The Musical | Ricky Bowen × Reader

Cast List

"Yikes."

- Joshua Bassett

...

After the audition, Ms. Jenn practically kicked us all out of the auditorium to give her and Carlos time to make a final decision. Mia had to go study for her Physics final, leaving me with Ricky and his best friend, who's name I still don't know. So, for now, he's red-haired boy.

"That...happened," Ricky sighs.

"I thought it was good," red-haired boy says, with a reassuring smile.

"I mean...sure," I say, hesitantly.

"Oh! By the way, this is Big Red. Big Red, this is, um-"

"Y/n. My name is Y/n," I smile.

"Riiiiight! So, so sorry. I just have a lot on my mind-"

"Hey!" We all turn around and see Nini running towards us.

"What are you doing here?" Nini questions, clearly upset.

"I'm...auditioning," Ricky replies, confused. Big Red and I step away, giving Ricky and Nini some space.

"You hate musicals," Nini states.

"That's a little harsh," Ricky retorts.

"We got kicked out of the greatest showman because you kept yelling, 'That's not realistic!' at the screen," she accuses. 

"That was the old me. The new me thinks musicals are...awesome," he says, obviously lying.

"Hmm. Okay. Well, let me tell you about the old me, alright? The old me had her heart broken," she says, her voice cracking. Ricky looks taken aback, tears forming in his eyes. Aw.

"Okay? And then she went away, and she found herself. And you don't get to show up now just to try and... confuse things." 

"You think that's why I'm here?" he asks, clearly hurt. It's painful to watch, really. It feels so wrong, but I can't tear my eyes away.

"No. No. Nini, I always believed in you—in us. Even if I sucked at showing it. That's why I'm here," he insists. Before Nini can reply, Carlos comes charging in.

"CLEAR!" he shouts, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"Carlos is posting the cast list," Kourtney from my biology class announces. I shriek internally, somehow keeping my composure.

"I don't not love you," Ricky whispers, painfully. Big Red goes to comfort Ricky, and I follow. I may not know him that well, but I still care, nonetheless. Just as we approach him, he begins walking towards the crowd of people surrounding the cast list. Soon, all I hear are gasps and yelps, causing my anxiety to spike. Somehow Ej, Nini, Ricky and I walk towards the list simultaneously. I skim through it, but only one thing catches my eye.

Call backs

Gabriella and Troy

Callbacks Thursday 3:30 PM, Auditorium

EJ Caswell & Nini Salazar-Roberts

Ricky Bowen & Y/n Y/l/n

"Call back for roles of Gabriella and Troy next Thursday, 3:30 PM. EJ Caswell and Nini Salazar-Roberts. Ricky Bowen and Y/n Y/l/n," Nini scoffs in disbelief.

"Maybe we're being punked! Maybe we're being filmed right now!" EJ suggests, looking around for cameras.

"Babe, that's highly unlikely," Nini doubted. Ricky and I look at each other, speechless. Big Red finds the words before we do, "Holy crap, dude."

**heyy loves, I know you're probably tired of these author's notes, but I just wanna say that I hope you guys like the incorporation of both high school musical; the musical; the series, as well as the original films! I didn't want to get too cliché, and I haven't read any stories that took this direction! as always, I'll see you in the next chapter! - Ella <3