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𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗢𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣

chapter two:
tale as old as time !

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IT WAS SUCH a normal sight to see. Violetta stood in Athena's room, standing in front of her full length mirror while Athena sat at her vanity. Her face was set in concentration, focusing solely on her task at hand, which was pinning the two front pieces of her hair back with bobby pins. Miscellaneous Taylor Swift songs played softly in the background from Athena's speaker.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Violetta glanced over at it for a moment before looking back in the mirror, securing one of the bobby pins in her hair.

"Come in," Athena called.

Artemis, Athena's older sister, then opened the door. "Hey, I'm leaving. Be careful and call me if you need anything, okay? I think mom and dad are spending the night at our aunt's house."

"Thanks, Artie. Have fun."

"Not too much fun!" Violetta exclaimed to Artemis as she shut the door, grinning as she heard the girl scoff, pinning another bobby pin in her hair so it made an x with the other on one side.

Athena laughed in response. "I don't think she's going to do anything crazy, Vi. You know Artemis, she's chill."

Violetta made another x with a bobby pin on the other side before looking in the mirror, satisfied at the way it felt secure. "Yeah, but homegirl's going off to college in a couple of months. You never know."

"Don't remind me." Athena let out a sigh. "It's gonna be so weird not having her around all the time. We've never really been separated . . . ever."

"I get it. Especially with EJ . . . we're doing really well, but I'm gonna miss him a lot when he leaves."

For the past couple of days, Violetta had started to realize that EJ was going away so soon. It had never really occurred to her until EJ had texted her, saying that went he went off to college, he would take the picture frame he had gotten from her for Christmas with him to put in his dorm room. She knew that they had only been dating for a short amount of time and just started to be friends in around October, but imagining an East High, or even a Salt Lake City without EJ was hard to swallow.

Fear often crept into her mind. What if he found somebody better at college? What if this whole relationship was just EJ messing around? Violetta could tell that she was just being ridiculous, but most of the time, her head got the better of her.

Athena gave her a reassuring nod. "You two are amazing together. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll try and make it work."

Violetta then heard her phone go off. She walked over to Athena's bed where it was resting. Slightly covering the lock screen of a selfie that EJ had taken of the two of them was a text from EJ. It simply read I'm outside <3

She grinned at it. "Speaking of him, it's EJ. He's waiting outside. I'll see you at Ash's."

Athena waved at her and Violetta left the room. She descended down the steps, saying a quick goodbye to Athena's parents before putting on her shoes and her winter jacket. Her outfit wasn't exactly the most winter practical — consisting of a red sweater, a black skirt, and black boots — so she shivered as she walked outside into the cold air of Salt Lake City.

She got into EJ's car, sighing in content once the heat hit her. Violetta instantly buckled her seatbelt and looked up at him, only to see him already staring at her, a soft smile on his face.

Violetta's heart beat against her chest. "What?"

"You look beautiful," EJ commented.

She rolled her eyes playfully, but nothing stopped the blush on her cheeks. "Shut up."

"What? You do."

Violetta let out a small laugh as she turned back to EJ. EJ was still looking at her, but before she knew it, he leaned over the center console and pressed his lips onto hers gently. His were warm against her cold ones and instantly ignited all of her nerves, just like every time. She started to wonder if she would ever get over that. Probably not.

Even though she didn't want to, Violetta pulled away. She knew that if they continued, they would just be sitting outside of Athena's house in EJ's running car for minutes on end. Violetta reached up and placed her hand on his cheek, his warm skin instantly warming up the cold metal of the ring he had gotten her.

"Get to driving, loser," Violetta instructed. "We're already late."

EJ shook his head before turning back to the steering wheel, making Violetta drop her head. She instantly plugged her phone into the aux cord and started to play New Year's Day, a very fitting song since it was New Year's Eve.

Within about ten minutes, EJ finally pulled up outside of Ashlyn's house. They both got out of the car, EJ making sure to grab his case of drinks that he was bringing. He then reached over and took Violetta's hand in her free one, the warmth of his encasing her cold one. She allowed him to lead her to the front door, which he just opened without knocking.

"Hello, hello," EJ greeted.

"EJ!" Ashlyn exclaimed. "Vi!"

"Hi, you two," Carlos added.

"I'm sorry I'm so late," EJ replied. "I was volunteering at the soup kitchen with the water polo guys and then I had to pick up Vi."

Carlos walked away with a plate of food. "Pics or it didn't happen."

"I'm actually taking a break from social media, so . . ."

Violetta blinked. "Are you really?"

"Wow," Ashlyn commented. "New year, new you." She then turned back around, noticing that neither EJ or Violetta were following her into the highly decorated living room. "Are you gonna go in, or . . ."

