It was finally opening night for the Wildcats production of Beauty and the Beast.

Nervous was an understatement of how Soul was filling at that moment in time as she paced back and forth in the hallway, reciting the songs quietly and quickly to herself.

Yes, I made the choice
For Papa, I will stay
But I don't deserve to lose my freedom in this way
You monster!

If you think that what you've done is right
Well then, you're a fool
Think again

"How are we doing over here?" A voice asked from behind the girl, causing her to quickly turn around to face EJ, causing him to see the nervous look on her face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I don't... I don't know. It's just as soon as I walked in here it seemed like all of my emotions hit me at once. Like what if I forget my lines on stage. What if I fall or trip and embarrass myself in front of everyone here." Soul ranted, feeling hot tears running down her face as she felt her breathing pick. "I mean it's been years since I've played a lead and to be playing the main character of the entire musical... I don't know if I can do it."

"Hey, hey, hey. Look at me, deep breaths." EJ said, placing his hands on the girl's shoulders as he rubbed them, letting the girl catch her breath as the duo slid down the wall. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just... I was diagnosed with anxiety after my dad died along with situational depression. I mean I've been fine for over a year, It hasn't been that bad since... that doesn't matter." Soul said, shaking her head, smiling at the boy. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, besides I know if I needed support you'd be right beside me guiding me through." EJ said, smiling at the girl, causing the girl to lay her head on his shoulder, causing the pair to sit in a comfortable silence.

Soon a group of dancers came rushing by, quickly making their way into the backstage area where everyone was.

"We should go." Soul said, lifting her head off the boy's shoulder, causing him to nod.

"Yeah." EJ said, quickly standing from his spot before holding his hand out for the girl. "Ma'lady."

"Why thank you kind sir." Soul said, quickly pulling herself up as the two made their way into the backstage.

"Ah, there they are!" Nini said, shuffling through the cards in her hands, approaching the pair as they made their way into the room. "For the leading lady and the bluster! Don't open these til we get to Slices tonight, okay?"

That caused Soul and EJ to quickly look at each other before looking back at Nini.

"Um, yeah." Soul said, causing Nini to look at them confused.

"Is there a problem?" Nini asked.

"I mean..." EJ said, trailing off.

🎥
Soul, East High Junior
......
We're having risotto! It was supposed to be a couple weeks ago but with the harness breaking and Ricky nearly breaking me but still managed to break Ashlyn. So we rescheduled for after the show... What do you wear on a date?
🎥

"I should go get touched up." Soul said, smiling at the duo before quickly leaving to find Kourtney.

"Okay, half an hour call." Natlie called, walking through the room, causing the cast to cheer.

"Wildcats! Villagers! My friends and allies." Miss Jenn called out, causing everyone to quickly gather into a circle. "As you know, there is a judge out there in the audience tonight who is very important to the future of this theater program. He is going to score every performance, our music, our sets, Lord help us, even me. And in two weeks at the Menkies, we could win $50,000. So tonight, we are going to put the U in Utah!"

Everyone looked around at each other confused before Seb did a slow clap.

"And to Ricky and Soul, some words of inspiration. My deep and shameful disappointment in your recent accident and near accident has mellowed to a sort of numbness, so there's that." Miss Jenn said, turning her focus to her two leads.

"Oh, were those the words of inspiration?" Soul asked, confused.

"Yes, they were!" Miss Jenn said, sending a forced smile, causing the two to look at each other before looking back at their drama teacher. "Okay, where is LeFou?"

As on cue, Big Red came running through the door with Pepto Bismol in hand. "Sorry I'm late. Just some dry heaving."

...

Soul was walking up and down the hall singing the songs to herself as the show began in less then 10 minutes.

"Mind if we cut in." Sarah said, causing Soul's head to snap up to see her family along with a guy holding her sister's hand.

"You guys made it." Soul said, letting out a breath of air, smiling brightly at her family.

"Of course we did, we wouldn't miss it for the world." Stella said, smiling at her daughter as she pulled her into a hug. "You look great, Bug."

"Definitely pulling off Belle." Sam said, smirking at his sister, causing her to grin at him.

"How are you feeling?" The guy holding Sarah's hand asked, sending the girl a small smile. "I'm Chase by the way."

