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𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter twenty-five:
athena, goddess of wisdom !

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DESPITE EVERYTHING THAT had happened in the show, they finally made it to curtain call. Athena was now able to wear a cute Kelsi outfit (because let's be real, most of Kelsi's looks from the early 2000's were not that cute.) Her hair was down in pretty waves and she wore a red tube top with white jeans for their performance of We're All in This Together.

Athena stood in the wings next to Violetta, waiting for all of their cues to go out and bow. Violetta was a part of the dancers, but since she also played Martha, she would be getting her own bow with Athena. The band then walked out on stage and began to play the music for We're All in This Together. All of the dancers went out on stage.

"Together, together, together everyone," they sang.

All of the dancers latched onto each other's hands and bowed. They then began to dance the curtain call choreography.

"Together, together, come on, let's have some fun."

They moved out of the way. Ashlyn walked out and did a dramatic curtsey before joining in with the choreography.

"Together, we're there for each other every time."

Seb then got lifted up by the boy who played Ryan and some of the extras. Athena cupped her hands around her mouth and cheered for him loudly. They set him down and all of them began to dance as well.

"Together, together, come on, let's do this right."

Seb and the boy who played Ryan bowed before Seb got twirled around and waved. Kourtney and Gina then strutted down the aisle made by the extras since they both played Taylor. The two of them high-fived each other once they reached the end.

"Together, together, together everyone."

EJ went out next. He walked up to the end of the stage and twirled a basketball on his finger. EJ bowed before joining in with the choreography.

"Together, together, come on, let's have some fun."

That was Athena and Violetta's cue to go out. They were the last ones to bow before Ricky and Nini, the two leads of the musical.

Athena offered her hand out to Violetta. "You ready?"

Violetta grasped onto it. "Let's do this."

The two of them walked out on stage. Athena's smile only widened when she heard Artemis and her parents cheering the loudest out of everyone in the crowd. Her and Violetta stopped at the end of the stage and lifted their hands up before bowing. At the end, the two best friends looked at each other before hugging tightly. They let each other go after a couple of seconds before extending their arms to display Ricky and Nini as they walked out.

"We're all in this together, once we know, that we are, we're all stars, and we see that," everyone chorused while dancing as Ricky and Nini skipped down the aisle together. "We're all in this together, and it shows when we stand, hand-in-hand, make our dreams come true."

Ricky bowed first. Nini picked up her skirt and curtsied once, but Ricky pushed her forwards gently. She placed her hands over her heart and mouthed a soft thank you as Ricky clapped for her. Athena smiled at them before they both joined in for the last choreography — the iconic moves from the movie.

"We're all in this together, when we reach, we can fly, know inside, we can make it. We're all in this together, once we see there's a chance, that we have, and we take it."

The smiles on everyone's faces made Athena's heart warm tremendously. She knew that each and every one of them were having the absolute time of their life. And she couldn't help the way her heart fluttered when she saw Ricky look happier than he had the entire night. Just like Athena had found her niche in the musical, she was sure that Ricky found his in it too. Violetta, as well. She had always danced her entire life, and just like Athena with playing the piano, she finally found a place to showcase it. And, of course, Big Red enjoyed being a part of the tech and light crew even though he was thrown into it unexpectedly. The four of them had each found their place in this musical and somehow it had brought them closer together.

"Wildcats, sing along," everyone continued. "Yeah, you really got it going on."

Nini then whispered something to Gina. The two of them left the stage, making Athena grin to herself as she continued to dance. She knew all about the plan with Miss Jenn and the apple. The whole cast had put it together as a surprise during the last rehearsal before opening night.

"Wildcats in the house, everybody say it now."

All of them got together in a line. Athena stood in between Ricky and Violetta, her arms around each of them.

"We're all in this together. When we reach, we can fly, know inside, we can make it."

Gina rushed off stage and grabbed Miss Jenn and Carlos. She pulled both of them out onto the stage while Nini approached them with a singular apple. Athena, Ricky, and Violetta all approached their teacher to hear her iconic line that got cut from the movie.

"You know what to say!" Nini exclaimed over the music.

Miss Jenn took the tray and turned to the audience. "Is that the last apple?"

