Loverboy - EJ Caswell ²

"I know, I know. I'm amazing."

The theatre department sat across a couple of tables, in the cafeteria, at the start of the new semester, and Carlos dramatically stood up, catching the attention of the group and a few other random people around the room. "Attention, thespians! I have a brief announcement." He called out, sliding to sit on one of the tables.

"Speech! Speech!" Seb cheered, putting on a much lower voice than his own, causing a few laughs from around the room.

"After spending the last couple of weeks google-stalking the Menkie awards. I've discovered that there is no category for the best choreographer." Carlos paused for dramatic effect before carrying on. "And since the Menkies is step one, to me becoming the first ever winner of a MEGOT... I've decided that I will be auditioning to be on stage this year. Thank you, all!"

Everyone cheered excitedly as he bowed jokingly, and Ashlyn grabbed Big Red's arm. "Big Red's trying out too!"

Valentina gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her heart. "You're leaving me all alone with those scary sandbags?"

"Big ups, Big Red. You gonna teach me some of those allegedly great tap moves?" Gina asked and Scarlett nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh, my God. Yes."

The boy laughed nervously. "I'm so scared."

Ashlyn chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, just remember you cannot play Chip, the teacup, since it'd obviously be weird for you to be my son." She paused as everyone looked at her, slightly confused. "I mean, I'm probably getting Mrs Potts. Not that we all don't have an equal shot."

"I don't know. I think you'd make a pretty amazing Belle." Scarlett suggested with a small shrug of her shoulders but the redhead shook her head, not believing the girl for a minute. She didn't have a chance to reply though, as EJ wandered over to the table, dropping into the seat beside Scarlett and Ricky, his arm unconsciously going around the girl.

"You're welcome." He stated and the boy looks at him in confusion.

"Huh?"

He shrugged slightly. "Uh, I've decided to take myself out of the running for the Beast. I'm just... I've got a lot on my plate." He clicked as he finished his sentence, pulling out his phone from his pocket. "Which reminds me, I should probably pick a meal plan for Duke."

"Wait. You officially got in?!" Scarlett exclaimed, hitting the boys chest and she and Ashlyn looked at the boy in excitement.

The question was quickly brushed past though, leaving the two girls still wondering as Ricky turned to EJ. "Back up. You're not doing the musical either?"

He shook his head. "No. I've only got the bandwidth for a supporting role." EJ paused for a moment before glancing at the boy, narrowing his eyes. "Wait, what do you mean 'either'?"

"Uh..." Ricky chuckled nervously. "I'm, uh, I'm not sure if I'm auditioning this year. You know, once a skate rat... right?"

The group looked around at each other, trying to find something to say. "Wait, for real?" Gina broke the silence, she and Valentina leaning forward in sync. They all waited for him to say something but the awkwardness was interrupted by a blonde girl walking up to their table, a cheerful smile on her face.

"Okay, um, sorry, I've been trying to work up the courage to say this." She laughed, giddily. "Okay, I can't believe I'm standing in front of both Troy Boltons right now. Both of your performances last semester in HSM were incredible." She gushed and Scarlett shared a puzzled look with Val, who sat on her left side.

"Thanks."

"Thank you. It means a lot to us." EJ started, beginning to go on a whole rant about the experience. "It honestly takes a whole village to get a show up on its feet. I've been blessed."