Soul sat on the bench that sat outside of the barn, watching and listening to the morning chirping of birds and the beautiful scene that is Camp Shallow Lake.

"For my lady." EJ said, holding out a East High mug, causing Soul to snap out of her thoughts, looking up at the boy.

"Thank you." Soul said, smiling, taking the cup from the boy's hand, as he took a seat next to her as she watched him. "Couldn't sleep?"

"I just figured I'd get a start on panicking early, you know." EJ said, causing her to give him a small smile as she nodded. "Seeing as I am now the one who has to direct the first-ever student production of Frozen that will air in... I don't know about 63 countries."

"Don't doubt yourself so much." Soul said, grabbing the boy's hand. "Because you, EJ Caswell, will be the best director Camp Shallow Lake and those 63 countries have ever and will ever see."

"You literally have zero proof to back that theory up." EJ said, shaking his head.

"I don't need proof when I have knowledge of it." Soul said, placing her hand on the boy's cheek, causing the couple to smile at each other. "Besides, can't I just believe in the potential of my incredibly smart, insanely talented boyfriend?"

"Well you forgot handsome?" EJ said, jokingly.

"Wow, you managed to be humble for about five seconds, that's a new record." Soul jokingly said.

"Can you believe Ricky showed up?" EJ asked out of the blue.

"When are you planning on tell everyone you're directing the show?" Soul asked at the same time.

"Soon, at auditions." EJ said, sounding unsure with his words. "But will you not say anything until then? Not even to Gina."

Soul looked her boyfriend in the eye before holding her pinky out, causing him to instantly intertwine their pinkies, pressing their thumbs together.

"I promise, I won't." Soul said, sending the boy a smile.

EJ then wrapped his arm around his girlfriend, causing her to lean into his side as he smiled down at her. "I really am glad you're here."

That caused Soul to look up at him with a smile, "Me too."

Suddenly the sound of a horn caught both of their attention as they turned their heads to see Maddox playing what looked like a trumpet.

"I'm so glad you're hearing the bugle." EJ said.

"The what?" Soul said, letting out a chuckle as they watched the girl.

"It's like the perfect start to the day." EJ said as the girl finished.

"Rise and shine, newbies! You're on Shallow Lake time now. Whoo!" Maddox exclaimed, excitedly as she turned around spotting the couple. "Oh, hey guys!"

"Whoo!" EJ exclaimed, causing Soul to chuckle as she watched the interaction between her boyfriend and her cousin.

"I should go get ready for the day." Soul said, looking up at the boy, causing him to look down with a smile.

"Yeah. I'll see you at the audition where I will be silently rooting for you on the inside." EJ said, causing the girl to grin.

"I can't wait to see you attempt that." Soul said, causing them to both chuckle before the boy leaned down for a kiss.

"Bye." EJ said, looking down at the girl adoringly.

"Bye." Soul said, sending one last small smile before she made her way back to the Honeycombs.

"Look who decided to embrace us with their presence this morning." Gina said, jokingly smiling at the girl as she entered the room, causing Soul to jokingly roll her eyes.

"Very funny, G." Soul said, playfully bumping the girl before turning to the rest of the girl's with a smile. "Good Morning guys!"

"It's a very good morning." Ashlyn excitedly said, dangling her foot off her bed over Soul's. "I still can't believe we're actually gonna be in this documentary. And to be directed by Mr. Chad Danforth himself. Okay, one could say the stakes for auditions have never been higher and one will. I will. The stakes have never been higher."

"I think I'm having withdrawals." Kourtney said, freaking out. "I mean, this is the first day I haven't had a headache in my entire life."

"Um, isn't that like a good thing, Kourt?" Soul asked, looking at the girl confused.

"No! I don't know who I am without screens." Kourtney explained.

"I'm just gonna let it be known that I'm going for gold at auditions today. I'm finally ready to play the lead. " Gina explained. "No apologies, no prisoners."

"Sounds like you brought Gina 1.0 to camp." Ashlyn said, looking at the girl confused.

"No." Gina said, letting out a chuckle. "Look, okay, I loved auditioning with you guys last year and we're still a Tercet and Soul, you are still my favorite person like ever but I just feel like I need to stand on my own this summer, you know? Especially with the whole documentary thing. Like, that could literally be our future besides Soul. She already has her future right in front of her which I am so happy for you."

"Okay, 1.0." Soul jokingly said, tossing a pillow at her, causing Ashlyn and Kourtney to chuckle as Gina grinned at the girl.

