Showtime

13.1. Valentine's Day, Part 1

[EJ: So, is being single on Valentine's Day ideal? No. But is Valentine's Day just a day like any other? Also no. So, yeah.]

"Oh, wow," Avni said to EJ as he walked into the bomb shelter.

He grinned, "What?"

Avni waved a hand over him. "You're dressed in all black."

EJ looked down, and was surprised to note that he was wearing all black. "Oh, I didn't notice," he said. He sighed, "It's my first Valentine alone. Do you have any tips?"

"Did you just call me alone?"

Oh, crap.

His eyes grew wide, "No, no. It's just- you had a boyfriend the year before the last and last year you were kind of-" he paused. "There's no saving that is there?"

"Not really."

Miss Jenn entered the room, Carlos in tow, "Morning everyone." She glanced around the room, "Where's our beast?"

"Um, I'll go find him," EJ volunteered. He just wanted to get out of that awkward situation he just created with Avni.

♡♡♡♡♡

"Okay, people. The title song of Beauty and the Beast is the centre- piece of our show," Carlos said. "Written at the height of Ashman and Menken's powers, and it's their most romantic ballad since Suddenly, Seymour. As a reminder, Belle is finally falling for the Beast, and it's not because of Stockholm syndrome, you all. Love is love."

EJ grinned at that.

"Ricky and Avni, it's time to review the waltz. Let's take it way under tempo," Gina said.

Ashlyn took to the piano as Kourtney walked up in front of it, and Ricky and Avni started a rather awkward waltz.

Which sparked a rather awkward memory for EJ.

The last time East High had staged Beauty and the Beast, EJ had played the Beast against Julia (who had now graduated) as Belle. Avni had played Babette, and every time EJ would take his place for the waltz, he would think of how much he would rather be doing this with Avni.

"Wait, can we pause?" Avni asked. "Sorry, Kourtney."

Kourtney waved it off. She seemed almost relieved.

EJ watched as Avni whispered something to Ricky, and he took a step closer, his hand around Avni's waist got a little tighter. Suddenly, the mood shifted and as Ashlyn started playing again, the waltz was significantly less awkward.

"Left, right. Now, forward-" Avni coached Ricky through it. "Don't look down. This is a two- person dance. Look at me."

Ricky lifted his eyes and EJ felt the familiar twinge of jealousy.

He was tired of it. Avni and he were not meant to be. He knew this. Last year at camp had ensured it. He just wanted to stop feeling this way.

But it only got harder.

EJ appeased himself by concentrating on their feet instead, which Ricky was still messing up, despite having achieved the mood of the performance.

"Kourtney, honey, I know we aren't up to show tempo, but sing out, and make sure to really look at Belle and the Beast during the song," Miss Jenn interrupted, making EJ look up. "Remember, what Mrs. Potts is observing is a miracle. Belle is the most beautiful girl in the land, and the Beast is, I'm sorry, Ricky, beastly. Maybe close your eyes and imagine the full scene in makeup and wardrobe. Ready?"

"Uh, yeah-" Kourtney said breathlessly. "Actually, can I take a quick five?"

"Of course," Miss Jenn said.