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𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘
chapter four:
it's a love story, baby, just say yes !
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THE GROUP AUDITION going on at the moment was . . . truly interesting, to say the least. Ricky didn't know the exact tempo of the song and kept frantically glancing to Athena, but she just keep nodding encouragingly to him. Big Red opted to sing behind his sheet of music because he was so nervous, but he was still good. Ashlyn sang as beautiful as ever, and so did Kourtney and Gina. Violetta killed her part as one of the Silly Girls in that song and Carlos and Seb's tenor voices just tied the whole song together. Finally, it was time for Athena's turn as she stood up center stage, the rest of the girls crowded around the piano to the left of her.
"Oh, isn't this amazing," Athena sang, pouring her heart and soul into the song as the stage lights filled her heart with a sense of wonder. "It's my favorite part because, you'll see." She walked over to the piano and clutched Violetta's hands in hers, smiling excitedly at all of the girls. "Here's where she meets Prince Charming, but she won't discover that it's him till chapter three."
The song continued on. Violetta squeezed Athena's hands comfortingly as they stayed where they were, watching everyone else sing. Ricky's deep voice as Gaston was definitely something . . . different. However, EJ was also definitely the perfect Gaston in Athena's mind, and Carlos' voice was just a little too high for it.
Once Seb sang there must be more than this provincial life as all of them stood in a crowd, Athena (unfortunately) managed to catch Lily's eye from across the way. Lily raised a challenging eyebrow at her before moving forwards to have her own chance at a solo.
"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere," Lily belted. Athena blinked in surprise. That girl could truly sing. "I want it more than I can tell. And for once it might be grand, to have someone understand." She looked back to Athena and smirked. "I want so much more than they've got planned."
Athena scoffed quietly to herself. She had known this girl for a total of a couple hours and she was already causing problems. What was her deal? Athena had done quite literally nothing except exchange a few words with her.
"Look, there she goes, a girl who's strange but special," everyone chorused as Miss Jenn walked towards them. "A most peculiar mademoiselle."
"It's a pity and a sin," the girls first stated.
The boys went next. "She doesn't quite fit in."
Both groups joined back in with each other. "'Cause she really is a funny girl, a beauty but a funny girl, she really is a funny girl, that Belle."
Miss Jenn applauded for them for a moment once their last note ended. "All right, all right. I've already learned so much. That's it for the warm-up. Please prepare your individual songs."
Violetta looked to Athena. "I have to go talk to Steph for a second. If you want me to stay—"
"No, go," Athena urged. "I'll be fine."
Violetta sent her a disbelieving look. "Athena—"
"I'm serious, Vi. I just need some time to go over my thoughts."
Her best friend nodded hesitantly before leaving with Steph. Athena let out a deep breath and shook her hands out in front of her as she began to walk out into the hallway. A presence appeared by her side and she turned to see it was Gina.
"You did really great out there," Gina told her as they entered the hallway.
"Thanks, so did you," Athena replied.
"Hey, by the way, thanks for letting me be in the running for Belle, too."
Athena's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Of course. Why wouldn't I let you?"
Gina shrugged as they stopped at a station to fill up water bottles. "I just assumed that you and Ricky would want to be the main leads with each other."
"Five minutes till solo auditions," Natalie announced while walking down the hallway.
Athena shook her head. "Not at all. Ricky literally was so close to quitting today and I didn't even want to try out for Belle, but everyone else deserves to try out for her, too. I'm not going to sabotage anyone getting a role just because I want to play Ricky's love interest."
Gina unscrewed the top of her water bottle and began to fill it up. "To be honest, though, you were so good that I think you just might get Belle."
"Well, as Natalie reminded us, we still have solo auditions." Athena absentmindedly played with the owl charm on her necklace. "I'm nervous, G. Maybe I should've tried for, like, the Wardrobe or something."
And, of course, Lily approached the two of them once again because she just liked to show up everywhere. "You both sounded good during warm-ups."
Gina grinned at her. "Thanks. You too. For someone who's never done theater before, you are a natural."
"Oh, I meant that I had never done local theater before. You know, um, with this kind of crowd."
"Um, I'm sorry, I really don't know what you mean," Athena admitted.
"That we both know us three are the only real contenders for the lead here," Lily replied, Athena's eyebrows raising in disbelief. "So, may the best Belle win. Smiley face emoji."
"Actually," Gina cut in, stopping Lily from leaving. "Our friends are incredibly talented."
"Oh, um, I'm sorry, I thought this was an audition, not a friendship circle." Lily smiled at the two of them. "Good luck."
