The Musical | Ricky Bowen × Reader

Start of something new

"The beginning of an end is sometimes just the start of something new. And once in a while, it's the genesis of something wonderful."

- Jaz Primo

...

"Total wildcards here," Carlos whispers, nodding at Ricky and I, making me even more anxious.

"Here goes," Ricky says, his voice shaking. I find some comfort knowing I'm not the only one who's nervous.

Ms. Jenn then nods at the boy behind the piano to start the ballad. The melody goes on and on, Ricky misses his cue each time. He looks at me for some guidance. Therefore, I take the initiative and begin to sing.

"Living in my own world, didn't understand.... that anything can happen, when you take a chance," I add a few runs to make it unique.

"I never believed in"—Ricky clears his throat— "what I couldn't see. I never opened my heart, to all the possibilities," he continues, not taking his eyes off Nini once.

"I know that something has changed, never felt this way," we sing in unison, and this time, Ricky glances up at me.

"And right here tonight, this could be the start of something new," he keeps eye contact.

"It feels so right, to be here with you, oh," he brings his gaze back to Nini.

"And now, looking in your eyes," I take a step towards him to make this less...one-sided—taking him by surprise. Nini sees this and gives me a look. Out of confusion, and maybe a little...jealousy?

"I feel in my heart, the start of something new." I sigh out of relief. That was...something else. I mean, there was chemistry, but not between us. EJ seems to pick up on that as well, because his eyes are practically shooting daggers at Ricky. He doesn't notice, though. His focus is still clearly on Nini, and vice versa.

"Well then," Ms. Jenn says, attempting to cut the tension.

"Let's go ahead with the lines," she says, and as she does, Mia walks in. She gives me a thumbs up for good luck and sits with the cluster of people in front of Ricky and me. A red-haired boy walks in doing so as well, but to Ricky.

We refer to the sheet of paper she handed us earlier and begin to recite the lines. Ricky starts us off.

"Troy," he says, introducing his character.

"Gabriella," I say, doing the same.

"But seriously, you have an amazing voice. You're a singer, right?" he says awkwardly, clearly trying too hard. I'm guessing he hasn't had much acting experience.

"Just church choir is all. I tried to solo, but nearly fainted," I laugh, attempting to calm his nerves.

"Really? Why is that?" he asks, bringing his eyes up to mine.

"I looked at the people staring at me, the next thing I knew, I was staring at the ceiling. End of solo career," we both laugh. He's starting to seem less nervous now.

"The way you sing, that's hard to believe," he looks at Nini, then back at me.

"That was the first time I did something like that. It was so cool!" I smile, as does he.

"I know. Completely!"

"Well, you sounded like you've done a lot of singing too."

"Yeah, sure. My shower head is very impressed with me," he says sarcastically. We both laugh.

Everyone claps, except for EJ and Nini.

"Ultimate comeback," Carlos says to Ms. Jenn. Huh, I guess that wasn't too bad after all.  

**hey my loves, i hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as i enjoyed writing it. special thanks to my sister, cal for the inspo! cya in the next chapter. peaceee ;)