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𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter thirteen:
no teacher, no show !

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SINCE THEY NEEDED to take pictures for the program of High School Musical: The Musical, the whole cast gathered early before school that day. Although Athena wasn't exactly going to be on the cover of the program since Kelsi wasn't in the jumping shot, she did come to help Kourtney, Carlos, and Big Red organize everything. She had even managed to drag Violetta along with her with a promise she would buy her a coffee later.

"Athena, it's way too early," Violetta complained as they walked down the hallway to Athena's locker so she could put some books away early. "Why did I ever agree to this?"

"Because you love me and are a great best friend," Athena responded as she opened her locker. "Besides, you get to see everyone look ridiculous in clothes from the early 2000's. How could you ever pass that up?"

Just as she closed her locker, the sound of footsteps approached her and Violetta. Athena glanced up to see Ricky and Big Red with his camera walk over to the two them. Violetta nudged her ribs with her elbow, making Athena push her arm away with her cheeks slightly heating up.

"Morning," Athena greeted to Ricky and Big Red. "You ready for picture day?"

Big Red held up his camera. "Yep. My one year in photography club in middle school is really paying off now."

Athena laughed slightly before looking up at Ricky. "Don't you have a costume to get in, Troy?"

Ricky rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I'm going. See you in a few, Attie."

And then suddenly, like it was a completely normal thing to do, Ricky leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers for a quick kiss. He pulled away and shot her a smile before walking off in the direction of the auditorium. Athena watched after him with wide eyes as she stood there completely frozen.

Big Red stared at Athena in shock. "Did he just do that?"

"Did Ricky not tell you?" Violetta asked, making Big Red shake his head. She then snapped her fingers in front of Athena's face. Athena jumped and cleared her throat awkwardly. "He waited for Athena on her front porch after Homecoming and kissed her. Twice."

"No way," Big Red voiced in utter awe, a bright smile forming across his face. "So you're his girlfriend now?"

"Well, he hasn't asked me officially yet," Athena answered. "So I guess right now we're just kind of a thing."

Big Red scoffed. "Well, he should get on that. Vi and I have been waiting years for this to happen, and now that it finally is, Ricky will not be the one to ruin it."

"Maybe you should talk to him," Violetta suggested to Big Red.

"No, guys, I don't want to rush him into anything," Athena interjected. "This is all so new. I think we should just take it slow."

Violetta raised an eyebrow. "Does taking it slow include him kissing you in the middle of the hallway?"

"Shut up, Vi. Come on, let's go to the auditorium."

They walked to the auditorium, which was set up with lights and the High School Musical sign. Big Red immediately began to get his camera ready on the tripod while Athena and Violetta went over to Kourtney.

"Good morning," Kourtney greeted. "How was Homecoming?"

Athena paused. "It was . . . interesting, to say the least."

"It's kind of hard to explain," Violetta added. "A lot happened. And by a lot, I mean a lot."

One by one, each one of the cast members came out in their costumes. The boy who was playing Ryan sat down on the floor and began to stretch in the splits. Nini then ran out, looking utterly perfect in her Gabriella costume. Athena was amazed at how much it looked like the original.

"Oh my gosh, you look perfect!" Kourtney exclaimed, admiring her costume work. "Yes!"

"Kourtney, you did amazing," Athena complimented.

"Okay, people, let's do this!" Ricky's voice announced as he walked on the stage.

Athena turned. Once her eyes landed on Ricky, she immediately burst into laughter. Her hand reached up to her mouth in effort to stop her laughs, but it was no use. Ricky was wearing a ridiculous wig that was supposed to make him look more like Troy Bolton. However, it was only making him look ridiculous.

"Oh my God, Ricky," Nini commented.

"What?" Ricky asked.

Athena shook her head as she continued to laugh. "Oh, honey, no."

Ricky pointed at her and flicked his wig dramatically. "You know you like it."

"I really don't," Athena replied.

"Hold on," Nini cut in. "What's going on with the two of you? Athena, you're, like . . . glowing."

She blinked. "Glowing? What do you mean glowing?"

"I don't know, you just seem happier than normal." Nini then gasped. "You two kissed, didn't you?"

Both Athena and Ricky blushed a deep scarlet and looked down at the floor. Athena locked her hands behind her back and rocked back and forth on her heels. So much for trying not to make it a whole big thing.

"That's what you meant by Homecoming being interesting?" Kourtney questioned.

