┏━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┓

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter twenty:
tears and slamming doors !

┗━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┛

ATHENA MOSTLY STAYED by Violetta's side throughout the whole time they were reorganizing the stage. She still felt uneasy with the whole Ricky and Nini thing, so she decided that spending some time with her best friend would cheer her up a little. It did. Violetta's sarcastic nature and witty comments never failed to bring a smile to Athena's face.

Finally, all of them were gathered around the seats with scripts in their hands. Athena leaned her back against the wall as she engaged in a conversation with Violetta.

"No, I'm not kidding," Violetta argued. "I seriously think that Chad and Ryan were more than friends. What other explanation would there be for them switching clothes after the baseball game?"

Athena thought about that for a moment. "Wait, I never realized that as a kid. You know, I think you're right, Vi. Seems a little suspicious to me."

Violetta flicked her hair over her shoulder. "I'm always, right, 'Thena. You should know this by now."

Athena scoffed. "Yeah, okay."

"Okay, we just need to nail down our lighting and our sound and ta-da, we've got a show," Miss Jenn announced. "I need some bodies for the rooftop scene."

EJ raised his hand. "I can do Troy."

"Fine. Athena, come stand in for Gabriella. We'll have both Understudies."

The girl looked away from Violetta. "Oh, uh, sure."

Violetta pushed her shoulder to encourage her to move. Athena walked up and joined EJ on the stage. It felt a little awkward, considering he had heard Ricky's voicemail about her. Not to mention Athena was dating Ricky and EJ had a sort-of thing with Violetta and now they were supposed to play one of the most iconic couples. Athena offered him a small smile as she turned to the correct page in her script.

"Do we have a working lightboard?" Miss Jenn asked.

"Found it!" Big Red exclaimed.

Suddenly, the light turned blue. Athena let out a shriek at the sight of new mannequins in neon clothing on the stage.

"Sorry, everyone," Carlos apologized. "My Uncle Ruben said there was gonna be some leftover stuff from the fashion show. I guess the theme was eighties rave?"

"In a nuclear reactor?" Ashlyn added, causing all of them to laugh.

"Big Red, so we have anything more flattering?" Miss Jenn questioned.

"Uh, working on it!" he replied.

Finally, the blue light left and a normal light turned on. Athena let out a breath of relief.

"Okay, Troy, basketball stuff, Gabriella, math stuff, nobody doesn't cry, and we end up here, center stage," Miss Jenn instructed. "Gabriella, give us your cue."

Athena cleared her throat and imagined herself in Gabriella's character. "Remember in kindergarten, you'd meet a kid, know nothing about them, then ten seconds later, you're best friends?"

"Yeah," EJ responded as Troy.

"Singing with you felt like that."

"Look, I never thought about singing, that's for sure." Athena looked up, obviously confused. EJ was using way too much emotion for a simple scene like this, but she decided to let it go for now. "Until you. And now, I don't wanna stop. Ever."

Now it was just getting weird. Tears were starting to fill his eyes as well. Athena slowly turned her head and sent a wide-eyed look to Violetta. The girl shrugged and seemed to be holding back laughter.

"That's excellent and a little weird," Miss Jenn commented. "Big Red, can we hit these guys with a spotlight?"

"Uh, I'll look for it," Big Red answered.

Athena blinked at EJ. "Um, are you all right?"

"I'm just emoting, 'Thena," EJ replied. "Feel free to join me."

"Join you?" she repeated in a confused tone. "This is a tech rehearsal and we're just the Understudies. We don't have to go all out right now."

"Okay, Athena, EJ, let's not wait for the lights," Miss Jenn continued. "Just stand on your marks and give me your cue again?"

EJ then began to act again, but this time, he was full-blown crying. "I never thought about singing, that's for sure. Until you. And now . . ." EJ suddenly placed a hand on the side of Athena's neck, making her stiffen and look down at it in absolute confusion. He leaned his head closer to hers for emphasis, but Athena only moved her head backwards to keep the distance. "I don't wanna stop. Ever."

"Uh . . ." Athena trailed off. "Why are you touching me?"

"EJ?" Miss Jenn called.

She gestured him to come over. Athena shook her head. That whole experience was just so weird. A ladder then suddenly fell next to Athena, making her jump away from it with a small yell. Oh, she was so over this theater and how everything just kept falling.

"Big Red, did you do that?" Miss Jenn inquired.

"No," Big Red responded.

Miss Jenn screamed upon noticing he was right behind her. Athena placed a hand on her forehead and let out a deep breath. Yep, she was definitely getting a headache.