"This is kinda the best," Ricky commented, snaking an arm around Athena's waist.

"Oh honey, wait till you see what I picked for the spring musical," Miss Jenn responded.

The music continued on behind them. All of them knew it was time for the final bow at the end with the entire cast. Miss Jenn and Carlos got off the stage, and Nini extended her hand to Gina, who took it. Athena held her hands out to Violetta and Ricky. Both of them grasped her hands, and Violetta moved up to hold hands with Nini as the entire cast walked up to the end of a stage in one huge line.

"Wildcats everywhere, wave your hands up in the air." They all held up their interlocked hands, and in a ripple from right to left, they all bowed. "That's the way we do it, let's get to it, come on, everyone."

At the last note, all of them stood up straight again with their arms raised high. Athena stood there under the lights as the crowd cheered before her, a wide smile stretched across her face. There truly was no feeling like this. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Confetti cannons then set off on either side of the stage. Everyone let go of each other's hands and began to hug each other in glee.

Athena exchanged hugs with Nini, Seb, Gina, Violetta, Kourtney, Ashlyn, and EJ before looking back over to Ricky. She was just about to say something, but Ricky cut her off. He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her. Athena kissed back, but her eyes widened once she realized there was an entire crowd in front of them.

"Ricky, the audience," Athena scolded quietly, pulling away.

"I don't care," he replied, kissing her once more. "It'll just show everyone how much I love you."

And Athena, her cheeks burning red, buried her face into Ricky's chest and allowed him to hold her as the cheers from the audience got progressively louder to the point where they were shouting Wildcats! over and over again.

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

THEY WERE BACK in the bomb shelter again after the show. Athena had changed back into her regular clothes and was now sitting sideways on Ricky's lap, an arm wrapped around his shoulder while his rested around her hips. Violetta sat next to them while sneaking glances at EJ (Athena was counting the minutes until Violetta would ask him out, or EJ if he beat her to it.)

"So, who are the flowers for?" Seb asked.

Carlos kept digging through the huge basket of flowers. "Everybody, hold." He then pulled out a card. "We've got a card, people. To Ashlyn, because you get me."

Ashlyn stood up from her chair. "EJ! Really?"

EJ snorted in amusement. "I didn't write that."

"I did," Big Red admitted, standing up.

Athena's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She shook Ricky's shoulder a little in excitement. Literally, she had been waiting for this moment ever since she had seen Big Red's eyes trail after Ashlyn at that rehearsal before Thanksgiving. Ricky smiled at the girl's excitement and kissed her cheek.

"Okay, if you guys stay in here any longer, your parents are gonna riot in the lobby," Kourtney announced.

Athena looked down at her boyfriend. "I have to go find Nini first and thank her. I'll be right back."

Ricky nodded. She stood up from his lap, grabbed her backpack, and made her way out of the room, looking into doorways in search of Nini. Athena finally found her in another dressing room, packing up her things in her bag.

Athena knocked on the door twice, making Nini turn to look at her. "Hey."

"Oh, hey, 'Thena," Nini responded, zipping up her bag, "What's up?"

"I — um, I just wanted to say thank you," Athena told her. "For letting me sing Breaking Free tonight, especially with the dean from that school watching the show. Performing that song was probably one of the best experiences of my life . . . so, thanks."

"No problem. You sang it better than me, anyways."

Athena scoffed. "Yeah, right. Besides that, have you tried to find that dean and talk to her about everything that happened?"

Nini shook her head. "Oh, no, she left. It's okay, though. There's no shot I would actually get into that school, anyways."

"Come on, don't doubt yourself like that," Athena argued. "Violetta scolds me all the time for doing the same thing. Nini, you're an amazing actress and singer. I bet that dean is waiting on you out in the lobby because she sees your potential. And if she's not . . . well, that's her loss."

Nini smiled at her before pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you, Athena. I'm so glad we became friends."

"Me too." Athena pulled away and put her hands on Nini's shoulders. "Now get out there. I'm sure your moms want to tell you how proud they are of you."

"You coming?" Nini questioned.

"I'll be out in a sec."

Nini nodded before leaving the room. Athena turned back around to see Ricky standing in the doorway, leaning his shoulder against the frame. She raised an eyebrow at him and put her backpack down on the table.

