Violet's Outfit

It was a week and a half until opening night, and we were barely ready.

Today, we were rehearsing the second act, specifically the scene where the Beast turns back into a prince. It was a fun scene, but no matter how many times it was ran through, it still just didn't seem interesting enough.

As I wasn't in that scene, I sat in the auditorium seats with Nini and worked on my homework.

After the tenth run through of the scene, Miss Jenn decided that that was enough for today. Even though it wasn't my scene, I still felt kinda disappointed just because it was super super frustrating that nothing was going right.

"Ok, guys, I have an idea. What if we split up, boys vs girls and see who can come up with the better idea for the transformation scene?" Ashlyn suggested.

"Ooh, ok! Kinda like a sleepover?" I added.

"Exactly!" Ashlyn said, smiling at me.

"What does the winner get?" EJ asked.

"Bragging rights?" Nini suggested.

"A free pizza of their choice?" Big Red suggested.

"Both, I guess", Ashlyn said.

"Whose house are we having this at?" I asked.

"The girls can come over to my house, just because I have a lot of room and a lot of crafting supplies", Ashlyn said.

"I guess the guys can come over to my basement? We have like old tools and paint cans down there", Big Red added.

With that, we split up into our separate groups and went to Red's and Ashlyn's houses.

Once we got to Ashlyn's we spread out on her living room floor with scissors, fabric, poster boards, markers, and a ton of different craft supplies.

"It looks like a craft store threw up in here", Gina laughed.

"Aww, thanks!" Ashlyn said.

"Was that a compliment?" Kourtney asked, laughing.

"I don't know, but I took it as one. I love shopping for craft supplies!" Ashlyn said.

"Literally same. I once spent three hours in Michael's", I laughed.

"Speaking of crafting supplies, you guys have got to see the fabric I bought! It's 100% authentic faux fur, and I personally think that it's absolutely perfect for Ricky's costume when it comes to the transformation scene", Kourtney said, laying the fabric out on the coffee table.

"I love it!" Gina said.

"Same, it's perfect", Ashlyn said.

As we continued planning stuff out and working on the costume, we began to talk about literally everything.

I was off in my own world sketching and writing out some more plans, when suddenly something that Gina said caught my attention.

"This is just like the situation with the chocolates!" Gina said.

"Wait, what chocolates?" Nini asked.

"Well, on Valentine's Day I came home and found some chocolates on the doorstep. I thought they were from Ricky, but it just turned out they were from my mom", Gina laughed.

"Why is this the first I'm hearing of this?" I asked.

"It's not a big deal. It was just a big misunderstanding", Gina said.

"Well, it must mean at least something to you. I mean, considering that you barely even mentioned it to me before tonight", I snapped.

"Seriously, calm down. It might've meant something to me like two months ago, but now it doesn't even matter. I don't even have feelings for Ricky anymore!" Gina said.

"Anymore?" Nini and I said at the same time.

"I've moved on. I think at the time I just liked the idea of a boyfriend. It wasn't really Ricky who I liked", Gina said.

"It's fine, I'm sorry for overreacting. I understand that, I guess", I said.

Nini nodded, "Yeah, same. Anyways, is the person you like now...EJ?"

Ashlyn nodded, "Oh yeah, she totally has feelings for EJ!"

"What? No I don't!" Gina said, blushing.

"It's kinda obvious, G" Seb said.

Gina laughed, "Ok, fine! I like him, alright?"

"Awwww!" Ashlyn said.

Once we were finished the costume element, we called the boys and decided to meet them at the school to try out what we'd made.

However, once we'd gotten there and begun to set stuff up, Kourtney announced that she had received a copy of the Broadway set plans from Howie.

Unlike all of the deeply intricate plans we had thought up, the Broadway transformation scene just consisted of the Beast being suspended above the stage and tearing off his mask.

Which was kinda stupid, but whatever.

After some deliberation/arguing, it was decided that we would try the Broadway-style transformation scene.

Red and EJ helped Ricky into the harness that had been used for the Getcha Head In The Game scene of HSM, and then Red and I began pulling Ricky up using the ropes attached to the harness.

Once we got him up to the right spot, the rope quickly began to unravel.

It happened so quickly that there wasn't anything Red and I could do, and soon after, Ricky landed on the hard floor of the stage.

"Holy shit! Holy shit!" Red said, rushing over to Ricky.

"Are you ok? Is he ok?" I asked, beginning to panic a little.

"Let's help him over to the seats? Maybe that'll help?" Ashlyn suggested.

"I'm fine guys, I swear", Ricky said, trying to get up.

However, as soon as he put any weight on his wrist to try and get up, he winced in pain.

"I don't think you're fine, dude. Do you want me to drive you to the hospital or something?" EJ asked.

"Yeah, I think that'd be a good idea", Kourtney said.

"No guys, I'm fine, I swear!" Ricky said, finally getting up, but limping a bit as his ankle got hurt in the fall too.

"Ok, we're gonna sit here for a sec, ok? Gina, can you go get some ice?" I suggested.

Gina nodded and left to go get ice from the teacher's lounge.

I began pacing around, "This is all my fault! I should've talked them out of it, I should've reacted quicker! I'm so sorry!"

"Vi, it's fine, seriously. Do you know how many sprained ankles I've had? Let's just say there's been a lot", Ricky said.

"I know, but still. I was partially responsible for this! I should've done something to help. Or I should've tried to catch you!" I said.

"What would you have done? Caught me Dirty Dancing style? Don't blame yourself", Ricky said.

I took a seat next to Ricky, "I know, I know".

Ricky took my hand in his, "Don't blame yourself for stuff you can't control. Ever. I'll be fine, I promise".

"Ok, I'm sorry for making this all about me. Again. I just started panicking and couldn't stop", I said.

"I know, I could tell", Ricky said.

I laughed, "Gee, thanks. Was it that obvious?"

"Kinda? I mean I've known you forever, so it was probably obvious to me just because I've known you for so long", Ricky said.

"Oh, well that makes me feel a little bit better", I said.

"Good. Also, random question, but is that my flannel you're wearing?" Ricky asked.

"Maybe? You left it at my house, so I just kinda put it on and called it a day. Are you mad? I can give it back", I said.

"Nah, keep it. You look cute...I mean it looks better on you than it does on me", Ricky said, blushing slightly.

I looked down and smiled.

"Hey guys?? Red and I are gonna help you out to EJ's car", Ashlyn said, walking up to us and completely pulling me out of the 'moment' kinda thing Ricky and I were having.

With that, Ricky left with them and I left as well to go out to my car and go home.

"So...you and Ricky?" Nini asked, coming up to me with a grin on her face.

"What? No!" I said.

"You're blushing. And I know you were just talking to him, so I connected the dots and here we are", Nini said.

I laughed.

"What?" She asked.

I smiled, "Maybe you're right".

Author's Note: Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter- I was trying just to add some drama and also begin to redevelop Ricky and Violet's relationship lol. Let me know what you thought of it! I'm planning on updating around the same time next week, so stay tuned!

Lots of love, Beth ❤️❤️❤️