Unlike yesterday, where I was rushed out of the house with barely any time to get ready, this morning, I felt way more prepared for the day; EJ even drove a little farther out so we could get coffee if the rest of the day went as smoothly as this morning had, I would be shocked.

The bell rang just as Miss Jenn entered the class, a clipboard in hand, "Five questions to really know someone's character." Miss Jenn announced, walking in front of us, "Today, I want you all to go fully method, stay in character for this entire exercise. I want each of you to come to the front of the room, I'll prompt you with a question, and you'll answer in character."

I feel like I have an unfair disadvantage to this exercise; the enchantress isn't a fully developed character like everyone else's... "Enchantress," Miss Jenn motioned to me, "let's start with you." I guess I'm winging it; a couple of my friends applaud as I move to the front, where Miss Jenn stood. "Questions one, if you had to pick one book to live inside, what would it be and why?"

I tilted my head as I thought, "uh... a spellbook maybe?" I answer, it comes out as more of a question though, "You know, you never know when I'll need to cast a spell on another arrogant prince; maybe I can switch it up next time."

Miss Jenn nods her head enthusiastically, laughing slightly, "very true, okay, what would you ask your future self?" She asks, reading off the paper.

Subconsciously, my eyes drift over to EJ, who's already watching me, a curious look on his face, "I would ask her if she's ever misjudged, someone...." I glance over at Miss Jenn once more, "and if she ever regretted casting a curse on a guy, instead of just giving him a second chance right away." While the answer was technically in character, parts of it were definitely true for me; maybe, I was a little too harsh on EJ; I mean, yeah, what he did sucked... but people change and grow; maybe we needed that time apart?

"Ooh, interesting," Miss Jenn nodded, clapping her hands; everyone else follows, "Gaston, why don't you go next?"

As I walked back to my seat, EJ walked past me, shooting me a smile on his way to the front of the room; I took my seat beside Seb as Miss Jenn began asking the first question, "Like a book of etiquette," EJ answered her, "you know 'cause Gaston could really use some manners, always spitting and shooting stuff, it's like "Chill, Gaston."

"Love that," Exclaimed, laughing slightly, "okay, what would you ask your future self?"

Before EJ could answer, Ricky shot his hand in the air, "Oh, trick question. Gaston's dead."

Seb and I share a glance, both of our brows furrowed, that was kind of unnecessary; EJ didn't seem to be fazed by it though, "I'd ask him if you learn to love anyone after Belle," He answers, "I mean, anything's possible, right? Maybe there was some other village girl that meant for him, does he regret not giving her a chance?" It felt like there was more to his words, like some hidden meaning that only he knew.

"Intriguing," Miss Jenn nodded, clapping her hands; we all followed; honestly, last semester, I'm not too sure how EJ would have answered those questions, he somehow humbled Gaston, "Mr. Beast, wanna give it a go?" Miss Jenn asks Ricky; Ricky mumbles his response, jumping out of his seat.

As Miss Jenn asks the first question, I lean down to EJ, whispering to him, "Nice work Caswell."

EJ glances back at me, grinning, "You didn't do too bad yourself, Garcia."

Ricky went next, an uncomfortable tension filling the room as he answered Miss Jenn's questions, not taking it seriously whatsoever; what was his problem right now? Miss Jenn kept pushing him to answer, which I didn't blame her for; until eventually Ricky snapped, telling her to get off his back... Miss Jenn called ten after that, and Ricky stormed out of the room.

"Miss Jenn," I climbed down from my seat; I felt like I needed to apologize on behalf of Ricky, I get he's annoyed about his dad and her, but that was so uncalled for. "I am so-"

"It's fine, Aurora," She cut me off, shaking her head, though I could tell it really wasn't, "go, enjoy the break; I think I'm going to step out for some air." She shot me a small smile before walking out of the room.

"Well, that went well," EJ observed as he walked over to me; I shook my head, "you good, Garcia?"

I sigh, "I guess, I just feel like everyone's falling apart; I just wanna make it stop." I admit, first Gina, then Ricky, and now Miss Jenn; everyone was having some sort of issue, and I just wished there was a way to help them all.

"It's not your responsibility to fix everyone's problems," EJ reminded me, but if I didn't, who would? "Speaking of problems...." He drags off, glancing down at our hands, "last night was-"

"A disaster," I finish his sentence, "I know, I'm sorry I shouldn't have tried talking to your dad; I made things worse."

EJ was quick to shake his head, "No, no, I appreciated it," He reassured, "not a lot of people care about my happiness, or what I want for my own future." He admits, looking back up at me, "so thank you."

I nodded, "of course, I know I'm not the greatest at showing it, but I don't want you to be miserable for the rest of your life...."

"You're getting better at showing it," He informed me, a small smile making its way onto his lips, "you know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think like me."

"Crap, I've gotta start being mean again," I inform him, shaking my head, "I've got a reputation to uphold." EJ nodded, quirking his brow at me, unconvinced, "like is a bit of an overstatement; I tolerate you at best."

EJ shrugged, "I'll take what I can get." I try my best to keep my expression serious, but something about the way EJ's smiling at me breaks me; he only smiles bigger once that happens.

"Uh," I shake my head, trying to break myself out of whatever trance I was under, "I'm gonna go grab water," I inform him, stepping back; I hadn't realized I'd taken steps closer.