"Speaking of Soul, how was working with Jamie and Quinn Kelly!" Ashlyn said, excitedly. "Your harmonies on Heather was mesmerizing and don't get me started on your EP."

"Haha, thanks Ash." Soul said, smiling down at the ground, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she looked back up. "They're both incredibly talented and are just amazing people, but yeah it was definitely unreal. Especially after seeing all the feedback and all the love on the music that I've basically put my blood, sweat and tears into is just mind blowing. I spent so much time in the studio it's just starting to feel so natural and I just love it."

"Well I'm glad one of us has a future in line because I don't even know what I want to wear to the audition." Kourtney said, causing all the girls to chuckle.

...

"Okay, I will say, for a barn, wow." Kourtney said, entering the barn followed by Ashlyn, Carlos and Soul.

"Everyone should start warming up." Maddox called out as everyone filled into the barn.

As Soul looked around the bar her eyes stopped as she watched EJ embrace an unknown blonde girl.

"That's Val." Maddox said, sending the girl a reassuring smile, causing Soul's head to snap toward her cousin. "She's an eight-time Shallow Lake camper and currently one of Shallow Lakes CIT's. She and EJ go way back."

"Yeah they seem close." Soul said, sending a closed mouth smile as she looked back to the two interacting.

"Yeah, they were actually Gretl and Kurt in The Sound of Music, you know, way back in the day. That kind of bond is forever." Maddox said.

"Good to know." Soul said, nodding her head with a fake smile.

"Oh no, it's not like that." Maddox said, quickly shaking head as she noticed the change in the girl's demeanor, placing a hand on her cousin's shoulder, causing her to look over at her. "They're definitely just friends. I mean I have never seen EJ look at or talk about anyone the way he looks and talks about you."

"Hey everyone. I'm Val." Val said, making her way onto the stage, gaining everyone's attention. "And not too long ago, I was just like you, waiting in the wings for my chance at stardom. Then I went to college and my dreams of Broadway were instantly dashed by my intro-To-Movement professor, who said I wasn't convincing as a human being."

Ashlyn was the only one who let out an awkward laugh, quickly stopping as no one joined her, "Wow."

"But now I'm a psych major, and I'm also your choreographer. The director will kick off the auditions in just a moment."

"Corbin Bleu. Whoo!" Ashlyn exclaimed as everyone broke apart as Soul looked over to where EJ was moving chairs.

"I'll be in the back." Maddox said, placing her hand on the girl's arm with a smile before making her way away from her as Soul made her way over to EJ.

"Hey babe, what's up?" EJ asked, smiling at the girl, causing her to look into his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" Soul asked, looking at the boy concerned, causing him to lift an eyebrow.

"Yeah, totally why wouldn't it be?" EJ asked.

"Because you're messing with the bracelet I gave you and you only do that when there's something wrong." Soul pointed out, causing the couple to look down at the boy's hand messing with the black and yellow bracelet, causing him to quickly stop as the girl grabbed his hand. "Is this about directing the show? Babe, I promise you that everyone will be so excited no matter who's directing the show within the show, especially your fellow Wildcats. I mean there might be some shocked ones at the beginning but they'll be fine."

"Yeah, yeah you're right." EJ said, nodding his head with a small smile as he placed a kiss on the girl's head. "I will tell everyone. In a second."

"Okay." Soul said, sending a supportive smile as she nodded.

"I just need a second." EJ said, letting go of the girl's hand as he walked backwards to the door. "So, in two seconds."

The boy quickly made his way out the door as the girl watched the door swing closed behind him.

"Hey, everything okay?" Gina asked, stopping in front of the girl, looking back to where EJ exited before looking back to the girl with a concerned look.

"Yeah, everything's fine. You know, just audition nerves like always." Soul said, shrugging her shoulders, not really lying.

"Yeah, want to run through the song with me?" Gina asked, smiling at the girl.

"Yeah, sure." Soul said, causing Gina to quickly grab the girl's arm and drag her out of the barn.

The two were outside humming the tune of For The First Time In Forever.

"You never told me what part you were hoping to get." Gina said as the two slowly made their way back to the barn.

"I honestly don't know. But what I do know is that playing one Disney Princess is enough for at least a year." Soul said, causing them both to chuckle. "So don't worry I'm not out to get your lead G. Maybe a minor part like the queen or even one of the trolls."

