[EJ: So, is being single on Valentine's Day ideal? No. But is Valentine's Day just a day like any other? Also no. So, yeah.]
"Oh, wow," Avni said to EJ as he walked into the bomb shelter.
He grinned, "What?"
Avni waved a hand over him. "You're dressed in all black."
EJ looked down, and was surprised to note that he was wearing all black. "Oh, I didn't notice," he said. He sighed, "It's my first Valentine alone. Do you have any tips?"
"Did you just call me alone?"
Oh, crap.
His eyes grew wide, "No, no. It's just- you had a boyfriend the year before the last and last year you were kind of-" he paused. "There's no saving that is there?"
"Not really."
Miss Jenn entered the room, Carlos in tow, "Morning everyone." She glanced around the room, "Where's our beast?"
"Um, I'll go find him," EJ volunteered. He just wanted to get out of that awkward situation he just created with Avni.
♡♡♡♡♡
"Okay, people. The title song of Beauty and the Beast is the centre- piece of our show," Carlos said. "Written at the height of Ashman and Menken's powers, and it's their most romantic ballad since Suddenly, Seymour. As a reminder, Belle is finally falling for the Beast, and it's not because of Stockholm syndrome, you all. Love is love."
EJ grinned at that.
"Ricky and Avni, it's time to review the waltz. Let's take it way under tempo," Gina said.
Ashlyn took to the piano as Kourtney walked up in front of it, and Ricky and Avni started a rather awkward waltz.
Which sparked a rather awkward memory for EJ.
The last time East High had staged Beauty and the Beast, EJ had played the Beast against Julia (who had now graduated) as Belle. Avni had played Babette, and every time EJ would take his place for the waltz, he would think of how much he would rather be doing this with Avni.
"Wait, can we pause?" Avni asked. "Sorry, Kourtney."
Kourtney waved it off. She seemed almost relieved.
EJ watched as Avni whispered something to Ricky, and he took a step closer, his hand around Avni's waist got a little tighter. Suddenly, the mood shifted and as Ashlyn started playing again, the waltz was significantly less awkward.
"Left, right. Now, forward-" Avni coached Ricky through it. "Don't look down. This is a two- person dance. Look at me."
Ricky lifted his eyes and EJ felt the familiar twinge of jealousy.
He was tired of it. Avni and he were not meant to be. He knew this. Last year at camp had ensured it. He just wanted to stop feeling this way.
But it only got harder.
EJ appeased himself by concentrating on their feet instead, which Ricky was still messing up, despite having achieved the mood of the performance.
"Kourtney, honey, I know we aren't up to show tempo, but sing out, and make sure to really look at Belle and the Beast during the song," Miss Jenn interrupted, making EJ look up. "Remember, what Mrs. Potts is observing is a miracle. Belle is the most beautiful girl in the land, and the Beast is, I'm sorry, Ricky, beastly. Maybe close your eyes and imagine the full scene in makeup and wardrobe. Ready?"
"Uh, yeah-" Kourtney said breathlessly. "Actually, can I take a quick five?"
"Of course," Miss Jenn said.
"Are you okay?" Ashlyn asked.
"Yeah, of course," Kourtney said as she bolted out.
Avni and Ricky kept practicing, and EJ turned his attention to his script.
The bell rang before Kourtney came back.
"Thank you, everyone, good job. We'll nail this number in time for the Menkies. The Beast's castle wasn't built in a day. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day," Miss Jenn dismissed us.
♡♡♡♡♡
"Hey," Avni caught up with EJ as he walked into the hallway. "So, what are you doing after-school?"
"Oh, um-"
"Being alone?" she offered.
EJ cringed, "Probably, yeah."
"Hmm. Do you want to be alone together? I don't know, we could do some homework or whatever. You did ask for tips."
Is she asking me out?
"I just remembered; I actually have-"
Her phone rang, cutting EJ off. "Hold on a second, this is Big Red. He never calls unless it's an emergency, sorry," she said, putting the phone to her ear.
"Hello?... I can't hear you... Where are you right now?... What? ... Big Red, those lock from the inside, we learnt this the last time!... Oh my god, what if Ashlyn catches you in there?... Okay, try not to die, I'll see if I can get the combination... Okay bye. I'm going to kill him!" she yelled, breaking into a sprint.
EJ ran beside her, "Why are we running?"
"Big Red got stuck inside a locker trying to serenade Ashlyn," she said really fast.
They came to a stop in front of the Main Office, and Avni dashed in to see Ms. Simone, who usually held the locker combinations.
"Ma'am, I need the locker combination to Locker 312, please," Avni said, out of breath.
"Those- are- confidential," Ms. Simone said slowly.
"Oh my god, Ms. Simone, there is a literal person stuck inside the locker. Unless you want him to die, you should give me the combination," Avni said (yelled), eyes wide.
Ms Simone looked shocked by her tone, and her eyes flitted from Avni to EJ. EJ smiled at her, hoping to soften the blow. Finally, she reached into her drawer and pulled out her reference book. She slowly flipped through every page- it was taking forever.
"Work faster, Ms. Simone, c'mon," EJ said, flashing her his best smile.
She smiled back, "Of course, Mr. Caswell."
"What?" Avni muttered incredulously, but thankfully under her breath.
"Ah, here it is, 512. That's 21- 32- 11."
"Thank you," Avni yelled over her shoulder, already halfway to the door. EJ stuck around to thank her properly, and then flew out of the door, catching up to Avni just as they reached the locker-
Where Gina and Ashlyn were already standing.
They looked up when they saw EJ and Avni, trying to make sense of why they were struggling to breath.
"Um, Ashlyn," Avni started. "I was wondering if you could help EJ and I with this Gaston- Belle scene."
"Yeah, of course, what is it?"
"Umm, how about you come way over here so that EJ can explain the issue," Avni said.
"Okay," she said quizzically. "Just let me-" she started opening the locker.
"No, wait-" "Don't-"
But it was of no use as Big Red tumbled out of the locker, flushed and spluttering.
"What is happening?" Ashlyn asked, completely bewildered. "Was this the surprise? Because, surprise."
"Yeah, no, uh, it kinda got ruined," Big Red said. "My fault. Just come by the pizza place later, okay? Trust me, it's gonna be amazing." He glanced at EJ and Avni who were standing with their lips pursed, trying to hide their laughter. "Thanks a lot, guys," he added.
"Hey, Avni runs really slow!" EJ defended.
"Excuse me? You were the one wasting time charming the pants off Ms. Simone."
"I was being nice! You don't get favours by yelling at people."
Avni scoffed, "Well I'm wearing heels and you have long ass legs."
"Do I have a long ass or long legs?" EJ asked.
Avni glanced up at him, "Do you really want me to answer that?"
"Not really."
Avni laughed at that, and EJ joined in. And just for a second, everything felt like it used to be, and as per usual, EJ yearned for them to be something more.
Maybe I should just tell her.
"Actually, being alone together sounds good. Do you wanna meet at my place?"
Avni nodded.
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A/n
EJ POV!!!!!
I was just trying to see if it would work out- and I think it's pretty good.
Part 2 drops tomorrow!