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𝗜 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢

chapter seven:
red !

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THERE WAS A gnawing pit in Violetta's stomach, one that wouldn't go away.

Mack had practically insisted that they fake data, and honestly, Violetta couldn't find a way out. Sure, Mack intrigued her. They could talk easily, and they acted together even better. But she didn't like him, and she probably never would. Especially not when the heart wanted what it wanted. Her heart wanted one specific person.

Her love back plan part two was going horribly wrong, by the way.

Usually, Violetta told EJ everything about her days. That was just how their phone calls worked. They went back and forth just talking for hours. But she couldn't find it in her to tell her she was dating someone else, even if it was only fake dating. She hadn't even told Athena, hoping that if she didn't talk about it, she didn't speak it into existence.

It was finally Halloween night, even though she knew Mack was coming to the party at Gina's, all she wanted to do was forget any and everything High School Musical related. Every year, Violetta and Athena did a duo costume. This year, they switched it up a bit, adding Ricky to be a trio. They were Kiss, Marry, and Kill. Violetta, of course, was Kiss. She was wearing a red lace corset top, a red satin skirt, red Converse, red lace gloves, and had red lipstick on her lips and in the shape of a kiss on her cheek.

Violetta trailed into Gina's house behind Athena. While they were getting ready, Athena had gotten a letter saying that Juilliard offered her an audition. Her shot in the dark — which is why she didn't tell anyone she applied — hadn't been a shot in the dark after all. Violetta was so incredibly proud of her, but in the back of her mind, she knew that Athena was going to get in, because how could she not? That meant she would be in New York, and that meant that they would be separated fully for the first time in their lives.

The only other problem was . . . Athena didn't want to tell Ricky, or anyone about her audition.

"I'll tell him later," Athena argued as they climbed up the stairs to Gina's bedroom, where music was sounding. "I'll tell everyone later, I promise. An audition doesn't guarantee anything."

"But it's still a huge achievement," Violetta protested. "'Thena, this could change your life."

"Or, Juilliard could just decline me afterwards." Athena let out a sigh while Violetta rolled her eyes — oh, please. "I promise that I'll freak out about it if I get accepted."

"When you get accepted, you mean." Violetta nudged their shoulders together. "Manifestation."

They finally reached the top of the stairs, where almost all of the theater department in their costumes were milling around Gina's bedroom. Gina's bedroom was decorated incredibly with Halloween decorations and colorful string lights, accompanied by tables of snacks and drinks. Violetta waved slightly to Kaden and Lauryn, who were dancing near the stairs.

"Quick announcement, everybody," Gina announced to everyone. "Hello, welcome to my party. So since this is our first weekend off, the words High School Musical and the numbers three and four are strictly prohibited. So let's have fun and be normal teenagers tonight, okay?"

Just what Violetta wanted — even if it was only for one night. She joined in with the cheers.

"Hmm, just in time," Athena commented. "Come on." The two walked over to Ashlyn and Gina, who were further in by the window, and Athena grinned at Gina's costume. "Oh, hey, Catwoman. And hey . . ." She then paused, staring at Ashlyn's costume. Violetta honestly couldn't figure it out either. "Young Miss Darbus?"

Gina gasped in response. "That's what I said!"

"I'm actually hot Eleanor Roosevelt, queer icon," Ashlyn corrected before pointing to Violetta and Athena. "Oh my God, Kiss and Marry, that's genius."

"Just missing Kill," Violetta responded, looking back at the stairs for a moment. "Where is Ricky, anyways? I thought he said he was meeting us here."

"He is," Athena said. "I'm sure he'll be here soon."

Gina then lifted up her Polaroid camera. "We'll take another one when he gets here, but you guys are too iconic not to have one together. Say cheese."

Violetta smiled brightly and posed with Athena in front of the camera. It clicked, and Gina got the Polaroid when it exited from the other side, holding it to let it develop.

Carlos then approached them, wearing an all black costume, kind of looking like he was going to a funeral. "Hello."

Violetta blinked in confusion. "Um, hi."

"Okay, did a Pretty Little Liar die or did something happen with Seb?" Gina asked.

"Seb, of course," Carlos confirmed. "He's still refusing to talk to me, so I can only assume we are B-U-R-N-T. Which stands for broken up right now, thank you. Therefore, I am Death tonight."

