The drama students of East High were currently stood in the middle of the main corridor of North High.
"The plan is simple. Based on the Instagram post, the mask has to be in their costume shop." Carlos says. "We know from there Instagram overshares, that North High has dance rehearsals today, so they'll be in their dance studio."
"They have their own dance studio?" Gina asks.
"We're raiding their costumes and not leaving until we have our mask and Summer's jewellery." Carlos tells everyone.
"Isn't this kind of trespassing?" Summer asks.
"It'll be fine." Carlos says. "There'll be plenty of people still here for after school clubs. We'll blend in." Carlos says. "Though Ashlyn, you may have taken the camouflage thing too far."
Ashlyn was wearing a yellow North High jumper.
"No, today, I am Diane. I play volleyball, and I love North High." Ashlyn says.
"Diane, is it? How would you feel about dating a guy from East High?" Big Red asks.
"Oh, a forbidden romance." Ashlyn says.
"Focus! Who's gonna be lookout?" Carlos asks.
"I will." Gina says quickly. "If you leave me unsupervised with their costumes, I cannot promise I won't go all Gina 1.0 in there."
"Just stay calm and act natural, okay?" Carlos tells her. "You got this. Everyone ready?"
"What team?" Ricky asks putting his hand into the middle.
"Maybe we shouldn't yell." Summer suggests.
"Wildcats!" Everyone apart from Summer and Carlos yell.
Everyone starts to walk towards the costume shop while Summer shrugs her shoulders at Carlos who sighs.
"Strong start." Carlos says.
"Did tell them." Summer says as her and Carlos follow behind the others.
The group were looking through the costumes.
"Okay, I need to sit down. These expensive costumes are bumming me out." Kourtney says before sitting down.
"Summer, you're songs been viewed over 35,000 times. Mine just under that with 34,000." Nini says.
"No way." Stephanie says.
"That's cool." Alice says.
"Wow." Ricky says.
"Yeah, I keep getting all these DM's saying me and Summer should start a separate or joint account just for our music." Nini says.
"Same." Summer says with a laugh as she continues to look through the costumes.
"Is that something you want to do?" Ricky asks the two girls, more specifically his girlfriend.
"i don't know." Nini says.
"Seems scary, right?" Summer adds.
"Right." Nini agrees.
"I'm a little scared right now. Does that count?" Ricky asks before Kourtney's phone goes off.
"Oh Howie." Kourtney says. "I'm sorry but is this normal? To not know someone that long, but already feel like you know them so well?"
Summer then stamps her foot on the box Kourtney was sat on.
"I'm sorry. Bad timing?" kourtney says.
"Kourt. The box you're sitting on has fur stuck on the lid." Summer tells her.
Everyone gathers around.
"Open it." Haliee tells Kourtney.
"You open it." Kourtney replies.
"I'll open it." Summer sighs. "Why am I scared?"
Summer opens the box and everyone jumps slightly.
"It's just a box of very expensive looking wigs." Nini says.
"I want one." Carlos says.
"I can't with this schools costume budget." Kourtney says.
"So where's the beast mask?" Ricky asks.
The door then opens and Lily walks in with the french exchange student, and the last person Summer expected to see.
"Landon?" Summer questions looking at her Ex Boyfriend shocked.
"Hello, wildcats." Lily says.
"Bienvenue." The french student says.
"What are you all doing here? Scooping out the competition?" Lily asks, that's when Summer noticed Lily was wearing her necklace and ring.
"We came for our beast mask and Summer's jewellery. We know you toke it. You're literally wearing two of the stolen items." Carlos says shining his flashlight on her.
"Oh, you can these back, they're not very pretty anyway." Lily says throwing Summer the ring then taking the necklace off and doing the same thing.
"Pardon me, but our costumes are most excellent." The french student says. "Why would we steal your mask, when it is so, uh... I... we do not have a word for this in France, But in America, I believe you say 'Fugly'?"
"What did you call me work?" Kourtney asks.
"Look, I'm sure your mask is... cute." Landon says. "But we're just in different leagues. I mean, we're literally a quasi- pre- professional theater company, and you guys put on shows based on mad for- TV movies."
"That you auditioned for. Remember that, Landon?" Stephanie asks.
