This is written during the Thanksgiving episode. The party is just about to start and Ricky and Gina are just walking in together which once again catches the glare of EJ.
EJ's POV
It's been a week since I realized that I have some type of feelings for Gina and it's hard for me to actually comprehend this in my head. I thought that maybe I was just tired when the realization came but I still feel the same way. Hopefully I can get this feeling out of my head during this party, I mean I do love Thanksgiving after all.
At Ashlyn's House
EJ: Hello hello Cuz, awesome party. Oh just wanted to let you know that I brought some lobster dip but I did double dip on the way here and I feel bad about that but I feel great about telling you.
Ashlyn: Cool I'm Ashlyn and you are??
EJ: On a mission Ash, I'm here to get my mind off things and have fun with my friends. I not going to have many more moments like this so trying to soak everything in with everyone.
Ashlyn: Aw Eej that's really sweet, well I hope you have fun.
Ashlyn's POV
I don't know if anyone else has noticed but EJ for the past week has been acting pretty distracted lately. Normally I know my cousin pretty well considering how we practically grew up together since our parents were always away but this is a different type of distraction, wish I could put my finger on why he's acting like this.
Ricky and Gina walk through the door together.
Ashlyn: Hey hey you two, welcome to the party. Everyone is already here so get ready to play this amazing board game Carlos brought from home.
Gina: Oh really this should be good. By now everyone should know my competitive side so don't get in my way Bowen😉.
Ricky: Come on now, I think everyone here already knows to not get in your way G. I've learned that lesson once way too many times.
Gina: Glad you understand me Ricky, don't get this from a lot of people.
Ricky: Anytime G.
Ashlyn's POV
As I'm watching these two interact in a lowkey cute and subtle way I just so happened to glance over at EJ and he does not look happy. From where I'm standing, he couldn't get a good look at me but I sure got a good look at him and he's giving Ricky the biggest death glare I've ever seen. Honestly even if he could see me, he wouldn't notice cause he's so focused on the two of them. If EJ could shoot lasers from his eyes, Ricky would honestly have two bald spots on the back of his head from EJ's eyes. Actually scratch that, his head and hair would totally be on fire considering how long he's been staring at the two of them. I know him and Ricky aren't friends considering how Ricky is the ex of his ex and things started off awful between them but this glare...he's never made this glare towards Ricky even while he was with Nini. Why does he care so much about Ricky talking to Gi-...wait a minute...OMG- wait don't get ahead of yourself. I need to talk to the source before I assume anything about this.
They are now about to start High School Musical: The Choosical.
Carlos: Ok so there are two teams, the East High Wildcats and the West High Knights. So sort yourselves.
EJ's POV
Well I thought I could come here and get my mind off of everything that was going on but boy was I wrong. Everything was going just fine until I saw both Ricky and Gina come in together at the same time. I even heard them refer to themselves as "we" when they came in. Why out of all people did she have to come with him. Yeah it's not like this gathering is a date but still. I couldn't help but to stare at the two of them as they were talking about the game we were about to play. I think I might've stared too long cause Seb had to bring me back. Luckily for me he's a little oblivious and innocent to many things which helped in my favor. He wasn't able to figure out what I was looking at and why and he didn't try to ask questions either. He just asked if I was okay, of course I lied but he obviously believed it which was all I needed. Now I'm going to make sure I'm on Gina's team cause the last thing I want is to go against her while Ricky is on her side.
Carlos: Okay Guys, there are four basic categories. The Getcha Head In the Frame Trivia Challenge, Bop Till You Drop Dance Challenge, Sync to the Status Quo Lip Sync Challenge, and Looking for Glee. Which I thought would be a fun name for the singing challenge because when I was a kid I was obsessed with the show.
Ej: Hey well it still holds up.
Carlos: Oh good. I thought you guys were gonna judge me. Ok so Knights you won the coin toss so you guys get to pick the first challenge.
West High Knights consist of Big Red, Gina, Ashlyn and EJ and the other dancers (who I'm trying to learn the names of so forgive me).
Ashlyn: Okay we're gonna look for Glee.
Carlos: Excellent. Now, as fast as you can please sing the lyrics to What I've Been Looking Far to the rhythm of Getcha Head In The Game.
Ej and Gina go back and forth with this challenge.
Ej: It's hard to believe.
Gina: That I couldn't see.
They look at each now while slowly standing up and vibing together.
Ej: That you were always, always, always right beside me.
Gina: Thought I was alone with no one to hold.
Ej and Gina: But you were always, always always right beside me! Yeah!
They fall back down and Gina ends up on Ej's lap and they just laugh together. She didn't even realize where she was until she calmed down from laughing.
Gina: Oh man *she says while laughing* I'm sorry Ej, didn't mean to get up all in your space.
Ej: No that's okay G, I really didn't mind it.
They kinda stared at each other for a bit until Carlos interrupts them.
Carlos: Congratulations, you get to move four spaces closers to center stages at East High. Okay Wildcats, take a spin.
