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𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter sixteen:
truth, justice, and songs in our key !

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AFTER A REALLY long night of writing song lyrics and choreographing a dance in Big Red's basement, the whole cast had managed to put together a last minute performance to save Miss Jenn. Athena, Nini, and Ashlyn had written Truth, Justice, and Songs in Our Key in about the span of an hour while the dancing (choreographed by Carlos, naturally) took three. None of them had gotten much sleep, but they were energized from the adrenaline that morning.

All of them were scattered around the cafeteria, where Miss Jenn's board meeting was taking place. Athena sat in between Ricky and Violetta, her leg bouncing up and down in anticipation as she looked around the room. She could see her parents in the crowd as well. Ricky then placed his hand on her leg to calm her down and sent her a comforting smile. She sent a nervous one back before tuning into the meeting again.

"Miss Jenn, it may not surprise you to learn that we have heard earfuls about your unorthodox style ever since you got to East High," Principle Gutierrez announced. "Personally, I always chalked it up to the well known fact that people in the dramatic arts are insane."

"Thank you," Miss Jenn replied.

"But now, we have news that your resume is exaggerated. Your teaching credential is from obscure online university, and even your official name might be some version of a stage name. What do you say to this charge?"

"I have always done my best by these kids—" Miss Jenn began.

"Just answer the question," Principle Gutierrez stated.

"Excuse me," Mike voiced, Athena and Ricky sharing shocked glances as his father stood up. "Can I say something?"

"I'm sorry, we're not opening up the floor to parents on this."

"Let him speak," one of Nini's moms argued.

Principle Gutierrez sighed. "Go ahead, Mr. Bowen."

"I'm a little late to this party, but I gotta say the real crime here would be botting a teacher who's making a positive impact," Mike continued. "I've never seen my kid this invested in anything, and I don't think that's something we should punish, Your . . . Honor."

Amanda then stood up. "I agree. My daughter has always had a love of playing piano but never had any place to showcase it. Now she's joined this musical and is coming home every day telling me what song she learned that day. She's finally found her niche, and you're just taking that away."

Athena smiled at her mom's words. She had indeed found her niche in playing piano for this musical and being cast as Kelsi.

"Mr. Bowen, Mrs. Blake, I appreciate your statements, but I think we can all agree that theater isn't unique in this regard," Principle Gutierrez stated. "It doesn't have some special fairy dust that can't be filled by another extracurricular."

Kourtney then started to hum from her place on the balcony above. It was time.

"What's that?" Principle Gutierrez asked, tapping his microphone. "Who's humming?"

Immediately, all of the theater kids stood up and joined in with the humming. Athena glanced up and shared a smile with Ricky before squeezing Violetta's shoulder excitedly. Ashlyn looked to Nini, who then pointed at Ricky, who then pointed up to Kourtney. Kourtney raised a radio above her head and the humming got louder. Kaden and Ricardo then moved Miss Jenn's table out of the way.

"Don't say another word," Kourtney started.

Nini stepped into the aisle between the chairs. "Some of us need to be heard."

"You want her big confession?" Ashlyn and Nini harmonized.

"She never saw Dear Evan Hansen," Kourtney replied, and all of them gasped.

"Whatever you think about her," Athena and Ricky dueted while holding hands, walking down to join Ashlyn and Nini with Violetta and Big Red trailing behind them. "The show can't go on without her."

Ricky twirled Athena around before letting their hands go. They all broke into choreography.

"Maybe her class could be a little more classy," Kourtney continued.

"Maybe her head's not in the game," the rest of them chorused, Athena sharing a bright smile with Violetta as they spun around.

Carlos went next. "Maybe her past is just a little bit sketchy."

"We need her all the same."

"She's the one who cheers us on," Seb sang. "So what if she's dropping the ball?"

The group continued the choreography, Athena smiling widely as she did what she did what she loved most: perform. "She stands for truth, justice, and songs in our key. She stands for us, and we believe."

"Before she got here, we were so off track," Ricky stated.

"Then Miss Jenn gave us a chance," Gina added.

Ashlyn then went. "We used to fall asleep in chemistry class."

"Now it makes us want to dance," the rest of them joined in with her, Ricky picking up Athena and spinning her around for a moment, making her laugh.

Natalie appeared behind Miss Jenn's chair. "She's the show that must go on, so we're putting in a good word, 'cause we heard."

"She stands for truth, justice, and songs in our key. She stands for us and we believe."