Violetta frowned. That documentary had truly screwed everything over. Carlos seemed to sad without Seb, and this was definitely proving that point.

Ashlyn offered her arm out for a hug. "Aw, come here."

"Oh, watch the raven," Carlos insisted, pausing to adjust the raven that rested on his shoulder. "Oh, who cares? I need a hug."

All four of them then brought Carlos in for a group hug. Violetta remembered that night at camp for her break up and how much she wanted a hug, so she understood.

"Happy Halloween!" Maddox's voice began, and Violetta pulled away from the hug to see her coming up the stairs in a white costume with a black wig.

Jet came in after her in some sort of red costume. "What's up?"

"Wow, you look great!" Ashlyn literally yelled, and Violetta winced as the entire room went quiet because of it. She then looked to them, smiling very nervously. "Was I yelling?"

Violetta patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Just a bit, honey."

"Um, what are you guys?" Carlos asked to Jet and Maddox.

Jet stared at him incredulously. "Have you not seen Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?"

They all shook their heads.

"Yeah, okay, well, we're gonna need to fix that, because Michelle Yeoh," Maddox voiced before turning to Ashlyn. "Oh, hey! Hot Eleanor Roosevelt."

Violetta glanced over and shared a look with Violetta. Hm. Interesting how she got that so quick, wasn't it?

Ashlyn looked shocked at that. "You got that? Of course you got that. I'm chill."

The sound of a whistle suddenly came from the stairs. Violetta looked over, only to see none other than Ricky Bowen running up the stairs. She then gasped — in betrayal, maybe shock, mostly betrayal — because he was not who he was supposed to be. His Kill costume was replaced with a lifeguard one, which was just a shirtless t-shirt, lifeguard bathing suit, and white Vans.

"Let's get this starty parted!" Ricky shouted, raising his fists in the air. "Nope, let me come in again, sorry." He turned and ran back down the stairs.

Carlos looked at Athena. "Oh, is he okay?"

Athena sighed in reply. "Well, he's definitely not Kill."

"He ruined it," Violetta complained with a frown, crossing her arms across her chest. "It was such a basic costume. All he had to do was wear black and carry a knife. Where did we go so wrong?"

Ashlyn sent a smirk in Athena's direction. "Bowen as Baywatch."

Ricky came back up the stairs, now pretending to swim. Violetta rolled her eyes. Kiss and Marry wasn't really complete without Kill — that was kind of the whole point. Now it was just Kiss, Marry, and Lifeguard, which made absolutely no sense.

"Are you supposed to be a Zac Efron deep cut?" Athena questioned. "I don't really get it."

Ricky smiled at her and Violetta brightly. "I literally cannot wait to explain this to you two."

Oh, Violetta couldn't wait for the explanation.

Gina gasped once the doorbell rang. "Oh my gosh, I think that's our first trick-or-treater." She shrieked in excitement and ran off to grab her candy.

"In the attic?" Carlos inquired.

She now stood by the stairs, holding an orange bowl full of candy. "I made signage. Hello."

A person dressed in a white sheet with a pumpkin head came up the stairs and took a piece of candy from the bowl. However, they said absolutely no words before turning to their little group and making their way over. Violetta blinked in surprise. What was this?

"Hey, little tall guy," Ricky stated. "Where's your candy bag?" They still didn't say a thing. "Buddy? Are you lost?"

The person stopped right in front of Carlos before opening their palm, offering him their piece of candy.

"Oh," Carlos said with a nervous laugh. He took the candy and waited for the person to walk away before looking to everyone with wide eyes. "I'm scared."

Violetta walked up to Ricky and hit up upside the head — gently, might she add, even though she didn't want it to be gentle. "I'm going to kill you, and that wasn't a reference to the costume."

Athena laughed and hit Ricky on the forehead with her fake bouquet. "You did deserve that, honestly."

"Oh, guys," Gina cut in. "I know you're not matching, we can still do a group photo."

The three of them all posed for a picture — Violetta blowing a kiss, Athena holding her bouquet to her chest, and Ricky with his whistle in his mouth. Gina then snapped another picture of just Athena and Ricky before rushing off to take more pictures, leaving the three of them alone.

"I know I messed up the costume, but—" Ricky started to say.

"It's fine," Athena interjected.

Violetta narrowed her eyes. "It may be fine for her, but I'm watching you closely, Bowen."

