up a little picnic on the floor of the barn so that Violetta could properly ask EJ to be her date to the Camp Prom. Just like she had asked EJ to be her boyfriend, she was breaking gender norms yet again and asking him to the Camp Prom.

Athena was currently alone in the barn, straightening out the picnic blanket to make sure there weren't any creases in it even though she new it would just fold anyways. It was giving her something to do. She then heard footsteps behind her, and she turned around, smiling instantly. Violetta had gone away for a little bit to get ready, now wearing a new outfit and just the tiniest amount of makeup.

"You look beautiful, Vi," Athena told her. "How could EJ ever say no to this?"

Violetta let out a nervous breath. "I sure hope he doesn't, because that would be really sad for me."

"He won't." Athena glanced down at the picnic, nodding in satisfaction. "I'll go get him."

"Hold on," Violetta interrupted. "I wanted to ask you . . . what happened with Gina last night? That argument seemed intense when I left."

Athena sighed. "She, um, accused me of stealing everything from her. Like, roles, and stuff. Gabriella, Belle, Anna." Athena paused for a second. "And then she accused me of stealing Ricky."

Silence.

"He was never hers," Violetta said, but it was more of a question than anything. "Ricky was always yours."

"Ricky was Nini's first," Athena reminded her.

"No, he wasn't. He was always yours, even when he was dating Nini." Violetta looked at her intensely. "Are you okay?"

Athena shrugged. "I cried last night about it, but . . . I don't know. My mind's just kind of a mess."

Violetta gave her a sad smile. "I'm sorry, 'Thena."

"I'll be fine. We can talk about this later, but right now, there are more pressing issues. Let me get EJ. Just sit there and, I don't know, look pretty."

"Ah, yes, a talent of mine."

Athena let out a small laugh. "I'll be right back."

She left the barn, walking down the steps and heading over towards the cabins. Around camp, people were cleaning up many yellow and blue things from the day's activities. Finally, she made it to the Yurt Locker, where there were a couple of voices coming from inside. Athena knocked on the door, and a moment later, Ricky opened it.

"Athena!" Ricky exclaimed, a bright smile overtaking his features and his eyes lighting up.

"Hi, baby," Athena responded, grinning back at him. "Um, is EJ in here?"

EJ then appeared behind Ricky, and Athena looked up at him. "Hi, Athena."

"Hey. I need you to come with me."

His eyes narrowed at her. "Why?"

"It's a surprise," Athena insisted. "Come on, trust me."

"I don't trust you at all."

"Okay, ouch," Athena replied, making EJ chuckle. She extended her hand out to him. "Just trust me once. You're gonna like it."

EJ glanced down at her hand for a moment. With a sigh, he eventually grabbed it. Athena pulled him out of the cabin and let go of his hand.

"I'll come back here after, okay?" Athena told Ricky. She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek for a moment. "Promise."

"Yeah," Ricky said softly. "See you in a sec."

Athena gave him a fleeting smile before walking on the grass towards the barn. EJ followed after her curiously, wondering what this whole thing was about. When they went up the steps of the barn. Athena placed one hand on his shoulder and reached up, covering his eyes with her other hand.

"What is this?" EJ asked.

"Chill," Athena said, leading him into the barn, maneuvering around the doors. "It's a surprise. I told you to trust me."

"This better be good, 'Thena. And can you please stop pushing me forwards?"

"Well, can you please stop talking?" Athena questioned. "You're being annoying."

"Oh my God, Violetta has really rubbed off on you."

"As I should," Violetta stated.

"Wait," EJ cut in. "V?"

Athena then removed her hand from EJ's eyes, revealing to him Violetta sitting on the picnic blanket. EJ stood there for a moment.

Violetta smiled up at EJ. "'Sup."

Athena elbowed EJ gently. "Well, don't just stand there. Go sit with your pretty girlfriend."

EJ walked up to the picnic blanket and sat down, looking at Violetta and taking her hand in his. They just kind of stared at each other, not saying a word. Athena suddenly felt like a third-wheel.

Athena pointed to the doors as she backed up slightly. "I'm gonna go."

"Athena," Violetta called, and she turned back around for a moment. "Thank you."

