𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚣𝚘𝚗𝚎 // 𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚢 𝚋𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚗 [𝟷]

1.17

⚠️ TW: panic attack ⚠️

"It feels so surreal," I sigh. We look at the makeshift stage we've created at the East High gymnasium. The room is empty, it's just them.

"It really does," Nicholas chuckles.

"But at least we're here together," I smile and take his hand in mine.

"Yeah," He smiles, but then it fades.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Thalia, I got cast in a movie..." He whispers lowly.

"What?" I ask and turn to look at him. He takes my other hand in his hand as well.

"While I was in London, I wasn't just there for my aunt's birthday... I was there for an audition. I didn't really think I'd get it, but I did," He sighs and looks down.

I pull him into a hug. "Congratulations, Nicky, you deserve it," I whisper as I lean into the crook of his neck.

"So, your parents said they were coming, right?" He asks.

"Fingers crossed. I'm honestly so surprised. They've never really come to anything like this," I grin.

~~~

-3rd Person-

EJ was currently texting Alaina.

Why? you might ask.

Well, they're trying to get Gina back for the show. And, yes, he does know what Gina did, but he feels bad, and Alaina asked for his help.

"EJ?" Ashlynn asks.

"Yeah?" He asks, not actually paying attention.

"You know we're putting on an actual show, right?" Ashlynn asks.

"Hey, thanks, Ash. I have the power of sight," EJ chuckles.

Then Thalia walks over.

"Hey," she whispers.

EJ looks up immediately at Thalia. He shoves his phone in his pocket.

"Hey, Lia," He smiles at her.

"Oh, gosh! Uh... it sounds like the fireworks have started!" Nini states. "Can you hear them?"

All of the sudden, the buzzer for basketball games starts blaring.

"Ahh!" Thalia shouts. EJ and her then start laughing quietly.

~~~

-Thalia's POV-

"Homework? There's no way," EJ shakes his head and then winks at the audience. He then walks offstage to me.

"You did great, Chad," I laugh.

"Why, thank you, Kelsi," He laughs too.

We walk to the dressing room.

"Carlos, this is as far as I can split," Kourtney sighs.

Then Miss Jenn walks in, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for Stick to The Status Quo! This is our biggest Act One showstopper, and you're all going to kill it because I love you. Any questions?"

"I have a couple hundred!" Kourtney jumps in, raising her hand.

"How is the Taylor dance break gonna work? Gina's tray-ography is really complex," Seb sighs.

"I can run to the pit and have the orchestra cut that part," Carlos suggests.

"Or we could just have Gina do it!" Kourtney exclaims.