— act two, scene three: call it off

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     "A voicemail?" Megara rubbed her temples.  "What were you thinking?"

     Ricky tugged at his curls hard.  "I know!  I wasn't, that's the point!"

     "Yeah, no shit!" Megara exclaimed.  "Ricky, we're trying to sell the story that we're dating, remember that whole plan?"

     "I know, Meg, I'm sorry!  I just wanted to make sure she and I were still cool after she saw us walking out of the auditorium together, whenever you were singing with Ashlyn."

     "She saw us come out of there?  I didn't even notice."

     Ricky nodded.  "Yeah well, she did, and I still have to talk to her every day that we do our scenes."

     Megara's heart sunk for a quick moment.  "Yeah, right.  That... makes sense.  I'm sorry.  I didn't think about how awkward all of that might be for you."

     "Don't... apologize.  It's not your fault."

     Megara rested her hand on his shoulder.  "You're doing great, you've been really proving that you can handle this.  But... if you wanna call it off, I understand."

     Ricky furrowed his brows.  "No, I don't... I think... I mean it might be working?  I don't know, but it was my idea and I need to stick with something instead of bailing all the time."

     Megara tilted her head back, overlooking the boy in front of her.  He seemed genuine enough, lips slightly parted with wild eyes and raised eyebrows meeting her interested gaze.  "You know what, I'm kinda proud of you."

     Ricky blinked rapidly.  "Are you being serious right now?"

     "Just don't repeat that to anyone," Megara slipped her hand through his and clutched tightly, dragging them back to the room for rehearsal.

     "This is not good," Big Red said as Ricky and Megara sat in his basement — where Megara had been spending a lot of her time recently — catching him up on the day's events.

     "I know," Ricky agreed while Megara nodded from her spot on the loveseat.

     "No, this is really not good.  But it's not news, either.  You broke her heart, you crashed her play, you bugged her, and then you left her a sad voicemail."

     "For all we know, she's sitting at home laughing at you right now," Megara added, throwing a piece of popcorn from the bowl in her lap into her mouth.

     Big Red turned to Megara appalled.  "What a big help you are being."

     "You think it's time to move on?" Ricky asked, ignoring both of them.

     "I wouldn't, but you have that other thing," Big Red sat down so he and Megara were both facing Ricky, who huffed.  But while Megara was definitely more relaxed, Big Red was resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward.  "Pride."

     "Okay, tell me what to do," Ricky crossed his arms.

     "Just be yourself.  Be the bigger man."

     "Okay, pick one," Ricky said, earning a chuckle from Megara, but still, Ricky didn't budge.

     "Definitely bigger man.  You're the lead in the play.  It's time to act like it," Big Red threw a small ball at Ricky's chest.  Megara watched it softly hit the floor.

     "You're right," Ricky nodded.

     "It's like that scene where Troy tells his teammates, 'You're my guys, and this is our spam'."

     "When does he say that?"

     "I just realized that my allergist keeps the sound off in the waiting room and I can't read lips."

     Megara groaned.  "It's actually 'you're my guys, and this is our team.  Gabriella is not important'," Megara pointed her eyebrows, which Ricky heard loud and clear as he nodded sheepishly.  "We have to start kicking the plan up a notch."

     "How much?" Ricky asked.

     For once, Megara wasn't sure.  She turned to Big Red.  "What do you think?"

     Big Red smiled.  "You need a classic high school rom-com entrance, slow-mo, and everything," he nodded enthusiastically as his grin widened.  "A The Duff moment."

     "Did you just call me Ricky's Duff?"

     "Fine.  How about She's All That?"

     "What are you guys even talking about?" Ricky asked, clearly annoyed and confused by his friends' interactions.

     Megara waved her hand.  "Never mind the movies, Red is right.  We need to turn this around for you and really start playing on the idea that we're..." she trailed off, unable to find the right words she was looking for.

     Ricky raised his eyebrows.  "That we like each other?"

     "Yeah, that.  So, we need to walk into school tomorrow with the agenda to make everyone believe we're attached at the hip," she said, throwing the last piece of popcorn past her plump lips.

     Rita's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she watched Megara wave to her, the same Megara that was under the arm of Ricky, the two dressed in wide smiles as they walked down the hall together on their way to their next class.  Rita — or most of the student body for that matter — would have never thought they'd see the day the two got along so well.  On top of that, Megara was wearing a deep red baby doll shirt while Ricky still wore a blue hoodie, but his curls were combed and he only wore one minimal spritz of Throb.

     Megara's phone buzzed from the back pocket of her black flared jeans, but she ignored it as they entered the new drama room.  She had to say, she was getting used to being in there, all its decorations and props were proving to have some charm to them.  And honestly, the other kids weren't all that bad either.

     But Megara and Ricky's close proximity didn't go unnoticed by Savannah either.  Since Savannah had been cast as a backup dancer who followed Sebastian around, she was proving that she had what it took to still shine even if she wasn't cast as Sharpay (which should have been the obvious role for her but hello, Seb really outshined during his audition).  Still, the blonde girl wearing blue sweatpants and a white cropped shirt watched as the new couple walked in.  Since when did Megara Montez let people drape their arms over her shoulder?

