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𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞

chapter five:
homecoming !

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IT WAS THE day of Homecoming, and Violetta had yet to decide between the two dresses in her closet.

See, there was a simple navy blue one, but then there was a red long-sleeved one that was all sparkles. She was leaning more towards the red one because she was never simple, but she also loved the color navy blue.

This was just one huge predicament.

She also didn't have a date. Not that she needed one, but for once in her life, she would've liked to have a date to a school dance. Nevertheless, her, Athena, Ricky, and Big Red were all going as a group. She knew they would have fun. Whenever it was just the four of them, just like the old days, they would hang out without a care in the world.

The theater group was also going to be there. In fact, they were all sitting at the same table. Violetta would be lying if she said that she didn't care what she looked like in front of EJ. She didn't dress up for other people, she dressed up for herself, but for some reason, another factor in her dress predicament was deciding if EJ liked blue or red better.

Violetta hated herself for that.

Sighing and pushing her dress problems for later, she walked down the hallway in search of Athena. Artemis, Athena's older sister, had texted her last night that Ricky stayed over, because she was also in on trying to get Athena and Ricky to admit their feelings. That was really no surprise to her — it was evident Ricky was hurt yesterday, and he would go running home to Athena for comfort every time.

Violetta finally found Athena by her locker getting books and approached her. "Artemis told me Ricky stayed over last night."

Athena rolled her eyes. "Of course she did. Artemis is such a blabbermouth."

"Did you two finally kiss?" Violetta asked, both to tease her and to actually find out what happened.

Athena's face turned scarlet. "Violetta."

Violetta raised her hands in surrender. "I was just asking."

"To answer your question, no, we didn't." Athena shut her locker and leaned her shoulder against it. "He came over my house crying. I comforted him, gave him Wake Up and told him it was about him, we played some piano, watched a movie, and then he slept over. That's it."

Violetta raised an eyebrow at her, because she knew Athena wasn't telling her the whole truth. "I feel like you're hiding something."

Athena sighed and went to respond, but was cut off by Big Red's voice echoing down the hallway.

"Come on, dude," Big Red's encouraged. "I'm just saying, this is your chance!"

Violetta looked over. Big Red and Ricky were walking down the hallway. Ricky was wearing a set of pajamas for some reason, but when Violetta looked back at Athena, she saw that she was looking at the floor bashfully with blushing cheeks. She discreetly shook her head with a ghost of a smile on her face. This girl was so down bad for him.

"The last thing I'm gonna do is ask . . ." Ricky began, but stopped when he stood in front of the two of them. "Athena."

Athena smiled at him. "Hey, Ricky. Nice fashion statement."

"Shut up," Ricky complained, scoffing and pushing her shoulder.

Athena let out a small laugh. "What were you two talking about?"

Ricky, for some odd reason, turned back to Big Red. Big Red then nodded his head like he was encouraging to do something. Violetta shared a confused look with Athena before Athena looked back to Ricky.

"Can I — um, can I ask you something?" Ricky nervously questioned.

Violetta's eyes widened in realization. Oh. Oh. This was it. The moment Ricky and Athena starts becoming a reality. She looked to Big Red for confirmation, and he nodded his head.

"Of course," Athena responded. "You can ask me anything."

He let out a deep breath. "Will you go to Homecoming with me?"

Violetta couldn't help but smile. It was finally happening after years of her waiting and slamming her head against the wall.

"I thought we already were with Vi and Red," Athena voiced.

Never mind. Violetta wanted to slam her head against the wall again. This girl was just so clueless.

Ricky shut his eyes for a second. "No, Attie, that's not what I meant. I meant . . . would you want to be my date to Homecoming?"

Athena stood there for a second. "Oh." Her eyes then widened. "Oh."

"Yeah," Ricky replied. "It's okay if you don't want to, but I just assumed—"

"No!" Athena exclaimed loudly, making Violetta flinch in surprise and Ricky stop talking. "No, Ricky, I would love that."

"You would?"

"I would." Athena tucked her books closer to her chest and smiled brightly at him. "Ricky Bowen, I would be honored to be your date to Homecoming."

Violetta resisted the urge to take a breath of relief. That was sort of painful to watch, but nevertheless, it happened. In the words of High School Musical, this was definitely the start of something new. Violetta then cleared her throat, snapping Ricky and Athena out of whatever trance they were in as they stared at each other.

