People Watching - EJ Caswell ¹

"Happy Thanksgiving, EJ."

Scarlett sat at the piano, her fingers gliding across the keys as she focused on hitting the right notes as Ricky and Nini sang 'the start of something new'. Gina sat on top of the instrument, watching the performance with a smile whilst the others sat huddled on one of the sets of bleachers whilst the dancers used random things around the room to replace the real props that weren't quite ready yet.

The performance was messy to put it nicely, and the girl held an amused grin as she caught a glimpse of Big Red shining one of the dancers with a flashlight as she imitated a disco ball. Suddenly, the bell indicating the end of the day rang loudly throughout the school and EJ shot up out of his chair with an excited yell.

"Yes! Yes! Whoo!" Scarlett jumped, her fingers hitting the wrong keys before she pulled away from the piano, one of her hands going up to her chest as she let out a breath. He smiled at her awkwardly. "Sorry. I really love thanksgiving."

Everyone brushed past his weird outburst as the dancers and everyone involved in the last scene went to put away their props.

Ms Jenn got up from one of the red theatre seats, she and Carlos had managed to find somewhere. "Okay, hold on." She chuckled slightly as she talked. "I know everyone is excited about the holiday break. But I'm me, and I have notes." Scarlett got up from the instrument and moved to get her bag. "Ricky and Nini, that was good. But it could be better. She said in the spirit of holiday cheer."

"Good save."

Ricky smiled slightly as he looked down at Nini. Scarlett watched as they shared an awkward but cute moment, she would have to tell Valentina later. Ms Jenn turned back to look at the latter of the room. "Your homework over this break, all of you, is to please go on vocal rest. And go over your lines, too, which is hard to do on vocal rest." She laughed nervously, anxious about the upcoming show. "Make it work. And remember, may nothing ever block our doorway to happiness."

"Excuse me!" Mr Mazzara then walked through the door of the bomb shelter and the blonde woman sighed.

"Starting now."

He shook his head, holding a large smile before walking toward the drama teacher. "Oh, don't mind me. I just came to return a missing item." He turned to Ashlyn who was currently grabbing her things. "Ashlyn. Cannot have our robotics team co-captain going home without her binder over break." He presented her an overly filled folder which she took with a grateful smile before walking away toward Carlos and Big Red.

Mr Mazzara turned back to Ms Jenn as Scarlett chuckled, slightly confused. She didn't know Ashlyn was on the robotics team, let alone co-captain.

Only a few moments later Carlos caught the room's attention as he waved his arms above his head. "Party at Ashlyn's after Thanksgiving tomorrow! Everyone's invited!"

Everyone cheered and Scarlett laughed excitedly and grabbed her things as everyone began filtering out of the room and out of the school, looking forward to the holidays. EJ waited behind, leaning against the piano, looking down at the brunette who collected her music sheets from the stand and stuffed them into her bag. "You ready?" He asked and she nodded, leading the way out of the room.

EJ had been dropping Scarlett off a lot more recently, which she appreciated greatly, especially in the cool fall weather which was rapidly approaching the even colder winter. They walked through the halls, a few other students still lingering around the school.

"Why do you love Thanksgiving so much?" Scarlett queried as she looked up at him and pushed open the doors, her eyes scanning for the familiar car. Once she had found it, she and EJ made their way over.

He began to gush about the holiday as they drove home, and she listened carefully, nodding her head slowly as a way to show that she was taking in what he was saying, not that he could see her doing that considering he was watching the road. He pulled up to her house, as he ended the reasons why he loved the holiday so much and she unbuckled her seatbelt, leaning down to grab her bag.