     "Troy and Chad.  Scene 45!  Let's go!" Miss Jenn alerted the group of teens.

     EJ and Ricky gave each other an unwavering glare, one that Megara saw with her own eyes as she brought her hand up to the arm that was draped over her shoulder and tapped it gently.  "I'll be right over there," she motioned to the corner of the room near Savannah.

     Savannah wasn't used to seeing Megara so smiley, and let's be honest, friendly.  Something about it was bit unnatural, and like Megara had said before, unlikely.  Everyone know who Ricky and Megara growing up (especially when they were in grade school) knew that the two usually clawed at each others throats whenever they had the chance.  But she had to say, she was digging this new version of Megara — if it was real, anyway.

     What she wasn't so much digging, however, was seeing her ex-boyfriend so much.  She knew that EJ was bound to trying out for any and every lead role he could get, but she thought this time she wouldn't have to see him so much.  Savannah herself probably would have quit if it weren't for Megara.

EJ: I'm looking forward to doing this scene today.  I'm just gonna be Troy, a decent guy with a lot of talent who's only problem is he cares too much.  I'm just gonna power through the day, find Nini, say what I need to, and everything will be fine.  Just get through this Chad rehearsal and get on with my life.

SAVANNAH: I'm looking forward to being done with rehearsals today.  Every minute that I'm in the same room with him, I'm reminded of our never-lasting romance.  How did I go from being the lead last year to a backup dancer?  I'm just gonna power through the day, hang out with Meg, and everything will be fine.  Just get through this EJ rehearsal and get on with my life.

     "Let's take it from the top.  And remember, these two are "best bros," it's a sacred thing, for reasons I will never understand.  Ready?" Miss Jenn nodded at the two.

     "We had a meeting about how we haven't been like a team, Troy," EJ started.  "Us, not you.  And the singing thing—" 

     "I don't wanna talk about it," Ricky said hastily.  Megara had to say, besides a couple choppy bits and pieces, Ricky was falling into the new role nicely.

     "We want you to know that we're gonna be there cheering for you." 

     "Huh?" 

     "Win or lose, we're teammates.  Even if you turn out to be the worst singer in the world."

     "And you're not gonna hear me sing, dudes, because Gabriella won't even talk to me, and I don't know why." 

     "Okay!  Sound okay, but it was a little stiff," Miss Jenn cut in.  Megara wanted to tell her duh, wasn't it obvious from the way everyone had been acting, especially Ricky and EJ since getting cast?  Like there obviously was tension there?  Like even the blind could see they didn't like each other?  "Let's loosen up, pass some energy back and forth.  Let's use the ball and improvise."

     "Just say whatever?"

     "Chad it up."

     "Troy, you're the best player we've got.  We're so lucky.  Wouldn't be anything without you.  The way you pretend to play basketball is inspiring," EJ said before throwing the ball directly at Ricky's chest.

     Ricky caught it in swift time.  "Thanks, Chad, and the way you dance is totally normal and not at all weird for a regular high school kid."

     "You deserve everything that's coming your way," EJ said.

     Uh oh.

     "Back at you, dude," Ricky bitterly threw the ball back.

     "Back at you times two," EJ said quickly.

     "Four!" 

     "Eight!" 

     "Back at you infinity plus one!" Ricky said before throwing the ball a bit higher than he anticipated and hitting EJ in the nose.

     "Okay, major overcorrect!" Miss Jenn yelled.  Everyone jumped to their feet as EJ fell backward. "Let's take a soft ten.  EJ, honey, let's get you some ice."

     Savannah didn't give Megara much of a moment to think about what had just happened before the blonde dragged her dark-haired friend out into the hallway by her wrist, insisting on searching her locker for some band-aids.  "Sav, I doubt one will help much if his nose is broken."

     Megara watched as Savannah groaned in frustration.  "I know.  See, this is what I mean.  This guy has got me all messed up."

     "Miss Jenn, you got a second?" Mr. Mazz interrupted their little conversation as they heard him approach Miss Jenn.  So far, every time he did that, it wasn't good.

     "Sure."

     "It was my understanding that a big reason you got this job was 'cause of your experience as a featured dancer in the original High School Musical.  And a featured dancer is someone who dances with the people whose characters have names?"

     "Where is this going?" 

     "Maybe you can explain this."

     "My phone has a bright flash.  Doesn't matter."

     "This is you, 2006, with all the extras who didn't sing, or dance, or even have a name.  Sound familiar?" 

     Megara and Savannah looked at each other with confused faces as Carlos then came rushing in from the entrance doors of the school.  "Miss Jenn, I got you a matcha half-caf with Red Bull.  I'm sorry.  What's going on here?" Carlos asked, reading Megara's mind exactly.

     "It's nothing."

     "Are you sure?"

     "Yeah, it's fine," Miss Jenn maintained.

     "You don't look fine," Carlos pointed out the obvious.

     "Go inside and practice your box step.  This is a grown-up conversation," Mr. Mazzara said before turning to the girls standing by Savannah's locker.  "You girls should find another place to play beauty salon."