"Pick me up later, yeah?" Athena suggested.

"Definitely," Ricky agreed. "I'll text you what time."

Violetta then took Athena's elbow in her hand and pulled her down the hallway, away from Ricky and Big Red. Athena looked at her with a stunned expression, but Violetta's was knowing. Despite what Athena had said earlier, she knew that something else had happened between them last night. There was no other explanation. Ricky wouldn't have just asked her so out of the blue unless something forced him to realize he actually liked Athena.

"Did that really just happen?" Athena whispered.

"And you said nothing happened between you two," Violetta voiced.

Athena elbowed her side. "Be quiet."

"Whatever. But when you two finally kiss, I'm going to say I told you so."

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THERE WAS SOMETHING sort of disappointing and melancholy about getting ready for a dance all alone, no parents to take pictures or drop off their kids at the school.

That's exactly how Violetta felt right now. Her parents were once again held back at work even though they said they would be there to see her off. Violetta reassured them it was fine, but deep down, she knew it wasn't. She was therefore forced to find a different ride, which thankfully, Artemis was able to say yes. Violetta wasn't about to make Ricky and Athena pick her up and ruin their first date together.

She stood in front of the mirror in her room, her hand smoothing down the sparkly fabric of the red dress and shifting her weight on her silver high heels. Her curls cascaded down her back and her lip gloss shined in the light. Violetta felt pretty, but the slight ache in her heart sort of dimmed that.

Get it together, Vi, she told herself. Don't let this bring you down. Let yourself have fun and feel pretty tonight.

Her phone then lit up. Violetta glanced over and saw it was a text from Artemis, telling her that her and her date were outside waiting for her. She looked back in the mirror and placed a smile on her face. Fake it till you make it.

She left the house with her coat on and her clutch, locking the door behind her. Violetta got into the car of Artemis' date, which was some senior boy she couldn't remember the name of.

"Hey, Vi," Artemis greeted, looking over her shoulder into the backseat as her date started to drive away towards East High. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks, Artie," Violetta responded. "You do, too. How was Athena while getting ready?"

"Incredibly nervous. I had to give her a pep talk, but she looked comfortable with Ricky before I left, so I think she'll be okay."

The rest of the car ride went smoothly. It was mostly Artemis and Violetta talking while Artemis' date just drove. After a couple of minutes, they finally made it to East High. Artemis' date parked, and with reassurance from Violetta that she would be okay on her own, Artemis and her date headed into East High, presumably to meet up with their friends.

Violetta looked up at the building for a second before heading inside. She quickly hung her coat up on one of the racks before walking in the direction of the gym. Her heels clicked against the linoleum floors of the school, making her cringe slightly at the sound. God, why did she wear these forsaken shoes, they were loud and uncomfortable—

"Next."

She suddenly found herself standing in front of Mr. Mazzara, the school's robotics teacher. He was sitting at a table checking everyone into the dance.

"Violetta Chase," she told him. "Just one."

He handed the one ticket to her. "You're at table ten with the other theater kids. Snap a photo on your way in."

Violetta sighed as she walked inside. Well, if her parents weren't here to take a photo of her, she might as well have the school do it.

Walking under a lot of lights and balloons, Violetta reached the photographer. She stopped in front of the camera, fully prepared to take the photo alone, but she was soon surprised at Big Red, Carlos, and Ashlyn rushing up to her.

"Hey, guys," Violetta said, laughing slightly in confusion. "What's going on?"

"We saw you walk in by yourself," Ashlyn told her. "And there was no way that we were allowing you to be alone on Homecoming night, so . . . we thought we would take a picture with you, if that's all right."

"Best friends help each other," Big Red added.

She smiled — for real, this time. "Yeah, of course that's all right. Let's do it."

Big Red, Carlos, and Ashlyn joined her. Violetta attempted to put her arms around all them and pull them in close. The four of them smiled brightly for the camera. They did a couple different photos before collecting them. Big Red, Carlos, and Ashlyn then led her over to table ten.

"Thank you, guys," Violetta said sincerely. "It's been kind of a rough night, but you've made it so much better."

Carlos squeezed her shoulder. "What else are friends for?"

