Showtime

1. Auditions

[Avni: Senior year- I'm going to go out with a bang. Get a lead role in the musical, like always, hang out with my boys, like always, ace my classes, like always and pretend I don't fall a little more in love with EJ every time I see him, like always.]

"Boys," Avni exclaimed, plopping down on the table where Big Red and Ricky were sitting. Neither of them actually notices her at all.

"Guys?" She tried again. "C'mon you haven't seen me all summer," she said, turning around to see what they were gawking at.

EJ and Nini- PDAing in the cafeteria- ugh.

"Why didn't you tell me that happened at camp?" Ricky asked her. "You tell me about that Susan lady but miss that?"

She sighed, "Honestly, I didn't think it would last till start of term."

"Or maybe you were hoping it wouldn't," Big Red wiggled his eyebrows.

Ignoring that, Avni trudged on, "Plus I thought this might be good for you. Maybe move on from Nini?"

Ricky huffed.

♡♡♡♡♡

"Aves!"

Avni turned around to see EJ. He fell in step beside her as they made their way to AP Calculus.

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Avni frowned. It was the worst of his nicknames for her.

He only grinned. "So, you're auditioning for High School Musical?"

Avni matched his grin, "Obviously. And this new teacher has a weirdly chaotic energy- which is always fun. So, you going for Troy?"

"Yeah, with my girl for Gabriella."

"Oh?" Avni asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

EJ and Avni had played the leads in every single musical to date, for the last three years. Now he wanted Nini for Gabriella?

"Yeah, and you're trying out for Sharpay, right?" He said subtly.

This sneaky bitch.

He knew damn well Avni was going to audition for Gabriella.

"Am I?" She asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah," he said, his tone suggestive.

Avni sighed. She didn't like this at all- she'd been looking forward to spending time with EJ and none with Nini.

But then it looked like this was the only way the former was going to happen. Plus, Sharpay was arguably more iconic than Gabriella, and it would be a slightly different, more challenging role for her.

She loved a challenge.

"Yeah," she agreed. "Yeah, I'm auditioning for Sharpay."

He nodded and walked away with a proud grin.

It was only then that she realised that he had very easily just manipulated her into auditioning for a completely different role on the day of the auditions.

She was weirdly impressed.

♡♡♡♡♡

"So much has happened think of what we've done..."

Avni cringed heavily at the sight in front of her- Ricky, serenading Nini with a song that caused their break up, in front of EJ- who by the way looked incredible in that jersey (arms?!)

What was Ricky doing? Ughhhh. Why does he not run his stupid ideas through me first?

Avni watched as Ricky's voice cracked at the l-word, and she felt a strong protective urge bubble under the surface. Obviously, Ricky was doing this to impress Nini- but Avni wasn't sure that she deserved it.

Ricky was her best friend and he'd been through a tough time with his family the past few months- and instead of understanding his inability to word his feelings, Nini had proceeded to make a break into a break up and date EJ literally two seconds later.

Okay so maybe, Ricky could work on his communication skills and maybe she was letting her personal biases cloud her judgement of Nini- but it was clear that Nini wanted a clean break. But Ricky was insisting- and it would only end in him getting hurt.

Plus, theatre was extremely important to Avni and watching Ricky misuse it (after he refused to come to even one of her plays) was especially painful.

Needless to be said, Avni was not pleased with all this.

♡♡♡♡♡

"Hey, new girl," Avni called during the break.

The girl so addressed turned around.

"Hey, I'm Avni, I'm a senior here. You're new, right?" She outstretched her hand.

The girl didn't take it. "Gina Porter, sophomore, transfer student," she said instead, in a weird tone.

Pulling her hand back, Avni mimicked her tone, "Okay, Gina Porter, sophomore, transfer student, what do you think of the school so far?"

Gina just sighed, "What do you want?"

Not one to be fazed, Avni replied, "Okay, so you like stuff given to you straight- my kind of girl. Look, you want Gabriella, I want Nini to not get Gabriella and Ricky to get out of here. So, you need to fake some chemistry with him," she said, pointing at EJ.

"Why?" Gina asked, thoroughly intrigued.

"Miss Jenn seems like a typecaster. She's going to pair up Ricky and Nini due to their obvious history. Your best bet for Gabriella is faking a connection with EJ. Just gaze into his eyes- it works every time, trust me."

♡♡♡♡♡

Avni watched as the Gabriella auditions started.

Gina actually did an incredible job. She powered through What I've Been Looking For while sneaking very obvious glances and making gooey eyes at EJ- who looked somewhat captivated. It was hard to watch for Avni personally, but Miss Jenn's slightly impressed expression (and Carlos' slightly confused one) made up for it.

During her own audition, Avni twirled throughout the theatre space, engaging her audience in Bop To The Top.

Ricky's slightly astounded look was somewhat hurtful.

Come to my plays when I tell you to, asshole.

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A/n 

And that was chapter 1!! Can I just say that I absolutely love writing an Indian character :)) 

Btw Avni is Maharashtrian in case anyone was wondering. I will be using Marathi in coming chapters, and I'll put the translations in this section. 

Hope you're loving it so far!! Please vote and comment.