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𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗢𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣

chapter seven:
all is resolved !

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ALTHOUGH SHE DIDN'T like to admit it, telling Athena about her problems with EJ made Violetta feel a little bit better.

It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Athena. They told each other everything. But Violetta was hoping that maybe if she kept ignoring her problems they would go away. She was always like that, and yet she still hadn't learned her lesson. EJ was always at the front of her brain, especially after what had happened at her house.

Obviously, she was upset. She was upset that EJ had just pushed her away, upset that he had called her by her full name when he never did that. However, as the hours got farther and farther way from their argument, she was just concerned. EJ had admitted that his father would be disappointed in him because he didn't get into Duke. Violetta didn't want something stupid like that to alter his relationship his father.

And even though she wouldn't text him, because talking from personal experience, pushing was never good, she just wanted to make sure he was okay. Violetta only hoped that EJ would come to her when he needed, ready to talk. She certainly wasn't going to chase after him herself.

The theater group had followed Gina's instructions to find supplies. Violetta honestly didn't think that getting snowed inside the school was as big of a deal as Gina was painting it to be, but then again, she didn't really know anything. She was currently carrying a case of water that her, Big Red, Ricky, and Athena had found in the cafeteria. Meanwhile, Ricky and Athena shone their flashlights that Ashlyn had found forwards so that they could all see in the dark hallway.

They were all having a silly discussion about a thrown-out plan that Ricky had for Valentine's Day. He had admitted to them that he wanted to wear a shirt that said I heart Athena on it. At that, Violetta had instantly started laughing, only laughing harder at the way Athena and Ricky's faces turned bright shades of red.

"That's literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Violetta told him once her laughter had died down. "Ricky, I think I would've thrown up."

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Ricky insisted.

Athena shook her head at him. "Ric, you know I love you, but I would've turned around and walked the other way. It's just a little too cheesy."

They then rounded the corner. Violetta could see a flashlight beaming downwards, and when they got closer, she saw that it was Gina going down the stairs.

"Oh, Gina!" Big Red exclaimed, making Gina stop walking when she reached the bottom of the steps. "Perfect. We need another girl's point of view on something."

"Big Red," Ricky complained.

"What is it?" Gina asked in curiosity.

"Wouldn't it have been a ridiculously stupid idea for Ricky to show up to him and Athena's Valentine's Day date wearing an I heart Athena shirt?" Big Red questioned.

Gina grimaced at that, shaking her head. "Yeah, that definitely wouldn't have gone over well. In fact, you probably shouldn't wear one . . . ever."

"Thanks, and sorry, we didn't mean to suck you into a whole thing," Ricky replied, giving a pointed look to Big Red.

"Nah, it's all good. I'm honestly glad I ran into you. I found part of a Twix bar near my locker, and I can only assume it's your latest Valentine to me."

Violetta paused for a moment. Uh, okay, that was weird. Her eyes flickered in between Ricky and Gina. Both of them looked completely casual despite the comment that Gina had just made. Why would Ricky send Gina a Valentine when he literally had a Valentine? Violetta then looked over at Athena, who looked completely dumbstruck. That comment obviously bothered her.

In all honesty, Violetta was confused.

"Um . . . what?" Violetta inquired.

Ricky let out a chuckle that sounded kind of nervous. "I go big, Gina. You know that."

"And I'm interrupting something again," Athena stated, starting to walk away. "That's my cue to leave."

"No, no, no, hey, hey, hey," Ricky protested, taking her hand so she would stop. "What about the buddy system? We're supposed to stick by each other. So, you know, we don't get lost. The couple that stays together wins together, right?"

Violetta still had no clue what was happening, but all she did know was that Athena was uncomfortable with this whole thing between Ricky and Gina. She felt protectiveness rise up into her chest.

"Athena can be my buddy now," Violetta announced, her eyes flashing with anger.

Ricky blinked at her in confusion. "No, she's staying my buddy."

"You both can share Athena," Big Red interrupted. "There's plenty of her to go around."

"Biggie, there you are," a familiar voice said, and Violetta turned to see Ashlyn walking up to their group. "Way to abandon the fam in a crisis!"

Big Red laughed slightly at his girlfriend. "We're coming now." He glanced over at Ricky. "Told you it would've been a bad idea."

Ricky followed after him, forcing Athena to go as well since he was still holding onto her hand. "Whatever. Shut up."

Violetta gave Gina a suspicious glance before following after her friends, leaving Gina and Ashlyn behind. They went back to the bomb shelter, and Violetta went over to the risers to put her case of water down. She could hear footsteps behind her, and Violetta already knew who it was. Violetta placed her case of water down and placed her hands on her hips, looking back at her best friend.