"I figured by the..." Soul said, gesturing to the hand holding, smiling at the two. "I'm fine, just a little pre-show nerves but when don't I have those."

"Hey, you're going to be great. You've been studying your lines day in and day out since you got the script."Sully said, grabbing his sister's hand in support. "Besides you know everything by heart."

"He's right. You could quote the entire movie by the time you were 6." Sarah said. "Don't stress too much, you are going to kill it."

"Belle. Five minutes." Natile said, walking by the group.

"Thanks, Natalie." Soul called after the girl, causing her to send a wave over her shoulder as she continued walking. Soul quickly turned back to her family with a smile. "Well I guess I gotta go but I reserved you guys 5 seats up close to the front, they're like right next to Kourt's mom."

"Oh, Michelle's here, she is such a lovely woman." Mom said, smiling at her daughter. "Good luck, honey."

"You're gonna kill it out there." Sam said, wrapping his arm around his sister's shoulder.

"Quick sibling hug?" Soul said, causing them all to chuckle before the other two wrapped their arms around Soul and Sam as the four siblings huddled together, causing their mom to smile from ear to ear at their interaction.

"So what you're going to do is own that stage, okay. For the next hour and a half you are Belle." Sam said, causing the girl to nod her head.

"And if you stumble it's okay, just pretend it's any other day of you in your room writing one of your songs." Sully said, looking directly at Soul.

"And if you need some reassurance, look for us in the crowd. Or look to your prince charming, he'll help too." Sarah said, sending a small smirk to her sister.

"Her what?" Sam asked, looking from his twin sister to his younger sister. "Your what?"

"Cast and crew, this is your places call." Natalie called out.

"That's me." Soul said, letting out a breath of air as she let go of her siblings, smiling at all of them. "See you on the flip."

Soul quickly made her way back to the dressing room where the rest of the cast was meeting.
"Her what?" Sam asked again, looking around at his family, causing their mom to chuckle.

"Don't worry about it, Sammy." Sarah said, patting her twin brother's back, grabbing her boyfriend's hand, leading the way into the auditorium.

"Do you guys know who she's talking about?" Sam asked, looking from his brother to his mom.

"No idea, dude." Sully said, quickly racing after his sister and her boyfriend.

"Come on sweetie." Mom said, placing a hand on her older son's back.

"Did Sully just call me, dude?" Sam said, causing him to realize what his brother called him as they walked through the door.

...

The sound of the orchestra filled the auditorium as the curtains began to rise causing the audience to clap and cheer.

'Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle...' Mr. Mazzara's voice filled the room as he began narrating the beginning. "But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in exchange for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift, and turned the old woman away! But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.'

...

"The silly girls go off sobbing, Gaston turns to Belle's cottage. Belle enters carrying a flowerpot and sees Gaston."

"Gaston? What a... pleasant surprise." Belle said, sending him a fake smile as she placed down her flowerpot.

"Isn't it, though? I'm just full of surprises." Gaston said, grabbing the flowers from the flowerpot as the girl's back was turned, holding them out to her, causing the girl to take them. "For you... mademoiselle."

"Oh, Gaston.." Belle said, turning to notice the pot was empty, letting out a sigh. "... you shouldn't have."

"Don't mention it. Belle, this is the day your dreams come true!" Gaston said.

"What could you possibly know about my dreams, Gaston?" Belle questioned.

"Plenty! Picture this. A rustic hunting lodge. My little wife massaging my feet while the strapping boys play on the floor with the dogs. We'll have six or seven." Gaston said.

"Dogs?" Belle asked, curious.

"No, boys!" Gaston answered.

"Imagine that." Belle said, turning away.

"So Belle, what'll it be?" Gaston asked, walking up to the girl.

"I just don't deserve you." Belle said, walking away from him.

Who does?" Gaston called after the girl.

"But thanks for asking!" Belle said, causing Soul to walk off the side of the stage as those playing the three silly girls entered on the other side of the stage next to EJ.

"So how'd it go?" One of the girls asked.

"You know that Belle... always playing hard-to-get." Gaston answered.

"She turned you down?!" The silly girls exclaimed together.

"For now. But I'll have Belle for my wife. Make no mistake about that!" Gaston said, walking off stage.

