Was it real? [Ricky Bowen]

- 10 -

"It's weird not being at rehearsal" Ricky says as he sits in an armchair in Big Reds room that evening, Rosella sitting on his lap, playing with his fingers while leaning against him. "How stupid is that?" "It's not stupid, love" the girl mumbles. "What if we just did the show without her?" Big Red suggests. "We can't even take a picture without her" Rosella comments, "no offense." "No, you're right."

"Down here, Kaden!" the red head calls out as the doorbell rings and the front door opens. "I hope it's cool. I invited Stef and Rico" Kaden says, while he comes down the stairs as the two come down right behind him. "What's up, guys" Ricky greets them. "Hey, guys" Rosella waves at them a little.

"When you didn't text back, I reached out to some peeps" Big Red explains. "I wanted some company tonight." At the same time the doorbell rings again. "It's open?" he calls confused. "Hey, guys" Ashlyn greets confused as well, as she sees the others. Ricky and Rosella look at each other before looking back at Big Red. "How many people are coming, Red?" the girl asks. "That should be it." "Actually, give it a minute" Ashlyn inputs as more footsteps and chatter are heard.

Not even five minutes later the whole cast sits in Big Reds room in deafening silence.

"This is a terrible party. There aren't even pretzels. What are we all doing here?" Natalie speaks up. "We all ended up in the same basement after a really bad day, so someone should say something" Ashlyn comments.

"Fine. I'll say something" Carlos starts, "I'm mad at Miss Jenn." "Why?" Gina asks scoffing, sitting next to Rosella and Ricky on the floor. "Because she's got a couple skeletons in her closet?" "No, because she's giving up" he tells her. "She was the first teacher to not see me as a punchline, and now she's not even a real teacher?" "Define "real teacher"." "He's got a point" Kourtney tells Ashlyn. "Does he, though?"

"Guys" Rosella tries. "So, why are we all here then?" Natalie wants to know. "Yeah, good question. This is a waste of time" E.J. scoffs.

"Honestly? Because she gave me a shot" Carlos voices. "And it's been a long time since someone gave me a shot." "She gave me a voice" Nini states. "Yeah, and now nobody's going to get to hear it because Miss Jenn screwed up."

"Okay, does anyone here actually care if her past is a little bit sketchy?" Rosella asks the group. "Anyone?" "I do" Ricky answers. "Seriously, dude?" "What, because you live some perfect life?" Kourtney comments. "Hey!" Rosella calls to the girl. "Not at all" Ricky states. "Because she put our show in jeopardy. And now we're all here, maybe for the last time, together" he tells them. "And for some of us, this has become..." he searches for the right word. "Family" Rosella finishes for him, smiling at him and the others, squeezing his hand.

"What team?" he asks. "Wildcats."

"Okay, Wildcats. So, what are we doing about it?" Ashlyn asks into the room.

The rest of the night they come up with a plan, not having a lot if tine until the school board meeting the next day.

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