A few more rounds have passed and Ej and Gina shared a few short glances as time went by.
Carlos: Okay you guys, according to the Musical Choosical Handbook of Rulesicals, the only way to resolve a tie at the end of regulation play is with a lightning round of Getcha Head in the Frame trivia questions. Are you ready? People have been known to cry during this.
Carlos: Name both jersey numbers Troy wears in the movie?
Ej: Uh 14 and 10.
Carlos: Correct. How does Gabriella describe herself when she's complaining to her mom?
Ej: As the schools freaky genius girl.
Carlos: And do people talk like that?
Ej: They do not.
Carlos: Correct.
Gina praises Ej for getting those answers right and putting their team in the lead.
Carlos: Wildcats, who's red tie does Ms. Darbus compliment at auditions?
Seb: Allen.
Carlos: Correct. Now time for the final question which is worth ten points. What is the name of the girl who pops and locks?
Gina gets up and starts popping and locking.
Gina: I love to pop and lock and jam and break! Martha Cox!
Carlos: Yes! Whoo, the West High Knights win!
Everyone cheers and celebrates their win for the team. Ej and Gina come together with a hug that lasted longer than it should've along with a few sways from side to side. Sadly Carlos pulls her away from Ej.
Carlos: You, my dear, get this homemade Scholastic Decathlon ribbon. Be careful though. Don't want to poke you with the straight pin that hasn't been sanitized.
Gina: Wait okay everybody get in. Okay. Ooh I won.
Ej wraps his arms around her neck for the picture while everyone gathers round them. Although after the picture is over he still has one arm around her. Only reason why he stopped was because she had to make a call to her loved ones.
Gina: Okay I'll be right back you guys, let me go and call my mom.
She walks away. Ej stares at her as she walks towards the other room.
EJ's POV
Man this game was a lot of fun. I'm really glad I was able to actually bond with Gina. I honestly wish she hadn't gotten off my lap for many reasons. She smelled so nice and the warmth from her body was all I needed. I also must say 'those hips do not lie'. I was honestly in a trance during that little pop and lock scene she did of Martha Cox. I forget how much of an amazing dancer she is. When I first saw her dance it was honestly perfect and smooth but I was with Nini at the time so of course I couldn't compliment her dancing at the time. Tonight I really hope I can actually compliment her on it. She says a lot of people don't get her. I hope I can be the person who really ge-...wow....there really is no denying my feelings anymore. God I got to go to someone about this and I know just the person.
Ashlyn walks to Ej while he was actually walking up to talk to her too.
Ashlyn: Hey Eej so um I wanted to talk to you about something. Ok so I just couldn't help but notice that for the past week, you've been acting way off. I don't know what's happening but know I'm always here for you. Something else that really caught my eyes was that mean death glare you gave the back of Ricky's he-
Ej: I like her...
Ashlyn: Wait what...ar-a-are you serious?!
Ej: Yeah Ash I am. This past week I spent so much time trying to avoid these feelings or tell myself that they didn't exist but tonight made me realize I do. Probably a lot more than I know.
Ashlyn: OMG my cousin has a cruuushhhh!
Ej: SHHHH, keep your voice down. I don't want this getting around until I know for a fact it's real in my heart and mind.
Ashlyn: Ok Ok fine Eej. Something in my head told me that there was a chance you liked her but I didn't want to assume anything. Considering how y'all's I guess friendship started, this is still shocking.
Ej: Yeah I know. This is a really confusing time for me as well. It was shaky at first but from here we can only grow. You actually came at the right time. After the game ended I was just about to talk to you about this. I forget how well you really do get me. I appreciate it Cuz.
Ashlyn: Hey, what are cousins f-
Gina: They can't do this to us again. We just moved here!!
Ej and Ashlyn looked at each other. They didn't have much context about the conversation Gina was having with her mom but it was clear as day what was happening. It was at that moment Ej's heart sank but at the same time his legs arose to go after Gina.
Gina: I just don't understand how they can....okay okay...how long do I have..?
Gina walks back to the kitchen to see Ej waiting for her with Ricky not that far behind him.
Ej: Hey is everything okay?
She paused before she answers.
Gina: .....I will b-
Ej without even thinking just pulls her into a tight hug. She resists at first but then slowly settles into it and hugs him back with a few tears streaming down her face a few seconds afterwards. Ej slowly caresses the back of her neck while her cries grew a bit louder. At the same time Ej didn't notice a few tears coming down his face as well. Gina then realizes what was happening and pulls away.
Gina: Thanks Ej. I'll see you...well I don't know actually...
Gina turns and walks out the house leaving a sad and teary eyed Ej in the kitchen with a confused but also sad Ricky in the background.
Ricky: Is she gonna be okay?
Ej: *annoyed at him but still answers* I don't know.
Ej walks around Ricky and then goes upstairs with Ashlyn following him. She knows he needs her. Now it leaves everyone else to process what happened. Everyone eventually leaves and the party gets left on a sad note...