"Okay, everyone. Let's take some grounding breaths." Val took one breath as she wandered down the stairs of the stage. "And we're off!" She strutted through the centre of the room before placing herself behind the table where EJ was standing.
He smiled wearily, "For those of you who I technically know, today, you're not Wildcats. Today, you're a bunch of blank canvases, strangers to me." He continued to speak as the people around the room, especially the main group, looked around at each other in confusion. "Today, we've never met." He chuckled as Val shook her head
"Maybe don't talk." She walked forward, Ashlyn moving to the stage first as she pressed play on the small speaker.
For the first time in forever began to play and the redhead took a deep breath as she began to sing, her eyes fixed on Val as she moved around the room. "The window is open, so's that door. I didn't know they did that anymore. And there are two nice ladies helping me get dressed." She was bright and bubbly, just like usual. They went up one at a time, singing the same song, just like any normal musical audition. Before they sang, they had their photo taken by Maddox, some enjoying it much more than others such as Carlos, who began to pose as if it was some fancy photo shoot and that they weren't in a barn in the middle of nowhere.
After that part of the audition process was done, it was time for the script work... but they hadn't actually been given any scripts. Kourtney watched as EJ walked closer toward them all before asking her question, "Uh, where are the scripts?"
EJ's eyes furrowed nervously, "Scripts?"
"For the scene work auditions." Scarlett clarified as she bounced up the stage to where everyone else stood.
Carlos scoffed slightly, "We're doing a show with no scripts? What is this? Curb your enthusiasm?"
Ricky then moved over to them and Scarlett had no idea how he wasn't sweating, "Yo, Mr Director-man. Where do you want us all to stand?"
The different array of questions began to throw EJ off even more than he already was and he held up his arms as if to push away everyone and the answers they wanted. "Can everyone just wait one second? Please?"
Maddox cleared her throat, "What if they all just acted out the lyrics from the songs? You know, like a dramatic reading." She suggested as she shrugged her shoulders. After nobody said anything, she cleared her throat again. "I don't know. I'm just a stage manager."
"No, that's a great idea." Scarlett agreed, smiling at the girl.
EJ let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you." He whispered to the girl who nodded her head slightly as she moved to continue with what she was doing.
Kourtney started to perform her monologue. "Don't let them in, don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal don't feel. Put on a show..." The doors of the barn were suddenly thrown open and Jet walked in. Scarlett hadn't met him yet, but Carlos and Kourt had some concerning things to say about him.
"Sorry. Auditions started over an hour ago." Maddox stated as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He turned, more than happy to leave but EJ stopped him. "It's okay. Everyone's welcome to try out."
"I'm not so sure about this." Jet replied as he stepped forward and Ricky sighed as he made his way down the steps of the stage, handing him a sheet of music.
"Nobody's judging you."
Everyone stood, staring at the boy as he looked down at the sheet before he began to sing... Wow. I mean, seriously, wow. He could actually sing, what are the chances? Scarlett grinned, jumping off the stage and quickly making her way over to the piano to give him something to lean back on.
"For the first time in forever, we're no longer shut outside." Jet looked over to the girl as she began to play and she nodded in encouragement for him to continue. "For the first time in forever, the gates are open wide. Oh, I know it all ends tomorrow so it has to be today. 'Cause for the first time in forever, for the first time in forever, nothing's in my way."
Everyone began to clap and Scarlett grinned, she missed the piano... even if she only played it just a few days ago. Jet didn't stick around to take in the applause though, he quickly turned around, bolting out of the barn as everyone watched him in awe and confusion. What just happened?
"I have chills," Ricky stated as he pulled the arm of his snowsuit up to prove his point.
______
Scarlett smiled warmly, her arm linked with EJ's as they walked away from the barn after auditions. "You killed it today." He complimented. "I know it's not up to me, but you're gonna be Anna." He lowered his voice playfully as he leaned in closer and she laughed, shoving his shoulder with her own.
"Thanks." Scarlett chuckled again as she shook her head a little. "Today was an interesting audition day. I mean..." She began to put on a British accent, one he had done earlier that day when auditions were just about to begin. "It was a bit of a blimey mess, mate."
EJ scrunched his face in embarrassment. "Okay, yeah. Val told me to act like I knew what I was doing, and clearly, no accent can hide the fact that I am totally and completely drowning up here."
"Oh, my gosh, you aren't drowning... Maybe no more acting though." She smiled up at him as they walked. "Just be yourself."
He laughed, "I don't think anyone wants that."
"Ms Jenns aren't built in a day. You'll be great." She shook his arm slightly. "And you have help, right?" Scarlett looked down toward the floor before back in front of her. "You have Val."
EJ smiled, "Yeah, Val's the best."
She sighed slightly, "Seriously, EJ, if you're too stressed about directing this summer, I don't wanna give you something else to be worried about, so maybe you and I should just play it cool..." Scarlett began and EJ shook his head quickly as he moved in front of her so she'd stop walking and look at him.
"Hey." He grabbed her hands. "You and me, it's the only thing I'm not worried about." He chuckled slightly. "But maybe it's not the worst idea if we kept a professional distance at rehearsals."
Scarlett nodded her head, a playful twinkle in her eyes. She hummed in acknowledgement, "Yeah. Several feet apart, no hand holding," She pulled their conjoined hands up before leaning back, his arms tensing as he held her up before pulling her back. "Definitely no meaningful eye contact."
EJ smirked as he leaned in a little closer, staring into her eyes. "You mean, like this." He teased and she laughed, pushing his head away before dragging him back to where they were supposed to be going.
"Are we going to the pool?" She questioned as he matched her pace and he nodded. "I'll beat you there."
EJ shook his head, "No, you-" Before he could finish his sentence Scarlett pushed him backwards before running toward the pool and EJ regained his balance before racing after her, "No fair!" Scarlett squealed as she ran and EJ grabbed her hips once he reached her again, pulling her into him as she laughed, attempting to push him away.
"That's not fair!"
______
It was night now, and the honeycomb was lit up with a few lamps and fairy lights as people got ready for bed. Scarlett swung her legs as she dangled them off the top bunk of her and Maddox's bed. Gina then came out of the bathroom, looking down at the empty bed that belonged to the missing girl. "Hey, did Maddox ever come back after dinner?"
She shrugged her shoulders as Gina moved over to the swing next to Kourtney and Ashlyn's bed. "She probably has some super-top-secret important camp tradition business to attend to," Kourtney replied and Ashlyn nodded.
"Is it bad to say she's kind of a lot?" She stated slowly as if she was nervous about the other's replies. "And that's coming from me, someone who is also a lot."
Scarlett laughed as she shook her head in disagreement. "Come on, guys, Maddox is great. She just wants all of us to bond and be friends and go along with her cool rituals."
Ashlyn leaned over her bunk to look down at Kourtney, who was also looking at her with the same expression. "Mmm-hmm." They replied in sync and Scarlett rolled her eyes.
"Guys, she's harmless," Gina stated before Valentina let out a loud snore as she changed her sleeping position to be facing the wall. "All she does is sleep!"
Scarlett chuckled, "Pretty much."