MISS JENN had called in an early morning rehearsal, but only for Nini and Ricky. Serenity was welcome to go, and as much as she would've loved to see the meeting play out, Serenity was in no way a morning person.
Walking up to get to school was her worst enemy, so waking up earlier? Most definitely not in the cards for her.
Serenity had closed her locker and immediately jumped when she saw a very smiley Ricky Bowen staring at her.
Serenity raised her eyebrows, "Can I help you?"
"Miss Jenn let it slip that you came up with the whole kiss scene idea." Ricky mentioned.
"She did, did she?" Serenity questioned as she started to walk to her class with Ricky in tow.
"Yes, and I would like to thank you for that." Ricky told her. "So thank you for being my savior."
"Savior?"
"Yes, a kiss scene between Nini and I would totally be the push she needs to get back together with me." Ricky informed her.
Serenity stopped walking and turned to look at the curly headed boy. "You've really got to stop with this idea of you and Nini. She has a boyfriend."
"Yes but—"
"Ah ah." Serenity cut him off. "Nothing you say is going to change my mind with this. It's wrong to interfere with someone's relationship."
"Then why'd you suggest adding that scene if you weren't helping me?" Ricky asked.
"I was joking! Miss Jenn just took my joke as inspiration." Serenity shrugged and started walking again as Ricky followed.
"Oh."
"Mhm."
"I'm still thanking you though."
"Please don't. I don't want to be apart of the home wrecking."
"It's not home wrecking if their rela—"
"If you say their relationship is just a technicality, my next suggestion to Miss Jenn will be giving Troy and Chad a very heartfelt four minute ballad about how much they love each other."
"You wouldn't."
"Oh, I most certainly would." Serenity turned to look at him as she raised her eyebrows. "Try me, Bowen."
"Have a great day, Serenity." Ricky waved goodbye as he walked in the opposite direction.
REHEARSAL was worse than anticipated. Miss Jenn had put Carlos and Serenity in charge since she was gone looking for some prop she refused to tell them about.
"If the play's over, why would we still be dancing?" Ricky asked when Carlos directed them to run the last number of the show.
"It's a curtain call. You're the last two to come out. We want to bring the audience to their feet." Carlos explained.
"Teach them the dance." Ricky joked.
"We could, but something tells me that will take up too much time." Serenity pursed her lips.
"Can we just wait for Miss Jenn gets here?" Nini asked.
"Miss Jenn is busy tracking down a prop. She's asked us to create a crescendo, people, so let's stop swirling and start twirling." Carlos explained.
"But why are we practicing the bows when we haven't even practiced the play?" Ricky questioned.
"You're supposed to start with the hardest dance that takes the longest to learn. It helps give you time to memorize and perfect it before showtime." Serenity responded.
"It's in The Big Book of Broadway page 374." Carlos stated. Gina had also said it at the same time as him, which Carlos found very impressive and gave her a high five. "Okay, people. Let's take it from three counts of eight, right before Troy and Gabriella's entrance for the bows."
The dance started off pretty good before it was time for Nini and Ricky to go. Ricky didn't know the routine at all and it showed instantly.
"What is he doing?" Nini asked Carlos and Serenity once they stopped the dance.
"Why are you talking to them? I'm right here." Ricky furrowed his eyebrows.
"Because you're not here." Nini rolled her eyes. "At least not for the right reasons."
"Oh okay, let's not start this now." Serenity said.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said, Ricky. You hate musicals." Nini pointed out. "You're only doing this so we're in each other's grills."
"Back to the dance, please." Carlos tried to change the topic, but the two weren't having it.
"Now you're rubbing some weird cologne on your neck." Nini continued.
"Oh my gosh, thank you." Mckenna sighed in relief. "Please make him stop."
"Hey, you love Throb!" Ricky pointed out.
"No one loves Throb." Astrid shook her head.
"And wasting everybody's time by making fun of something that the rest of us, take seriously." Nini ranted.
"Okay, that's a five! On a break, people! Everybody out! Get out!" Carlos ushered everyone out of the room, except Nini and Ricky.
Everyone awkwardly stood outside the bomb shelter and waited for the two to (hopefully) work out whatever issues they have.
"I tried to tell him that Throb wasn't helpful." Mckenna said. "Some people just don't listen."
After about five minutes, Carlos walked over to Serenity. "I think they should be fine now so I'm going to go in and check."
The girl nodded as she watched him walk away for a few seconds before he stopped and turned to look at her. "Um, hello?"
Serenity looked confused until realization set in. "Oh! You want me to go with you."
"Duh." Carlos said as he started walking again, this time with Serenity following him.
"Can we at least try the dip?" Carlos asked the second the pair walked into the room.
Ricky then immediately started grabbing his things.
"Woah woah, what just happened? Why aren't we dipping?" Carlos frantically asked as he watched Ricky gather his things to leave.
"I don't think he wants to try the dip." Serenity said as Ricky headed for the door.
As if one cue, Miss Jenn then waltzed into the room. "Mission accomplished. A precious piece of the original HSM is on its way. Where is every— Where are you going, Troy?"
"It's Ricky."
"Get him back. Now." Miss Jenn instructed and Carlos ran after him. Miss Jenn then turned to look at Serenity who was just rocking on her heels. She gave Serenity a look of urgency.
"Oh me too?" Miss Jenn nodded and Serenity sighed as she headed for the door. "This is not what I signed up for."
By the time Serenity had caught up to them, Carlos had already found Ricky outside in front of the school.
"Sorry, I can't dance like Fred Rogers." Ricky said.
"The puppet guy dances?" Serenity furrowed her eyebrows.
"No, it's Fred Astaire. Fred Rogers potty trained puppets." Carlos clarified.
"Seriously? Wow, I was impressed they made dolls that could cry." Big Red chimed in.
"Ricky, please, you have to—"
"Nini's right!" Ricky interrupted Carlos. "I'm taking up space. I don't belong on stage."
"Okay, Ricky just think about..."
"Save it, Serenity. You don't want me in this. If I go back, Nini will probably quit." Ricky stated. "You need her, a lot more than you need me."
"Now what?" Carlos asked Serenity.
"Trust the process?" Serenity shrugged at what came out as more of a question than a statement.
CHRISTI COMMENTS!
oh hey! hi! noo i didn't forget to post this chapter like i said i was going to 3 days ago pffttt never!
anyway thank oxangejuice bc she literally reminded me that i had this thing finished
bye loves <3