"Good to see you too, Steph." Landon says jokingly.
"Wish I could say the same." Stephanie replies. "What role are you playing again? A tree?"
"Actually, I'm playing the beast." Landon says.
"Now maybe you should listen to your precious 'High School Musical' and stick to the stuff you know." Lily says.
"Oh yeah? What if we bop to the top?" Seb asks.
"Honey, no." Carlos says.
"Let's just wait for the Menkies. We'll see who's in what league then." Ricky suggests.
"Or we could find out now." Lily says.
"What does that mean?" Big Red asks.
"We challenge you to a good old-fashioned dance-off." Landon says.
"Really? A dance off?" Haliee asks. "Good to see you haven't changed, Lils."
"Good to see you replaced we so quickly, Hal." Lily replies sarcastically. "A school verus school dance off to a 'Beauty And The Beast' song chosen at random."
"You'll do your version and we'll do ours." Landon adds.
"We'll see which school has what it takes. No costumes, no makeup, just talent." Lily says.
"I'm sorry no, that's weird." Ricky says.
"Super werid." Ashlyn says.
"Even for me, let's go guys." Carlos says.
"Classic East High." Lily says. "Walking out here with your tail between your legs. Just like your Miss Jenn did when she gave up on Broadway. And you know, let's be honest, maybe your Belle just can't cut it."
"No, I'm sorry, but nobody out Belle's our Belle." Haliee says stepping forward so she was stood right in front of her ex best friend. "We are doing this."
"Good. Ten minute warm-up, then we settle this, street- style." Lily says.
Ricky walks over to Summer wrapping an arm around her shoulders pulling her into him as they walk to the stage.
Everyone apart from Ricky was on stage warming up when Lily walks up to him.
"Hi, Ricky Bowen, right?" Lily asks. Ricky clears his throat and ignores her. "I have something to say to you."
"Yeah, well, no one talks to my girlfriend the way you did and gets to say anything to me." Ricky replies.
"Okay, I actually wanted to pay you a compliment." Lily says.
"Yeah, right. Like what?" Ricky asks.
"Well, I was going to say that, competition aside, I think it's really cool how you're handling you so called girlfriend stabbing you in the back like that, with that quasi-viral song of hers." Lily says.
"There you go again, talking shit about my girlfriend. That song isn't about me, it's about her ex." Ricky says.
"The Ex who she's looking at right now?" Lily asks pointing to Summer. Ricky turns to see Summer and Stephanie talking while glancing at Landon.
"Summer use to date Landon, Stephanie was his best friend, they're just talking about how much they hate him." Ricky replies. "Now if you'll excuse me."
"Listen, I like Summer's song, I really do. But it's pretty clear your girlfriend is still thinking about her Ex." Lily says. "But, uhm... let me know if you're looking for one who isn't."
Ricky walks over to Summer.
"Hey you." Summer says. "What's were you just talking to Lily about."
"She was just being the bitch she is." Ricky says causing Summer to laugh. "It's good to see you're wearing the ring and necklace again, glad we managed to get it back."
"Me to. And I am never taking them off again." Summer replies before leaving up and kissing him.
Lily then gets everyone's attention before pressing shuffle to pick the song.
"The Mob Song." Lily says.
"Yes!" EJ cheers as everyone else groans. "I knew you all didn't like 'The mob Song'."
"It's not really a dancing song." Big Red tells him.
"It's fine guys, we're East high." Gina says. "we can make anything work."
"Yeah, we can." EJ agrees.
"Open the curtains!" Lily shouts before the curtains open to reveal a beautiful set.
Someone walks down the stairs in a beast mask. Summer scoffs thinking it was Landon.
"Is it just me, or is all of this, like, off the rails insane?" Summer asks Ricky.
"Yeah, it is." Ricky agrees. "But you've got to prove Lily wrong."
"What if I can't?" Summer asks.
"Of course you can." Ricky says grabbing both Summer's hands. "Sum, you're amazing. I believe in you."
"May the best school win." Lily says.
Landon then walks past Summer and Ricky.
"Good luck." Landon says.
"Hey!" Summer calls causing him to turn back around. "If you're the beast, who's that wearing the mask?"
