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20.1. The Transformation, Part 1

"Okay, let me just say- I am so proud of you," Ashlyn said to Avni at rehearsals.

"What are you talking about?" Avni asked quizzically.

"The song?" She asked like it was obvious.

"What- oh the song."

"Yeah, and it's so beautiful. Like the first verse is-"

"Wait, wait- how do you know about the song?"

"Big Red showed me," she frowned.

Avni breathed deep to keep in her annoyance. "Did you show it to anyone else?" Like maybe your cousin?

"I showed to Gina."

"Ok, thanks."

"Gina!" she called. The girl was currently talking to- EJ. Shit.

Avni pulled her away, "What are you doing?" she demanded.

"I'm talking to him about the Mob song choreo. Why?"

"Oh, thank god," Avni breathed. "Did you tell anybody about the song?"

"Oh- it's so good. And I can't believe you thought I would do that to you!" She said, gesturing wildly between her and where EJ was standing before.

"Sorry. But in my defence, I've already been betrayed by two best friends today. Although, I don't blame Big Red. He and Ashlyn are too cute."

"Okay, Wildcats," Miss Jenn called. "Let's shake spring break out of our systems and try the Beast transformation one last time. And remember, this is the triumph of the show, the moment the audience has been waiting for," she said, mostly to Ricky. "This has to work."

"No pressure, right?" Ricky asked Avni.

"Ricky, try not to rush this time. We'll speed it up when you're more confident," Miss Jenn said.

"Got it."

"Let's take it from- 'You came back.'"

Ricky and Avni took their positions- Avni sitting on the ground, Ricky in her lap. Everyone else cleared the stage.

"You came back," Ricky breathed.

"If only I'd come sooner."

"Maybe it's better this way."

"Don't talk like that," Avni said sadly. "Everything will be fine."

"No-" Ricky said.

"We're together now. You'll see."

"I'm just glad I was able to see your face one last..." he cradled her face, and it was super weird, and then he made these choking noises, which was weirder, but Avni fought through it.

"We are home, we are where we shall be forever; trust in me for you know I won't run away..." The fur from the mask kept annoying him, and Avni fought the urge to slap his hand away.

"Belle, I..." he said in a strangled? voice.

"Yes?"

He made weirder choking noises, and then died. "No, no, please don't leave me. Please," Avni pleaded, because the script said so. "I love you," she cried.

Ricky started to- very obviously take his mask off. Avni covered his struggle with her cape.

"Come on. Come on! It's stuck!" Ricky's voice came muffled.

"Rip the Velcro!" Kourtney cried.

"Okay. Okay. I got it." And he flung the mask and Natalie's face, who fell backwards on a set piece, which fell into another set piece and they all came crashing down like dominoes.