"We both know you'll get more than a troll Soul." Gina said, bumping shoulders with the girl with a smile. "I mean, I would be hurt for you if Corbin Bleu gave you Bulda with the ability you have."

"Yeah..." Soul said, trailing off. "I honestly don't mind, really! The main reason I came here was to have a good time with my friends while I can before this summer is over. I already missed time with you guys being in LA so I don't want to be fully focused on this musical. Besides, Jamie kinda gave me musical homework."

"Hey, don't worry we are going to have the best summer ever!" Gina said, smiling from ear to ear as she grabbed the girl's shoulders, shaking them causing the girl to smile.

"Hi Gina! Hi Soul!" A small voice said, causing the girl's to quickly look over to see two younger girls.

"Hi!" Soul said, smiling at the girls, causing the two teens to fully turn to look at the two girls standing on the stairs.

"Play it cool." The other girl said to her friend before turning to the two girl's with a smile. "Sorry. I'm Alex, this is Emmy. we're eighth graders, almost freshmen, and we are huge fans. We basically memorized all your Tik Toks and songs."

"Yeah, you played it very cool." Emmy said to her friend, causing Soul and Gina to look at each other as smiles grew on their faces before they turned back to the girl's.

"Are you both auditioning?" Gina asked, looking between the two girls.

"Yes. Well, maybe." Alex said, quickly changing her mind, looking over at Emmy. "We've never auditioned for anything before."

"Well, definitely be prepared. Practice and you have to be confident." Soul explained, watching Emmy write down everything out of the corner of her eye. "And if you aren't feeling confident that's okay we all fake confidence every once in a while."

"Fake confidence. Love that for us. Keep going." Alex said, looking from Emmy back to the teens.

"And you have to keep your eye on the prize. From this moment on, you two aren't even friends. You're the competition." Gina said, shrugging her shoulders, causing Soul to lift her eyebrow as Emmy and Alex shared a look.

"I think what she meant was just have fun with your friends. It's the people and the memories that make it all worthwhile." Soul said, sending the girl's one last smile before pulling Gina back into the barn behind her.

"Yo. We are ready!" Val exclaimed, entering the room, gaining everyone's attention as she quickly made her way to the stage with EJ. "It is time to introduce you to your director, Rocket Man himself, EJ Caswell."

That caused everyone to hesitantly clap as the curtains opened as Soul sent him a supportive smile as she gave him a real clap.

"No Corbin Bleu?" Ashlyn asked, sounding hurt and disappointed.

"He's only directing the show, about the show." Soul explained, placing her hand on Ashlyn's shoulder. "It's kinda confusing."

"Circle up." EJ said, causing everyone to quickly make a circle in front of the stage as they held each other's hands as EJ began singing weirdly.

Do you wanna build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman

That caused the Wildcats to open their eyes as they looked around at each other trying not to laugh as the boy did what their beloved drama teacher did before every audition.

We used to be best buddies

"Frozen time! Let's go." Ricky exclaimed, walking into the barn late to the audition as usual.

"Now that's tradition." Carlos happily said, pointing back at the boy dressed head to toe in purple and teal snow gear.

"Where's Mr. Bleu?" Ricky questioned, looking around the room.

...

"Okay, everyone. Let's take some grounding breaths." Val said, breathing in."And we're off!"

"For those of you who I technically know, today, you're not Wildcats. Today you're a bunch of blank canvases, strangers to me." EJ explained. "Today, we've never met."

"Maybe, don't talk." Val said, looking up at the boy, causing him to silently nod as she quickly made her way back to the stage, pressing play on the speaker.

The window is open, so's that door
I didn't know they did that anymore
And there's two nice ladies helping me get dressed

Thank you
Thanks

For years I've roamed these empty halls
Why have a ballroom with no balls?
Coronation day is just the best

There'll be actual, real-life people
It'll be totally strange

But wow, am I so ready for this change

For the first time in forever
There'll be music, therе'll be light

For the first time in forеver
I'll be dancing through the night

Don't know if I'm elated or gassy
But I'm somewhere in that zone

'Cause for the first time in forever
I won't be alone

Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on, let's go and play

I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It's like you've gone away

We used to be best buddies
And now we're not

I wish you would tell me why

Do you wanna build a snowman?

It doesn't have to be a snowman

Go away, Anna

Okay, bye

Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be

Conceal, don't feel
Put on a show
Make one wrong move and everyone will know

But it's only for today

It's only for today

Tell the guards to open up the gate

The gate (Do you wanna build a-)
The gate (Do you wanna build a-, do you wanna build a snowman?)