"Letting a friend borrow it. Doesn't want to be exposed just yet." Landon says before walking away.
"I hate that guy." Ricky says.
"Just show him what you got. It's character versus character. Just crush him." Summer says.
Ricky smiles before they get into places, that's when Summer noticed Nini had walked away.
Ricky:
Through the mist, through the woods
Through the darkness and the shadows
It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride
Landon:
Say a prayer
Then we're there
At the drawbridge of a castle
And there's something truly terrible inside
Ricky:
It's a Beast
He's got fangs
Razor sharp ones
Landon:
Massive paws
Killer claws for the feast
Ricky:
Hear him roar
See him foam
Landon:
But we're not coming home, till he's dead
Good and dead
All:
Kill the beast
Summer had been watching nervously as Ricky and Landon circled each other. She never thought she would have to see her Ex boyfriend and her current boyfriend sing against each other.
It breaks out into a dance battle between Kourtney and this random guy.
East High:
Light your torch
Mount your horse
Screw your courage to the sticking place
We're counting on Gaston to lead the way
Through a mist through a wood
We're within a haunted castle
Somethings lurking that you don't see everyday
North High:
It's a beast
One as tall as a mountain
We won't rest till he's good and deceased
Sally forth, tally- ho
Grab your sword, grab your bow
Praise the Lord and here we go
North High was now stood on the set while East High were still on the stage floor.
Antoine:
We're not safe until he's dead
He'll come stalking us at night
Carlos:
Set to sacrifice our children
To his monstrous appetite
Antoine:
He'll wreak havoc on our village
If we let him wonder free
Carlos:
So it's time to take some action, boysIt's time to follow me
The boys had lifted Carlos and when they put him down they all turn back to north high
All:
We don't like what we don't understand
In fact, it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least
Bring you're guns, bring your knives
Save your child and your wives
We'll save the village and our lives
We'll kill the beast!
A dance battle breaks out between Gina and some random girl from North High. While they were battling Summer spots Lily walking up the steps of the stage so sneaks to the other side.
Lily:
Hearts ablaze
Banners high
We go marching into battle
Unafraid although the dangers just increased
Summer then walks across the set from the other side causing the East High group to cheer.
Summer:
Raise the flag
Sing the song
Here we come with fifty strong
And fifty Frenchman can't be wrong
Summer stands very close to Lily walking around her at the end of her part.
All:
We'll kill the beast!
Summer misplaces her foot stumbling back. Ricky runs to catch her put Landon grabs her arm pulling her back onto the step. Summer stands there frozen, looking at him for a moment.
"Thanks." Summer mumbles before going over to Ricky.
"You okay?" Ricky asks worriedly as he places an arm around Summer's shoulders.
"Yeah." Summer says.
"Let's get out of here, guys." Ricky says.
"Uh, for the record. We won." Lily says.
"Are you serious?" Haliee asks.
"Just because someone almost fell?" Gina asks.
"yeah, did you see Gina's moves? No way you beat that." Kourtney says.
"Maybe we should have figured out some sort of point system." Seb says.
"Guys, it's fine." Summer says. "Let her say they won. This dance off doesn't matter. The Menkies matter, and we're gonna win that. Because we have one thing, you don't have."
"Oh, the sympathy vote?" Lily asks.
"No. Nini's Rose song." Summer says as Nini reappears, standing next to her.
"Yes, we do. And we have Summer's original song as well." Kourtney says.
"Uhm... sorry not sorry wildcats, but if you perform their songs in your show, you will be disquailifed from the Menkies." Lily tells them. "You can't alter the original Menken text."
"Well let's just do it anyway. Stick to the plan and take the risk." Nini says.
"And risk letting them win?" Carlos asks. "Isn't there a spot metaphor for this?"
Everyone turns to EJ.
"EJ, you had one job!" Stephanie says.
"Come on guys, let's just go." Alice says.
Everyone nods before leaving.
Summer didn't care if North High thought they won, she was just happy she got the necklace and the ring Ricky gave her back.
__________
After the dance battle was crazy. They all found out that Howie was the one behind the beast mask which really upset Kourtney. Also, Nini and Summer started a joint singing account. Opening night was getting closer, and the students of East High's Drama Club just hoped nothing else would go wrong.