┏━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┓

𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞

chapter seven:
a budding friendship !

┗━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┛

EJ CASWELL'S FAVORITE ice cream flavor was chocolate chip cookie dough, his parents had started him in water polo when he was five, he hated how big his house was sometimes, and he was afraid of spiders.

Violetta had learned these things — and so much more — when EJ had taken her to ice cream after Homecoming. The two of them blatantly ignored the strange looks they had gotten from the workers because they had still been wearing their Homecoming outfits, and after getting their ice cream, they had sat outside on one of the benches and just talked. Violetta and EJ found a new friendship forming between them as they discussed all their favorite things and funny stories.

She couldn't believe how wrong she was about EJ Caswell. Sure, he had done some pretty horrible things — hence her love back plan — but she soon came to realize that he was doing the wrong things for the right reasons.

Violetta had also gotten a text from Athena while her and EJ were talking, one that made her absolutely gasp and stare wide-eyed at her phone. Athena had texted her frantically, in all caps, saying that Ricky and her had kissed multiple times and that Ricky finally confessed that it had always been her.

Well, finally. It was about time.

But the night ended, and it was back to reality. Monday came after a very relaxing weekend, and the main characters in High School Musical: The Musical had to come in early before school to take pictures for the program. Somehow, Athena had managed to drag Violetta along, saying that the two of them should help Kourtney, Carlos, and Big Red organize everything. Violetta had initially refused, but Athena had promised that she would buy her a coffee from the cafeteria later. And in the meantime, Violetta was complaining, because she was extremely tired and was regretting her decision of waking up early.

"Athena, it's way too early," Violetta said, following after Athena as they went to go to her locker to put some books away so she didn't have to do it later. "Why did I ever agree to this?"

"Because you love me and are a great best friend," Athena replied, opening her locker. "Besides, you get to see everyone look ridiculous in clothes from the early 2000's. How could you ever pass that up?"

As she shut her locker, the sound of two sets of footsteps started to approach Violetta and Athena. Violetta looked to see Ricky and Big Red with his camera walking over to them. With a smirk, Violetta nudged Athena's side with her elbow once her eyes set on Ricky. Athena pushed her arm away with her cheeks flushing red.

"Morning," Athena greeted to the two boys. "You ready for picture day?"

Big Red lifted up his camera to show them. "Yep. My one year in photography club in middle school is really paying off now."

Athena let out a small laugh before turning to Ricky. "Don't you have a costume to get in, Troy?"

Ricky rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, yeah, I'm going. See you in a few, Attie."

He suddenly then leaned down and kissed Athena. Violetta's eyes widened and her hand lifted up to cover her mouth in shock. Well, okay. She didn't know Ricky Bowen could be that bold. Ricky pulled away and gave Athena a smile before walking off to the auditorium. Violetta, still utterly shocked, chuckled a little as she saw Athena stand frozen in place.

"Did he just do that?" Big Red asked, sounding just as shocked as Violetta felt.

"Did Ricky not tell you?" Violetta questioned, and Big Red shook his head in response. She then snapped her fingers in front of Athena's face to bring her out of her trance, making the girl jump and clear her throat awkwardly. "He waited for Athena on her front porch after Homecoming and kissed her. Twice."

Big Red's face broke out into a wide smile. "No way. So you're his girlfriend now?"

"Well, he hasn't asked me officially yet," Athena responded. "So I guess right now we're just kind of a thing."

Big Red scoffed at that. "Well, he should get on that. Vi and I have been waiting years for this to happen, and now that it finally is, Ricky will not be the one to ruin it."

"Maybe you should talk to him," Violetta suggested to Big Red, because if there was anyone to knock some sense into Ricky besides her or Athena, it was Big Red — and Violetta did not want Ricky to mess this up.

"No, guys, I don't want to rush him into anything," Athena cut in. "This is all so new. I think we should just take it slow."

Violetta raised an eyebrow at her. "Does taking it slow include him kissing you in the middle of the hallway?"

"Shut up, Vi. Come on, let's go to the auditorium."

Violetta discreetly nudged Big Red as Athena walked ahead of them. "You owe me twenty bucks."

Big Red rolled his eyes. "I'll give it to you later."