Athena and Gina watched Lily's retreating figure for a couple of moments.
"Tell me I'm being paranoid," Athena pleaded.
Gina sighed. "I don't like her either."
"What does she think this is, Broadway?" Athena asked incredulously. "We're in high school. God forbid we have talented friends."
"Imagine if Vi was there for that. She would not have hesitated to punch that girl across the face."
"Oh God, that would've been a sight." Athena turned to see everyone filing back into the auditorium. "Um, I think it may be time."
"May the best Belle win," Gina mocked as they began to make their way to the auditorium.
Athena rolled her eyes playfully. She entered the auditorium and made her way to the rows of seats. Violetta was already there next to EJ. Athena and opted to sit in the seat that was besides the couple while Gina sat next to Seb. Once everyone was seated, the auditions began.
First up was Ashlyn and Kourtney. They excitedly made their way to center stage while Big Red clapped for them. Athena smiled at that. He and Ashlyn were so supportive of each other. It was adorable.
"This is an original song I wrote about . . . nerd alert, the power of friendship!" Ashlyn exclaimed. "It was originally written as a solo, but then that was wrong, so I wrote it for three people and we'll be singing it for two."
Lily scoffed. "Amateurs."
Athena's eyes widened and her head snapped over to Lily. She was totally right about her. This girl might've seemed like the sweetest on the outside, but on the inside she was a totally different person. And making fun of her friends, not once, but twice? That was taking it way too far.
"Wait!" Gina interrupted, standing up from her seat and running up on stage.
"Are you okay, honey?" Miss Jenn questioned.
"Sorry. Is there still room for a third?"
"Do you know the song?" Ashlyn inquired.
"I was curious, so I spent the afternoon kinda studying it," Gina answered. "It's brilliant."
"Get in line, tercet," Kourtney ordered.
EJ squeezed past Athena and Violetta and walked up on stage, placing a colorful radio down.
"Whenever you're ready," Miss Jenn instructed.
"Oh, just one thing," Ashlyn said. "Uh, picture all of us in sequined jumpsuits. On a light-up dance floor. In an abounded warehouse."
"Very Spice Girls meets Drag Race," Carlos commented.
"Exactly what I was going for when I wrote it. Hit it!"
EJ pressed play on his phone that was connected to the radio. Instantly, upbeat music began to play. Athena nodded her head to the beat, and her jaw dropped in amazement as Kourtney, Ashlyn, and Gina all began to sing and perform choreography to their song Athena guessed was called 1-2-3. It was almost like the three of them were born to be a girl group together.
They all landed in their final pose. Athena, along with everyone else in the theater (well, besides Lily), clapped loudly for them. Big Red was obviously the one clapping the loudest for his girlfriend which warmed Athena's heart. That performance literally blew everything out of the water, which kind of made Athena more nervous for hers.
Auditions continued on. One even included the boy who had played Coach Bolton last year singing a cover of Wondering much to Ashlyn's excitement. That one concluded, and Athena's heart sped up in anticipation of who was going next. She hadn't been called yet for her audition and the wait was kind of killing her.
"And next up, we have . . ." Miss Jenn trailed off before looking around. "Okay, where's Ricky? Ricky?"
Everybody else looked around. The boy in question was indeed nowhere to be found. Athena frowned as she tried to catch a glimpse of him, but he seemed to be hiding.
Athena finally sighed and stood up. "I'll go find him, Miss Jenn."
"I'll go too," Lily offered, standing up as well.
Athena gritted her teeth for a second. "Oh, um, that's really not necessary—"
"No, I insist."
Lily didn't back down under Athena's glare. Athena inwardly took a deep breath. It was no use trying to argue with her. With Lily following behind her, Athena bounded up the steps to the stage. She thought about where Ricky could possibly be hiding, but she got her answer once she saw him in a very back corner backstage.
"Ricky," Athena called, walking up to him as he turned to face her. "Hey, are you okay? What's going on?"
"He's obviously nervous," Lily voiced. She looked questioningly at Ricky. "Shouldn't your girlfriend know you better than that?"
Athena looked over at the blonde. "Hey, Lily, can you leave us alone for a couple of minutes, please? Just tell Miss Jenn we'll be there soon." When she didn't budge, Athena raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm not going to ask you again."
With a huff, Lily left backstage to leave them alone. Athena turned back to Ricky and stared up at him, studying his face to try and figure out what his feelings were. Lily was right, he was nervous, but there was more to it than that.
"You do know me," Ricky reassured her. "Better than anyone, actually."