Two more people then joined them. Violetta looked up to see it was none other than Ricky and Athena, holding hands. They all gave each other knowing looks once they noticed the interlocked hands because those two could not be more obvious. Athena waved at them and sat down next to Violetta.

"You look amazing," Violetta complimented her, because Athena did look very pretty in her purple dress.

Athena let out a small laugh. "Thank you. So do you."

"So . . ." Violetta moved off, wanting to hear everything. "How's the night going so far?"

"It's been really nice. Surprisingly, it's not weird at all. It feels almost . . . natural."

Violetta smirked at her best friend and sat back in her chair in triumph. "I knew it."

"Shut up, Vi."

"Okay, okay, fine. But seriously, 'Thena, I'm happy you're happy."

Ricky then showcased his phone to Athena, Violetta, and Big Red to show a picture of Gina and EJ together at Homecoming on Gina's Instagram. "I don't believe this. This dude just broke up with Nini, and twelve seconds after they break up, he's already playing the field."

Violetta felt a pang of sadness hit her chest upon seeing EJ with Gina, but she quickly suppressed it. Nope. Not right now.

Athena frowned as she stared at the picture. "Oh, I feel so bad for Nini. I know she told me she's done with boys, but I can only imagine how much it hurts her to see him move on so quickly."

"Yet you took a lesson from that, Ricky," Big Red cut in. "You made a pact with your dad. You're putting yourself out there right now with Athena."

"Speak of the devil," Ricky continued, now showing them a picture of his dad at the bowling alley. "Get a load of this player. He's texting me for fashion advice. Me!"

Violetta scoffed at that. "Yeah, he should've asked me. You all know I have the best style out of all of you."

"Excuse us," Gina's voice then announced, her arm linked in EJ's as she approached the table. "These seats taken?"

All of them at the table shared awkward glances, but Gina and EJ still sat down. EJ and her locked eyes for a moment from across the table. Violetta sighed and turned to Carlos and Ashlyn, who were whispering with each other furiously.

"This feels weird," she admitted as Ricky dragged Athena out to the dance floor. "I don't know why."

"I know," Ashlyn agreed. "I have absolutely no idea what's happening."

Carlos then put his phone down on the table. "I can't believe this. Seb said he would come with me to Homecoming, but he's still not here."

Violetta's eyes widened. "Wait, you asked Seb to the dance? Oh, Carlos, that's so cute."

"It would be if he were here."

Ashlyn rubbed his arm comfortingly. "He'll show up, okay? Maybe he just hit traffic."

"We live in Salt Lake City," Carlos stated. "There hasn't been traffic since the 2002 Winter Olympics."

"Seb isn't the type of person to stand people up," Violetta reassured him. "You know, he does live on a farm. Maybe there was some sort of accident."

"Not helping."

She winced slightly. "Sorry."

Athena then came back from the dance floor without Ricky. She sat back down next to Violetta and tucked some hair behind her ears, her face flushed from dancing for a while.

"So, you and Ricky, huh?" Gina began.

Violetta blinked. She had a feeling this wouldn't be good.

Athena glanced at the other side of the room before turning back to Gina. "Uh, yeah."

"How long has that been going on?" Gina inquired. "Because I could've sworn you two were nothing but friends."

"We were, but . . . he only asked me to Homecoming this morning."

"This morning," Gina incredulously repeated. "It seems like you were a last minute date. Maybe because Nini rejected him?"

Violetta's mouth slightly dropped open in shock. Oh, there was no way she just said that. It was clear that Gina was just trying to take Athena down, which there was no way Violetta was going to let that happen. Especially since Athena looked lost in thought.

She placed her hand on Athena's shoulder and offered Gina a sickly-sweet smile. "Actually, Gina, Ricky asked Athena because he likes her. So why don't you stay out of other people's business?"

"Vi," Athena quietly scolded her.

Gina put up her hands in surrender. "Hey, I was just asking. But isn't it so amazing how the guy playing Troy and the girl who has Gabriella's understudy is going to the dance together? You two are just perfect."

Athena nodded in response. "Yeah, I guess so."

Ricky then came back to the table and placed a cup of punch in front of Athena. "Here you go."

She took a quick sip. "Thank you."

He soon noticed her deflated mood. "Hey, you okay?"

"I'm okay." Athena sighed at his disbelieving look. "Seriously, I'm fine."