She smiled and made a heart shape with her hands. "Of course. Love you."

Athena walked out of the barn. She started to make her way across the lawn towards the Yurt Locker, but her plans were cut off by two hands suddenly grabbing her shoulders from behind her and shaking her slightly. Athena jumped and let out a small shriek, placing her hand on her chest as she whipped around. She was immediately met with the sight of a laughing Ricky. Athena felt her heart rate decrease slowly.

"Richard!" Athena complained. "Oh my God, don't do that."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Ricky let out through his laughs, wrapping both of his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek a couple of times. "I couldn't resist."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." She leaned back against Ricky's chest for a moment before turning around to face him, making him drop her arms from around her. "Hey, sorry for disappearing, by the way. Violetta wanted me to help set up the barn so she could ask EJ to be her date to the Camp Prom."

"No worries," Ricky reassured her. "I assumed it was something like that."

"Yeah." Athena glanced back at the barn for a moment. "I hope they'll be okay."

Ricky offered his arm to Athena, and she linked her arm through it, the two of them starting to slowly walk farther and farther away from the barn.

"So . . ." Athena trailed off. "Did you open the gift your dad got you for your birthday?"

"Yeah," Ricky answered. "He got me a moon rock so I can walk on the moon and complete some of my bucket list."

"Aw. That's so cute."

"And what are you getting for me for my birthday?"

Athena rolled her eyes. "If you think I'm telling you, you're horribly mistaken."

"Just a hint?" Ricky inquired. "Come on, please, I'm dying out here."

"Fine." Athena sighed. "Paper."

"Paper?"

"Paper."

"That's not a hint," Ricky insisted.

"That's actually a very big hint, and you're not getting any more, so just dwell on it," Athena responded. She then stopped in the middle of the grass, removing her arm from Ricky's. "Anyways, speaking of Camp Prom . . . wanna go with me?"

Ricky blinked. "I was supposed to ask you that."

"You already asked me to Homecoming, so it's my turn. Please say yes, or I'm going to feel really stupid."

Ricky let out a small laugh and put his hands on her hips. "Athena Blake, I would be honored to be your date to the Camp Prom."

Exactly how she responded when Ricky asked her to Homecoming, be his girlfriend, and be his Valentine. Athena put her arms around his neck and pressed up onto her toes. She instantly kissed him, her heart pounding against her chest.

Right as their lips touched, loud booms sounded from over them. Athena pulled away and looked up, grinning as fireworks filled the sky. Maybe it was a sign — the fireworks going off the second she kissed Ricky.

Ricky stared down at her, nothing but adoration across his features as he watched his girlfriend's face and eyes light up from the bright fireworks. He brought his hand up to her cheek, making her look at him again. Ricky merely smiled at her before dipping down and kissing her again.

"Oh, hold on," Athena voiced, pulling back, making Ricky pout. "I have a song for this moment."

She reached into her back pocket and pulled out her phone, which she had received back since the Yellow Team won. Athena navigated to Spotify and started to play Sparks Fly, turning the volume up before placing it back in her pocket.

Taylor Swift's voice rang through her phone's speakers. "The way you move is like a full on rainstorm, and I'm a house of cards."

Ricky shook his head in amusement. "You and Taylor Swift, I swear."

"It fits the moment," Athena explained. "Firework sparks. Us having sparks. Fireworks going off when we kiss. Feeling like there's fireworks when we kiss. Sparks Fly. Get it?"

"Yes baby, I get it." Ricky wrapped his arms her waist and lifted her up off the ground, Athena giggling at the sudden movement. "Now shut up and kiss me."

Athena placed her hands on either of his face and kissed him again. It was like nothing else existed besides them in that moment. Just Athena, Ricky, the fireworks, and Sparks Fly.

"'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile . . ."

═ • ° • ✧ • ° • ═

if you thought I was gonna write ricky crying in his bed by himself you were ❌ WRONG ❌

absolutely not who do you think I am my boy is going to be HAPPY and happy ONLY

also notice how I used the troyella gif from new years bc they were watching fireworks and this chapter had fireworks in it I'm a GENIUS