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𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter eleven:
making a date with his favorite girl !

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ARM-IN-ARM, ATHENA AND Ricky entered the school. They unlinked arms so Athena could hang up her coat on one of the racks. She walked behind Ricky up to the table where Mr. Mazzara, the school's robotics teacher, was checking everybody in for Homecoming.

Mr. Mazzara raised an eyebrow once he noticed them. "You two?"

"Ricky Bowen," Ricky announced, ignoring Mr. Mazzara's comment. "Two tickets."

"You're at table ten with the other theater kids." Mr. Mazzara handed the two tickets to Ricky. "Snap a photo on your way in."

Ricky held his hand out for Athena to take. Athena took it with a small smile and allowed Ricky to lead her into the gym.

"The last thing we need is more photos," Athena complained as they walked underneath a lot of lights and balloons. "I think my mom took enough to last us the next five years."

"Come on, just one," Ricky pleaded as they approached the photographer. "You know you want to."

Athena rolled her eyes playfully. "Fine."

They stopped in front of the camera. Ricky slipped his arm around her waist and Athena did the same to him. The two of them smiled brightly, both for the picture and from their close proximity. A couple more photos later, Athena and Ricky collected their pictures. Athena glanced around for a moment to try and find table ten, and sure enough, she spotted Violetta in her red dress sitting and talking with Ashlyn and Carlos while Big Red sat off to the side.

"They're over there," Athena stated a little loudly over the music, pointing to the table.

Her and Ricky walked up to the table and were immediately greeted by everyone. All of them gave each other knowing looks once they realized their interlocked hands. Athena gave them all a small wave and settled down in the seat next to Violetta with Ricky sitting next to her.

"You look amazing," Violetta said to her quietly.

Athena laughed slightly. "Thank you. So do you."

"So . . ." Violetta trailed off excitedly. "How's the night going so far?"

"It's been really nice," Athena admitted. "Surprisingly, it's not weird at all. It feels almost . . . natural."

Violetta smirked and sat back in her chair triumphantly. "I knew it."

"Shut up, Vi."

She chuckled. "Okay, okay, fine. But seriously, 'Thena, I'm happy you're happy."

Ricky then tapped her shoulder, and Athena turned to look and see a picture of Gina and EJ together at Homecoming on Gina's Instagram. "I don't believe this. This dude just broke up with Nini, and 12 seconds after they break up, he's already playing the field."

Athena frowned. "Oh, I feel so bad for Nini. I know she told me she's done with boys, but I can only imagine how much it hurts her to see him move on so quickly."

"Yet you took a lesson from that, Ricky," Big Red interjected. "You made a pact with your dad. You're putting yourself out there right now with Athena."

"Speak of the devil," Ricky continued, showing Big Red, Athena, and Violetta a picture of his dad at the bowling alley. "Get a load of this player. He's texting me for fashion advice. Me!"

Violetta scoffed. "Yeah, he should've asked me. You all know I have the best style out of all of you."

"Excuse us," the voice of Gina said, walking up to the table with her arm linked in EJ's. "These seats taken?"

Everyone at the table shared awkward glances. Gina and and EJ sat down anyways. However, Athena couldn't help but notice that EJ looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but there at Homecoming with Gina, which made her very confused.

"Attie," Ricky stated, tugging on her hand. Athena looked up at him with a confused expression. "Come on."

He pulled her up from her chair and began bringing her out to the dance floor. Athena turned and locked her wide eyes with Violetta's. Violetta shrugged with a laugh and began talking to Ashlyn and Carlos again. Athena looked back forwards to see Ricky had found a spot not occupied by anyone. He turned around to look at her.

Athena let out a small laugh. "What are you doing?"

Ricky raised their hands above her head and twirled her around. "I'm pulling a High School Musical 2 and making a date with my favorite girl."

She blushed and kept holding onto his hand. "You watched the movie?"

"Of course I did. It's your favorite."

Athena smiled at him. And to some random pop song playing in the background, the two began to dance the night away.

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

ATHENA HAD NO idea how long her and Ricky had been dancing. All she knew was that she was tired and her feet hurt when they went back to the table. While Ricky went off to go get them some punch, Athena sat down in her chair and tucked some hair behind her ears.

"So, you and Ricky, huh?" Gina asked.

Athena glanced at Ricky's figure by the refreshment table before looking back towards Gina. "Uh, yeah."

"How long has that been going on? Because I could've sworn you two were nothing but friends."

"We were, but . . . he only asked me to Homecoming this morning."

"This morning," Gina repeated incredulously. "It seems like you were a last minute date. Maybe because Nini rejected him?"

Athena blinked at her. There was no way what Gina said was true . . . was it? No. Nini had told Athena in the morning that she wasn't going to Homecoming anymore. And as far as Athena knew, Ricky hadn't even talked to Nini recently.

That was one thing about Athena Blake: even though she was confident in herself, some of the things people said made her completely overthink everything. She knew Gina was just trying to get in her head. However, she couldn't help but take those words to heart. Although Athena didn't know Gina Porter, she knew Ricky Bowen. Ricky wouldn't use her as a rebound. Not now, not ever.

Violetta placed a hand on Athena's shoulder with a fake-sweet smile, snapping Athena out of her thoughts. "Actually, Gina, Ricky asked Athena because he likes her. So why don't you stay out of other people's business?"

"Vi," Athena scolded quietly.