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

A LITTLE WHILE later, which included a conversation about Violetta questioning what the heck EJ did up there, Athena and Violetta sat on the edge of the stage while they waited for Miss Jenn to instruct them to do something. Violetta could tell the girl was a little off, so she did her best to try and distract Athena away from Ricky and Nini being alone. It seemed to be working. Athena's spirits had lifted and the fidgeting of her fingers that itched to play the piano (which often happened when she was nervous) had decreased.

Finally, Miss Jenn spoke up, making Athena glance up at her from her place on the floor. "Okay, let's pretend we've figured out the lighting. If we've got a sound system, we've got a show. I need someone to sing for microphone levels. Who's not doing anything?" Miss Jenn's eyes then finally set on her. "Athena, perfect. Come—"

"Actually, Miss Jenn, Kourtney is an amazing singer," Steph — one of the dancers — announced, pushing Kourtney forwards. "Sorry, 'Thena."

Athena shook her head. "No problem, Steph. But Kourtney, you can sing?"

Kourtney laughed nervously. "I'm a singer, not an actor. This voice is for church."

"Thank you for volunteering," Miss Jenn said to her, handing Kourtney a microphone. "Just sing anything from the show. Doesn't matter what. No judgement. This is a safe space."

Athena tucked her knee to her chest and placed her chin on top of it as she waited for Kourtney to start singing. Miss Jenn waved on Big Red, and the microphone in Kourtney's hand gave feedback for a second before it went quiet. Athena gave Kourtney an encouraging smile and a head nod. She knew the girl could do this.

"I believe in dreaming, shooting for the stars," Kourtney sang, doing a slower and acapella version of Bop to the Top.

Athena's eyes widened. Kourtney's voice was absolutely amazing. Everyone soon stopped what they were doing to turn towards Kourtney as she performed. Athena shared an impressed look with Violetta for a second before the two of them slowly stood up.

"Baby, to be number one, you got to raise the bar," Kourtney continued, her voice gaining confidence as she went on. "Yeah, we're gonna bop, bop, bop, bop to the top, slip and slide and ride that rhythm. Jump and hop, hop till we drop, and start again. Zip, zap, zop, hop like a mop, scoot around the corner. Move it to the groove till the music stops."

She belted out a high note until the microphone gave more feedback. Everyone covered their ears until it faded away. Athena was the first one to clap after recovering and the rest of them joined in. Kourtney looked around their little circle, a bright smile on her face.

"I'm so glad Steph volunteered her to go instead," Athena admitted to Violetta. "She's so good."

"I didn't know she could sing that well," Violetta responded. "But what song would you have sang if you did?"

Athena shrugged. "Not sure. Maybe I'd bust out a rendition of What I've Been Looking For."

"Okay, everyone, um, follow me," Carlos suddenly voiced. "We are going to take a long five?"

They all began to walk out of the theater. Athena rushed up to Kourtney and threw an arm around her shoulder, squeezing the girl in a quick side hug.

"You were amazing!" Athena exclaimed. "With a voice like that, you should've auditioned."

Kourtney shook her head. "Thank you, but I think I'll stick to costumes. Acting on a stage? No way."

"Whatever you say. But I'm serious. Maybe the spring musical?"

"Maybe."

Kourtney hugged her back quickly before they all walked into the front entrance of the theater. Athena sat on the steps next to Violetta and Kourtney, the three of them engaging in enthusastic conversation for a couple of minutes. That only ended when Big Red walked up to the three of them with a flashlight in his hand.

"Hey, we're thinking of getting pizza since we're gonna be here late," Big Red told them. "Pepperoni and soy cheese okay with you?"

"Why soy cheese?" Violetta asked.

Big Red rolled his eyes. "Not all of us can eat dairy, Vi. Be considerate."

She raised her hands in surrender. "Sorry, I was just asking."

Athena's eyebrows knit in confusion. "What's the flashlight for?"

"Oh, I'm going to get Ricky and Nini from a room down the hall," Big Red explained. "You wanna come?"

"Yeah, sure," Athena answered. She stood up and looked at Kourtney and Violetta. "I'll be right back."

The two nodded. Athena followed after Big Red to the green room, her stomach fluttering with butterflies at just the thought of seeing Ricky again. It was kind of silly since she had just saw him about an hour ago, but she couldn't help it. Ricky just made her feel all giddy inside.

However, that thought was immediately wiped away when her and Big Red reached the room. Athena opened the door with a smile, but what she saw made it immediately slip off of her face. Ricky and Nini were sitting on the piano bench together, leaning into each other almost as if they were about to kiss. Athena stood there frozen in shock with her eyes wide as they jumped apart from each other. It suddenly felt like all of the wind was knocked out of her lungs because it became hard to breathe. Did Ricky almost just . . . cheat on her?