"Hey," she greeted. Her eyes then widened in remembrance. "Oh, wait, I got you something. I wanted to give you it after the show, and well, it's after the show."

"You got me a present?" Ricky asked, walking further into the room to stand in front of his girlfriend.

"Mhm," Athena hummed in response, pulling out a small bag with a red ribbon tied around it from her backpack and extending it out to him. "A little opening night gift. Here. Open it."

Athena clasped her hands together in front of her excitedly as he undid the red ribbon. Ricky reached inside the bag and pulled out a leather cord bracelet that had a small, flat metal bar on it. On one side of the bar it had the word WILDCAT, while on the other side it said Love, Athena. He laughed slightly at it and leaned down to press a quick kiss to her lips. Athena smiled as Ricky put the bracelet on and tightened it.

He held up his wrist. "I'm never taking this off."

"I'll hold you to it," Athena stated.

Ricky's eyes then widened as well. "I actually got you something too."

He pulled a small rectangular box out of his backpack and held it out to her. Athena took it in her hands and lifted up the top. Laying inside of it was a silver necklace chain with a small charm of an owl on it. Athena gently pulled it out and held it up by the chain.

"An owl?" she inquired, a little bit confused.

"Your name," Ricky explained. "It's based off of a person in Greek mythology — Athena, Goddess of wisdom. One of her symbols is the owl which represents her knowledge. Attie, you're one of the smartest people I know, and since you're like a Goddess to me, that's where the owl necklace comes from."

Athena's heart raced. "You think I'm a Goddess?"

"Well, yeah," Ricky admitted. "You always have been."

She then looked closer at the necklace and noticed a smaller charm of the letter R next to the owl, making her chuckle. "And an R for Ricky?"

Ricky blushed and shrugged. "You always told me how you thought it was cute that Troy gave Gabriella a T necklace in High School Musical 2. And even though it's incredibly cheesy . . . whatever makes you happy makes me happy, Athena."

Her eyes softened. She held out the necklace to him as an invitation for him to put it on. Ricky immediately took it from her. Athena put the box down on the table and turned around so he could put it on her. She moved her hair out of the way, and Ricky clasped it around her neck. Once it was secured, she looked in the mirror and admired it.

"It's beautiful, Ric," she told him before turning back to face him. "Thank you. I'm also not going to be taking this off."

Ricky kissed her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she responded sincerely.

"Oh, Athena!" Violetta's voice called out in a sing-song tone. Athena peered over Ricky shoulder to see her best friend standing in the doorway with EJ who pretended to look annoyed. "Guess who just asked out this loser first?"

"I was about to ask you a few seconds after you asked me," EJ argued, although Athena could see the adoration for Violetta in his eyes. "You just beat me to it."

Athena smiled brightly at the two of them as Ricky laced their fingers together. "Aw, you guys, I'm so happy for you. Seriously, you'll make a great couple."

"Oh, by the way, Ashlyn's hosting a cast party tonight, she just announced it in the lobby," Violetta said. "And I think if you spend any more time back here Artemis is going to strangle you."

With that, Athena picked up her backpack and the group of four walked out to the lobby. Ricky veered off to go talk to his parents while Athena approached her family.

Amanda was the first one to hug Athena. "Oh, my baby, I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you, mom," Athena voiced before being hugged by her dad. "And thank you for supporting me through my first musical."

Adam kissed the top of his daughter's head. "I think you've found your thing, 'Thena. You looked so happy up on that stage."

Artemis pulled her little sister into a side hug. "You did great, but I didn't expect you to sing Breaking Free."

"Trust me, I didn't either," Athena agreed. "It was a really last minute decision. But this whole experience . . . I wouldn't trade it for the world."

From across the lobby, Athena caught Ricky's eyes. The two of them stared at each other with racing hearts and love in their veins. And both of them knew that Ricky did indeed mean what he wrote in that song about Athena.

They were heaven on Earth, melody and words. Athena Blake and Ricky Bowen were everything to each other. What the two of them had, their perfect harmony, was a feeling that could never be replaced.

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𝑻𝑯𝑬   𝑬𝑵𝑫

crying tbh

make sure to check out my author's note for some announcements & shit :))))