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𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter twenty-two:
opening night !

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OPENING NIGHT — THE one night that everyone anxiously waited and practiced for had finally come. Athena scrambled around her room, packing literally everything she could ever possibly need in her backpack. Sheet music? Check. Script? Check. Many bottles of water? Check. Makeup and hair things? Check. New gift for Ricky to give him after the show in celebration of both of them being in their first musical? Check.

"Athena, stop freaking out," Violetta told her with a bored tone from her place on Athena's bed. "You're going to be fine, I promise."

Violetta and Athena had promised each other they would arrive to the school for opening night together. While Athena was completely freaking out (which was very unlike her, she didn't know what was going on), Violetta seemed perfectly calm.

"I've never been in a musical before," Athena fretted. "What if I show up and suddenly don't have something?" She held up her hair straightener. "You think I need this?"

"Definitely not." Violetta seemed lost in thought. "Hey, can I tell you something?"

"Of course," Athena replied absentmindedly, stuffing more hair ties than what was probably needed into her backpack. "You can tell me anything, Vi. You know that."

"Um . . . you know how EJ offered to drive me home from rehearsal last night since Ricky wanted to take you back to his house to watch a movie?" Violetta asked. Athena nodded while zipping up her backpack. "Well, EJ drove me home, and we've been getting a lot closer lately, so conversation was flowing really easily. Then when he pulled up to my house, he walked me to my front door and kissed me."

Athena's eyes widened and she spun around. "Shut up. No way."

Violetta nodded excitedly. "He did. And this sounds so sappy and I'm even grossing myself out, but it felt almost like I had—"

"Butterflies?" Athena guessed, a smile stretching across her face.

Violetta groaned. "This is so mushy. I'm not romantic like you."

"Vi, this is so amazing," Athena gushed, sitting next to her on the bed. "I'm happy for you. EJ's a really good guy."

"I really, really like him, 'Thena," Violetta admitted. "And I think I'm gonna ask him to be my boyfriend after the show."

Athena gasped. "Breaking gender norms. I like it." She slung her arm around Violetta's shoulder and pulled her in close. "Who would've thought we both get boyfriends from a musical?"

Violetta snorted in amusement. "Certainly not me." She paused for a second. "Wait, we're both dating Nini's ex-boyfriends. Woah. That's even weirder."

"Did you have to bring that up?" Athena complained, removing her arm from her best friend and standing back up. "That makes me feel kind of gross."

"Have you talked to her?" Violetta questioned, leaning back on her palms.

Athena shook her head. "Every time we're at rehearsal, she just avoids me unless we're in the same scene. I really want to talk to her, you know? Just kind of ask what happened from her perspective instead of Ricky's."

"She'll come around," Violetta reassured her. "I think she's scared."

"Scared?" Athena repeated. "Of talking to me?"

"Think about it, 'Thena. You and Nini became friends recently. She saw how happy you made Ricky and how smitten you were with him. And now she thinks that she destroyed East High's cutest couple by a stupid mistake both her and Ricky never wanted to make in the first place and destroyed her friendship with you. So, yeah, I think she's pretty scared of talking to you."

Athena thought that over for a second. "But I don't want to yell at her or anything."

"Nini doesn't know that." Violetta stood up and put her hands on Athena's shoulders. "So what you have to do is just march up to Nini and ask her to talk. Don't take no for an answer."

A knock was then heard at Athena's door. Both girls looked over to see Artemis open it, her car keys in her her hand and a cup of iced coffee in the other. Athena raised an eyebrow at her sister.

"I'm driving you to school for opening night," Artemis explained. "Come on, you don't want to be late."

Athena turned back to Violetta with wide eyes. They were actually leaving to go prepare for opening night, and she could feel her heart about to beat out of her chest. It was really real now.

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

"HEY, GORGEOUS," RICKY greeted as Athena walked into the room with Violetta about an hour before the show started, a bright smile appearing on his nervous face upon the sight of her.

Ever since the incident, Ricky had done absolutely everything to keep his promise of making it up to Athena. That included giving more compliments than normal and showing affection whenever he could. Athena appreciated it, she really did, but she was still healing. Of course she was. Nobody could get over something like that so easily.

She smiled back as she approached him, letting Violetta go off to join some of the other dancers to stretch and go over parts of the choreography. "Hey, Ric. You're here early."

"I've been here for hours," he admitted, pulling Athena down to sit sideways on his lap once she set her backpack down. "Opening night jitters."