The three of them then went to the auditorium, which had lights and the High School Musical sign on the stage, ready for the picture. While Big Red went to go get his camera ready on the tripod, Violetta and Athena went over to Kourtney.

"Good morning," Kourtney voiced. "How was Homecoming?"

"It was . . . interesting, to say the least," Athena admitted.

Violetta nodded in agreement. "It's kind of hard to explain. A lot happened. And by a lot, I mean a lot."

Each one of the cast members then started to come out one by one in their costumes. The boy who was playing Ryan, who was also an amazing dancer, sat down on the floor and began to stretch in a middle split. Nini followed after him not long after, looking giddy as she showcased her Gabriella costume. Violetta nodded in impressment. Kourtney truly killed it.

"Oh my gosh, you look perfect!" Kourtney exclaimed as she admired her own costume work. "Yes!"

"Kourtney, you did amazing," Athena told her.

"Okay, people, let's do this!" Ricky then announced, walking out on stage.

Violetta immediately burst into laughter once she focused on Ricky. She didn't even try to conceal her laughs because it would be no use. Ricky was wearing a wig that was supposed to make him look like Troy Bolton, but he just looked hilarious. Everyone seemed to be laughing as well.

Nini giggled and covered her mouth. "Oh my God, Ricky."

"What?" Ricky inquired.

Athena shook her head, continuing to let laughs spill past her lips. "Oh, honey, no."

Ricky pointed to her and dramatically flicked his wig, making Violetta laugh even harder. "You know you like it."

"I really don't," Athena stated.

"Hold on," Nini interjected. "What's going on with the two of you? Athena, you're, like . . . glowing."

"Glowing? What do you mean glowing?"

"I don't know, you just seem happier than normal." Nini then gasped as realization set in. "You two kissed, didn't you?"

Wow, it really was that obvious. Violetta watched with a smug look on her face as both Athena and Ricky blushed a deep scarlet and focused their attention on the floor.

"That's what you meant by Homecoming being interesting?" Kourtney asked.

Violetta, for what felt like the millionth time this morning, smirked and crossed her arms across her chest. "They kissed in the hallway this morning, too."

Athena's head snapped up to look at her, her face turning an even darker shade of red. "Violetta!"

"What? I'm just telling the truth!"

Nini placed her hand up to stop their conversation. "First off, I'm really happy for you two. I always knew you would end up together. Second, Seb, you owe me twenty bucks. Pay up."

Athena made a noise of shock while Violetta let out another loud laugh. "Seb, Nini, you bet on us?"

"Well, we obviously all knew you two were going to end up together ever since he walked in during your audition," Seb replied, looking extremely fabulous in his Sharpay outfit as he approached their group. "The bet was only a matter of how fast it would happen. Nini said by November, so she won."

Seb then placed a twenty dollar bill in the palm of Nini's hand. Nini folded it up and put it in her pocket with a smile. Athena looked back to Ricky, who just shook his head and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on top of her head. Violetta grinned at that. Oh, they were so cute.

Gina then came out in her Taylor costume, EJ right behind her in his Chad costume. Violetta's smile grew just a little wider at the sight of him. She hesitated for a moment before approaching him. EJ was busy focusing on pulling up his track pants to notice her, but he then looked up.

"Oh, hey, Violetta," EJ said, smiling back at her.

"Good morning," she responded. She raised an eyebrow upon noticing that EJ was holding up his track pants with his hands. "Little loose?"

"You could say that again."

"Here." Violetta took one of her spare hair ties off of her wrist and offered it out to him. "Tie the excess in the back. It'll make them fit better."

EJ took it from her. "Thanks, V."

She tilted her head at him. "V?"

"Yeah, you know, it's a nickname. They're shortened versions of people's names—"

"I know what a nickname is, stupid. You really need to stop explaining simple things to me like I don't what they are." Violetta laughed for a moment before stopping. "No, but seriously. Most people call me Vi."

"Well, I want to be different," EJ responded, and for some reason, that made her heart start to beat against her chest. "Thanks for the hair tie. It helped a lot."

"No problem," Violetta voiced. She then paused for a second. "And, uh, thanks for the other night. It really helped me get my mind off of things, so . . . I really appreciate it."