"Uh, sorry," EJ voiced. "I'm just, uh, taking it all in. Not to be, like, your stereotypical second semester senior, but, uh, starting to realize that every day is the last time I'm going to be doing stuff with you guys."

Violetta pushed her feelings down and looked up at him. "You're being the stereotypical second semester senior."

Ashlyn, however, chuckled. "Oh, that's actually really sweet."

"It's weird," EJ continued, looking straight at Ashlyn. "You literally look so young to me now. Oh, I'm growing a beard."

"Oh, I thought that was dirt on your face."

EJ shrugged. "I might grow it out. Just depends on what musical we're doing. You know, John Valjean isn't Jean Valjean without his facial hair."

Violetta stared at him as Ashlyn walked away. "What do you mean what musical we're doing? Honey, the answer is right in front of your face."

"Wait, you know what musical we're doing? What is it?"

Violetta shook her head incredulously and let go of his hand, pulling off her jacket to rest it on a chair. "Use your context clues and get back to me."

EJ trailed after her as Violetta walked into the living room. "V, just tell me!"

Gina laughed, noticing the exasperated look on Violetta's face. "Wait, have you seriously not heard what musical we're doing?"

"No, was it announced?"

"Nobody say anything!" Carlos ordered, sounding slightly panicked.

EJ stopped in his tracks. "Okay."

"I'm worried about you sometimes," Violetta told him as they sat down next to each other. "Please tell me you're joking."

"Angel, I'm not joking."

Violetta tensed up and looked at him. "Angel?"

"Yeah," EJ said, shrugging as a blush painted across his face. "Makes sense."

"Okay, you two," Ashlyn began, giving them two pieces of paper. "Write down your New Year's resolution and put them in the bowl. It's for a game later that Kourtney made up."

Violetta took the slip of paper and a pen before thinking. Every New Year's, her resolution didn't really stick. But maybe this time would be different. She let out a sigh and wrote down make the most of everything. It was simple, yet it managed to get everything across. Violetta then placed the piece of paper in the bowl.

Suddenly, the door opened. It was revealed to be Ricky, who instantly entered the house, starting to do dramatic movements. Violetta blinked and her eyebrows raised as she watched him come into the living room.

"I'm not gonna stop, that's who I am," Ricky sang breathily. "I'll give it all I got, that is my plan. When I find what I lost, you know you can bet on it, bet on it, you can bet on me."

EJ clapped for him. "All right, Ricky."

"I have no idea what just happened," Violetta admitted.

"Okay, okay, okay!" Carlos shouted as everybody clapped for Ricky. "Does anybody not know we're doing High School Musical 2?"

"We are?" EJ asked in shock and excitement, making Violetta place a hand on her forehead. "Whoo-hoo!"

Carlos let out a groan and fell back onto the couch.

Violetta blinked at EJ, still not really knowing how he didn't figure it out. "Sweetie, it was so obvious. How did you not know?"

"That was not obvious," EJ argued.

"What do you mean it wasn't obvious? We literally did High School Musical, why wouldn't we do High School Musical 2?"

The two of them bickered for a little while longer before they started to mill around the room, talking to the others and getting food from the kitchen. However, like always, Violetta and EJ managed to get back to each other. At around eleven o'clock, EJ sat in an chair, Violetta sitting on the arm of it. His arm was wrapped around her hips so she wouldn't fall off. She definitely wouldn't fall off, but Violetta didn't complain.

Conversation flowed easily throughout the living room for a little while. It was in the eleven o'clock hour, and midnight was about to be here soon. Another year had come and passed. Sure, this year might have been more . . . confusing than the last, but right here with all of her best friends, Athena knew that it would end on a high note.

"Okay, listen up," Kourtney announced, stopping the chatter of the room. "Rules of the game. This is important. We need to set intentions and be accountable to one another this year."

"True that," Ashlyn said.

"This is a terrible party," Natalie Bagley repeated, making Violetta laugh as she remembered that the girl had said the exact same thing in Big Red's basement.

"Hey, watch yourself," Kourtney scolded playfully. "Okay." She giggled while pulling a piece of paper out of the bowl. "All right, resolution number one. Anyone's guess. I resolve to . . ." Kourtney laughed again. "This is so stupid, I can't."

"Come on, Kourt, you have to read it," Nini urged.

"I resolve to remember everybody fondly when I go to Duke. Any guesses?"

Violetta's eyes immediately widened and she slapped EJ's shoulder, knowing that EJ was only senior there, so it had to be him. "Dude, shut up. You got into Duke?"

