In a heartbeat

Chapter 22: The musical canceled

Carlos’ POV 6:30 am

I wake up to my text alert tone. I groan and reach for my phone. But a pair of arms tighten around me. I smile, remembering the events of last night.

“honey, I need to check my phone,” I say.

“Alright,” he says, releasing me.

I grab my phone and unlock it. Then I sit up in shock.

“Carlos?”

“The musical is canceled,” he says.

“What?”

“Yeah I guess no one showed up to rehearsal yesterday. Miss Jenn wants to meet us in the bomb shelter,” he says.

“Let’s go then, “ I say.

7:15 am
We arrive at school and enter the bomb shelter,  holding hands. Everyone stops talking and looks at us. Ash speaks.

“are you back together?” She asks.

“yes,” Seb says.

She squeals and runs over to hug us.

“I knew you two would work it out!”

Seb smiles at her.

“But wait, is the musical really canceled?” I ask.

“Yes it is. We lost our funding,” Miss Jenn says.

“What can we do?” Ash asks.

“I don't know,” Miss Jenn says.

“I think we can help,” someone says.

Alyson and Bart enter the room.

“Huh?” Miss Jenn asks.

“we decided to donate half of both our salaries from HSM4 to your program,” Allyson says.

“How much?”

She whispers in her ear, and her eyes go wide.

“Well looks like our musical is back on if the principal agrees.”

She leaves with Allyson and Bart and returns 15 minutes later.

“The musical is back on!”

We all cheer and hug each other. Everyone files out, leaving Seb and I alone in the room.

Ashlyn

Big red pauses and looks back at the room.

“you alright?” I ask.

“Yeah, I just I didn't realize how much I miss East. And all of you,” he says.

Then he smiles.

“what?” I ask.

He points, and I follow his gaze. Seb and Carlos are still in the bomb shelter, and we see Carlos kiss Seb.

“I'm really glad they're okay,” he says.

“Me too,” I say.

Then we walk away.

Carlos’ POV

I can't believe Seb is here with me. I pull him close and kiss him. He wraps his arms around my neck and deepens the kiss. The warning bell rings, and we spring apart. He chuckles and offers his hand to me. I lace our fingers together, and we walk to class.