I guess Ellie Mayfield has some problems sticking to the status quo...& staying away from the hot boys in East High's musical production of High School Musical
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AS SHE STUCK HER FORK INTO YET ANOTHER PIECE of vinaigrette-soaked lettuce, Ellie contemplated the contents of the school-wife assembly in the gym. She had never before been the type to go out for things like the school musical, but this was a year of change, at least to her. Nini Salazar would obviously get the lead, as her singing was academy award worthy to say the least.
The cafeteria was loud and buzzing after the assembly, announcing this years school musical. High school musical... the musical.
A small part of Ellie was excited, considering how much she used to love the movies. On the other hand, she was more than aware of the mass drama that would be brought upon by... well... the drama department.
Ellie
"I'm not trying to be the next Lin Manuel Miranda or anything, he's god tier. But would it be so bad to get out of my comfort some? Try something new?"
"Hey, Ellie," Ricky spoke, sitting his lunch tray on the table. The boy was quite obviously not in a great mood, as he stared off at something in the nearby distance.
Ricky
"There's nothing romantic with me and Ellie, she's like a sister to me. And besides I'm not really her..." he trailed off, letting out a playful laugh. "I'm not really her type, per say."
Ellie's eyes turned to meet the object of his puppy-eyed glances. She let out a small snicker. "Come on, Rickster. Quite putting yourself through the ringer!"
He took a sad munch of his sandwich, his eyes meeting the floor. It was apparent to all that Ricky was having a harder time with the breakup than Nini, considering she had already moved on. This morning she made her romantic debut with EJ Caswell, a senior who she met at theatre camp.
Ellie shook her head to herself, sitting down her fork. "Look, Ricky, I know you. I also know that you had good intentions, but a pause is an indefinite stop. Nini didn't know how long a pause was or whether it was leading to a break up, she got her heart broken whether you meant it or not. As amazing as you are, can you really blame her for finding someone else?" She questioned, taking a swig of her lemonade as she awaited his response.
As much as she cared for Ricky, Ellie understood why Nini moved on. At this age, they owed it to themselves to explore all options. Date new people, try new things.
Ricky's eyes expressed his hurt and he couldn't help but scoff at his female best friend. "To be frank, Ellie. What do you know about relationships? Wasn't your last crush EJ? See how that worked out for you?" He snapped, nodding his head towards EJ, who stood with his arms wrapped around Nini's small frame.
Immediate regret spread across his face but Ellie couldn't help but slightly tear up, at the truth Ricky spat towards her. His words had bite, and he knew that.
She had spent the last two years quietly crushing on the jock, never having the courage to come forward about her feelings. As much as she despised her reputation, it was built on honesty about her persona. Ellie was a good girl, with few athletic or popular bones in her body. She was smart enough to know things with him would never work out.
Ricky backtracked, realizing what he said and seeing the quiver of his friend's lips. "Ellie, I-I'm.. I didn't mean-"
She wiped at her eyes with the white sleeve of her cardigan, careful not to smudge her eye makeup as she did so. "It's okay, Ricky," she croaked, refusing to meet his eyes. "I know what you meant."
Abnormal fell between the pair, the only sound between them sourcing from the scraping of Ellie's fork against her Tupperware bowl full of salad.
"What's uh, what's with the salad?" Ricky questioned, hating the deafening lack of conversation between them. Not to say Ellie was anything but gorgeous, but it was abnormal to see her without some form of soda or sweet.
She dropped her fork aggressively, clearly having hit a sore spot. "I lost the weight this summer, Ricky. I'm not about to stress-eat it all back on," she breathed, running a hand through her chestnut colored waves.
Ricky
"All this eating stuff bothers me..," Ricky trailed, letting out a sigh of frustration. "I mean, she looks great, but she did before she shed like- fifty pounds."
Last year when her mom remarried, Ellie formed a toxic relationship with food. Her metabolism is godsend, so it didn't show much, but she emotionally snacked herself into gaining forty pounds. Ricky knew it was a sore subject for her, but even though she viewed herself that way, Ellie had never been fat a day in her life.
"Ellie-"
The girl stood up, not currently in the mood for Ricky to lecture her on loving her body. "Hey, um, I've gotta go. I have to stop by my locker before next bell. I'll see you later, right?"