Madame Gaston! Can't you just see it?
Madame Gaston! His little wife.
No sir. Not her! I guarantee it!
She wants much more than this provincial life.

"Oh, Gaston!" The three called, walking off the stage on the same side as EJ.

Soul quickly peeked her head from behind the curtain before she made her way back on to the stage from the opposite side.

"Is he gone? Can you imagine... he asked me to marry him!" Belle said, making her way to center stage. "Me, the wife of that boorish, brainless..."

I want adventure in the great wide somewhere!
I want it more than I can tell!
And for once it might be grand to have someone understand.
I want so much more than they've got planned.

...

"Wildcats!" Miss Jenn exclaimed, clapping her hands as she entered the dressing room, causing the group to gather around. "This is going fine. I am mostly proud. And I heard Big Red has not thrown up in over 20 minutes... Every great performance needs an X factor. Something special that puts it over the top. A little birdie has just told me where our Menkies judge is sitting, and I'm thinking with just a few minor adjustments. We can make this gentleman feel every bit as welcome as the intruder that my mother clubbed over the head when I was a girl."

"I thought she just hog-tied him?" Seb said, sounding concerned.

"She just hog-tied him." Miss Jenn said, repeating what the boy had said with a smile on her face. "When the next song begins I have directed Benjamin Mazzara and his lighting-ists..."

"They're called grips." Natalie said, correcting the teacher.

"... to spotlight our judge." Miss Jenn said, holding her arms out, causing the cast to look around at each other. "And then I need you all to make him feel especially and uniquely welcome. Any questions?"

"Many questions." Gina said, holding up her feather duster.

"As great as that sounds... Miss Jenn. Are you sure you want to change it up this late?" Soul asked, standing beside Gina. "I mean shouldn't we just do what we rehearsed?"

"Doesn't that feel a little desperate?" Seb asked.

"It feels that way for a reason, Sebastian." Miss Jenn said. "Besides, Carlos is a seasoned professional who can roll with anything, right?"

Everyone looked to the boy dressed as the candlestick who quickly turned to his boyfriend beside him with a panicked look.

"He says 'Help.'." Seb said, answering for Carlos as he looked at the drama teacher with wide eyes.

Ma chère Mademoiselle
It is with deepest pride
And greatest pleasure
That we welcome you tonight

And now, we invite you to relax
Let us pull up a chair
As the dining room proudly presents
Your dinner

Be our guest! Be our guest!
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, Cherie
And we'll provide the rest

Soup du jour, hot hors d'oeuvres
Why, we only live to serve
Try the grey stuff, it's delicious!
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing, they can dance
After all, Miss, this is France
And a dinner here is never second best

Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance and then you'll
Be our guest, oui, our guest
Be our guest!

We tell jokes! I do tricks
With my fellow candlesticks
(And it's all in perfect taste that you can bet)

Come on and lift your glass
You've won your own free pass
To be our guest, if you're stressed
It's fine dining, we suggest

Be our guest, be our guest!
Be our guest!

Life is so unnerving
For a servant who's not serving
He's not whole without a soul to wait upon
Most days we just lay around the castle
Flabby, fat and lazy
You walked in and oops-a-daisy!

It's a guest! It's a guest!
Sakes alive, well, I'll be blessed!
Wine's been poured, and thank the Lord
I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert, she'll want tea
And, my dear, that's fine with me
While the cups do their soft-shoein'
I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing!

I'll get warm, piping hot
Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot?
Clean it up!
We want the company impressed

We've got a lot to do!
Is it one lump or two?
For you, our guest (she's our guest)
She's our guest!

Course by course, one by one
'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!"
Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up
But for now, let's eat up
Be our guest, be our guest!
Be our guest!
Please, be our guest!

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a 15 minute intermission." Natalie's voice rang through the auditorium, causing Soul to let out a breath. "If you don't buy at least $20 worth of concessions, you do ont support art. Thank you."

Soul quickly made her way into the hallway, letting herself be surrounded by a quieter setting.

"Hey!" Gina said, approaching the girl with EJ at her side, causing the girl to turn around with a smile.

"You are absolutely blowing everyone away!" EJ told the girl with a smile.

"He's right! The vocals are giving and you are hitting every step perfectly." Gina said, nodding her head.

