It had been over 2 weeks and Soul's siblings still weren't speaking to her... well Sully does but as long as there isn't anyone else around but all Soul cares about is that he didn't hate her guts like Sarah and Sam. If they see her coming they turn around and head the other way and during lunch, they no longer sit with Soul, they sit with their popular friends and Sully sits with his friends, but she's happy she doesn't sit alone she had Carlos, Gina and Ashlyn to keep her company and occasionally EJ.

The cast was currently in the last rehearsal before Thanksgiving break, which Soul was honestly grateful for because if she don't have a few days off she thought she might burst.

Everyone was sitting in the bunker as they watched Nini and Ricky sing Start Of Something New as the dancers danced around them as they all carried some kind of prop.

The two singing was cut off by the school bell ringing, and Soul was brought out of her daydream by the overly excited boy beside her who stood up from his spot and screamed in excitement.

"Yes! Yes! Whoo!" EJ yelled in excitement, throwing his arms up causing everyone in the room to look at him. "Sorry I really love Thanksgiving."

That caused Soul to giggle as he sat back down sending her a small smile as everyone began to grab their things.

"Okay, hold on." Miss Jenn said, standing up from her chair as Carlos quickly followed as EJ and Soul made their way off of the bleacher stands. "I know that everyone is excited about the holiday break, but I'm me and I have notes. Ricky and Nini, that was good, but it could be better. She said in the spirit of holiday cheer."

"Good save," Carlos said, as Miss Jenn turned to look at Soul.

"Soul, I hope your song is coming along because we are going to need it finished when you get back from break." Miss Jenn explained, causing her to nod in response. "No pressure."

"Will do," Soul said sending the drama teacher a smile before she and Carlos walked away, causing Soul to turn to EJ. "That definitely felt pressured."

"Don't worry about it, you got this," EJ said, putting his arms on her shoulder. "You're an amazing songwriter."

"Thanks, EJ," Soul said, sending him a quick smile.

"And I thought you were pretty much finished with the song?" EJ questions, as he dropped his arms back to his side.

"No, that was a different song I wrote," Soul explained, letting out a giant sigh. "The one for the musical has barely started."

"Your homework over this break, all of you, is to please go on vocal rest." Miss Jenn said, speaking up once again. "And to go over your lines, too, which is hard to do on vocal rest, but make it work. And remember, may nothing ever block your doorway to happiness."

"Excuse me." Mr. Mazzara said loudly, stepping into the bunker.

"Okay, starting now." Miss Jenn said looking over at Mr. Mazzara.

"Don't mind me, I just came to return a missing item." Mr. Mazzara said as he stopped and turned to Ashlyn with a big smile as he held out a massive and stuffed binder. "Ashlyn. Cannot have our robotics team co-captain going home without her binder over the break."

Ashlyn quickly took the book and smiled at the entire cast before making her way towards Soul, Carlos, and Big Red as EJ walked somewhere else.

"Cobbler sounds so nice," Carlos said, placing his strap over his shoulder. "My family usually has three protein courses and then everybody's asleep by 6:00."

"My folks start eating at dawn and then barely make it past the Macy's Parade." Big Red explained.

"At least your folks are sticking around. EJ's parents are treating my parents to a spa in Park City after dinner tomorrow." Ashlyn explained. "They told us to try and have a meaningful night at the movies."

"At least you guys have plans with your families, I don't think my family really cares what I do as long as I'm far, far away," Soul explained, looking over at her siblings to see them all laughing with each other, making her smile a little before looking back to the group as they gave her sad smiles. "That's why EJ invited me to have dinner with him and Ashlyn's families."

"Wait... Do you guys want to come over after dinner tomorrow?" Ashlyn asks with a big smile. "Like a late-night party?"

"I never don't want that," Carlos said, causing Soul to chuckle.

"Should we keep it a small group or..." Big Red asked but was cut off as Carlos pushed between him and Ashlyn as he looked at the entire cast.

"Party at Ashlyn's after Thanksgiving tomorrow!" Carlos excitedly announced. "Everyone's invited."

Soul felt eyes staring at her, causing her to turn around to see Ricky with sad eyes as he sent a small smile, causing her to turn back around to the group and looked down.

"Soul he really is sorry." Big Red said, causing her to look up to see all three giving small smiles. " He never meant to have your siblings turn on you; he was just hurt."

"Yeah, and how does he think I feel," Soul said, shaking her head. "Anyways I should go, you know find EJ since he is my ride home... I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Soul then quickly scanned the bunker not spot the tall brunette anywhere, quickly making her way out of the bunker.

As she made her way down the hall she heard her name being called and turned around to see Rick, causing her to let out a scoff as she kept walking as he ran to catch up with her.

"I told you I didn't want to talk to you," Soul said, looking down the hallway as they passed it and continued walking.

"Look I'm really sorry for what happened the other day, I didn't think anyone was listening and I was just hurt that you were getting so close to EJ," Ricky explained, stopping in front of her causing her to walk right into him. "I'm so sorry Soul can you please forgive me."

"So you want me to forgive you like this never happened," Soul questioned sarcastically, looking up at him with a fake smile. "Guess what Ricky, it's been 2 entire weeks since my siblings talked to me... Two entire weeks Ricky! Do you know how much of hurts when the people you thought people who care for you the most causes the most damage!"

"Soul," Ricky said in a low tone glancing behind the girl but she didn't notice as he quickly looked back down at her.

"I mean you should know you did the same thing to must last year. It seems like no one cares! My dad is gone, I've barely had a conversation with any of my friends in months, my siblings could couldn't care less about me, my mom doesn't care and don't even get me started on my stepdad." Soul said, ranting off problems letting it off her chest that she didn't realize she was holding back. "The worst part is that you knew exactly what was going on in my and you came back into my life just to mess it up even more. It's like no one cares. No one has really been there for me except for EJ. So if it's a crime to have someone in my life who actually cares then I'm sorry Ricky. I don't know what to tell you. Cause clearly no one else really cares!"
"Soul e-everyone cares... I care." Ricky said looking the girl in the eyes. "I never knew you were hurting this much."

"Yeah, well... no one ever really asks Soul how she is doing." Soul said, letting out a fake chuckle, looking down before looking back up at the redheaded boy.

"Soul I really am sorry." Ricky said, looking down. "I never meant to hurt you."

"Yeah so am I." Soul said, barely above a whisper, causing him to look up. "I'll see you around Ricky."

Soul quickly made her way around the redhead to see EJ not too far away, causing her to quickly rush over to him, hugging him tightly as she let a few tears fall.

"Let's get you home, yeah?" EJ jokingly said, causing her to softly chuckle as she pulled away looking up to him with a smile.

"Is it okay if I stay at yours for the night?" Soul questioned as he wrapped his arm around the girl's shoulders, causing her to wrap her arms around his waist. "I really don't want to go home."

"Of course, my mom is going to be ecstatic! She's been asking about you." EJ said, causing her to smile. "I honestly think she loves you more than me."

"I love your mom." Soul said, leaning into his side as they made their way out of the door, not once looking back.

Little did Soul know that behind the redhead was the rest of the cast and a very concerned drama teacher who came to see what was wrong after they heard yelling.

🎥

Sam, East High Senior

' I'm turning into my mother... I mean I just wanted to be there for my Sarah but I didn't realise how much i was hurting my baby sister... I need to fix this and fast..'

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