Before EJ can respond, I've walked away, mentally scolding myself for allowing myself to get so caught up in EJ Caswell, but I mean, have his eyes always been that green? Or am I just noticing that now?

I find my water bottle in the wardrobe room where I left it, on a vanity that Ashlyn is sitting by, "Do you mind if I join you?" I ask, nodding to the seat across from her, "It's kind of weird in the other room."

She nods, looking almost relieved, "Yes, please," She sighs, "Everything is so awkward right now, I mean, first-"

Before she can finish her sentence, Gina walks through the door, "I should give you some space, shouldn't I?" I guess she and Ashlyn hadn't worked out whatever happened yet?

"Suit yourself," Ashlyn shrugs, glancing down at her phone.

I keep my eyes on Gina, shooting her a reassuring smile; if she's willing to explain what's going on, I'm willing to listen. "Look," She steps closer, "Ashlyn, Aurora, I didn't know the right time to tell you guys this, but my mom got a job in Louisiana, and I've never lived in Louisiana before, so I think I'm gonna join her."

I stand up, my eyes wide in shock, "you're leaving?" I ask her, shaking my head.

"It's not what you think, I just-"

Ashlyn stands up, cutting Gina off, "Hold on. Look, um, I know I can be a little moody sometimes," Gina tries to interject, but Ashlyn keeps speaking, "When I saw that video of North High and Lily... I get snappy when I feel threatened; I can't help it. I'm still a Caswell."

Gina shakes her head, "Ashlyn, Aurora, I did something last semester that nobody knows about."

"The understudy plan with EJ?" I ask her, not sure what the big deal about that is, "I already know about that."

"Me too," Ashlyn chimes in, nodding her head reassuringly.

Gina chuckles lightly, "No, not that," Her smile then fades; she moves to sit in the chair I sat in moments ago, "you know how sometimes when the plane is going down, people confess things because they know they'll never see you again?"

Ashlyn takes the seat across from her, "I've heard of it."

"Do you remember opening night? when you guys couldn't find me after the show?"

I nodded, still standing, "Yeah, they told me you were getting something you needed."

Gina laughs, as if she finds it ironic, "Yeah, I suppose I was."

I share a look with Ashlyn; what does she mean; I bend down, so I'm looking her the eye, my hand finding hers to squeeze it reassuringly, "Gina, what happened?"

Ashlyn and I stay silent as Gina explains what happened on opening night; she went to Ricky, not knowing he and Nini were back, and told him, if she weren't moving, she wouldn't give up on him... but then, she ended up staying, and Ricky and Nini got back together.

"You told him that?" Ashlyn asked once Gina was done telling her story.

Gina chuckles, tears beginning to brim her eyes, "Yeah, the plane was going down."

"Have you talked about it?" I ask her. Honestly, I didn't realize Ricky was so good at keeping things to himself; he's always been the worst at keeping secrets; I'm also a little annoyed with him; he should have handled this all way differently.

"I mean, Nini's back and...." Gina pauses, shaking her head, "he's so happy now... What's there to talk about?" I could list a few things, "It's just been really hard, and Louisiana sounds like a nice break."

"Gina, Ashlyn, Rory," Carlos' voice calls from the hallway, interrupting our conversation; we all stand up.

"Okay, isn't there some magical thing I could say to make you consider staying?" Ashlyn asks, her voice full of desperation.

Gina shakes her head, "I wish, but this isn't, you know, a musical. Can't sing and dance our way out of this one."

As Gina walks out of the room, Carlos peeks his head in, "Feather, Princess, Enchantress, are you guys ready to do some improvisation?"

Gina plasters a smile on her face, "always."

"C'mon," I hold my hand out to Ashlyn, "we're gonna figure this out."

Ashlyn nods, but she still looks unsure, "I hope so."

We walk back into the bomb shelter to join the rest of our friends, but while everyone is chatting, it's obvious the two of us aren't quite as happy as them; I can't think of anything to get Gina to stay; I just hope Ashlyn can.

"It seems like we have a missing beast," Miss Jenn observes; I'd been so worried about Gina I hadn't even noticed my best friend was missing, "anyone seen him?" We all stay silent, "Belle, you wanna come up here and do five questions?"

"Um..." Ashlyn mumbles, glancing back at Gina, who stands by the door, typing away on her phone; she then looks at me; I can tell by the look in her eyes she has a plan. I simply nod, reassuring her, "Could I ask for permission to explore my character by singing a song from our show instead?" She asks, standing up to face Miss Jenn.

Our teacher smiles, walking over to where the rest of us are sitting to watch, "Of course."

Ashlyn takes a deep breath before beginning to sing, "Is this home? Is this where I should learn to be happy?" As she sings the first verse, I stand, moving over to the guitar seating by the piano; I watch Gina as I strum; she's looked up from her phone finally and is hesitantly moving to sit on the bench, the tears brimming her eyes beginning to fall. "My heart's far, far away. Home and free." I finish strumming, placing the guitar down as soon as I can.

Both Ashlyn and I meet together to approach Gina, who stands up from her seat, pulling us both into a hug, "Okay," She mumbles, through a shaky voice; I hold on tighter, tears now brimming my eyes; We weren't losing Gina, I guess the power of music works after all.

this chapter is all over the place... but like I don't hate it; we've got some cute EJ and Aurora content, and also some adorable friendship moments between her, ash and Gina!
I have sooo many plans for these next few episodes! What do y'all hope to see happen? I LOVE hearing from y'all!