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𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧

chapter eleven:
but right now, it's you and me !

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DEAR ATHENA,

CONGRATULATIONS! It gives me tremendous pleasure to inform you that the Juilliard Piano faculty and the Committee on Admissions have granted you admission to the Vocal Arts, Composition, and Piano - Bachelor of Music program at The Juilliard School for the 2021-22 academic year.

So . . . yeah. That was incredibly out of this world insane. Athena had thought her audition had gone well, but not that well for Juilliard, a school with a literal seven percent acceptance rate, to actually accept her. She had told Violetta that applying was a shot in the dark, but it turned out that it wasn't at all.

She had made it. Athena had accomplished her dreams of studying and doing something she loved in college, located in the city that never sleeps. She knew she couldn't pass this opportunity up . . . but the thought of leaving Salt Lake and everyone was enough to make her want to curl in a ball and hide away from the rest of the world.

As much as Athena wanted to scream and cry over it, she couldn't. Because right now, it was opening night, and she had to focus on being Gabriella. And that meant not telling anyone.

Okay, no, do not give her that look. Her and Ricky promised that they would talk about the future after opening night. Juilliard was a conversation for another day. All she wanted to do right now was fulfill her childhood fantasy with her own Troy.

They had figured some things out for the show. Mr. Mazzara was going on as Coach Bolton, and Dani was going to be Tiara Gold. Also, due to some announcement Quinn was making, she needed the auditorium. So, just like when they put on High School Musical, they were using the gym. It felt . . . right, in a way. Kind of like they were coming full circle.

Speaking of the show, the rehearsal room was complete and utter chaos — aka the chaos of opening night. Athena ignored the chatter behind her for now. She stared at herself in the mirror, smoothing out her white dress, adjusting the tiny white flowers in her hair, moving around the large T necklace — Gabriella's costume down to a t. Athena let out a deep breath. She could do this.

Kennedy ran into the room, completely panicked. "I think I left my pom poms at home!"

"Somebody stole my bronzer," Kaden complained.

"Kade," Athena called. He looked at her, and she tossed him her bronzer. "Borrow mine."

"You're such a real one, 'Thena."

She shrugged, a smile on her face. "So I've been told."

"Okay, everyone, since Nini isn't here, she asked me to hand out some cards," Ricky announced. "Warning, my handwriting sucks." They started to crowd around him, and he handed them out. "Oh, uh, don't look at this or I'll cry. Don't look at this or I'll cry. Don't look at this or I'll cry. Don't look or I'll cry." He then handed Athena her card. "Especially you. I will start crying."

"I make fun of your handwriting all the time, so I'm not really sure how this is different."

Ricky scoffed at her before looking down at the last card. "Hey, have you seen Violetta?"

Athena shook her head. "I haven't heard from her all day . . . which is a little worrying, but I'm sure she's here."

"Did I miss half-hour call?" a very familiar voice asked, and Athena looked to see EJ walking into the room. "And does it even matter if I'm not in the show? And where is my girlfriend?"

"EJ!" Athena exclaimed, bounding up to him and hugging him tightly. "I don't know where Vi is, but I'm so glad you're here. She's going to be so happy."

"Sitting out there, watching you guys is the second best place in the world tonight."

"Where's the first place?" Ricky questioned.

"Getting to be on stage for one more show," EJ answered. "But those days are behind me."

Ashlyn suddenly gasped. "Biggie!"

Athena whirled around, her eyes widening. Because standing there, their fourth missing member, was Big Red.

"I'm not here," Big Red insisted. "But if you notice someone in the audience screaming, crying, throwing up, those or all things that I do."

Ricky instantly hugged him. Athena smiled softly. She always adored their friendship.

Athena was next, gripping onto him tightly. "Oh, I missed you." She then pulled back, only to hit him upside the head. "That was for Violetta since she's not here, and a little bit for me, because you're an absolute idiot."

Big Red rubbed the spot where she had hit him. "Yeah, I deserved that."

