People Watching - EJ Caswell ¹

"Don't be an idiot, Caswell."

Scarlett moved her pace from a walk to a small jog as she attempted to catch up with Ashlyn, who was a few steps in front of her. Slowing down again once she made it to the girl's side. She greeted her with a smile. "Hi, I'm Scarlett and I overheard Ms Jenn say you played the piano?"

The redhead grinned and nodded, gripping her bag that was slung over her shoulder. "You play as well, right? We should team up sometime, and see what we can come up with. I might need some extra ears on the song she's making me write for Ms Darbus."

Scarlett nodded enthusiastically, "Sure, call me anytime."

Turning the corner, the two saw EJ up ahead, talking to his 'fans' causing the girls to laugh as Ashlyn grabbed her arm and dragged her forward. "Hi!" She exclaimed as she joined his side. Scarlett waved toward the camera with a wide smile.

The boy grinned, angling the camera for the two girls to fit onto the screen. "Hey, say hi to my cousin and Scarlett." She wasn't expecting him to know her name but she smiled into the camera anyway, giving a small wave. She and Ashlyn cheerfully said hello before he said goodbye, dropping his arm to his side.

"You're in a good mood." The redhead commented as they made their way to the bombshell where the read-through was being held.

EJ shook his head, his smile dropping into a frown. "That's just for the fans, Ash. Inside I'm a bucket of sad."

Scarlett shook her head from beside Ashlyn. "You're still not over the whole not-getting-Troy thing?" She questioned.

"I put three years into this drama department and now I have to understudy my girlfriend's ex?" He replies, evidently annoyed at the situation.

Scarlett chuckled slightly. "I know, it sucks. But maybe it'll be good for you to not get what you want for once?" She suggested and he glared down at her.

"How would you know?"

She glanced at Ashlyn for a little help and she smirked at the girl before looking up at her cousin. "She's not wrong."

EJ scoffed ignorantly, "Why would that be good?"

Ashlyn laughed a little, patting the older boy on his shoulder. "Then again, maybe you are who you are."

Ashlyn linked her arm with Scarlett's as they walked into the room, leaving a confused EJ to wander in behind them. They found their seats which were located next to each other as EJ walked to the opposite side of the circle where his name was placed on one of the desks. He stared at the other two name tags for Ricky and Nini, that were placed next to each other, before swapping him and the curly-haired boys around. He made eye contact with Scarlett whose eyebrows were raised slightly, amused at the fact this got to him so much as the card was placed down. EJ paused for a moment before switching them back, sitting down in the seat he was originally given with a frown.

"Could everyone take their assigned seats, please?" Ms Jenn asked as she spoke with Carlos. "Don't forget to silence your phones." Everyone sat down in their selected seats, Big Red sitting in for Natalie who was away with swollen glands. "I realize that all of you have walked in here as strangers."

Ashlyn grinned, pointing toward the boy opposite her. "Actually, EJ's my cousin!"

He gave her an awkward smile as Scarlett hid her laugh behind her hand, not wanting to bring attention to herself in the silent room. "But after today, you're a family." Ms Jenn continued, choosing to ignore the girl's random outburst. "One tribe committed to lifting this classic film to new heights." Carlos, who was sitting next to her, took a selfie with his card, with the name 'choreographer' written on it, the sound of his camera clicking disrupting her speech. Noticing that the room had paused because of him, he placed his phone down and the blonde continued with what she was saying. "Please take your neighbours' hand."