More Than a First Kiss

10

Gina's POV

Ashlyn and I blast our Taylor Swift playlist the whole way home. We convinced EJ and Big Red to carpool home with Carlos and Seb so we girls could have some time to bounce back from an entire half of our group leaving. They were happy to leave us alone, we really picked the best guys.

"I can't believe it'll just be the two of us this summer," I finally say. Breaking the lock over the topic. "I know, and now we have to go see Miss Jenn who of course will comment over and over again how she'll be missing Nini and will subtly add in Kourtney to balance it out," Ashlyn explains. She's not wrong. Miss Jenn clearly has favorites and we all know who they are. Ricky, Nini, and Carlos. Miss Jenn hasn't spoken to me or Ej much at all this semester. And when she interacts with Seb she shuts him down. Making him feel really overlooked.

But of course, we could never bring this up because it would cause a fuss with Carlos. He'd think we were turning our backs on Miss Jenn. Which is the opposite. We love her, and we know she loves us she just needs a wake-up call. Over winter break something changed and she hasn't been the same.

"I really don't have the energy to do that right now, and who knows if Ricky will even be there. And if he isn't it'll just be another big thing," I add. I don't mention the possibility that if Ricky comes he might bring Lily. They have been basically attached to the hip. When will Ricky realize having a girlfriend isn't going to fix his problems or make them go away.

"Don't remind me," Ashlyn rolls her eyes.

After about half an hour we finally pull up the coffee shop Miss Jenn chose to meet us at. Everyone is just arriving, like us. I meet up with EJ. "How was the car ride?" I smile.

"I learned the names of a lot of female artists. Apparently, I'm uncultured," he chuckles pulling me into a side hug. "I mean I could've easily told you that," I tease. EJ rolls his eyes.

"Ready for whatever this is?" He asks taking my hand. "Not at all," I respond. The two of us walk into the coffee shop. The whole place is empty, consisting of just the theatre kids and Miss Jenn. "Oh! Hello Everyone!" Miss Jenn claps as we all walk in, "You all may be wondering why I summoned you all here." We all nod. I can't help but subtly roll my eyes at her, of course,  we are wondering. Luckily, she doesn't notice. She's too busy looking around the room for Ricky.

Just as she's about to ask he walks in holding hands with Lily. Oh please. "This is East High drama club business. No outsiders," She tells Ricky. "Sorry Miss Jenn," he says. He whispers to Lily. She groans but reluctantly steps outside. "So what's up?" he asks. He looks around at the rest of us. We all look away from him, avoiding eye contact. When we said we wouldn't talk to him until he figured his stuff out we meant it.

"Ok, so I called you all here with an exciting announcement," Immediately everyone starts whispering to each other speculating what it could be. "Guys! Quiet!" She begins, everyone goes silent, "This summer, with the help of Mr. Mazzara, I got us a spot at one of the most prestigious theatre camps in Salt Lake," (I'm making this all up as I go) We all sit on the edge of our seats with anticipation as to where we are going. "Drum roll please..." she adds.

"Miss Jenn!" Carlos shouts.

"Ok, ok, no drum roll. We are going to Camp Ivory for the performing arts. Better known as C.I.P.A," she finally announces. We all cheer with excitement. I've heard about that camp in so many different states. People all the way in Washington dream of going to this camp. Miss Jenn grabs a stack of papers from the table next to her and starts handing them out.

"These are permission and information packets for your parents," she then comes up to me and whispers into my ear, "As long as you promise to check in with your mom it's ok for Ashlyn's parents to sign the papers, we don't have to tell anyone." I smile and nod as she hands me my packet. That was the most Miss Jenn has spoken to me in a while. She really is the best teacher when you erase a lot of this last year.

"Oh my god!" I say to EJ, "I can't believe we get to go there, this summer is going to be amazing."

"Yeah, amazing," EJ responds, sounding distracted.

"EJ? What are you..." I pause when I look past him to find Ricky, Lily, and Miss Jenn talking.

Just as I think I'd seen it all Howie and Antoine walk into the cafe and go up to the other three. I understand Antoine being here, he's friends with Lily. But Howie?? He always told us he couldn't stand Lily and that she was the worst co-star a person could ask for.

And now the two are talking and laughing like they are super close. Before I can get up to investigate Miss Jenn claps, "I have one more announcement. Turns out Zackie Roy has got one of the other three spots at Camp Ivory for the performing arts. I would like you all to take this next summer as an opportunity to mend our rocky relationship with our neighborhood school." We all groan in frustration and hesitation. No way could we ever do that.

"Guys! Just be open, ok!" Ricky says before taking Lily's hand and storming out of the cafe.

"Oh please," EJ rolls his eyes. I take his hand and squeeze it briefly, helping calm him down. Knowing EJ a situation as ridiculous as this is something EJ 1.0 would like to handle. I can understand that feeling. Gina 1.0 has been fighting for life with this whole thing. But we both promised each other and our friends that we wouldn't make matters worse by picking more of a fight with Ricky.

Though two months at this camp might test our limits a little bit.