"Absolutely you did."

Ricky wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her slightly away from him. "I would appreciate it if you didn't cause him personal damage."

Athena scoffed, crossing her arms. "I can promise that, but I can't say anything for Vi."

"That's fair."

Violetta then came sprinting into the room. "Oh my God, I'm so late. Hi guys."

"Vi, hey," Ricky greeted. "Where have you been?"

Athena nodded in agreement. "You've been MIA, like, all day."

"It's a lot to explain," Violetta replied. "Big news. But I promise I'll tell you both later."

"Uh, I actually have something to tell you guys, too." Athena glanced in between Ricky and Violetta. "Like, really big news."

"Wildcats, this is your five-minute call!" Maddox said. She then flickered the lights on and off, causing everyone to scream. "You guys don't do the lights thing?"

"We thought you'd be dead again," Ashlyn told her.

The two of them then laughed . . . weirdly. Athena watched them for a moment. Well, that was awkward.

"We can meet in the dressing room at intermission," Ricky suggested.

Violetta nodded. "Sounds good."

There were then exclamations of Mack's name. Athena looked to see him walking into the room, holding a very elaborate plant.

"Don't mind me, I was never here," Mack voiced, walking right up to the three of them. "Violetta, these are for you."

Violetta blinked at them. "Oh."

"It's a hundred year old bird of paradise. A friend of mine grows them." He then turned to the others. "It was John Stamos, guys."

"Wow," EJ then cut in, walking up to them and placing a hand on the small of Violetta's back.

Mack pointed to him. "Hey, another wow guy!"

Violetta instantly shoved the plant into Athena's hands and practically threw herself into EJ's arms. Athena laughed a little

"Everyone, let's circle up," Miss Jenn instructed, walking in wearing her Miss Darbus costume. "Circle up." All of them moved to make a circle — one of Athena's last opening night circles, which was extremely bittersweet. As always, she clasped hands with Ricky and Violetta. "And hands. Hands. My babies. I know that some of you are disappointed that we don't have the auditorium tonight because Quinn and her band of Hollywood elites have secured it for some other kind of event. But tonight, after promising the principal that this is now an unofficial event, we have the homecoming gym and an audience of loved ones, and each other. And we have our dreams. And to quote a wise coach, You only have two hours left to be a team. So go out there and hold each other close tonight, because you never know who might be taking flight tomorrow."

Maddox ran back into the room. "Places!"

Athena let out a deep breath, following the others out of the door. It was true — this was maybe the last time all of them would do something like this together, and she swore to herself that she would make it count. She slung an arm around Violetta's shoulders, pulling her in close as they made their way backstage.

Ricky then ran up behind her. "Hey, Attie."

She looked up at him. "Yeah?"

"Will you watch me?"

Athena smiled. "Always. I'm you're number one fan."

Ricky grinned, starting to walk backwards away from her. Athena then blew him a kiss, and he caught it in his hand, placing it right on his heart — their opening night tradition. She watched him go, her heart racing fast yet sinking at the same time.

Athena loved him so much, she wondered how much it would hurt to leave him behind.

She was forced to let Violetta go to quick-change into her Martha cheerleading costume. Athena looked out in the audience, her anxiety decreasing a little when she saw her parents. The music increased. Athena had sang this song hundreds of times. She could do this.

"Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen minutes left, better get it done," the dancers sang on stage while performing their routine. "Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen more minutes, get ready, game on! Sixteen, sixteen, sixteen minutes left, running out of time, sixteen, sixteen, sixteen more minutes till it's on the line."

Mr. Mazzara walked out on stage. "Let's go team!"

Ricky walked out from behind the bleachers, followed by the other basketball members. "Got to get it together, yeah, pull up and shoot, score! Are you ready, are you with me?"

"Come on boys, come on boys, come on!"

"The way we play tonight is what we leave behind, it all comes down to right now, it's up to us. So what are we gonna be?"

"T-E-A-M team!" the others chorused.

