𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐨𝐧𝐞
━━ 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒓

     While the whole cast was at the El Rey theatre for their tech rehearsal, the art club walked to Juliette's garage to re-do all the props and decorations they could. For moral support, they blasted music through the speakers and they spread out on the floor.

     "I feel it has been forever since we last were all together, only us, like old times," Mathias said from the other side of the garage, "I remember when we used to lock ourselves in the art room and just talk about our lives and gossip about what we had heard in the cafeteria..."

     "Yeah, it's weird. But this year has been great, Miss Jenn really takes us into account."

     Everyone agreed before Louisa continued speaking, "I don't think we have ever been so welcomed in the drama department. Not even when one of us is acting."

     And that was true. The art crew had always been kept apart from the cast, they were not part of it so they were not allowed to attend rehearsals. In a way, that made perfect sense, but they have always wanted to feel integrated. They were part of it. In the end, without decorations and props, a play is just an improvisation act.

     "And speaking of which, what was all about you and Ricky together in the cafeteria, Juliette?"

     "That was him being a good friend, that is all. And what was all about you and Natalie in the hallway the other day, Jason?" the redhead replied, making everyone laugh. They had really missed those moments, chatting and gossiping with markers all over the floor and their hands full of paint. Those were them. The art club.

     "And what about that kiss in the hallway? Or after the dance number?" Alexandra suddenly spat. Everything stood still for a second and then everyone started blabbering at the same time.

     "But are you officially dating?"

     "Not officially, no," she admitted, "Ricky did not see himself prepared for an official relationship. But everything's great, he took me on a date the other day.

     They did not stop talking for a single second. They had so much to talk about that a topic brought up another and so on. Ultimately, everyone was updated in everyone's life.

—

     They stayed there for six hours but, little by little, everyone began to leave until it was Juliette alone. She was not mad, she got it, it was late and people needed to rest. But she was determined to finish everything she could before the next day. Before opening night.

     It was not much anyway, she would probably finish it soon and be able to get some hours of sleep. In the meantime, she would wait for Ricky to text her as he had promised earlier that day.

—

     Well, she was wrong. Juliette did not sleep in the entire night. And Ricky did not text her nor replied to her texts. However, she did manage to finish most of the important drawings and even the most crucial props like Gina's tray, made by none other than her younger sisters.

     The downside was that her eye bags were prominent and she could not even walk straight. When she realized the time, she rushed tidy herself up and get dressed; she did not even have time to eat something before literally running to school. Her sisters helped her carry everything and, once in the building, they brought it all to Miss Jenn's office.

     "Juliette! You are our literal saviour!" she exclaimed hugging the redhead, "bring it all to the gym. We are going to be able to perform here after all."

     "Are we really!?"

     Miss Jenn did not answer but just smiled, which prompted the petite girl to hug her once again. Everything was going to be okay.