Gina put her hand on EJ's shoulder. "Could you get me some punch, babe?"

"Sure, babe," EJ responded, looking a little confused.

EJ got up from the table and left. Violetta placed her chin in the palm of her hand and watched him leave. She couldn't deny the sudden feeling of butterflies she got when she saw EJ in his suit, or how they locked eyes earlier from across the table. God, this was just so infuriating. She hated how she liked him despite what he did to Nini. Out of all the people, she just had to like EJ Caswell, the phone stealer.

Her love back plan wasn't going too well.

Violetta then felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, only to see it was Athena giving her a knowing look. Violetta's face flushed the same color red as her dress and she rolled her eyes. Athena laughed and shook her head, mouthing we'll talk later to her.

"Hey, not to intrude on date night, but you can do better than EJ," Ricky admitted to Gina. "That guy — that guy's bad news."

"You're not exactly one to give relationship advice," Gina argued. "Especially since you only asked Athena to Homecoming this morning. And when I want your opinion, I'll ask."

"Well, I'm giving it anyway 'cause I sorta thought you were classier than this. But, hey, maybe you really are what people say you are."

"And that is?"

"Ricky," Athena warned him.

He ignored her, in true Ricky fashion. "Just a little too ambitious for your own good, or anyone else's."

Gina's facial expression hardened. Athena then dragged Ricky into the hallway, presumably to scold him for what he had said. He was definitely out of line, but so was Gina with everything she said to Athena.

Violetta leaned forwards on her elbows that rested on the table. "What is wrong with you?"

Gina tilted her head at her. "What?"

"I know your endgame, Gina. You want the role of Gabriella, and you plan on taking Athena down first because she's the Understudy and then getting to Nini. But I can tell you right now, making Athena feel insecure about Ricky asking her to Homecoming is not the way to do that. You're making her think Ricky is using her as a rebound, which he isn't. You don't know Ricky and Athena like I do. So I suggest you back off."

Gina didn't reply to her. Violetta leaned back in her chair just in time for EJ to come back with two cups of punch. He sat down, but could clearly tell something was wrong.

EJ glanced in between them. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, Caswell, don't worry about it," Violetta replied quickly. "Big Red, care to join me by the doors for Ricky and Athena?"

Big Red looked stunned after Violetta's outburst. "Uh, sure."

Violetta stood up. However, just as she went to go to the edge of the dance floor, somebody grabbed her wrist gently. Tingles flowed up her arm, and she turned around to see EJ had stopped her. They stared at each other for a moment, not saying anything.

"What?" she finally asked. "Are you going to say something? If not, I don't have time for this."

EJ eventually sighed and let her go. Violetta kept her gaze on him for a moment before walking towards the edge of the dance floor. She shook off that whole interaction. That was so . . . weird. Violetta then looked up to see Athena and Ricky walking up to them.

Violetta pushed away her feelings for now and gave Athena a concerned look. "You two okay?"

Ricky nodded in response. "Yeah, we're fine."

"But I don't think they are," Big Red announced as he pointed to the other side of the gym.

Violetta looked over. A frown instantly appeared on her lips. By the refreshment table, Gina and EJ were having a heated argument.

"What do you think they're saying?" Violetta inquired. Then, just to be funny, she began to imitate Gina. "Hey, EJ, what's wrong with you?"

Big Red then joined in with her, imitating EJ. "I'm intimidated by how fly Big Red looks in that suit he borrowed from Ricky."

"Oh, EJ, don't be intimidated. Big Red can't pull off that tux, anyways."

"Hey!" Big Red protested.

Violetta shoved his shoulder playfully. "I'm kidding, Red. You look great."

Ricky shook his head. "You guys are idiots."

The four of them fell into laughter. However, it instantly died down as things went off the rail. Gina picked up a cup of punch from the table and dumped it on top of EJ's head. Violetta's eyes widened as she watched Gina storm off and EJ flick the sticky liquid off of himself. Gina passed their group and gave them a stone-cold look. Violetta and Athena then shared a wide-eyed look.

Well, that was a turn of events.

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

update 3/4 of my four days of updates for my four books!!! next update tomorrow will be state of grace (my barry allen book <3)

poor vi my baby girl :( I just want her to be happy

also there's going to be more violetta and ej interaction in the next chapter WOOOO