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I think of you when the wind blows
Gracie's ears perked up as she heard a muffled but familiar voice coming from outside.
I see your face almost everywhere Sure, maybe Salt Lake is not close
Gracie opened her curtain seeing Nini standing in Ricky's old lawn, unaware he and his dad had moved out a few weeks ago.
But I'm still breathing you in the air Because...
As she opened up her window to warn the girl, she was cut off by her new neighbor and Nini screaming at each other out of shock.
"What are you doing?" her new neighbor, Melissa yelled down to her.
"What am I doing?" Nini yelled back despite having a mircophone right in front of her. "Who are you being?"
"What?" Melissa asked.
"Where is Ricky?"
"He doesn't live there anymore," Gracie joined the yelling, getting Nini to turn to her. "Come inside I'll explain everything, okay?"
Nini nodded, quickly started to pack up her things as Melissa rolled her eyes and shut her window. Gracie met the girl at the front door, letting her in.
"I'm so confused," Nini stated as she set her stuff on the ground near the door.
"Believe me, that makes two of us," Gracie sighed, shutting the door behind her. "Do you want any hot chocolate? I was just about to make some."
"Yeah, that would be great. The bus ride was freezing," she let out a breathy laugh as she followed Gracie to the kitchen.
"Now I don't mean to be rude or anything," Gracie began to make the hot chocolate as Nini sat on a stool across from her, "but what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"Well, y-yeah," Nini stuttered awkwardly. "But I thought I would leave early for the weekend to surprise Ricky for Valentine's Day. I'm sorry, but where is Ricky?"
"Where is he now or where is he living?"
"Both."
"Alright, well, Ricky is now living a few blocks over in a smaller place since it's now just him and his dad," Gracie informed but was cut off by Nini.
"When did he move?"
"Beginning of February," Gracie shrugged. "I thought he would've told you at New Year's Eve, that's when I found out he was moving."
"Obviously , he didn't," Nini sighed, sounding very irratated with the boy. "So, where is he now?"
"Umm... he kinda had the same idea that you did," Gracie cringed slightly.
Nini looked up from cup of hot chocolate Gracie had just put in front of her. "You mean..."
"He's at least on his way to Denver right now," Gracie informed. "He wanted to surprise you, too."
"Wow," Nini smiled as she took a careful sip of her drink. "What bad timing, huh?"
***
"Okay, people," Carlos clapped his hands, gaining everyone's attention. "The title song of Beauty and the Beast is the centerpiece of our show. Written at the height of Ashmen 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. Love is love."
"Ricky and Ash," Gina turned to the pair, "it's time to review the waltz. Let's take it way under tempo."
As the music started, Gracie found a seat next to Blake, giving him a small smile as she sat down.
***
GRACIE: Today is Valentine's Day, and I was hoping all week that Blake would ask me out, but he hasn't. So, I thought screw gender norms. I'm asking him to be my date. And I'm very, very nervous.
***
"So, are you doing anything tonight," Gracie asked as she watched Ashlyn and Ricky fumble a little bit with their waltz.
"No, just planning to hang out with some friends, play some video games. Why?" Blake responded.
"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 stopped Gracie before she had enough time to open her mouth to ask. "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?"
"Hey, do you mind if I take a quick five?" Ashlyn asked, looking slightly nervous.
"Everything okay, honey?" Miss Jenn checked.
"Yeah, of course," Ashlyn nodded, grabbing her stuff.
"You good, cuz?" EJ looked at her with concern.
"Yes. I said I'm fine," Ashlyn said, walking to the door, leaving everyone confused.
Gracie looked at Gina who shook her head before turning to talk to Carlos.
"Sorry what were saying before?" Blake asked, making her remember what she was doing there in the first place.
"Right, I was just wondering if you wanted to grab some dinner or something tonight?"
"I would love to," Blake smiled sadly. "But I already have those plans with my friends tonight. Maybe some other time?"
Gracie felt the disappointed sink in her heart as nodded back to him. "Yeah, some other time."
***
"Last time I ever try to ask out a guy," Gracie shook her head as she, Ashlyn and Gina walked down the hallway.
"It could have been worse, you know," Gina tried to cheer her up. "He said yes to another day, just not today."
"Yeah, not today, the day meant for couples to be together," Gracie rolled her eyes playfully before turning to Ashlyn, who had been very quiet on the walk to her locker. "So, why did you walk out of rehearsal early today? Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Ashlyn shrugged as they got to her locker. "I don't know, I guess I just don't feel like a natural Belle yet. I mean, we've all seen the movie. She's..."
"A cartoon," Gracie finished for her.
"You're her everything," Gina told her sincerely.
Ashlyn couldn't help but smile at her two friends. "Well, now I wanna give you gals a Valentine too."
"No, I've actually got a pretty good one coming," Gina smiled, getting both of the girls to look at her wide-eyed. "I mean, it's from my mom, but you know, love is love."
Ashlyn and Gracie chuckled as Ashlyn turned to open her locker. As soon as she got it open, she screamed and jumped back as Big Red fell out of her locker with red confetti flying everywhere.
"What is happening?" Ashlyn questioned as Big Red stood up.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he said quickly.
"Um, was this the surprise?" Ashlyn asked. "Because surprise."
"Yeah, no, uh, it kinda got ruined," Big Red freaking out more than the three girls were. "My fault. Just come by the pizza place later, okay? Trust me, it's gonna be amazing."
"Okay," Ashlyn breathed as Big Red ran away. She turned to Gracie with a confused look. "What was that?"
"Something tells me he and Ricky planned something and didn't run it by me," Gracie shook her head as Ashlyn sniffed hear locker.
She looked at Gina and Gracie with a tight lipped smile. "All my stuff smells like Throb."