     Savannah immediately dropped the hand she had been using to twirl her hair around as Megara's face remained plain, only her eyebrows furrowing at the slightest.  Why did Mr. Mazzara care so much about Miss Jenn being in the movie anyway?

     "Miss Jenn, is he bothering you?"

     "You ought to spend less time worrying about your drama teacher and more time trying to make some friends under 35," Mr. Mazzara said.

     "Uncalled for," Megara said, walking over to Carlos and wrapping her arm through his.  Savannah copied her actions and stood on the opposite side of the young boy, and since he was holding a coffee tray in his hand, Savannah simply leaned her elbow on top of his shoulder awkwardly (only able to reach this height since she was wearing platforms).  "He has friends."

     "Carlos, go run the Status Quo vocals for a few minutes, okay?  Girls?" Miss Jenn raised her eyebrows.

     "Yeah, on it," Savannah said.

     "I'll go check on our star player," Megara turned on her heel before either teacher could object to her and walked away from the tense mess gladly.

     "Are you gonna at least apologize?" Megara asked Ricky, arms crossed over her chest as they stood outside the boys' bathroom, knowing that EJ was on the other side of the door cleaning up the blood on his face.

     Ricky sighed. "I'll try... for you," he leaned in closer to her face, obviously knowing which buttons of hers to press.

     Pushing him away by his shoulder, Megara bit back a chuckle.  "Get on with it."

     The curly-haired boy may have walked through the bathroom doors with a somewhat hopeful look on his face, but about five minutes later, that look was completely demolished.  When Ricky came walking out back into the hallway, he could barely look Megara in the eyes.

     "Um, hello?" Megara had been leaning up against the wall with her left foot pressed against it firmly, but she kicked herself off and began following Ricky as he stormed down the hallway.  "Bowen?"

     "Not now, Meg," Ricky shook his head.

     Unable to take no for an answer forever and always, Megara pulled him by the backside of his shirt, stopping the boy in his tracks against his will.  His arms flailed at his sides as Megara used most of her muscle to push him into the doorway of an empty classroom and finally loosened her grip on him as she pushed him back against the door after it closed behind them.  "You don't get to do that."

     Obviously annoyed with how his day was turning out, Ricky shook his head.  "Do what?"

     "Drag me into this deal, make me pretend to be your loving girlfriend, and then leave me out of this," Megara ran her hands through her hair as she spoke.  "I know things have been tough for you, but would it hurt to tell me about it every now and then?"

     "It might."

     Megara tilted her head.  "We're supposed to be a united front."

     "Then why doesn't it feel like it?"

     "Maybe because we're not actually in love," Megara said, lowering her voice.  Her words lingered in the air for a while, Ricky looked over her with cautious eyes as he awaited whatever she might say next.  But nothing else came.  He didn't know if that was good or bad.

     "Right, yeah..." Ricky eventually nodded.  Then he gulped, leaning his head on the door behind him.

     "But you dragged me into this," Megara shrugged before taking some steps behind her and finding a random desk to lean against, shedding a fraction of her intimidating personality.

     Ricky softly rolled his eyes.  "You nearly went willingly."

     "You wanted to get her back," Megara reminded him.

     "You made me sign a contract," Ricky retorted.

     Megara heavily sighed.  "Yeah, to remind ourselves where we stand in this whole thing," she waved her arm around, but Ricky knew she was talking about the two of them.

     "We were never really good at finding our footing, huh?" Ricky asked.

     Megara shook her head.  "We're horrible at it, actually."

     Ricky gulped again.  "So... we may not be in love, but we need to try and pretend better.  Problem is, I have no idea what that looks like," he confessed, taking a spot on the desk across from her.

     Megara observed him as he twiddled his thumbs in his lap.  "I don't really know either."

     Ricky blew a raspberry.  "Incorrect."

     Megara knitted her eyebrows together.  "What do you mean?"

     "Your mom and dad?"

     She shook her head.  "They got divorced a long time ago, remember?"

     "Yes, but you still have a good relationship with both of them, and your sisters."

     Megara's mind instantly went to her older sister.  "I never hear from Petra anymore, not after she moved away."

     "You're telling me Rosetta doesn't know how loved she is?  Or your dog?  Or your friends?"

     Megara stared straight ahead, burning her eyes into his chest as she thought hard about what he was saying.  "I mean, I guess.  But you have that too.  What about your mom and your dad?"

     Ricky instantly shook his head.  "No, it's different in my house."

     "How different?"

     Ricky loudly sighed.  "Uh... just believe me when I tell you there hasn't been an ounce of love in my house for years."

     "I'm sorry," Megara said.  When Ricky's eyes locked with her own, she placed her hand over her heart.  "I really mean it."

     "This is why I need you, Meg.  It has to be you."

     "Well, I'm so honored that you think of me so highly," Megara flicked her hair behind her shoulder as Ricky rolled his eyes.  "What?  You basically just said you need me to show you how to love."

     "Yeah, basically," he reaffirmed her thoughts with a single head nod while she awaited whatever he might say next.  But nothing else came.  She didn't know if that was good or bad.

#JJ
so much drama and tension for just one episode oh lord