She put an arm around his shoulder. "I get it. You should've seen me in my room with Violetta. I swear she was going to rip my head off with the amount of freaking out I was doing." Athena shook his shoulder a bit. "But hey, you're going to do amazing as Troy. You've worked so hard at all of those rehearsals and I'm really proud of you."

"Hey, I'm proud of you, too," Ricky added. "And you're going to be amazing as Kelsi. I can't wait to hear you play Wondering."

Athena took a deep breath. "I just don't want to mess it up. That's Ashlyn's big number."

"You won't," he promised. "You got this, Attie."

She laid her head on top of his. "We've both got this."

Ricky paused for a second. "Can you run lines with me again?"

Athena laughed slightly and bent down to get her script out of her bag. "Yeah, sure."

The two sat there for a while, running lines with each other for different scenes they were nervous about as more of the cast members trickled into the room. After about twenty minutes, Kourtney approached the two and informed them it was time to get into costume and do hair and makeup. Ricky kissed Athena's cheek softly as she stood up and walked off to get her costume.

Once she was changed, she entered back into the bomb shelter and allowed Kourtney to apply some makeup to her face before standing in front of a vanity mirror. The room was now full of chaos with everyone getting ready, but to Athena, it seemed almost comforting. Athena began to pull her hair back into a low bun with a strand framing her face, just like Kelsi had it in the movie.

"Hey," a voice suddenly said.

Athena turned, tying off her bun to see Nini standing next to her nervously, looking amazing in her Gabriella outfit. "Oh, hey, Nini. How are you?"

"Nervous," the girl replied. "Uh, can I talk to you?"

So, this is it, Athena thought to herself. "Of course. What's up?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Nini revealed. "I — I honestly don't know what had gotten into me. Maybe it was the fact that Ricky and I were supposed to be acting as two people falling in love or me trying to figure out if I still had feelings for him, but I swear to you, I did not mean to almost make Ricky cheat on you. You and Ricky are so perfectly perfect for each other that I wouldn't dare to intrude on that. I promise that once him and I realized what was happening we pulled away but that's when you walked in. And I know you probably hate me—"

"Nini," Athena cut in, laughing a little. "I don't hate you."

She blinked in shock. "You don't?"

"No," Athena confirmed. "Listen. That whole thing . . . left me pretty heartbroken and confused. But if Ricky and I are okay, I guess you and me are, too. Just to confirm . . . you don't have feelings for Ricky still, do you?"

Nini shook her head. "No. That ship has sailed. You're the one who's meant to be with him, not me. And I respect that wholeheartedly."

Athena smiled. "Then we're good."

The girl let out a breath of relief. "Oh, thank God. I really didn't want you to hate me."

"Never." Athena turned back towards the mirror, picking up her Kelsi hat and putting it on. "Hey, good luck tonight, okay? You're going to crush it."

"Right back at you, 'Thena."

Carlos suddenly walked back into the room, carrying the biggest basket of flowers Athena had ever seen and setting them on a drum. "We've got mystery flowers, people!"

"Wow, those are massive," EJ commented.

"Why mystery?" Big Red asked.

"There was no card, so I'm guessing it's dealer's choice," Carlos answered. "But, if I had to bet, I'd say it's for our leading lady."

Nini placed her hand on her chest with a small smile. Athena chuckled softly and nudged Nini's shoulder excitedly. Those flowers were incredibly beautiful. Whoever actually got them was pretty lucky. Athena looked back to the mirror and put on her Kelsi glasses. Kelsi wore little to no makeup in the High School Musical movies, so all Kourtney had done earlier was apply some powder to dull the shine on her face and put on some blush to give her some more color so the stage lights wouldn't wash her out completely.

A couple minutes later, Athena had resorted to pacing nervously next to the piano while Ricky sat on the bench, reading over his lines yet again. Athena shook her hands in front of her as she reminded herself of important things. Act awkward. C chord there. Be scared of Sharpay even though Seb doesn't have a mean bone in his body. Wondering is in Act Two. Try and spot mom, dad, and Artemis in the audience when in the wings to be less nervous.

"Half hour!" Natalie called out.

"Okay, last touches, anyone?" Kourtney questioned. "Speak now, or forever hold your face!"

Everyone squealed in nervousness or excitement. Athena let out another deep breath. It was actually happening. Her first musical with the cast who had quickly grown to become something like a family would begin soon. This was really it.

Miss Jenn then entered the room, clapping her hands excitedly. "My beautiful babies, let's gather round for some housekeeping!"

They all gathered in a circle in front of Miss Jenn. Athena opted to stand between both Violetta (who looked amazing in her Martha costume) and Ricky (who also looked quite amazing in his white t-shirt, opting to put on Troy's flannel and brown jacket later). She smiled softly at the two of them before focusing back on Miss Jenn.