"It was nothing. We're friends, right?"

Violetta nodded with a small smile. "Yeah."

"Okay, guys," Big Red announced, bringing everyone to attention. Athena then moved to stand next to Violetta on the side so they watch. "We're gonna get one in for practice, okay? We're all gonna jump on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three."

They all jumped. However, just as Big Red took the picture, Kourtney ran out into the middle of the shot.

"Oh my gosh," Kourtney let out. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, y'all."

"Kourtney," Ricky complained softly.

"One, two, three," Big Red stated again.

When they jumped this time, everyone jumped at different times, and the L of the musical on the sign also fell. Violetta slightly winced. This was just a disaster.

"What, wait happened?" Big Red questioned.

"Where to begin?" Ricky argued.

Seb looked over at Ricky. "I think you went early."

"Are we jumping on three or after three?" Gina inquired.

"Yeah, the count of three," Big Red answered. "Ready?"

"Nah, man, you need some new words," Ricky said.

"I think a broke a heel," Seb added.

Carlos sighed in exasperation. "You guys, this isn't that hard. You smile, you leave the Earth, you land."

"Its a little hard to smile when we don't even know the plan," Ricky responded.

Nini pointed at Ricky. "I can't look at Ricky. Is that a problem?"

Everyone laughed. Violetta and Athena shared an amused look.

"Okay, let's take a five," Carlos told them.

"On five or after five?" Ricky countered, approaching Athena and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"I think he's mad at us," Seb voiced in amusement.

Violetta let out another small laugh. This wasn't going smoothly, and it had her wondering two things — one, where Miss Jenn was, and two, how much longer it would be until the cafeteria opened, because she desperately needed some coffee.

═════════ • ° • ✰ • ° • ═════════

IT WAS AFTER school now, and everyone was gathered in the bomb shelter for musical rehearsal. Luckily, Athena had actually gotten Violetta that coffee, and Big Red had given her that twenty bucks, so all in all, she was having a good day. Violetta sat off to the side on the chairs on the risers, engaging in conversation with Ashlyn and Kaison, one of the other dancers. It was strange, though — while conversations were flowing easily throughout the room, Miss Jenn and Carlos were nowhere to be found, and they were never late.

"Guys, let's just start," Natalie finally said, calling them all to attention. "Flip to When There Was Me and You in your script."

"Oh, should we maybe wait until Miss Jenn gets here?" Ashlyn asked.

"Well, I don't know. Apparently nobody's in charge."

"Okay, people, let's stage a number!" Carlos exclaimed, and Violetta looked over to see him walking into the bomb shelter. "I'm late."

"Is Miss Jenn coming?" Nini questioned.

"Miss Jenn had a small personal matter to attend to and won't be here today."

"Oh, is everything all right?"

"Good question," Seb agreed.

"Everything's fine," Carlos replied. "Why would you guys even ask that?"

Violetta tilted her head at that in confusion. Carlos was acting weird and he sounded extremely nervous. She knit her eyebrows in thought. What was going on?

Carlos then walked up to Nini and took her hands, beginning to guide her where he wanted her to stand in the empty space. "Okay, Gabriella. I need you downstage on this mark. Troy, stage right. Chad, stage left box. Um, other boys, find a box."

Everyone did as they were told. Violetta became even more confused. Nothing about this made sense.

Nini seemed just as confused. "Uh, are they on stage with me while I'm singing?"

"Yes, they will be frozen in various poses to come," Carlos revealed. "As the ballad builds, Nini, you will be wandering through a forest of boys."

"Wait." Nini let out a small laugh of confusion. "What does that mean?"

"Do you know what a forest of trees looks like?"

"I do."

"Okay, but with boys."

"And, uh . . ." Nini trailed off. "No, I'm sorry, why?"

Carlos sighed in frustration. "Because your heart has just been shattered and you can't stop thinking about how amazing Troy is." He turned around and pointed to Athena, who was at the piano. "Let's go!"

Athena didn't start to play the song. "Wait, I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused. I don't really think Gabriella wandering through a forest of boys is going to get the point of the song across, especially after Troy just sold her out to his teammates. It doesn't really make sense."