"I know," Athena replied. "Just ignore her. She has it out for me for some reason. Anyways, Ricky . . . you didn't have to audition if you didn't want to. Don't let whatever I say pressure you into doing anything."
Ricky sighed. "It's just the whole changing thing. I was scared of the musical because of the huge shift from High School Musical to Beauty and the Beast, but I was also scared of not doing the musical in case it shifted everything else." He looked down at the floor. "I don't want to be afraid anymore."
"It's okay to be scared of change, Ricky," Athena told him softly. "But if you let that fear control your life, you're always going to stay in the shadows. I know it's hard, but . . . we have to live life full of oh wells instead of what ifs, right?"
Ricky paused for a moment. "Will you sing a duet with me? For auditions?"
Athena blinked, obviously not expecting that. "Um . . . I mean, I guess. Would doing that make you less nervous?"
"Yeah," Ricky breathed out.
"What song did you have prepared before?"
He smiled sheepishly at her. "Bet On It."
"Oh, honey, no. Not again." She thought it over for a couple of seconds before a thought immediately came to her head. "You learned Love Story on the guitar, right?"
Ricky nodded. "You told me once that it was your favorite song and then I played it for you when you were sad."
"Yeah, I remember," Athena responded, a smile on her face. "Is that song good for you?"
"As long as you're singing it with me, I'm perfectly okay."
She nodded her head to the case by his feet. "Okay, get your guitar, Wildcat. It's time to show them what we've got."
Ricky slung his guitar across him and tuned it accordingly for a second. Athena pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before walking back out on stage. She made it to center stage, only to turn and see Ricky was still waiting in the wings, obviously hesitant. She waved him on, and Ricky tentatively joined her.
Athena pointed to Ricky. "I found him."
"I can see," Miss Jenn responded. "Go sit down, Athena."
"Um, actually, Miss Jenn, Ricky and I are going to audition together, if you don't mind," Athena announced.
Miss Jenn looked like she wanted to say something. However, Athena's eyes were pleading as she stared at her teacher. She didn't want Ricky to freak out even more. And if that meant auditioning with him, then so be it.
Ultimately, Miss Jenn agreed. "Fine. Go ahead."
Athena smiled appreciatively at her before turning back to Ricky. He still seemed extremely nervous and was gripping the neck of his guitar tightly.
"Keep your eyes on me," Athena said quietly. "I'm right here."
Ricky closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He suddenly began to play the familiar chords of Love Story on the guitar. Athena nodded encouragingly to him before she started the song.
"We were both young when I first saw you," Athena sang, and yet she couldn't help but think about how true that line — maybe even this whole song — was to her and Ricky's story. "I close my eyes and the flashback starts, I'm standing there, on a balcony in summer air. See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns, see you make your way through the crowd and say hello. Little did I know."
"That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles," Ricky voiced. "And my daddy said stay away from Juliet. And I was crying on the staircase, begging you please don't go, and I said."
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone," the two of them harmonized, involuntarily taking steps closer to each other like they were opposite ends of a magnet. "I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run. You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess, it's a love story, baby, just say yes."
"So I sneak out to the garden to see you," Athena continued, circling around Ricky and him turning to keep their gazes locked. "We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if they knew, so close your eyes, escape this town for a little while, oh oh."
"'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter," Ricky stated. "And my daddy said stay away from Juliet. But you were everything to me, I was begging you please don't go, and I said."
The two continued in perfect harmony as they stopped turning. "Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone, I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run. You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess, it's a love story, baby, just say yes. Romeo, save me, they're tryna tell me how to feel, this love is difficult, but it's real. Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess, it's a love story, baby, just say yes. Oh, oh."
Ricky played the mini guitar solo. Athena watched as pure joy spread across his face and his entire figure relax just by him playing the guitar. Her heart fluttered. Ricky, even if he didn't always use to play it in front of people (well, except her), had an incredible talent on the guitar. Athena was happy that he was finally letting it be shown.
"I got tired of waiting," Ricky sang after the guitar solo, moving closer to his girlfriend. "Wondering if you were ever coming around. My faith in you was fading, when I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said."
"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone," Athena voiced, inclining her to look up at Ricky now that they were so close. "I keep waiting for you, but you never come. Is this in my head? I don't know what to think, he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said."
"Marry me, Juliet," Ricky and Athena belted, their smiles widening and their hearts bursting as they sang with each other. "You'll never have to be alone. I love you, and that's all I really know. I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress. It's a love story, baby, just say, yes. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh."
The people around them faded away. It was just the two of them up on that stage underneath the lights, staring into each other's eyes that were both full of adoration. They had totally forgotten that it was an audition and it was like they were back in Athena's bedroom, singing duets of random songs.