"I — I mean, have I technically gotten into Duke?" EJ questioned. However, he started to use a lot of air quotes, and Violetta just got confused. "Did my father and our grandpa before him also go to Duke? Guys, I think it's just a matter of time."

"Okay, I lost track of the air quotes," Ricky said.

Kourtney pulled another piece of paper out of the bowl after everyone laughed. "Okay, resolution number two. Oh, I don't get this one."

"Just read it!"

Sounds of agreement rang throughout the room.

"This one doesn't say anything except the words my cows," Kourtney revealed.

"You guys, I thought we were writing down what we're thankful for," Seb replied.

Violetta shook her head, a soft smile on her face. Seb was just adorable. Carlos also pouted and hugged his boyfriend's arm.

"A for effort, Seb," EJ stated. "A for effort."

Steph held up the bowl again. "Read another clue, Kourt."

"Um, here we go," Kourtney continued, pulling out another piece of paper. "Okay, let's see what we got. Um . . . I want to live my life full of oh wells instead of what ifs."

That one was so obvious.

"Athena," Violetta immediately answered before anyone else could speak.

From her place on the couch, Athena looked over at Violetta and blinked. "How did you know that so fast?"

Violetta smiled proudly at her. "Because I know you."

"Fine, yes, it's me. I saw it online somewhere one day and it's really stuck with me ever since. I'd just rather not think about what could've happened anymore." She shrugged. "Go ahead, pick another one, Kourt."

Kourtney got another paper from the bowl and cleared her throat. "All I want is for our generation to save the planet, and I would also like absolute clarity about my love life, thank you."

The room immediately started to converse with each other, but Violetta knew. Her eyes flickered to Ashlyn momentarily. Ever since that resolution had been read out loud, she had been acting very stiff. It was clear that Ashlyn was all sorts of confused about her relationship with Big Red. And Violetta knew that Big Red was, too. They just needed to find their way.

Everything was cut short by the doorbell ringing. Violetta looked over to see Big Red walking into the house with a stack of pizza boxes from his family's restaurant, Salt Lake Slices. They all started to greet him excitedly. EJ pressed a quick kiss to Violetta's temple before standing up.

"Six pizzas," Big Red breathed out as he walked into the room. "Two with lactose-free cheese. I'm here."

"Yes, thank you," EJ responded as he took the pizzas from him. "Good Lord, dude, did you fall into a bucket of cologne?"

Violetta instantly put her head in her hands. It was evident that Ricky had given him Throb, since it always won over the girls. She picked her head up out of her hands as Ricky followed Big Red into the kitchen and shared an exasperated look with Athena. They were so clueless.

Carlos then decided that it was a perfect time to do a High School Musical 2 medley to prepare them for their upcoming musical. Ashlyn's piano had been pushed out further into the living room so it would be easier to play. Violetta sat on the couch with Athena, her eyes locking with EJ's for a quick moment, who was standing behind the piano.

"Remember, my feedback is both precious and invaluable," Carlos voiced. "So, think of this medley as a pre-audition workshop. You may begin."

Seb sat down on the piano bench and started to play a familiar tune. "It's out with the old and in with the new, goodbye clouds of gray, hello skies of blue. A dip in the pool, a trip to the spa, endless days in my chaise, the whole world according to moi." He looked to Carlos. "Just sing it."

Carlos joined in with Seb. "I want fabulous, that is my simple request. All things fabulous, bigger and better and best. I need something inspiring to help me get along, I need a little fabulous, is that so wrong?"

"Take it, Ash!" Carlos encouraged.

Ashlyn took Seb's place at the piano and began to play arguably one of the best songs in the entire High School Musical trilogy. "Na na na na, na na na na, yeah. You are the music in me. You know the words once upon a time, make you listen, there's a reason. Come on, G."

"When you dream, there's a chance you'll find," Gina and Ashlyn sang together. "A little laughter, or happy ever after."

Violetta then saw Athena and Ricky look at each other. Ricky nodded his head, beckoning Athena to join him as he approached the piano with his guitar. When Athena didn't move, Violetta slightly rolled her eyes and prodded her shoulder. Athena finally stood up and faced Ricky. Ricky tapped on Ashlyn's shoulder to signal that they were going next.

She then pushed herself up from the couch and walked up to EJ at the piano. He instantly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in close, resting his cheek on top of her head. Violetta smiled to herself and leaned into him comfortably.

"You're a harmony to the melody," Ricky and Athena harmonized. "Echoing inside my head."

"A single voice," Athena voiced.

"Single voice," Ricky added.

"Above the noise."

They joined in back together for a moment. "Like a common thread."

"Ooh, you're pulling me," Ricky stated.