"What was that all about?" Violetta demanded, really just wanting to know what this whole situation was. "Last time I checked, Gina was completely fine with you being with Ricky and the two of them weren't bringing up Valentines."

Athena raised her hands helplessly. "I don't know."

Violetta looked at the doorway, where Gina and Ashlyn had just walked through. "Something's off. I can talk to her if you want."

Athena shook her head at that. "No, I don't want to make it a whole big thing. I mean, I trust both of them, I really do. It's just . . . something about it makes me unsettled." She paused for a moment. "If something else happens then I'll speak up. Promise."

"But you hate confrontation," Violetta insisted.

"I do, but when it's about my relationship, I'll do it." Athena gave her a look, and Violetta knew what it meant all too well — it was time for her to be checked up on. "What about you? Are you feeling better after earlier?"

Violetta sighed in response. "I guess. It kind of felt good to get my frustrations out, but I think I'm just more so worried for EJ."

"That's normal." Athena slung an arm around her shoulder and leaned their heads together. "You know you can always come to me if something's bothering you, right?"

Violetta felt a small smile grow on her face at that. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, 'Thena. The same goes to you."

Everyone soon was back in the bomb shelter, holding their own supplies and such. It was going okay in the start. They all sat in a circle of chairs, trying to think of things to do to cure their boredom. The only ones who weren't there were Carlos and Gina, who had escaped from the bomb shelter to roam the hallways, presumably to either go over their choreography or scream at each other until they lost their voices.

Suddenly, Seb excitedly proposed that they should play charades. It was fun at first, the deafening silence of the bomb shelter turning into laughter, but it went on for way longer than a normal game of charades should've. The mood started to subside as everyone got tired of it, and they all went back to their chairs. In fact, everyone was getting tired of just everything. Cabin fever was rising to a high point, everyone feeling just stuck with no food, no electricity, and no way to get home.

Violetta was slumped sideways in her chair with her legs sprawled out across Athena's lap, absentmindedly braiding a tiny braid in one of her curls. Meanwhile, Athena was staring at the ceiling, playing with Violetta's shoelaces. Violetta really just wanted to go home. She had no idea if her parents were still at work or if they were at home, but she hoped they were home because she wanted her mom's cookies.

Her mind was also elsewhere. She knew EJ was here, roaming the halls of East High. Part of her wanted to go out there and try and find him, but Violetta had to remind herself who she was. She wouldn't chase. EJ was worth chasing for, but maybe not in a situation like this. Violetta wanted to save them, but she didn't want EJ to be more upset.

It was really complicated.

"How many hours have we been here?" Seb questioned, finally breaking the silence.

"All of them," Kourtney responded, who was definitely the one who was the most frazzled by them being trapped.

"Anyone wanna play charades again?" Seb nodded slowly when all of them groaned, remembering their very long game of charades. "Sounds like a no."

"I don't mean to burst your bubble, Seb, but I think twenty rounds of charades is way too many for someone to play in one sitting," Athena revealed, her tone extremely bored.

"You guys, if we eventually run out of food, I just wanna say, you can eat me first," Big Red told them.

"Dude," Seb stated.

Big Red shrugged, Ashlyn rubbing his back comfortingly. "I probably taste like pizza."

Violetta pointed at him, momentarily stopping her braiding. "I'll take that into consideration, Red."

Ricky then held up a portable charger that he had found on the risers. "Hey, whose phone charger is this?"

"I'm at six percent," Kourtney admitted. "You wanna fight me for it?"

Violetta's eyes widened. Oh God.

"You guys, this cabin fever isn't good," Seb cut in. "What would Miss Jenn do right now?"

"I wanna say hog-tie a stranger," Kourtney suggested.

Ashlyn nodded in agreement. "Yep. Probably."

"Where are our choreographers?" Big Red asked. "Shouldn't we be rehearsing a song?"

"I wanna believe they're quietly working out their differences somewhere," Ashlyn responded.

Seb raised his eyebrows at her. "Have you met Carlos?"

"Maybe they're already laughing about it."

"Mmm, definitely not," Athena voiced, sitting up from her slumped position and lifting Violetta's legs up from her lap, making Violetta frown. "I'll go try and find them to make sure one of them isn't dead."

"You want me to come with you?" Ricky offered, going to stand up.

"No, it's okay. I'll be back soon."

Athena took one of the flashlights before standing up and leaving the bomb shelter. Violetta watched until she couldn't see Athena anymore, sighing and looking back at the ceiling. Everyone fell back into silence, their own boredom taking over their minds. It was minutes, a couple very long minutes, until something new happened.