"'Cause we were both young when I first saw you," the couple finished.
The clapping of everyone else snapped them out of their trances. Athena laughed slightly as all of her friends gave them standing ovations. Ricky offered his hand to Athena, and she took it as the two of them walked off stage. Once Ricky had taken his guitar off, Athena threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Ricky wound his arms around her waist and responded with so much enthusiasm that Athena's feet lifted up off the floor.
"We did it!" Athena exclaimed, placing her hands on either side of Ricky's face after he set her down. "Oh my God, we really did it."
"I think we kind of killed it," Ricky admitted.
"Are you kidding? We totally killed it. There really is nothing quite like the power of Taylor Swift."
The sound of tap shoes against the floor was heard. Athena turned around with furrowed eyebrows while dropping her hands from Ricky to see Big Red running to center stage.
"Uh, I'm sorry, Miss Jenn," Big Red stated. "Um, I — I know you didn't call me yet, but if it's all right with you, I know I'm the last person to go, and I'd kind of just like to get it over with?"
"Show me what you've got, honey," Miss Jenn encouraged.
Athena squeezed Ricky's forearm in excitement. Big Red was always a talented tapper, he had just never shown it to anyone, much like Ricky and the guitar. And now here he was, auditioning for a musical with his tap skills.
"Whoo-whoo!" Ashlyn cheered.
Big Red began to tap. However, when he turned, he spun out and fell onto the ground. Athena gasped and concern filled her insides for the boy. Everyone else did the same, except for one specific person.
Lily laughed. "Seriously?"
Athena clenched her fists and began to walk out from backstage. "God so help me—"
Ricky took her shoulder and pushed her backwards gently, shaking his head. "Hey, hey, hey." He left her side and rushed up to Big Red, who was sitting defeatedly on the floor. "You got this, dude." Ricky helped him stand up. "Breathe, just breathe. Okay? I've got you."
He turned Big Red around and patted his chest twice before walking back over to Athena. She smiled lovingly at him (despite her rage for Lily still being there) as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. One of the things she adored most about Ricky was that when it came to his friends, he cared for them more than anything.
Big Red began to tap again. This time, he completed his entire routine perfectly. Once he landed in his last pose, the whole theater erupted in cheers and claps for him. Athena clapped along. She was so proud of Big Red.
"And that concludes today's auditions," Miss Jenn voiced.
The group was dismissed. Athena and Ricky walked out from backstage to get their backpacks from the seats. Once they retrieved them, they walked out of the auditorium with Big Red and Violetta.
"You did so good, Red," Athena said as the group of four all stopped by a set of lockers, all of them setting their bags down again. "I'm serious. Those tap skills are legendary."
"Where did you even learn them?" Violetta asked. "I know they're not from playing video games."
"YouTube," Big Red revealed. "It's just kind of a side hobby, but . . . I really like it."
Ricky clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm proud of you, dude."
"Clear!" Carlos shouted.
Just like last time, Miss Jenn had made the cast list the same day as the auditions. Athena immediately moved forwards with Ricky, Violetta, and Big Red to where Carlos was hanging up the cast list. Once he taped it, Carlos smiled widely and walked off to let everyone else see it.
Athena's eyes immediately went to find Violetta's name first. She got the part of one of the Silly Girls, just like she had wanted. Big Red had also gotten the role of LeFou which was honestly pretty perfect for him. Seb got Chip, Carlos got Lumière, Kourtney got Mrs. Potts, Gina got Babette, EJ got Gaston, and Ashlyn got the role of the Wardrobe.
She then saw Ricky's name next to Beast, but her hand reached up to her mouth in shock once she noticed the one above it. Because written right next to Athena Blake on that green piece of paper was . . .
"Belle," Athena breathed out. She let out a tentative laugh of amazement. "Oh my God, I'm Belle."
"What have all of us been telling you this entire time?" Violetta inquired, bringing Athena in for a side hug. "Congrats, 'Thena!"
Athena turned and tackled Violetta in a proper hug. The two best friends rocked back and forth while giggling. Once they let go, Athena turned back to Ricky. He was watching her adoringly, and Athena's smile widened even further.
"Belle and the Beast," she gushed to him. "We got the leads!"
Athena jumped up, and Ricky caught her in his arms, spinning her around as she held on tightly. Both of them had huge grins on their faces as their laughter of excitement filled the hallway. Looks like the power of Taylor Swift did work after all.