"Really?" Soul asked, sounding unsure, causing the two to nod, causing her smile. "Thanks. You both are doing amazing. You absolutely dusted that stage and don't get me started on Be Our Guest. EJ... you absolutely blew me away with Gaston you executed it perfectly and you've honestly gotten him down perfectly it's truly scary."

"Stop it. Say that again." Gina said, causing them the chuckle before Gina quickly looked down at her phone.

"Everything alright?" EJ asked.

'G?" Soul called, placing her hand on her arm, causing her to look up.

"Sorry. Um..." Gina said, looking back at her phone before putting it down. "It's official. My mom's not coming again... but she said she sent me a surprise instead."

"More chocolates?" Soul jokingly asked, causing her to lightly laugh.

"I think she meant me." A voice said, causing the three to turn around to see a guy standing there who looked like Gina.

"Jamie?" Gina and Soul said at the same time, causing them to look at each other.

"You know my brother?" Gina asked, looking at her best friend.

"I didn't realize he was Jamie, Jamie when he reached out to help me." Soul explained.

"Help you... help you with what?" Gina asked, looking at the girl confused.

"I'm going to produce her music." Jamie answered, reaching the group smiling at the brunette girl as he pulled her into a hug. "It's nice to finally meet you in person, Soul."

"You too." Soul said, smiling from ear to ear as she hugged him back when realization hit as she let go. "Wait really?!"

"I loved what you sent me, you have a real talent for telling a story through your words and you sound just as great in person so I would love to work with you. That's if you still want to." Jamie said, causing the girl's smile to grow even bigger.

"Yeah, of course! I'd love to!" Soul said, quickly nodding her head.

"Great, I'll be in touch." Jamie said, sending the girl one last smile before he made his way down the hall with his sister beside him but stopped as he turned around with a smile. "There's actually someone here who wants to meet you. He's down the hall."

"This is amazing, Soul." EJ said, wrapping his arms around the girl, pulling her into a tight hug as the two disappeared. "I knew you could do it."

"This all just seems so unreal." Soul said, hugging the boy back as she placed her head on his shoulder.

"And you deserve all of it!' EJ said, pulling away from the hug as he held onto the girl's shoulders as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"I should probably go see who's here. But I'll catch you in a second. Yeah?" Soul said, smiling up at the boy.

"Yeah definitely." EJ said, grinning as he nodded at the girl. "Wait, so tonight..."

"You're not canceling on me again are you?" Soul asked, jokingly causing the boy to quickly shake his head.

"Of course not. I was going to stay I hope you have worked up an appetite because I heard the squid ink risotto at this place can be a little rich."

"Sounds great, E." Soul said, quickly leaning up to kiss the boy on the cheek. "Can't wait!"

The girl then turned around and made her way down the hall with a big smile on her face that matched the boy's as he watched her walk away.

Soul made her way down the hall, looking around but couldn't seem to find anyone in sight causing her to let out a sigh.

"There she is the woman of the hour." A voice said, causing her to turn around as shock filled her as he held his hand out. "I couldn't wait to meet you. I'm Quinn."

"Yeah, yeah I know I love your music. I'm Soul." Soul said, shaking his hand with a smile. "If you don't mind me asking. What are you doing here you know in Salt Lake?"

"Well I was working on some stuff with Jamie when I heard him playing your music one day and I was absolutely mesmerized by your voice and wanted to meet you." Quinn gushed. "You broke me first would be a certified hit."

"Y-you've heard my music." Soul said, causing the boy to nod. "And you think it's good."

"I don't think it good. I think it's amazing! You have a special gift that the world needs to hear." Quinn explained, causing the girl to smile. "I heard you are going to be working with Jamie. I would love to do a song with you if you are down."

"Yeah, no of course! I would love to make a song with you." Soul said, nodding her head with a giant smile.

"Great! Here's my number call me when you get a chance." Quinn said, handing the girl a piece of paper with a smile. "Talk to you soon."

"Yeah." Soul said to herself, nodding her head as the boy made her way down the hall as Soul looked at the paper in her hand with a smile.

"And we're back people!" Natalie called, walking past the girl, causing her to snap out of it, causing her to let out a squeal.

She quickly looked at the time and rushed backstage as she made her way to her place on stage.