Gina raised her hands in surrender. "Hey, I was just asking. But isn't it so amazing how the guy playing Troy and the girl who has Gabriella's understudy is going to the dance together? You two are just perfect."

There was definitely some resentment in her voice. It was no secret Gina wanted the part of Gabriella, yet she didn't get the part of either that or her understudy. All she was was Taylor McKessie. It wasn't Athena's fault she was chosen for Gabriella's understudy. And Gina certainly didn't get to take her bitterness out on her.

Athena nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

Then Ricky, ever the saving grace, came back to the table and placed a cup of punch in front of Athena. "Here you go."

"Thank you," she replied, picking it up and taking a sip as Ricky sat down next to her.

He then nudged her arm gently, obviously noticing her mood had deflated. "Hey, you okay?"

"I'm okay," Athena responded. She noticed his disbelieving look. "Seriously, I'm fine."

Gina then placed her hand on EJ's shoulder. "Could you get me some punch, babe?"

"Sure, babe," EJ stammered.

EJ got up and left the table. Athena then noticed that Violetta's eyes were watching him leave. She knew the girl well enough to know Violetta didn't watch after anyone unless . . .

Athena's eyes widened. She liked him. Sure, it was no secret that Violetta believed EJ was the perfect guy (well, until he stole Nini's phone.) But Athena always thought that it was just silly crush that Violetta would brush away at any moment. That wasn't the case. This was an actual full-blown crush.

She raised an eyebrow and tapped Violetta's shoulder. Violetta's head whipped around to face her. Athena sent her a knowing look, as to which Violetta responded with an eye roll and a red face. She laughed and shook her head, mouthing to Violetta we'll talk later.

And then suddenly, everything went off the rails.

"Hey, not to intrude on date night, but you can do better than EJ," Ricky told Gina. "That guy — that guy's bad news."

"You're not exactly one to give relationship advice," Gina countered. "Especially since you only asked Athena to Homecoming this morning. And when I want your opinion, I'll ask."

"Well, I'm giving it anyway 'cause I sorta thought you were classier than this. But, hey, maybe you really are what people say you are."

"And that is?"

"Ricky," Athena warned.

He ignored her. "Just a little too ambitious for your own good, or anyone else's."

Gina's face turned stony. Despite everything Gina had just said to her, Ricky was totally out of line. Athena placed her hands on the table and used it to push herself up.

Athena looked down at Ricky. "Let's go."

"What?" Ricky questioned.

"You. Me. Hallway. Now." She nodded her head towards the gym doors. "Come on."

Athena took the shoulder of his jacket in her hand and pulled him up. Leaving the table behind, she led him out into the hallway. Ricky didn't say anything the entire way. Athena finally stopped them by a set of lockers outside of the gym away from everyone. She then faced him and crossed her arms.

"Do you think before you speak?" Athena inquired.

Ricky sighed. "I'm sorry, Attie."

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me, you should be apologizing to Gina. Listen, I know she's said some things about me and she's suddenly coming here with EJ—"

"Woah," Ricky interrupted. "What did she say about you?"

She hesitated. "Um, nothing."

"Athena."

"Okay, okay, fine. She said the only reason you asked me to Homecoming was because I was a last resort date after Nini rejected you."

Ricky shook his head. "That's not true. You know that."

"Yeah, I know," she replied quietly. "But, Ricky, you can't tell Gina who she can and can't date. What you said was really harsh."

"Athena, she showed up to the dance with EJ. What's that all about?"

She blinked. "It's literally not about you at all. What if Gina wanted to come to the dance with EJ? She's allowed to do that."

Ricky sighed. "I guess you're right."

"Yeah, I am. Thanks for finally noticing."

He laughed slightly. "I guess you are right most of the time. I'll apologize to her later, I promise. But right now, there's a Homecoming dance going on and I want to spend it with you. So, what do you say we get back in there and have fun with our friends?"

Athena smiled again. "Definitely. Let's go, Bowen."

The two of them walked back into the gym. They found Violetta and Big Red talking on the edge of the dance floor. Athena and Ricky walked up to their friends.

"You two okay?" Violetta asked, shooting Athena a concerned look.

Ricky nodded. "Yeah, we're fine."

"But I don't think they are," Big Red voiced, pointing to the other side of the gym.

Athena turned. Sure enough, Gina and EJ were in the middle of a heated argument over by the refreshment table.

"What do you think they're saying?" Violetta wondered. She then began to imitate Gina. "Hey, EJ, what's wrong with you?"

Big Red joined in with her, doing an impression of EJ. "I'm intimidated by how fly Big Red looks in that suit he borrowed from Ricky."

"Oh, EJ, don't be intimidated. Big Red can't pull off that tux, anyways."

"Hey!" Big Red protested.

Violetta pushed his shoulder a little. "I'm kidding, Red. You look great."

Ricky shook his head. "You guys are idiots."

All of them fell into a fit of laughs. However, it soon died out as they watched Gina pick up a cup of punch from the table and dump it right on top of EJ. Athena gasped and her hand flew to her mouth in shock.

Gina stormed off. She passed their group on the way out, giving them a stone-cold look before continuing on. Athena, with wide eyes, turned to Violetta, not knowing how everything had escalated so quickly.

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happy valentine's day!!! I'm very much alone, but may you all find the ricky to your athena, carlos to your seb, or momma c to your momma d <3333

also this book is almost at 10k??? hUH-