Ricky took Athena's hands in his and pulled her over to a table, which he stood on and then helped her up. She then looked towards the back of the cafeteria, where Nini was ready for her part.

"What's my motivation?" Nini questioned, shimmying her shoulders as she walked down the aisle towards Miss Jenn. "She provides the inspiration."

"Whatever about her reputation," Kourtney voiced.

Ashlyn walked in front of the table where Principle Gutierrez was looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Seems about time for a modulation."

Now, it wouldn't be a full performance without a dance break. The dancers then began to dance the wonderful choreography they had come up with the night before. Athena's eyes only followed Violetta as she completely killed it. It was no doubt that Violetta was born to dance, and Athena felt her heart swell as she watched pure joy spread across her best friend's face.

Carlos then pulled Miss Jenn up from her chair while another dancer took it away. Athena and Ricky jumped off the table and Athena immediately joined Violetta's side as they began to dance to the choreography again while cards spelled out Miss Jenn behind them at the back of the cafeteria.

"She stands for truth, justice, and songs in our key," all of them harmonized. "Jazz squares in the choreography. Sharpay and Ryan, you know they'd agree, she stands for us and we believe." Nini grabbed Miss Jenn and put her in the middle of the circle, all of them doing jazz hands around her. "She stands for us and we believe."

They held out the last note for a couple of moments before releasing. The room was completely silent for a moment, and as Athena looked at Principle Gutierrez's face, she had a horrible feeling their plan didn't work. However, the room then erupted in clapping and cheering.

"Settle, people!" Principle Gutierrez exclaimed. "Settle down. Settle down."

The room went silent again. Athena laced her fingers together in front of her and anxiously waited.

Principle Gutierrez looked to the other people at the table. "Do we have any further questions?"

"Just one," one of the teachers at the end of the table announced. She stood up with a microphone in her hand. "So, how do I snag two tickets for opening night?"

She busted out a pop, lock, jam, and break, making everyone erupt in cheers again. Athena turned and immediately tugged Violetta into a tight hug. Her plan had actually worked. Miss Jenn was still going to be the drama teacher and High School Musical: The Musical would be continuing to get ready for opening night. Athena went around and gave hugs to Carlos, Nini, Ashlyn, Big Red, and Seb until she turned to Gina.

"We did it!" Athena shouted, hugging Gina.

Gina laughed slightly, yet she was the first one to pull away. "Hey, Athena, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said at Homecoming. It was a . . . really weird night. I didn't mean any of it."

Athena shook her head and waved her off. "Don't worry about it. It's all in the past now."

Gina nodded and squeezed her shoulder before rushing off to Ashlyn. Athena watched her for a moment before she as called by none other than Ricky.

"Attie!" Ricky yelled, running up to her and immediately sweeping her up into his arms and spinning her around yet again. "It worked!"

He set her down and immediately looked down at her. Athena's heart began to beat out of her chest as his eyes trailed across her face.

"What?" she asked softly.

Ricky reached up and placed a hand on her cheek. "Things are going to work out between us, Athena. I already know they are. So, that's why I'm asking this." He paused for a second. "Athena Blake, will you be my girlfriend?"

Athena blinked in surprise before smiling brightly, winding her arms around his neck. "Ricky Bowen, I would be honored to be your girlfriend."

Ricky instantly dipped his head down and pressed his lips to hers. Athena smiled through the kiss and rose up onto her toes to get as close to him as possible. Various cheers erupted around them, but they didn't care. It was just the two of them at the moment.

"Well, finally," the voice of Athena's mother said. "I've been waiting for this moment ever since you two were kids."

Athena and Ricky pulled away from each other to see Amanda, Adam, and Mike watching them. They cleared their throats and untangled themselves from each other, both of their faces bright red.

Mike looked to Athena's parents. "You both owe me twenty bucks."

Athena's head snapped over to him and her eyes widened. "You guys bet on us, too?"

"Of course we did," Adam answered as both him and Amanda gave Mike twenty dollar bills. "It was bound to happen one day, but Mike won because he said you would get to junior year." He then pointed to Ricky. "Treat her well, you hear?"

Ricky nodded. "Yes, sir."

Their parents then walked off, presumably to go home. Athena looked up and Ricky and instantly began to laugh at the situation that just happened. Ricky laughed along with her before offering his hand to her. Athena took it, and the two of them went to join the rest of the cast to celebrate their success.

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truth, justice, and songs in our key deserves more appreciation. and omg they're bf and gf now I'm soft <333