Athena elbowed her swiftly. "Honestly, you're killing the bathing suit and alarmingly lifelike T-shirt."

Violetta slowly turned her head towards Athena — did she hear that right? "Alarmingly lifelike?"

"I said what I said."

Ricky squinted at Athena. "Hmm." He then kissed her quickly. "Thanks, baby. And you look beautiful."

"You could've been beautiful, too, if you were Kill," Violetta mumbled — and no, she would not be getting over this.

Ricky snapped and pointed to her. "Speaking of things that are killing me, you know how in theater when there are casting problems, you can't put on a show?"

Violetta raised an eyebrow at him. What was this about?

"Oh, we're actually not allowed to talk about anything High School Musical related," Athena voiced. "Gina's rules."

"Right, but we may have to make an exception to that 'cause I have something big to tell you, Vi," Ricky admitted. "Or small. It could be small."

Violetta took a deep breath — she guessed tonight was the night to tell them about Mack's fake dating plan. "I may or may not have something to tell you guys, too."

"What's wrong?" Athena asked in concern, clearly picking up on the tone in her voice — curse her for knowing Violetta so well.

Mack then came into the room in a white toga and gold laurel headband, looking like a whole Greek God. "Hey, everyone. It's nice to see you all outside of set. Ashlyn, Carlos, Maddox, Jet, Gina, right?" He then looked over at Violetta. "And, of course, our beautiful lead, Violetta. With her bestie, Athena."

"Oh, good," Ricky commented. "Spark is here."

"You're ridiculous, be nice," Athena scolded. "And his name is Mark, we've been over this."

Mack pointed to Ricky when he got closer to their group. "Hey, you're the wow guy, right? Who almost ruined the take."

Violetta smirked slightly to herself, masking her laugh with a cough.

"Wow," Ricky let out.

"Yeah, like that," Mack said. "Honestly, I get it, though. Violetta was amazing." He looked around the room "This is your friend's house, V-Force? Exposed oak beams, very on trend."

Violetta hated her life, because who wanted to be called V-Force? (she couldn't stop the nickname.) "Gina gets all the credit."

Athena turned Violetta, and Violetta wanted to punch the stupid smug smile off of her face. "Want some punch, V-Force? Ricky and I are going to get some."

Violetta's eyes narrowed further. "I hate you, and I'm never speaking to you again."

"That's not true, and you know it."

"Oh, hey, Wow guy, would you mind grabbing me a glass, too?" Mack questioned.

Ricky gave him a sarcastic thumbs-up. "You got it, buddy."

"Sweet."

Ricky then guided Athena away from them, going over to where the drinks were.

Ricky then placed a hand on the small of Athena's back and gently guided her away from Violetta and Mack.

Violetta looked away from them, giving Mack a small smile. "So . . . you came."

"Well, yeah, I couldn't miss the party that my fake girlfriend was going to," Mack replied. Violetta winced a little — fake girlfriend, this was ridiculous. "But I might bounce early. Parties are kinda draining for me. It's a lot of pressure to be Mack."

She nodded slowly. "Right." Violetta tucked a curl behind her ear — God, this was awkward. "Don't worry about it."

"So, do you wanna break the internet at midnight? 'Cause we could post a pic and make it official."

There was literally anything else that Violetta would rather do.

"Uh . . . tentative yes," Violetta told him. "The movie's definitely important. But . . ." She then glanced over towards Athena and Ricky, and her mind instantly drifted to EJ. "I just have to have to have some conversations first."

Mack looked at her costume. "Kiss, huh? I'm assuming Athena is Marry."

Violetta nodded. "Yeah. Ricky — oh, Wow guy, sorry — was actually supposed to be Kill, but showed up as a lifeguard for some reason." She let out a small laugh. "I don't really understand why, but he told us he would explain later."

"Well, you look great." Mack looked at her costume more intently. "Red is so your color."

"Oh." Violetta paused for a moment — no, her face wasn't getting red, it was just hot in the room. "Thanks. And you — your costume looks great, too."

Thankfully, their conversation was cut short by Ricky and Athena coming back with drinks. Violetta smiled at Athena as she took her own punch.

Ricky held a cup of punch out to Mack. "Hey, here you go."

Mack took it from him. "Thanks." He sipped it. "Mmm. Zingy."

Little did Violetta know how much of a disaster this night was going to be.

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I'm sleepy