Colorful [a hsmtmts fic]

"Read Through"

It was a relatively calm day. I ended up in the art room after school for a little bit of touch up painting before our read through for the musical. I made it into the room and looked at my seat... next to Ms. Darbus and Zeke. Of course I'd be stuck next to Raf.

I looked around for the devil and I saw him talking to that girl again. They seemed to actually be having a genuine conversation which was... strange. I sat down and looked to the girl next to me. She seemed nice. She had curly red hair and she wore this rectangle glasses that made her look older than she was.

I looked at my phone before Ms. Jen told us to take our seats and I put it away. "Red Head Boy can you read?" She asked looking to Big Red.

"Uh not really." He answered looking at her.

"Great you'll be reading for us." Ms. Jenn answered disregarding his answer entirely. "It's just the stage directions." She answered before getting into her seat. Everyone sat down and Ms. Jenn smiled brightly. "Now I know all of you are strangers."

"Actually E.J. and I are cousins!" The red head girl smiled brightly to Ms. Jenn who didn't look amused.

"But after today you are family." She ignored the girl as I looked at Seb. I scratched my head lightly as he shifted in his seat giving me a small nod. Clearly we both agreed it was a weird atmosphere.

I tuned her out for a minute and looked around the room at everyone. My eyes got to Ricky and he was looking at me. When we locked eyes he looked away shifting in his seat. I furrowed my eyes lightly and looked over to Raf to see he was staring at that girl. Before I could ask him what was up Ms. Jenn started singing We're All In This Together.

It was so weird. There was no other word for it. Everyone was confused and a bit weirded out. I covered my mouth as not to laugh and I looked at Seb who looked at me with wide eyes and I snorted at his reaction. Ms. Jenn stopped and I started coughing.

"Sorry. I think I'm coming down with a little something." I told her quietly.

"Well no coughing on others. Make sure you're washing your hands." Ms. Jenn answered as I looked up and met eyes with Ricky once again who was smiling at me before he looked down again. What was with Ricky Bowen and looking at me? I mean I guess it doesn't help that we are directly across from each other, but damn. He probably just thought the cover up was funny or something, right? No big deal.

We started with some group warm ups. I found my way next to Seb and we laughed a little at my lame excuse for a cover up. "Yeah I almost broke when you did." I heard as I turned to see Ricky who was also jumping with his hands in the air like the rest of us.

"God I mean all it took was me looking at Seb and I was gone." I laughed again as I grabbed Sebs shoulder and we laughed. All it takes is one look from your best friend and you both end up laughing your asses off for no reason. "So Ricky Bowen how do you like theater so far?"

"I mean all we've done is jump around."

"Exactly." Seb answered.

"It's kind of fun I guess." He replied as I took a deep breath to catch some air and I got a strong whiff of... something. I couldn't even pinpoint it. I coughed lightly.

"Wait are you actually sick?" Ricky asked.

"No I'm fine it's just... it smells like I don't know... like Lysol mixed with sweat." I told him as I stopped jumping and so did he.

"I Uh, I'm gonna go see how big red is doing." He spoke.

"Saf." Seb called out as I turned to him. " I'm pretty sure that was his cologne."