Don't play video until told for full experience lol :)

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍-𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑: 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝙾𝚗𝚎

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"Yo! What's up! I'm trading in my East High Leopards gear to be a Wildcat, starting today, because it's the day of the read-through! Blessed to be playing Chad. Swipe up for a link to tickets." EJ says into his phone as Ashlyn and I walk up to him. He notices us as I make my way into the camera frame. "Say hi to my cousin, and Willow!" EJ says as he turns the phone towards Ashlyn. She dodges the camera quickly, making EJ turn it back to us. "And bye to my cousin, she's the bomb. Peace from your future Chad and Taylor in HSM!" he says as I wave goodbye to the phone. 

Willow: I've kind of warmed up to the idea of playing Taylor now. I mean sure it's not ideal to play the love interest of the guy I'm trying to get over, but Taylor hates Chad through most of the first HSM so...I'm just really gonna hone in on that aspect of her character.

When he ends the video Ashlyn laughs at his quick mood change. "Someone's in a good mood." I say sarcastically. "It's just for the fans, Wills. Inside I'm a bucket of sad." You and me both, EJ. "You're still not over the whole not-getting-Troy thing?" Ashlyn asks him. "I put three years into the drama department, and now I have to understudy my girlfriend's ex?" EJ whines. "I know it sucks but, maybe it'll be good for you to not get what you want for once?" Ashlyn tells him. EJ gives her a confused look. "Why would that be good?" I pat his shoulder softly before saying " Then again, maybe you are who you are." "And besides, could you at least act like playing alongside me wouldn't be the worst thing imaginable?" I ask him jokingly. EJ shoots me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Willow, this whole thing is just a little, not what I wanted, you know?" I quickly cover up the hurt expression on my face with a understanding smile. "Yea, I get it." I say as we walk into the den, where we would be having the read-through.  "Could everyone please take their assigned seats?" Miss Jenn says as everyone starts to walk into the room. I quickly find my seat, it being placed in between Ashlyn and Gina. I smile at Gina, who's already sitting in her seat, the name Martha Cox sitting on the corner of the desk. "Hey Gina!" she smiles softly back at me. I feel bad for her, I never see her hanging out with anyone, she's always sitting alone by herself.  My thoughts are interupted by Miss Jen briskly walking towards me, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. She motions EJ and I to the side of the room, I give EJ a confused look, to which he returns back to me, before following Miss Jenn. "I want you two to meet me in the theater  after we finish alright? I have something I need to discuss with the two of you." We both nod at her and she walks away. I turn towards EJ. "Should we be scared?" I ask him, honestly feeling a little scared. He laughs at the face I'm making. "I doubt it, probably just wants to talk about a scene or something. I wouldn't stress about it. " He tells me before walking to his seat. 

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After a, rather interesting Act One read- through, Miss Jenn thought it would be best to take a break before beginning Act Two. "I feel bad for the guy, Willow. Did you see how nervous he was reading out loud?" Ashlyn says sympathetically, talking about Ricky's red-haired friend who was chosen to take over for Natalie while she was sick. I nod, agreeing with her as my eyes drift to Nini and EJ joking and laughing together. Quit it Willow. I force myself to turn away from the scene and focus on Seb and Ashlyn's conversation. "Cool glasses!" Seb says, smiling happily. I swear this boy is the definition of adorableness. "Thanks. They're my grandma's." Ashlyn responds. "Aw, I love Grandma Janis!" I gush. She really is the sweetest old woman ever.  "I have the same ones at home. "Seb tells us. My eyebrows scrunch in confusion. "Why?" I say, trying to contain the giggle trying to force itself out of me. "So, I can see when I'm milking." He says bluntly. "Milking?" Ashlyn questions. "My family raises cattle and sheep. I kinda stand out compared to them." He explains. "So, you're like the black sheep?" I joke, but quickly try to cover it up when neither of them laugh, in fact Ashlyn gives me the "I can't believe I'm best friends with you, idiot." look. "Sorry, stupid joke." I say lightly. "No it was funny" Seb says laughing.  "Okay people, we're back!"