Big Red suddenly sniffed. "Wait, do you guys smell that?"

"Yeah, sorry," Ricky responded..

Violetta groaned in annoyance. "Oh my God. Go find Athena or something."

"No, no, it's my Grandpa Noah's pizza recipe."

"Dude, don't you even joke about that, okay?" Ricky warned. "I'm so hungry, I actually would eat you."

Ashlyn put her arm over Big Red protectively. They then heard the door opening, and Violetta looked over to see flashlights beaming into the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen . . ." Gina began.

"We present to you . . ." Carlos continued. "A miracle in the snow."

They both pointed their flashlights at a boy, who was carrying five boxes of pizza. Violetta's eyes widened and she sat up.

"Howie!" Big Red exclaimed.

"Yes!" Ashlyn shouted.

"How?" Ricky inquired. "How did you get here?"

All of them started to excitedly crowd around the pizzas. However, there was one specific person not there, the same exact person who went to go find Carlos and Gina.

Violetta grabbed onto Ricky's sleeve. "Athena's not with them."

Ricky's eyes scanned around the room, turning slightly panicked when he didn't find his girlfriend. "I'll go find her."

He then rushed out of the room, dead-set on finding her. Violetta let out a deep breath as she watched him do so before turning back to the pizza. She walked up to get herself a slice of pepperoni, but she was instantly cut off.

"EJ, you're alive!" Ashlyn yelled.

Violetta's head whipped up, and she swore she felt her heart drop to her stomach. Sure enough, walking into the bomb shelter was EJ, looking infuriatingly cute in a leather jacket, which he had his hands stuffed into the pockets of. He was illuminated by the beam of Carlos' flashlight, shining on his skin like moonlight.

"Technically," EJ replied.

Seb pulled his phone out, which just moo'd. "Everyone, that was an alert from my Farmer's Alman-app. It says that the roads are clear, and the sheep are in heat!" He paused for a moment. "I should've read that last part in my head."

The lights then turned back on. Even though that happened, Violetta couldn't tear her gaze away from EJ. It was like she was frozen. Quickly, she snapped herself out of it, shaking her head and looking down at the pizza.

"Violetta," a familiar voice called, and she glanced over to see EJ looking at her. "Can we talk?"

She swallowed nervously. Violetta nodded and walked off to the side away from the others. She crossed her arms across her chest and stared up at EJ. EJ said nothing for a moment, his gaze slightly averted at the ground.

"You've been missing," Violetta said casually.

EJ winced at that. "Yeah."

"So you've been wandering around the halls of East High, just moping around?"

"I'm sorry, V."

Violetta's eyes softened. "You know, I'm not mad at you, I'm worried about you."

EJ let out a scoff of disbelief. "I know you're mad at me."

"I was," Violetta corrected. "I didn't like that you called me Violetta. Hearing you call me by my full name is really weird."

He didn't say anything. All EJ did was continue to stare at the floor, his hands fidgeting in his pockets.

"EJ," Violetta stated quietly. "Will you please look at me?"

Finally, for the first time since last night, EJ's eyes met Violetta's. She felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body from it. Violetta lifted her hand up, resting it against his cheek, the cold of her ring that she did not take off pressing against his warm skin. EJ instinctively leaned into her touch, smiling slightly at how her thumb started to rub back and forth on his skin.

"I know a thing or two about pushing people away when times get hard," Violetta announced. "I've gotten better at letting people in. Baby, you've got a whole bunch of people around here to support you. You've got me."

"I'm sorry," EJ repeated.

Violetta nodded. "I know. So, how about next time, when something goes wrong, we'll communicate rather than run in the opposite direction. And that goes for me, too."

EJ nodded. "That sounds good."

"You're going to be okay," Violetta promised. "I know you are. Other colleges—"

"Can we please not talk about college right now?" EJ interjected. "I promise that we can talk about it later, but . . . right now, I just really need a hug."

Violetta raised an eyebrow, a small smile growing on her face. "From me?"

"Specifically from you."

Violetta raised up her other arm and wound both of them around his neck. EJ took his hands out of his pockets and wrapped his arms around her waist. Violetta pressed up onto her toes to get closer to him, holding him tight. EJ buried his face into the crook of her neck, sending shivers up Violetta's spine. He let out a sigh of content and held onto her tighter as well.

She turned her head and pressed a kiss to his head. "For whatever it's worth, I'm proud of you no matter what."

"It means the world," EJ responded.

"Want to come to my house?"

"Yeah, but just let me hold you for a little longer."

Violetta's smile only grew, her stomach rushing with butterflies. "Okay."

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episode one of season three literally made me SCREAM