"When I hear my favorite song, I know that we belong, oh, you are the music in me," they dueted. "Yeah, it's living in all of us, it's brought us here because, you are the music in me. Na na na na, na na na na, yeah, yeah, yeah, you are the music in me. Na na na na, na na na na, yeah, yeah, yeah, you are the music in me."

Violetta watched two of her best friends stare at each other with so much love, her heart warming. She absolutely adored the two of them together. They deserved it.

"One minute till midnight!" Natalie shouted.

All of them cheered. Violetta snuck out of EJ's embrace as they all gathered in a circle. She stood in between Athena and EJ, and Ashlyn moved around to give them New Year's Eve items for celebration. Many people also grabbed beach balls to highlight their High School Musical 2 theme.

"Come on, Big Red!" Seb urged.

"Everybody, all for one," Big Red sang. "Our real summer has just begun."

"Let's rock and roll, and just let go," Kourtney said

"Feel the rhythm of the drums," Gina added.

"We're gonna have fun in the sun," EJ recited.

"Now that all the hard work, work is done," Carlos voiced.

"Everybody one for all," they all chorused, putting their hands in a circle and lifting them up. "And all for one. All for—"

"Ten seconds till midnight!" Natalie announced.

Together, they started to count down. Violetta felt Athena grab her hand in excitement, and she squeezed it. They both counted down together. Starting the year together and ending the year together — just like it always had been and always should be.

However, Violetta didn't notice Ashlyn and Big Red walking towards each other. This was due to the fact that EJ had taken her face in one of his hands and forced her to look at him. Violetta stared up into his eyes, her heart racing as the counting of the others faded to a dull noise into the background. And once they said one, EJ leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

"I have an announcement!" Miss Jenn's voice said.

Violetta pulled away in confusion, slightly annoyed that Miss Jenn interrupted this. EJ dropped his hands from her face and cleared his throat, making Violetta laugh slightly. However, after all, it was time for Miss Jenn to announce the musical since she said she would announce it at midnight.

Carlos gasped as he looked at her. "You cut your hair!"

"Thank you," Miss Jenn responded. "Wait, do you like it? That's not the announcement. Okay. Um . . . contrary to rumor, we are not doing High School Musical 2."

Violetta stood in shock. Well, she certainly wasn't expecting that. Carlos apparently didn't either, because Kourtney and Lauryn had to catch him as he fell over.

"We're doing an American classic," Miss Jenn revealed. "Beauty and the Beast." Violetta gasped and straightened up. She loved that movie. It was always her favorite growing up. "And I know East High just did it a couple years ago, but you didn't do it my way, and you didn't win the most important award in all of theater."

"The Tony?" Gina guessed.

"Okay, the second most important award."

Seb pointed to Miss Jenn. "The Drama Desk?"

"Everyone, calm down!" Miss Jenn interrupted. "This semester, we are entering the Alan Menken Awards for High School Musical Theater, and we are going to win."

Violetta felt Athena squeeze her hand, and she squeezed back. A musical competition?

"Um . . ." Carlos trailed off. "That means beating North High, Miss Jenn. They have a thousand-gallon Little Mermaid aquarium."

Miss Jenn nodded in response. "Then we will have an aquarium, too."

"Uh, in Beauty and the Beast?"

"Okay, I need to study the text. So, who is ready to show the world they deserve to get that scholarship to NYU?" Nobody said anything. "I mean, who is ready to go from amateur thespians to statewide award winners?"

Ricky moved to stand next to Miss Jenn, facing all of them. "What team?"

"Wildcats!" they all answered.

"Athena, honey, I think this is your time to shine," Seb announced, and Violetta instantly nodded.

She turned to him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"He's right," Big Red said. "A, you were literally born to play Belle."

Ashlyn nodded in agreement. "You would look amazing in her gold dress. I can see it now — you walking down those stairs to meet with the Beast."

"Oh my God, you would look like a Goddess," Nini voiced.

"Woah, woah, woah, guys, let's calm down for a second," Athena cut in. "So many people would audition for Belle, there would be no way I would get it."

Violetta sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you to not put yourself down? Athena, listen to them."

"Hey Attie," Ricky called, making him turn to face him. "If you're in, I'm in."

Athena smiled and joined his side, facing everyone. "Wildcats."

"Get'cha head in the game!" they chorused.

Violetta looked up at EJ. "If you don't get the role of Gaston, I'm rioting."

"Yeah, yeah," EJ replied, waving her off. "But we got interrupted, so . . . Happy New Year, V."

"Happy New Year, EJ," Violetta whispered as he moved closer to her.

And as EJ pressed another kiss onto her lips, Violetta couldn't help but feel like something new was starting.

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

harry styles wrote late night talking about violetta and ej it's true he told me