"Well, she's got a point," Ashlyn agreed. "What Troy did was kind of unforgiveable. Respectfully, Carlos, I think the last thing anyone wants in this moment is four more versions of him."

"Maybe she could chop down the trees," Natalie suggested.

"Or, what if she's surrounded by a forest of loving and supportive sisters, okay?" Kourtney offered.

Violetta nodded in agreement. The rest of the girls started to agree as well, especially Nini.

Ricky raised his hand. "Is it better if she just sings a solo acoustic version?"

"I like that idea," Athena told him, even though the rest of the room had mixed emotions.

Violetta shook her head, a small smile on her face. Of course Athena would agree with him.

"Okay, you guys, this is not a democracy!" Carlos shouted, making Violetta blink in shock.

Athena frowned at him. "I'm sorry for not agreeing with your idea, Carlos. Maybe when Miss Jenn gets back we can see what she has to say."

"Well, she's not here, and I don't know if she's ever coming back."

Violetta froze. What?

"Wait, what?" Ricky inquired.

"Is this a joke?" Ashlyn added.

"She's in deep trouble, you guys," Carlos explained. Violetta stood up from her chair in shock, her heart falling into the pit of her stomach. "They're saying that she lied on her job application, and there's a school board meeting in less than twenty-four hours, and she's probably going to lose her job. I wasn't supposed to tell any of you, but I'm trying to do my best here."

"I can't believe it," Nini exhaled.

"What are we even doing in rehearsal?" EJ asked.

"Wait, how can we have a show if we don't have a teacher?" Ashlyn questioned.

"You know you could have told me," Seb gently told Carlos

Carlos looked at him. "Miss Jenn asked me not to."

"Wow, Carlos," EJ voiced bitterly. "What else are you not telling us?"

"EJ, none of this is Carlos' fault," Athena scolded before Violetta had a chance to even open her mouth. "Don't blame everything on him."

"Hey, let's all breathe for a second," Ashlyn suggested.

Natalie turned to her. "Do you wanna be in charge?"

"She didn't say that," Kourtney argued.

Nini then grabbbed her backpack off the floor. "You know what? I — um . . . I need a minute."

Kourtney pointed at her in agreement. "Right there with you."

Everyone then started to leave the room. Violetta locked eyes with Athena. She gave her best friend a sad smile and nodded her head towards the door, but Athena looked at Ricky. Arguably, out of everyone, Ricky seemed to be the most devastated about the news. He needed Athena right now, and Violetta understood that.

She then left the room. Violetta let out a small sigh as she started to walk towards the front doors of East High. A feeling of sadness overwhelmed her body. This musical . . . it's cheesy to say it, but she had never really felt more at home. She became friends with so many people she didn't expect to — hence EJ Caswell — and got to dance, which is all she wanted to now. And now it was being thrown all away?"

"Violetta," a voice then said, and the girl turned to see EJ next to her. "Where're you headed?"

"Home," she answered. "Don't really have much to do, so . . ."

"You're going to walk home?" EJ questioned as they finally got to the front doors. "It's freezing outside."

"I'll be fine," she reassured him. "I've walked home in the cold Utah weather plenty of times. Don't worry about it."

"Let me drive you."

Violetta sighed. "EJ—"

"Please," EJ voiced. "We just got some awful news, and I really want to hear that song you were playing the other night. You know, the one that said something about treating somebody like an empress, or something."

Violetta raised an eyebrow at him. "Superficial Love? You liked that song?"

"Yeah." EJ shrugged as the two of them exited East High into the chilly air of Salt Lake City. "You've got good music taste."

She gave him a sad smile. "All right, Caswell. Drive me home."

And as Violetta sat in the passenger seat of his car, the two of them screaming the lyrics to Since U Been Gone (EJ's request, surprisingly), she started to realize that she had no reason for her love back plan anymore.

∘ ₊ ✧ ──── ✧ ₊ ∘

found this yesterday and I know it's nine days now but it was too good not to share

"and it's hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound" violetta at homecoming tbh

also I think I'm having hsmtmts withdrawals like I need more ricky bowen content I'm getting DESPARATE

anyways when vi and ej get together I'm making him call her angel <3