There's something sweet, and almost kind
But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined
And now he's dear, and so unsure
I wonder why I didn't see him there before

She glanced this way, I thought I saw
And when we touched, she didn't shudder at my paw
No, it can't be, I'll just ignore
But then, she's never looked at me that way before

New, and a bit alarming
Who'd have ever thought that this could be?
True, that he's no Prince Charming
But there's something in him that I simply didn't see

Well, who'd have thought?
Well, bless my soul

Well, who'd have known?
Well, who indeed?

And who'd have guessed they'd come together on their own?
It's so peculiar

Wait and see, a few days more
There may be something there that wasn't there before

Perhaps there's something there that wasn't there before
There may be something there that wasn't there before

"What mama? What's there?" Chip asked, confused as the music cut, causing the audience to cheer and applause.

...

EJ made his way down the hallway as he sang a song to himself.

"Hey, you're, uh... You're EJ, right?" Jamie asked, causing the boy to stop and turn as he approached him. "We didn't properly meet before."

"I got to say, I'm a little starstruck right now." EJ said, causing Jamie to chuckle.

"Dude, no, it's..." Jamie trailed off. "I'm just the man behind the music, you know, no big deal."

"Oh, no. I actually meant because you're related to Gina and because of Soul; she told me everything. It's a really big deal to her." EJ explained. "But no offense."

"Oh. That's amazing." Jamie said, looking down as he chuckled before looking back up at the teen boy. "Man, my mom was right about you."

"Meaning?" EJ asked.

"That you're very charming. She thinks you walk on air." Jamie explained. "Look, we're just really glad that Gigi and Soul have a big-brother figure in their life, you know since mom considers Soul her daughter too and she told me all about you. Even if it's not me. Maybe if it's not me."
"Is that what Soul said about me?" EJ questioned.

"I never really nailed the whole sibling thing. I suppose sometimes the family that you choose is better than the one that you get." Jamie said, ignoring the boy's question. "That make sense?"

"Yeah. I understand." EJ said. "Vaguely."

"Oh, yeah, I gotta go." Jamie said, looking down at his phone. "It was great to meet you, bruh."

"Yeah." EJ said, nodding his head.

"Uh, great show, by the way." Jamie said before making his way up the stairs.

That caused EJ to let out a scoff before he turned around and made his way down the hall.

Everyone was backstage freaking out as the sound of the orchestra playing was heard.

"It's a normal harness. Like, it's like, I don't know, this big." Ricky explained as everyone was looking through everything trying to find it.

"You guys, the orchestra hasn't vamped this much since Bop To The Top." Carlos explained.

"I know it's here. I preset it." Natalie explained.

"What's wrong?" Miss Jenn asked, rushing into the room of frantic teens.

"My harness is missing." Ricky explained.

"It's the new one for the transformation." Ashlyn explained.

"What? No, no, this can't be happening." Miss Jenn said, starting to freak out.

"It was here." Natalie said, assuring the drama teacher.

"What else can I use?" Ricky asked.

"For heaven's sake, can't you just jump off something high?" Miss Jenn said, causing everyone to stop and look at her. "Nope. Forget I said that. I will be not here."

The drama teacher quickly rushed back out of the room, causing everyone to quickly get back to searching.

"I knew something would go wrong." Ricky said.

"Hey, hey, you guys! All of you stop it." Nini called, causing everyone to stop and turn to the girl. "Richard, let's just spin you around without the harness, you can toss the mask into the wings. Okay? Just like rehearsal."

"Right! Which I never got right." Ricky pointed out. "And now I'm supposed to do it with one hand. Sorry. Second acts haven't traditionally been my strong suit."

"She's right though. It's really the only option we have right now." Soul explained, looking at Ricky. "First time for everything, right?"
"I can spin the table." EJ offered.

"I can throw snow." Carlos said.

"And I'll catch your mask." Nini said.

"Okay. Our judge is literally doing sudoku." Natalie said, grabbing onto Soul and Ricky's arms as she pulled them with her. "I'm pushing you on stage. Aim for my face."

...

with

DYLAN O'BRIEN

as

CHASE WHITE

JORDAN FISHER

as

JAMIE PORTER

and

CONAN GRAY

as

QUINN KELLY