MAKE IT POP SEASON 3

CHAPTER 20: Your Typical Hang-out

Ashley and Caleb are planning some of the performances that are coming up. Meanwhile they are trying to think of places where Ashley’s notebook could be.

Caleb: Now we’re on the topic of your notebook, I didn’t know you liked songwriting.

Ashley: Yea, I guess I’ve always loved writing in general. And then I combined it with music!

Caleb: That’s so cool! You’re also really good at it. I mean, if you weren’t good at it, I wouldn’t have used your lyrics!

Ashley: Thanks! I watched some of your performances on Sun Hi’s blog. Isn’t it hard to come up with new songs so often?

Caleb: To be honest, it is. Maybe that’s the reason why I used yours, I didn’t have to worry about song lyrics for a second. But, um, maybe you could help me with lyrics sometimes? Your lyrics, with my beats? Perfect match! You’ve seen it yourself!

Ashley: Okay, I admit that what you did with Love Potion was really good… Okay, I’m in! When do I start?

Caleb: What about right now?! We have to ask Randy for some more performances anyways, so we have lots of work to do.

Ashley: Awesome!

Meanwhile, Jodi, Corki, Alex and Darmala are hanging out. Jodi and Corki are trying to find out if L3 has anything planned against XO-IQ.

Darmala: Did you guys hear that Slinci broke up?

Jodi: Sun Hi is our best friend, of course she told us!

Alex: Makes sense. But even though we’re sort of back to rival bands again, we are all still friends, right?

Corki: Of course!

Darmala: Slinci can’t control us, of course we’re all cool.

Jodi: Does Linc even have a plan to become better than Sun Hi?

Darmala: He has been trying to convince Randy to give some of XO-IQ’s performances to us. He hasn’t had any success yet, though.

Corki: Hmm, interesting.

Alex: Okay, we aren’t supposed to tell you guys this, but Linc told us to try to get information from you guys. He pretty much wants us to play undercover agent. But something about that just doesn’t sit right with me.

Jodi and Corki both don’t say anything, but their eyes have a full conversation. They are signing to each other questioning if they should tell them that they had also been sent by one of the two. Their conclusion: They don’t.

Jodi: Oh damn! Is their fight going to be like that?!

Darmala: I know right! I’m glad we aren’t like that.

Corki: Yea… Exactly…

Jodi: But Alex, how’s it going with the fashion? Do you have anything planned? I’d love to see it.

Alex: Um, sure! I’m sure I have my sketchbook around here…

Darmala: Got it! *gets the sketchbook that was laying behind him*

Alex: Thanks! Okay so… I have some new things here! *shows one of the designs to Jodi*

Jodi: That’s perfection! How did you come up with that?!

Alex: Actually, Darmala came up with this one!

Darmala: Honestly, I just described a leaf I saw earlier.

Jodi: It looks awesome!

Darmala: Thanks!

Jodi and Corki receive a text from Ashley, announcing that they will be having more performances soon. Corki texts back saying she’s happy it’s fixed. Back at Ry-Ri Ashley and Caleb are a a little less happy. They are mostly stressed because they need to prepare more songs and stages.

Ashley: Seriously, how do you manage to get everything done in time?! I mean, I’m pretty good at planning things, but this almost seems impossible.

Caleb: Just believe I can do it.

Ashley: How original. In case you didn’t notice yet, we’re not in a Disney movie. *jokily rolls her eyes*

Caleb: To be honest, just believing in it is what made XO-IQ a success. We never gave up!

Ashley: You can’t even imagine how much I admire XO-IQ.

Caleb: Thanks! That means a lot!

Ashley: Anytime! You guys deserve it.

Caleb: *epic moment of realization* ASHLEY! I KNOW WHERE YOUR NOTEBOOK IS!

Ashley: Seriously? Where?

Caleb: I put it in my backpack after I used it.

Ashley: Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go get it!

Ashley and Caleb go to school. They have made it to Caleb’s dorm and start looking for the backpack. Even though you’d think a backpack would be easy to find, it still takes them 15 minutes. Then suddenly, Caleb finds it.

Caleb: Got it!

Ashley: Awesome! Thank you!

Caleb holds out his hand with the notebook in it. Ashley tries to take it, but Caleb doesn’t let go yet. Ashley looks up at Caleb to ask what he’s doing. Caleb just stares at her. Then out of nowhere, he leans in and kisses her. It feels like time stops for a second. It feels like they are to only people on the earth. They pull out and just awkwardly smile at each other, both of them in full disbelief…