A Summer Musical

🎶 Chapter 3 - A Musical 🎶

Ashlyn's POV

I sat down on my bed next to Big Red with a sigh. "I can't believe it."

"Honestly, me either." He put his arm around me. I reached to hold his hand.

"She's just so fun and helpful and probably the only teacher who would give me the lead."

"Ash, did you hear yourself whenever you sang anything from Beauty and the Beast?"

"Yes, but... I don't know." I sighed again, scooting closer to him.

"Okay, well I know that it absolutely beautiful, and you're perfect, Lyn. You're performances are show stopping." He paused. "What does that even mean? The first song can't be show stopping, then the show wouldn't go on, and—"

"Show... pausing. Whatever." I shrugged and kissed him. I gently rested my hand on his cheek, smiling. "Love you."

"Love you too." He smiled and kissed me again.

"Ash—" EJ, who I had forgot was coming soon, walked into the room. I jumped apart from Big Red.

"Hey EJ." I forced a nervous smile. "What's up?"

"Just stopping by to talk... what's happening here?"

"It was only like two seconds." I told him, sitting closer to Big Red after the initial shock of EJ coming in had passed. "We kissed right as you walked in."

"Ash I'm not your parents, I wouldn't really care." He sat next to me.

"You wouldn't care? You're a little protective sometimes." I pointed out, intertwining my fingers with my boyfriends'.

"Not with him."

"I guess that's true." I looked at Big Red and smiled.

"Yep." Big Red nodded with a smile. I looked in his eyes for a few seconds, now distracted by them.

"Lovebirds, knock it off, I didn't come to third wheel." EJ joked, but he probably was feeling like a third wheel at this point.

"Right, yeah, fine." I turned to EJ. "So what's up?"

"Well... Miss Jenn." He said, causing me to frown.

"I'm gonna miss her."

"Me too." Big Red agreed. "I guess we should stay in touch or something?"

"She's like a friend, so... yeah. Probably so." I nodded.

"So that's it?" EJ asked. "We just... keep in touch? What about theatre? It won't be the same without her, our past teachers were... well, at the time I liked them, but I realize now they played favorites all the time and stuff like that. Not as friendly."

"The year before last... she was just straight up rude."

"Oh?" Big Red frowned. "To you?"

"Everyone." I shrugged.

"But... to you?"

"It's nothing to worry about." I kissed his cheek. "It was awhile ago, it doesn't bother me."

"Alright." He gave in. "Shoot, Ash, it's 5."

"Oh, bye." I hugged him goodbye.

"See you later EJ. Love you Lyn."

"Bye." EJ replied.

"Love you too." I waved as he left. "So all you wanted to talk about was Miss Jenn?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Okay... anything else you wanna—"

"Did someone just ring the doorbell?" He interrupted.

"Probably Gina." I went downstairs, EJ following me. "Hey Gi." I hugged Gina.

"Hey Ash, what's up?" She smiled, then noticed EJ. Her smile seemed to fade, but only before a new, softer smile appeared. "Hey EJ."

"I was just leaving." EJ told her.

"Since when?" I asked.

"Oh, right, dinner with Mom and Dad. Gotta be there early."

"Oh, right." I nodded. "Bye."

"Bye."

"Goodbye." Gina waved at EJ as he left.

"I feel like I should be more bothered by you crushing so hard on my cousin." I shook my head.

"I'm not..."

"Believable." I laughed.

Nini's POV

I sat by Kourtney and Ashlyn at Salt Lake Slices. I was a little late, which only meant we already had food. I took a slice as the others were already eating. "Hi guys."

"Hey Neens." Kourtney smiled. Ashlyn, her mouth full, waved.

"So, Ash, why are we here again?"

"Oh, Miss Jenn." She set her slice of pizza down. "I was talking to EJ and Biggie earlier, and we decided we should probably stay in touch. But then we mentioned how weird theatre would be with out her, and I was thinking... yes, this is kinda crazy, so just tell me your honest opinions: we could talk to her and do a musical this summer. Literally no budget, but fun. I think. Is it?"

"Wait, that sounds really fun." Kourtney said.

"It does!" I agreed. "Do you think she'd want to though?"

"She's as obsessed with theatre as all of us, I don't doubt it. We'll see." Ashlyn shrugged.

"I'll be right back." Kourtney stood up and walked away, probably talking to Howie.

"I hope, because this sounds really fun." I said to Ashlyn.