"We're getting pizza," Athena blurted out.

Oh, great going, Athena, she thought to herself. You find your boyfriend and his ex, who is also one of your friends, about to kiss and that's the first thing you say?

Big Red looked over to her in concern, taking her hand in his. "A—"

"Is, uh . . . is pepperoni and soy cheese okay?" Athena questioned, her mind spinning and her heart breaking.

Ricky stood up slowly. "Attie, wait—"

"Perfect," she breathed out, tears filling her eyes as she took a step backwards.

Nini stood up as well. "Athena, please."

"I'll go tell Miss Jenn."

Athena let go of Big's Red hand and whirled around. She walked fast towards the theater to grab her backpack. Athena completely ignored the fact that Miss Jenn asked for everyone to clear the theater and walked in. Miss Jenn wasn't even in there, anyways. She quickly grabbed it and slung it over her shoulder. All she needed to do was get out. Athena went to walk away when a hand grabbed her wrist gently

"Athena," Ricky stated, making her squeeze her eyes shut and the tears that had gathered in them fall down her cheeks. "Attie, please listen to me."

She turned around slowly. "What? What could you possibly say right now, Ricky?"

"I didn't mean it, Athena, I swear. Once I realized what was happening I pulled away. Please, you have to believe me."

Another tear fell down her cheek and she scoffed. "You know what, Ricky? No. I don't believe you. I should've known you still had feelings for her. God, I'm so stupid for believing you actually liked me back. You know, I have liked you for so long that being asked to Homecoming and finally kissing you felt like a dream. But now you've thrown it all away." She shrugged with a humorless laugh. "Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me."

"No, no, Athena, I did," Ricky pleaded. He went to put his other hand on her cheek, but she took a step backwards. "Attie . . ."

"Please, Ricky, just leave me alone," Athena pleaded in a whisper, more tears falling down her face. She was practically begging at this point. "And tell Nini the same as well."

He shook his head. "No. You promised no matter what happened that I would always have you. Athena, please, I can't lose you."

"If you ever felt anything for me, anything at all, you'll let me go," Athena told him quietly, a single tear falling down her cheek.

That seemed to hit him. Ricky hesitated for a moment as if he was having a debate in his mind. Finally, he let go of her wrist and allowed Athena's hand fall back to her side. Athena looked at him for a moment longer before she turned around and walked right out of the theater. She gripped the strap of her backpack tighter as more tears fell down her face.

Finally, she made it to the entrance. She made a beeline for the door only to get stopped by Violetta.

"Woah, woah, woah, where are you going?" Violetta inquired in concern, putting her hands on Athena's shoulders and trying to meet her eyes. "Athena, what happened?"

"I want to go home," Athena choked out, ignoring the stares from everyone else. "Please, Vi, just let me go home."

Violetta nodded, noticing the amount of pain that was in the girl's voice. "Yeah, yeah, okay. Call me later, all right?"

Athena nodded. She didn't say anything else as she pushed the door open and let it close behind her. Athena walked down the sidewalk and pulled her phone out of her bag, calling the one person she knew would be able to come get her. She raised the phone to her ear and waited for them to pick up. Finally, they did.

"Hey, 'Thena," Artemis greeted.

"Artemis," Athena whimpered, hastily wiping some tears off her face. "Can you come pick me up?"

"Wait, hey, what happened?"

"Please, Artemis. I'm at the El Rey theater and I just really need you to come get me right now."

"Of course. I'm on my way, okay?" Athena then let out a sob, and she heard Artemis move faster over the phone. "Stay on the phone with me, Athena. I'll see you in a couple minutes."

After a couple of minutes of waiting on the phone with Artemis, Artemis' car pulled up to the theater. Athena put her phone back in her backpack and dropped her backpack onto the ground. Artemis got out of the car, and Athena immediately walked up to her, pulling her sister into a tight hug and burying her face into her shoulder. Athena sobbed her absolute heart out while Artemis rubbed her back softly in effort to get her to calm down.

Nothing hurt more than this. Because, after all, just like she had recognized on the first day of school, Ricky Bowen was the only one who had enough of Athena Blake to break her heart. And that's exactly what he did.

═ • ° • ✧ • ° • ═

TEARS AND SLAMMING DOORS I'M FALLING DOWN ON THE FLOOR BEGGIN BEGGIN PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE

^ if you don't know that song, wtf are you doing? go stream grey by why don't we <3

so much panic had risen last chapter and I hope I did not disappoint 😩🤚🏻 also I think the gotta go my own way gif in the beginning told you something was bound to go wrong

I cried writing this like poor athena my baby girl :((( ricky you DUMBASS