Weightless [HSMTMTS]

Chapter 18

"Oh my gosh, that's what's-her-name, Lily, from our auditions," Seb said after Ricky finished showing the group the video of North High promoting their brand-new musical, surprise, surprise, Beauty and the Beast.

"The girl who EJ had to stop me from giving a piece of my mind after mocking Big Red?" Ten asked after fully reeling in what he just watched. "I knew something was off about her."

"She isn't just co-directing their show, she's starring in it," Seb continued.

"You mean, perfect-pitch, looks-like-an-actual-Disney-princess, super-fangirl/mean girl Lily?" Ashlyn asked.

"I'm going to go with yes," EJ replied to his cousin, glancing a strange look in Ten's direction.

"I remember her vaguely," Ashlyn said in a worried tone. There was no doubt that she was concerned about the competition.

Ten's eyes were like daggers when he looked towards his best friend. "I told you there was something about her, EJ."

It was something worth laughing about, actually. After all, he did sense something was off. EJ had brushed it off like it was a normal thing, downplaying his best friend's instincts despite knowing how often Ten was right about many situations.

"I guess you were right," EJ said after he let out a hesitant laugh.

"Thank you all for coming so quickly on a Saturday. Or most of you all," Miss Jenn started as she walked into the rehearsal room with Carlos. "We're missing a teapot and a village idiot."

"Uh, I think they're at the pizza place," Ricky said.

"Yeah, I think Kourtney texted in the group," Seb added. "They said they couldn't get anyone to cover their shifts. Oh." Ten had nudged Seb quickly to prevent him from saying too much.

The blonde boy could not blow their cover for having a separate group chat without Miss Jenn. Well, not that there was anything important in it anyway. It was mostly a whirlwind of chaos, but still, Miss Jenn could be hurt by being excluded from the shenanigans they got up to.

"Oh, I didn't see that text," Miss Jenn said as she brought her phone out.

"I meant the group chat with me and Ten," Seb corrected himself as the others sighed in relief.

Phew. Crisis averted.

"Well, back to the matter at hand. I can tell from your solemn faces you've all seen, the video," Miss Jenn began. The drama students' faces fell when the video was brought up again.

"It's incredible, even I have no notes," Carlos emphasised, throwing his hands into the air in disbelief. "I can't believe they stole our show."

"I think their Lumiere is an actual French exchange student," Ricky added, clearly stunned with how North High could steal their show and make it even better than their production.

"Miss Jenn, how are we supposed to beat North at the Menkies if they're churning out this a second after changing their musical?" Ashlyn asked the drama teacher but the room burst into discussion.

"Wildcats! Take heart," Miss Jenn said, clapping her hands to capture their attention. "North High is clearly focusing on bells and whistles. Impressive, but distracting. All we need is..."

"Friendship?" Seb offered with an innocent grin.

"No, Seb, all we need is to get back to basics," Miss Jenn resumed. "Emotional performances that connect with the audience can make all the difference with these judges. And I have a plan, which is why you've been called in today. And that plan is... a weekend acting intensive."