"First of all, who brought Versailles?" Miss Jenn inquired, making everyone laugh.

"No one knows," Carlos replied.

"Well, I supposed we'll just have to share, then. Oh, and speaking of sharing, most of you know that our dazzling Taylor had to leave under family circumstances. Gina sends her love and support to all of you, but unfortunately, she's on the east coast and won't be able to make it to tonight's performance. And so, I have asked Kourtney to fill in in her stead."

Athena gasped and looked over to Kourtney. She knew she would be an amazing Taylor, even on such a short notice. Athena clapped for her along with everyone else.

"So now, what I would like to do is, please think of a word or phrase from the show that expresses where your head is, or your goals for tonight," Miss Jenn continued. "If anyone wants to share?"

The room was silent for a moment, allowing everyone to think.

"You're my guys, and this is our team," Big Red announced.

Ricky interlaced his fingers with Athena's. "What if you wanna try something really new, and it's a total disaster and all your friends laugh at you?"

Athena nodded. "Uh, mine's a song lyric. So lonely before, I finally found what I've been looking for."

She had. Before this musical, she had been kind of . . . lost. But now she felt like she had finally found the place where she belonged. Not to mention her and Ricky were brought even closer together because of this musical.

"Oh, um, do you ever feel like there's this whole other person inside of you just looking for a way to come out?" Nini recited.

"Do the romp, and strut your stuff!" Carlos added.

Kourtney then went. "My shower head is very impressed with me."

EJ looked at Ashlyn. "I'm proud to call you my sister."

"Aw, it's close enough," she responded. Ashlyn then held up her hands. "My nail beds are history."

"Sharpay's kinda cute, too," Seb began.

"So is a mountain lion, but you don't pet it!" everyone chorused.

"And I'll just say, no matter what happens tonight, we're all in this together," Miss Jenn voiced. Athena looked up at Ricky and he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Okay, Wildcats, take a moment to settle your nerves. If we had a curtain, it would be up in twenty minutes!"

The time started to dwindle until there was only ten minutes until the show started. All of the main characters of the cast and the ones who helped out the most — Athena, Violetta, Ricky, Nini, Kourtney, EJ, Seb, Carlos, Ashlyn, and Big Red — gathered outside of the gymnasium to do a prayer circle before everything started. Athena stood in between Violetta and Big Red, holding onto each other's hands.

Against her own will, Athena opened her eyes and looked at the opposite side of the circle where Ricky was. It seemed like he had the same idea as her, because he was looking right at her, too. He smiled gently at her. Athena felt butterflies flutter throughout her stomach and she looked back down, closing her eyes once more.

Miss Jenn then came and informed them it was time to get backstage. All of them released each other's hands and began to make their way to it. Athena and Violetta walked with each other until Ricky and Big Red appeared on either side of them, just like it always had been.

"Look at us," Big Red stated. "This is giving me déjà vu to the first day of school."

"And yet look at how far we've come," Violetta told them. "I mean, then we were walking into what seemed like a normal junior year and now we're walking to go put on our first musical."

"I kind of like it better this way," Athena admitted as they finally arrived backstage. "I think this is sort of our thing, you know?"

"Places, everyone!" Miss Jenn exclaimed.

"I gotta get to the light system," Big Red announced. "Good luck tonight, guys."

Big Red rushed off. Athena, yet again, exhaled. She wouldn't being playing the piano right away because one of the orchestra members would be filling in for her, but she felt like the anticipation was going to kill her.

"I guess that means I have to go," Ricky said before looking down at Athena. "Will you give me a good luck kiss?"

Athena rolled her eyes, but nonetheless, she pressed up onto her toes while placing her hands on his chest to give him a quick kiss. "Good luck. You'll be amazing."

"Cheer me on?" Ricky asked, beginning to walk backwards towards the stage, which was just the gym floor.

"Always. I'm your number one fan." Athena blew a kiss at him. "Break a leg, Wildcat."

Ricky caught the kiss in his hand and placed it straight onto his heart before turning around completely. Athena shook her head at him with a small smile on her face and her cheeks tinted red. And Athena, even though she was extremely nervous, knew it was now or never.

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artemis & athena asf ❤️

ok but tim federle where is the season two trailer I'mma need it soon homie

anyways there is 44 days until season two comes out which means 44 days until rini finally comes back to me and 44 more days until my problems will be solved bc I live for rini and rini only. period

ALSO NEW OLIVIA SONG OUT TOMORROW WHO'S EXCITEDDDDD