Violetta smirked and crossed her arms. "They kissed in the hallway this morning, too."

Athena's head snapped up and her face burned even more red. "Violetta!"

"What? I'm just telling the truth!"

Nini placed her hand up. "First off, I'm really happy for you two. I always knew you would end up together. Second, Seb, you owe me twenty bucks. Pay up."

Athena let out a noise of shock. "Seb, Nini, you bet on us?"

"Well, we obviously all knew you two were going to end up together ever since he walked in during your audition," Seb answered as he walked up, looking completely fabulous in his Sharpay outfit. "The bet was only a matter of how fast it would happen. Nini said by November, so she won."

Seb then put a twenty dollar bill into the palm of Nini's hand. Nini smiled and folded it up before putting it in her pocket. Athena blinked in shock and looked back to Ricky. Ricky shook his head and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on top of her head.

Gina then walked out in her Taylor costume, EJ right behind her in his Chad costume. "Let's get some air, Wildcats."

She posed, and Big Red snapped a picture of her with his camera.

"Good morning, Gina," Ricky greeted.

Gina turned and raised an eyebrow at his and Athena's position. "Well, this is new." She then noticed Ricky's wig and began to laugh.

"Pretty good, right?"

"Troy, you look the best."

"Thank you, I try," Ricky responded before flicking his wig again.

Athena untangled herself from him. "And that is my cue to leave. Gina, you look incredible."

"Thank you," Gina replied with a smile.

Athena sent one back before walking out of the shot to stand next to Violetta, who had just finished talking to EJ.

"Okay, guys," Big Red began. "We're gonna get one in for practice, okay? We're all gonna jump on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three."

However, as they all jumped and Big Red took a picture, Kourtney ran out in the shot. "Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, y'all."

"Kourtney," Ricky softly complained.

"One, two, three," Big Red counted again.

They jumped again, but all at different times. The L of the musical on the sign also fell. Athena winced at it. This wasn't going very well.

"What, wait happened?" Big Red inquired.

"Where to begin?" Ricky countered.

Seb looked to him. "I think you went early."

"Are we jumping on three or after three?" Gina asked.

"Yeah, the count of three," Big Red responded. "Ready?"

"Nah, man, you need some new words," Ricky told him.

"I think a broke a heel," Seb added.

Carlos sighed. "You guys, this isn't that hard. You smile, you leave the Earth, you land."

"Its a little hard to smile when we don't even know the plan," Ricky argued.

Nini jutted her thumb out at Ricky. "I can't look at Ricky. Is that a problem?"

Laughter erupted from everyone. Athena shook her head with a small laugh and sent an amused look to Violetta.

"Okay, let's take a five," Carlos said stiffly.

"On five or after five?" Ricky questioned, walking up to Athena and putting an arm around her shoulder.

"I think he's mad at us," Seb announced.

Athena chuckled again. Remember what she said about trying to help organize this whole thing? Well, this was definitely not organized. It had her wondering where Miss Jenn was.

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

ATHENA SAT AT the piano bench in the bomb shelter after school for rehearsal with the other theater kids and dancers. Seb and Nini were on either side of her, as they were discussing their favorite musicals and songs from those said musicals. Violetta was off to the side having a conversation with Ashlyn and some of the other dancers. Ricky then walked in by Gina's side holding his guitar case. However, the weird thing is that Carlos and Miss Jenn were nowhere to be found.

"Have you heard anything from Carlos or Miss Jenn?" Natalie asked the three of them by the piano.

"It's weird," Seb answered. "He's not responding to texts."

Natalie sighed before walking off.

"Anyways, as I was saying, Dear Evan Hansen is definitely my favorite musical," Athena continued. "The story? The songs? The music? I learned how to play Waving Through a Window on the piano because I was obsessed with that song."

"True, but I have to say mine is Wicked," Nini added. "It's definitely mainstream, but no one can deny it's an all-time classic."

"Guys, let's just start," Natalie announced, stopping Seb from saying his favorite musical, making Athena frown. "Flip to When There Was Me and You in your script."

"Oh, should we maybe wait until Miss Jenn gets here?" Ashlyn questioned.

"Well, I don't know. Apparently nobody's in charge."

"Okay, people, let's stage a number!" Carlos' voice suddenly exclaimed, and Athena looked to see him walking into the bomb shelter. "I'm late."

"Is Miss Jenn coming?" Nini inquired.

"Miss Jenn had a small personal matter to attend to and won't be here today."

