A Thing Called Love

Thanksgiving - Part 2

POV NINI

I arrived early on Ashlyn's to help her with the party, and we became pretty close, like sisters.

- Thank you. - she says, arriving at the kitchen to help me with the dishes.

- No problem! Your house has a great energy!

- Awww, you're so cute, did you know that?

- Yes, I do! - I laugh. - And I just got to say that... I'm a little jealous of your ballad.

- What do you mean? - she laughs, a little nervous.

- "Wondering" is the most powerful ballad in our show, and I'm jealous because it's not Gabriella who sings it.

- No way.

- No, really, I just wish that I could write just like you!

- Please, it's nothing compared to your song about saying you don't not love anyone.

- Yes, I bothered it to Ricky to the auditions, and it was based on what I've felt about Jessica Peterson. And... I guess it backfired real bad.

- Hey... Can I give you a piece of advice?

I nod with my head.

- Try to write something about you. Not about Jessica or EJ. Not about anyone, but you.

It clicks an idea on my head. Ashlyn is a genius!

- Thanks.

Then a few minutes later, EJ arrives and even if things are still strange for us, we kinda made amends with each other. He's a good person, he didn't know.

- Yes, hang, hang on just one second. I just got to find Nini. - he says to someone on the phone, when he sees me arriving. - Hey.

- Hey. - then I see that he's talking to... - Oh, my gosh. Emily...

- No, it's okay She knows about the deviled egg. I'm trying to make amends these days, Nini. A...And she was fine with everything. She even laughed.

I'm a little surprised by EJ these days. He's confessing about the wrong things that he did before, and I might say, I'm feeling proud of him.

- This is a lot at once.

- Hey, I got to go join the party and admit some terrible things. You ladies catch up!

Then he goes away, just leaving Emily and me talking on the phone.

- Emily, I am so sorry about what happened this summer.

- That is so far in the rear view, I can't even tell you. Plus, I heard you were amazing as Marian the Librarian.

- Thanks! I literally learnt the part by watching you, but I... I still feel so guilty about what happened and I...

- Hey. Water under the bridge. Honestly, I started at this new boarding school for the arts and it's everything! Seriously! It makes all that stuff last summer feel like kindergarten.

- Oh, wow!

- I know! - she answers, animated. - There's nothing like a fresh start to completely strut your talent. I can already do a Cockney accent!

Then I hear someone calling her by the phone.

- Right, I'm coming, Grandma! Chill! - she screams and then she gets back to say goodbye. - Anyways, it's all good. And I'm just happy, you're happy?

- Yes, I am. And better now that we made amends with each other. - I say, smiling awkwardly.

- Okay, I have to go before Grandma picks me by the ear. Bye, Nini!