𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 - 𝗘𝗝 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹²

#01

"One, two, three." A voice sounded behind the camera, and Autumn sat up straighter in her bed, adjusting the sleeves of her cardigan.

Once the light on the camera turned on, signaling that it had started recording, she smiled brightly, waving at the lens.

"Hi, wildcats! As you all know, Miss Jenn asked for a retelling of the last term. Something about helping students understand how great our group is...?" She spoke, her tone growing a little confused at the last words.

Shaking her head and shrugging off the moment's awkwardness, she smiled again at the camera.

"So, here's what you guys missed. Our new drama teacher decided to put on a production of High School Musical, the Musical at our high school, where they filmed High School Musical. I got Gabriella."

As she explained, she grabbed the framed picture of the cast on opening night and showed it to the camera. The girl pointed to Ricky in his Chad Danford costume.

"This is Ricky, my best friend. He joined the play so he could win back his ex-girlfriend, Nini," She paused, her finger moving to Nini's position in the picture. "who was playing Kelsi. Problem was, she was dating my now-boyfriend EJ."

Letting out a soft laugh, she pointed at EJ in the photo next. "Here's our Troy. EJ was set to play Chad, but then Miss Jenn made him switch roles with Ricky because he had more chemistry with me."

She looked at the camera, her eyes widening as she realized how confusing it would be to the viewers. "But there's no drama! I mean, there was some, but now we're all over it."

Clearing her throat, Autumn pointed to the picture again, this time pointing at Gina. "Anyway, this is G, my best friend and the most talented dancer you'll ever meet. She's new, just like me."

The brunette continued to introduce her friends, before putting the picture down in its previous place. "We had a stage, and then it burned down, so we moved the production to El Rey. But then, we had to move back to the school because it turned out mice and theatre don't go hand in hand."

Autumn sighed as she reminisced how chaotic the last few weeks before the play had been.

"So, we ended up doing the play in our gym. Opening night went really well. Nini got the attention of a scout from YAC, which was great. She also got back together with Ricky. And EJ told me he loves me! And..."

The girl trailed off, staring at the camera for a few moments before bursting into a fit of laughter.

"We can't use that." She said, her voice still holding a trace of laughter. "God, we're a messy bunch. Please delete that."

Autumn watched as EJ lowered the camera he had borrowed from Big Red. "You know, tulip, I thought it was a pretty good retelling."

She shook her head, her lips curled into an amused smile. "Yeah, but would you wanna join the club and be friends with us from that?" She questioned.

"Hell no." He quickly replied, sending her into another fit of laughter. "How about we just stick to the play for the next one?"

"Deal." She said while he lifted the camera once more, ready to film another video.

"One, two, three." He repeated.

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The entire theatre crew cheered as Ricky covered the lens of Miss Jenn's phone, thus wrapping up the festive music video they had been filming in the school for the last hour.

It was the solution they had found to promote the club and announce the restoration of the school theater since the individual promotional videos had ended up being far too chaotic to share.

"New Year's Eve party at Ashlyn's! Everyone's invited!" Carlos announced, earning another cheer from the group.

Just as the cast started discussing the details of the party, Miss Jenn cleared her throat, looking at all of them with a guilty expression. "You guys, wait, I don't think I was recording the song."

They all stared at her, shocked by the revelation.  A chorus of 'Miss Jenn...',  'Are you serious?' and 'What?' echoed in the practically empty hallway.

Miss Jenn beamed them with an apologetic smile, one that made it very difficult for the kids to stay mad at her. "Go back to places?" She suggested bashfully. "What? I thought I pressed it."

Shaking their heads, the students returned to their preassigned spots, ready to give the music video another attempt.

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ᴀᴜᴛᴜᴍɴ ᴄᴀᴍᴘʙᴇʟʟ, ᴊᴜɴɪᴏʀ

We are so back, baby! I've missed this.

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After finally wrapping up the music video - for real this time -, the students poured out of the otherwise deserted school. Autumn fought the urge to smile as she spotted Nini and Ricky standing near the entrance, a lovestruck expression on both of their faces. 

Ever since opening night, Ricky and Nini had been hanging out a lot more, and the Campbell girl had heard Ricky say on multiple occasions that it was going well. 

Even though he barely hung out with Big Red and her anymore, Autumn couldn't even be mad at him; Ricky seemed happier than ever now that he and Nini were back together, and that's all the girl wanted for him.

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ʀɪᴄᴋʏ ʙᴏᴡᴇɴ, ᴊᴜɴɪᴏʀ

We're back, we're better than ever, and I'm never going to break up with Nini again. Ever! 

I love her. I finally said it. And I'm never gonna stop saying it. You know, good relationships are all about good communication.

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ɴɪɴɪ sᴀʟᴀᴢᴀʀ-ʀᴏʙᴇʀᴛs, ᴊᴜɴɪᴏʀ

Okay, I haven't told him yet. I haven't told Ricky I'm leaving for Denver in T-minus 13 days on New Year's Day. 

I got in to the Youth Actors' Conservatory. And it's a huge deal to me. But... Honestly, Ricky's a huge deal to me, too. So, I'm totally lucky and totally screwed.

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ᴋᴏᴜʀᴛɴᴇʏ ɢʀᴇᴇɴᴇ, ᴊᴜɴɪᴏʀ

I'm the only person who knows that Nini is about to leave town, which, sad face, for real. But seeing Nini follow her dreams, makes me wanna chase some of my own. 

I might audition for the show. I might expand my friend circle. I might get a job and some financial independence. 

Basically, I'm lining up options this year. It's the dawn of the Age of Kourtney.

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Autumn was shaken out of her daydreams when Gina wrapped an arm around her shoulder, guiding her toward the exit of the school.

"Sooo... What is my beautiful best friend planning to wear tonight to the party?" Gina asked in a nonchalant tone, making the other brunette raise an eyebrow.

"You need a ride, don't you?" Autumn questioned, a chuckle leaving her lips as her friend shamelessly nodded.

"Well, yes, but I also want to know what you're wearing!" Gina protested, a soft laugh escaping her as well as they left the school gates.

"I guess you'll have to see." The Campbell said in an overly exaggerated mysterious tone, walking away from her friend. 

Unable to keep up the facade, she glanced over her shoulder to the curly-haired brunette. "I'll send you a picture later." She caved, earning another laugh from Gina.