"Oh, is everything all right?"

"Good question," Seb praised.

"Everything's fine," Carlos answered. "Why would you guys even ask that?"

Athena blinked. Carlos seemed awfully nervous. She turned and shared confused glances with both Nini and Seb. In fact, everyone in the room seemed to be confused.

"Okay, Gabriella," Carlos continued, walking up to Nini and taking her hands to guide her where she needed to go. "I need you downstage on this mark. Troy, stage right. Chad, stage left box. Um, other boys, find a box."

Everyone got into their positions. Athena tilted her head in confusion at that. It didn't really make sense to her at all.

"Uh, are they on stage with me while I'm singing?" Nini asked.

"Yes, they will be frozen in various poses to come," Carlos replied. "As the ballad builds, Nini, you will be wandering through a forest of boys."

"Wait." Nini chuckled lightly in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"Do you know what a forest of trees looks like?"

"I do."

"Okay, but with boys."

"And, uh . . ." Nini trailed off. "No, I'm sorry, why?"

Carlos sighed. "Because your heart has just been shattered and you can't stop thinking about how amazing Troy is." He turned and pointed to Athena at the piano. "Let's go!"

"Wait, I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused," Athena revealed. "I don't really think Gabriella wandering through a forest of boys is going to get the point of the song across, especially after Troy just sold her out to his teammates. It doesn't really make sense."

"Well, she's got a point," Ashlyn agreed. "What Troy did was kind of unforgiveable. Respectfully, Carlos, I think the last thing anyone wants in this moment is four more versions of him."

"Maybe she could chop down the trees," Natalie suggested.

"Or, what if she's surrounded by a forest of loving and supportive sisters, okay?" Kourtney voiced.

Immediately, all of the girls began to excitedly agree, Nini especially.

Ricky raised his hand. "Is it better if she just sings a solo acoustic version?"

Athena nodded, despite the rest of the room having mixed emotions. "I like that idea."

The two locked eyes and shared a smile, one that sent butterflies rushing throughout Athena's stomach. However, it was unfortunately cut short by Carlos.

"Okay, you guys, this is not a democracy!" Carlos yelled.

Athena frowned, immediately feeling guilty. "I'm sorry for not agreeing with your idea, Carlos. Maybe when Miss Jenn gets back we can see what she has to say."

"Well, she's not here, and I don't know if she's ever coming back."

"Wait, what?" Ricky questioned.

"Is this a joke?" Ashlyn added.

"She's in deep trouble, you guys," Carlos admitted, making everyone stand up from their chairs, including Athena, her heart sinking to her stomach. "They're saying that she lied on her job application, and there's a school board meeting in less than twenty-four hours, and she's probably going to lose her job. I wasn't supposed to tell any of you, but I'm trying to do my best here."

"I can't believe it," Nini breathed out.

"What are we even doing in rehearsal?" EJ inquired.

"Wait, how can we have a show if we don't have a teacher?" Ashlyn asked.

"You know you could have told me," Seb said gently to Carlos.

Carlos looked over at him. "Miss Jenn asked me not to."

"Wow, Carlos," EJ stated. "What else are you not telling us?"

"EJ, none of this is Carlos' fault," Athena scolded. "Don't blame everything on him."

"Hey, let's all breathe for a second," Ashlyn commented.

Natalie looked up at her. "Do you wanna be in charge?"

"She didn't say that," Kourtney argued.

"You know what?" Nini announced, grabbing her backpack off of the floor. "I — um . . . I need a minute."

Kourtney pointed to her. "Right there with you."

Soon enough, everyone began leaving the room. Athena locked eyes with Violetta, who smiled sadly and nodded her head to the door. She shook her head and flickered her eyes to Ricky. Violetta seemed to understand and left the room.

"Rehearsals are officially cancelled until further notice!" Carlos shouted.

Athena stood there until only her and Ricky were left in the room. Internally sighing, she knew that this whole situation was not good, and Ricky seemed to be taking the blow pretty hard.

═ • ° • ✧ • ° • ═

SHUT UP. SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW. THE VANS? THE DOG TAG? THE FIT? I'M LITERALLY OBSESSED WITH HIM & I'VE BEEN CRYING FOR DAYS OVER THIS MAN COMING BACK TO MY SCREEN

lol okay enough of me freaking out. anyways I'm gonna start updating twice a week now that season 2 is coming out soon and I want to finish this book before then so keep your eyes open on wednesday for an update <3