--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---
THAT NIGHT, FOR a celebratory dinner after the cast was announced, the whole group was stuffed into three booths at Salt Lake Slices, Big Red's family pizza restaurant. Athena sat in one with Ricky, Violetta, and EJ, the four of them expressing how excited they were for their roles.
"Oh!" Athena exclaimed, pulling out her phone. "I should call Nini and tell her the good news."
She pressed the FaceTime option for Nini's contact. In about three rings, Nini picked up. Athena gasped excitedly at the sight of her.
"Hey, Nini," Athena greeted.
Nini waved in response. Athena sent her a confused glance as to why she wasn't talking, but Nini held up a sign that said I'm on vocal rest with a heart. She nodded with a small ah.
"I'm not going to keep you too long because of vocal rest, but I do have some news." Athena moved the phone so that it was showing both her and Ricky, who smiled at the girl on the screen. "You are looking at East High's very own Beauty and Beast."
Nini squealed in excitement.
"Are you allowed to make noises on vocal rest?" Ricky asked.
"Oh, whatever, this is way more important," Nini countered. "My two amazing and talented friends just got the leads!"
"Is that Nini?" Kourtney questioned.
Athena flipped her phone around to show Nini on the screen. Everyone instantly greeted her excitedly.
Big Red's mom then showed up with two pizza trays in her hand and one resting on her arm. "Pizza tonight for the world's best kiddos!" One person from each booth stood up to retrieve their pizza. "Don't forget to tip your waitress."
"Mom!" Big Red protested with a chuckle.
"You love me and you know it."
"Neenerz!" Kourtney continued, taking the phone from Athena who held it out to her. "We miss you so much."
The two best friends shared a short conversation before Athena's phone was passed around to everyone. Each of them told Nini what their respective role was, all with dramatic effects, before Athena's phone ultimately ended up in her hands again.
"Tell us what's going on at your boarding school right now," Athena demanded playfully. "Anything fun? Anything exciting?"
"Oh, um . . . nothing nearly as exciting as what's going on with you," Nini answered. "'Thena, I told you that you would look like a Goddess in Belle's dress. And now it's finally coming true."
Ashlyn came up behind Athena to show her face to Nini. "Oh, actually, there was this one girl who auditioned who kind of looked like a literal Disney princess."
"Yeah, I think I saw a bird land on her finger while she was singing," Gina added.
Athena groaned. "Oh my God, don't even get me started on her. She seems like she has it out for me for some reason, but whatever, it's fine."
"Wait," EJ interrupted, looking at Athena. "If I'm Gaston and you're Belle, I have to try and be a potential love interest to you."
Athena scoffed. "As long as you don't cry again, I think we'll be fine, EJ."
EJ then pointed to his girlfriend with a smirk. "And if you're one of the Silly Girls, don't you have to fawn over me?"
Violetta rolled her eyes. "God, please don't remind me. Disgusting."
"Shouldn't be too hard for you," EJ commented, leaning back in the booth and crossing his arms. "You adore me."
"No, I actually hate you. I just only tolerate you sometimes."
Big Red's mom then came back a plate of cupcakes that had figurines of the Beauty and the Beast characters on top. "Before you get dessert, mom gets a picture. That's the rule."
"Mom!" Big Red complained.
"That's the rule, all right?" She pulled out her phone, and everyone squeezed together to fit. Athena also turned her phone screen around so that Nini could be in the picture too. "Got you all, and . . . it's cute!"
Athena looked back at Nini. "Nini, I actually have to go because we're eating dinner right now. But don't hesitate to call me any time, okay?"
Nini nodded. "Same to you. Congrats again. Go celebrate."
"Thank you," Athena responded with a wide smile. "Okay, love you, miss you. Bye."
The two girls waved at each other before Athena set her phone down on the table.
Seb got up with the plate of cupcakes and came to the other table. Each one of them got one with their respective characters. Athena smiled down at hers with the Belle figurine on it. She looked over to see Ricky doing the same with his own cupcake that had the Beast on it.
The two of them clinked their cupcakes together. Ricky leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Butterflies fluttered around Athena's stomach as she continued to look at Belle. It was time for her new lead role to begin.
═ • ° • ✧ • ° • ═
y'all ever just wanna 👩🏼🤛🏻 to lily
I'm making her especially annoying in this fanfic for dramatic purposes and also bc I wanna see athena pop off like the goddess she is
anyways
ATHENA IS BELLE BITCHES AS SHE SHOULD BE THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK BC THAT'S WHAT I WANTED FOR HER
also hey shoutout to Hrujeetee and -hxneybee17 for requesting that ricky and athena sing love story as a duet hope I did it justice <333