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Once we had finished the read- through, everyone started packing up their things, preparing to go home for the day. Ashlyn and I walk towards the door, stopping when we get into the hallway. EJ walks over to me as he sees us. "You ready for whatever Miss Jenn has planned?" He asks me. Ashlyn looks at us, confused. "What?" "Miss Jenn wants to talk to EJ and I about something, we don't know what yet." I explain. She nods understandingly before giving us a wave and walking away. EJ and I start walking the opposite direction into the theater. When we get there, Miss Jenn was nowhere to be seen. "She's probably still in the den." I assume as we get to the stage. EJ checks his watch before sighing "she better hurry, I have water polo practice in like 20 minutes." My eyes wander over to the piano sitting on the left of the stage. I walk over to it and begin to play random keys here and there, just trying to occupy myself and avoid having to talk to EJ. "You play?" EJ asks me, walking towards the piano. Well that plan worked. I nod. "Since I was eight. My dad surprised me with one for my birthday. He made me practice everyday after school. I hated it at first but now, I'm so glad he did. It gives me an escape you know?" I finish. He nods understandingly. "Well, show me whatcha got!" EJ says, motioning to the piano as he sits beside me.  I take a deep breath before gently placing my fingers on the keys. I close my eyes, trying to imagine I'm in my room alone, letting my hands guide me through the melody of the song. 

Start video now :)

Everybody told me walk away
It isn't worth the fight
Don't make waves and don't look back
And you'll be fine, yeah, right
Turns out that's not who I am
Or who I want to be
So I'm gonna try to simplify
And be the perfectly imperfect me

I'm flying blind, but I know I'll find my destiny
I'm ready to do whatever it takes, my destiny
And I'm not afraid of making mistakes
It might not be smart to lead with my heart
But that's how it's gonna be
No dream too small
Giving it my all
That's my destiny

Every day's a crazy ride
But I'll stay strong because I

I decide my destiny
Facing a long and difficult climb, my destiny
Learning to trust the mysteries of time
There's not much of a plot, so like it or not
Gonna have to wait and see
I'll rise, I'll fall
And heed the call
That's my destiny

I open my eyes as my finger plays the last note. I look at EJ to see what he thinks but stop when I see his face. He looks at me with what I can only describe as shocked expression. I'm about to ask why he was making that face but stop when I hear clapping from the bottom of the stage. "Bravo Willow! I had no idea you could sing so well!" I feel my cheeks heat up at her words as EJ snaps out of his gaze. "Okay! I need to discuss something very important with the two of you." Miss Jenn tells us when she gets onto the stage, walking over to us. "EJ, your English teacher told me this morning, that you failed to turn in your assignments you were supposed to complete over the summer. And this school has a strict policy about doing afterschool activities with overdue homework not accounted for. Unless you turn those missing assignments in, you won't be allowed to participate in the musical." She says sternly. "It's just a couple assignments! Why can't I just do it after the show's over?" EJ whines. "I'm afraid that academics come before theater, EJ." EJ throws his hands in the air, frustrated. "Um, not trying to be rude but, what does this have to do with me?" I ask Miss Jenn politely. "Oh yes, the offer your English teacher has given you, is that if you can write the paper he asssigned the other day, and turn in all the extra credit work he will be assigning to you,by the beginning of next month, you will be allowed to continue the show as planned." "There's no way I can do all those assignments and the paper in just a couple of weeks." EJ states. "That's where you come in Willow,  Mr. Terence has said that you are welcome to help EJ with it all, seeing as your the most gifted in the class. Extra credit will be awarded to you aswell if you chose to. And remember Willow, theater is a community, we should rally together when a fellow thespian is in trouble." Miss Jenn says, trying to persuade me. How do you say no to that? "Yea, uh, I don't mind helping." "Yes! Thank you Willow!" EJ says as he quickly gives me a hug.   "Alright. get home you two. I'll see you tomorrow." Miss Jenn says with a smile. With that, EJ and I walk out of the room. "We can go back to your house to start, if that's alright with you?"I ask him. No way I'm gonna risk bringing someone other than Ashlyn home with me. I would never hear the end of it from Autumn. Especially if that someone was EJ. "I can't today, I have water polo practice in like ten minutes, remember?" I sigh. "EJ, don't you think that your grades should be a little more important that water polo?" "One day won't hurt, Wills. Can we do it tommorow after school? You can ride home with Ash and I?" He offers. I nod. "Okay, well I'll see you tommorow then. See ya Willow." EJ says as he starts to run down the hallway, probably about to be late for practice. I wave at him before turning in the opposite direction, eager to get back home so I can tell Autumn all about my crazy day.

AN/: hey guys! thanks for being patience with me. I have figured out the plot almost entirely so I'm super excited to show you guys what I  have planned! And to everyone who saw the first version of this chapter I posted, I'm sorry for the confusion. Anyways, enjoy this chapter and I'll see you guys in the next one! xoxo