'Cause for the first time in forever
For the first time in forever
Nothing's in my way (Today; do you wanna build a snowman?)

After everyone finished, everyone stood around the room as some stood on the stage as EJ and Val quickly talked.

"Where are the scripts?" Kourtney questioned as the two made their way onto the stage.

"Scripts?" EJ asked, confused.

"For the scene work auditions?" Gina said, making her way onto the stage.

"We're doing a show with no script?" Carlos asked, shocked. "What is this? Curb Your Enthusiasm?"

"Yo, Mr. Director-man. Where do you want us all to stand?" Ricky asked.

"Can everyone just wait one second? Please?" EJ said, sounding stressed as he held his hand up to get everyone to stop speaking.

"What if they all just uh, acted out the lyrics from the songs?" Maddox said, making her way onto the stage from behind Soul. "You know, like a dramatic reading. I don't know. I'm just a stage manager."

"No, that's totally a great idea, Mads." Soul said, sending her a supportive smile before looking back at the group.

"Thank you." EJ said before the group circled up.

"Don't let them in, don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be." Kourtney spoke, looking at everyone. "Conceal, don't feel. Put on a show."

The sound of the barn doors swinging open caught everyone's attention as Soul's eye began to light up.

"Sorry. Auditions started over an hour ago." Maddox said, crossing her arms, causing Soul to give her a confused look.

"It's okay." EJ said, making his way through the group to the front of the stage with Val. "Everyone Is welcomed to try out."

"I'm not so sure about this." Jet said, making his way to the stage.

"Nobody's judging you." EJ said, shaking his head as Ricky made his way off the stage to the boy.as he handed him a lyric sheet.

For the first time in forever

I'm getting what I'm dreaming ofA chance to leave my lonely world
A chance to find true love

Soul silently made her way over to the piano as she began playing the tune, causing Jet to look over to her as a smile formed on both of their faces as Jet continued singing.

For the first time in forever

We're no longer shut outsideFor the first time in forever
The gates are open wide
Oh, I know it all ends tomorrow
So it has to be today
'Cause for the first time in forever
For the first time in forever
Nothing's in my way

Ricky was the first to quickly stand up as he began clapping loudly, causing everyone to join in quickly as Jet looked over to Soul as she gave him a thumbs up and a smile before she clapped for him.

As Ricky and Gina made their way down to Jet he quickly tossed the lyrics before he turned and made his way out of the barn leaving everyone confused.

"I have chills." Ricky said, showing everyone his arms.

Soul watched Maddox slip into the backstage and she silently and quickly followed after her.

"Maddie." Soul called out, looking around the room as her eyes landed on her cousin's back. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, everything's just fine. Why would anything be wrong?" Maddox said, shaking her head not turning around.

"Maddie." Soul said again but in a more serious tone, causing the girl to turn around.

"I'm fine, I promise." Maddox said, sending a big smile, causing Soul to hesitantly nod. "You did amazing out there."

"Thanks." Soul said, smiling as she rubbed her arm, wrapping them around her. "I'm still getting used to all the compliments."

"That's right! You're working with a music producer right?" Maddox asked, looking over with a smile, causing the girl to nod. "I heard your songs... Your voice is just as amazing as I remember."

"Thanks. Yeah, I actually came straight here after being in LA with my mom for a few weeks." Soul explained. "I promised EJ I would come months ago."

"How sweet. You guys seem good for each other." Maddox said, causing Soul to send her a grin as the room went silent for a minute.

"Hey, I know this is probably supposed to be like your summer with your friends and boyfriend but would you want to help me with some of this stuff." Maddox said, motioning to the backstage. "I mean like with painting sets and stuff."

"Yeah, of course!" Soul said, excitedly smiling. "Maybe then we'll be able to catch up."

"Sounds great." Maddox said, smiling at the girl. "We should probably get back."

"You're probably right." Soul said, letting out a light chuckle.

Maddox and Soul made their way back to the stage side by side not knowing there was another newbie standing in the barn.

"Well, if it isn't Souline Walker." A voice said, causing Soul to stop in her tracks. "It's been too long."

"Zander." Soul said in disbelief, causing him to send her a smirk.
...

with
SAYLOR BELL
as
MADDOX 'GADGET'

ADRIAN LYLES
as
JET

MEG DONNELLY
as
VAL

and
THOMAS DOHERTY
as
Zander