Wake Up | E. Caswell [SLOW UPDATES]

twenty-three | you deserve this

The couple sat with most of their friends at lunch the first day back, Lucy and Ej chatting and laughing at something one of their friends had said as they shared a container of apple slices that Lucy brought.

"Attention, Thespians! I have a brief announcement," Carlos called out, gaining Lucy and Ej's attention as they both turned to look at him mid bite of an apple slice each.

"Speech! Speech!" Seb called out jokingly, earning some cheers around the room.

"After spending the last couple of weeks Google-stalking the Menkie Awards, I've discovered that there is no category for Best Choreography, and since the Menkies is step one to me becoming the first ever winner of a MEGOT... I've decided that I will be auditioning to be on stage this year. Thank you all."

Lucy smiled warmly at Carlos and giggled briefly as she and Ej turned back to their food while the rest of their friends cheered for him. She put the lid back on her apple slices and joined Ej at the table with the rest of the group.

"You're welcome," Ej told Ricky, making the boy looked at him and hum confusedly. Lucy sighed and rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. "Uh, I've decided to take myself out of the running for the Beast. I'm just... I've got a lot on my plate. Which reminds me I should probably pick a meal plan for Duke."

"Wait you officially got in?" Ashlyn asked excitedly.

"No, he didn't," Lucy shook her head, looking at her boyfriend with a small frown. She was worried about him. He was obsessing over Duke a lot. "But he will. I'm sure of it."

"Back up, you're not doing the musical either?" Ricky questioned, Lucy let out a huff as soon as she realized what Ricky was saying.

"No, I've only got enough bandwidth for a supporting role," Ej shook his head, Ricky's words suddenly clicking on his head. "Wait what do you mean either?"

"Uh," Ricky chuckled awkwardly. "I'm, uh, not sure if I'm auditioning this year. You know, once a skate rat... right?"

Lucy scoffed loudly and rolled her eyes, "Please, I did not stick out my neck for you last semester for you to just bail on us this year because Nini's not going to be in the show. Don't be ridiculous, Bowen."

"That's not—"

"Cut the act, Ricky," Lucy deadpanned, looking at him pointedly. "We all know that's why."

Everyone looked between the two shocked. Lucy and Ricky legitimately fighting? They weren't blind to the fact that something was wrong between the duo, but good lord the hostility was strong today. Ej was the most confused, considering the fact that Lucy brushed off the topic of Ricky whenever it got brought up.

"Okay, uhm, sorry, I've been trying to work up the courage to say this. Okay, I can't believe I'm standing in front of both Troy Boltons right now," a blonde girl said, walking up to the group and smiling widely at Ej and Ricky. "Both of your performances last semester in HSM were incredible."

Ej and Ricky both smiled awkwardly and then thanked the girl, Lucy smiling warmly at her boyfriend when he talked about how blessed he had been with the crew they had to put on their shows.

"No, no, thank you. I mean really, you both inspired me to wanna try out this semester. It's intimidating being basically, like, brand new to theater. Hey seriously, you guys are all so talented," The blonde continued. Lucy smiled politely, but she got bad vibes. She did not like this girl.