"Got to work it out, turn it on," Ricky continued. "This is the last time to get it right, this is the last chance to make it our night. We got to show what we're all about, work together."

He suddenly faltered, staring at something in the audience. Athena followed his gaze only to see him staring at his mom and his dad, sitting together — this time, with no surprise plus ones. She smiled softly to herself. Athena remembered how freaked out he had been when Todd came and how much of a spiral he sent himself into.

Ricky regained his senses, continuing the song. "Work together. This is the last chance to make our mark, history will know who we are. This is the last game so make it count, it's now or never."

Athena walked out on stage, a single spotlight pointing at her. "Troy."

He stood up off the ground, staring right at her. "Right now, I can hardly breathe."

She descended down the stairs, walking towards him. "Oh, you can do it, just know that I believe."

He stepped closer to her. "And that's all I really need."

Athena placed her hands on either side of his face. "Then come on."

"Make me strong."

She gave him a grin before turning around and walking off stage.

The players grabbed Ricky and pulled him back. "It's time to turn it up, game on!"

"West High Knights, hey, yeah we're putting up a fight," the West High cheerleaders added.

The Wildcat cheerleaders stepped up. "Wildcats! We never quit it, gonna win it, let me hear you say."

"This is the last time to get it right, this is the last change to make it our night," Ricky and the Wildcats players chorused. "We gotta show what we're all about, work together. This the last chance to make our mark, history will know who we are. This is the last game so make it count, it's now or never."

Ricky slam-dunked the basketball into the hoop, causing the audience to cheer. He was then lifted up onto Kaden and Rico's shoulders, and Athena giggled slightly as she clapped.

"Exit, everyone," Maddox ordered over the comm system. "Cue exit. Come on."

They moved off the stage and went off stage. Athena didn't need a costume change like Ricky did, so she rounded around to the other side of the stage and looked in the wings. She stood in front of the mirror, applying just a tiny bit more blush to her cheeks. It wasn't long before Ricky showed up in his t-shirt and flannel, placing a hand on her waist and pressing a kiss to the back of her head before re-reading his lines.

"Excuse me, have you seen my Hydro Flask, chum?" Dani inquired in a British accent.

Ricky looked up from his script. "Dani, hi. That is an extremely believable accent. You're gonna kill it tonight."

"Cheers, mate. Just so happens that accent work is my bread and butter. Or should I say bangers and mash?"

"You probably shouldn't say that, no."

Dani scoffed. "All right. Cheerio."

"Break a leg," Ricky replied.

"It's in the dressing room, Dani," Athena said, closing her blush.

She waved at her. "Thanks, love!"

Athena let out a small laugh, walking up to Ricky. "Look at her."

Ricky put down his script and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Look at me and look at you."

She nodded. "Tonight is definitely unforgettable."

"Especially because of you."

He then leaned forwards and pressed his lips onto hers. Athena kissed him back for a moment, finding comfort in how it felt exactly like home. How would she go without it in New York?

"Hey, Troyella," Maddox called. "You're on. Come on."

Ricky gestured in between them. "We're kinda . . ."

"Oh my my God," Maddox let out, and Athena giggled, grasping onto Ricky's hand. "Your cue. Let's go."

Athena followed after Ricky onto the treehouse set. "Another top secret hiding place?"

"You're the, uh, second girl I've ever had up here," Ricky recited. Athena looked over at him. "The first was my mom. She came up here to get me down."

"Well, I'm honored. This place is so cool."

"Me and my dad built it."

Athena pretended to look down. "Was that the coach from U of A down there?"

"Yeah, he's at my house," Ricky replied. "Crazy."

"I bet he's already got your name on a locker."

"It's always been my dad's dream. And now I'm gonna end up at his alma mater. Did I just say that?"

"You know, my mom and I have been talking about Stanford University pretty much since I was born," Athena voiced.

"Well, you're already in, so that's pretty cool," Ricky continued.

Athena sighed. "Except she won't stop talking about it. It's embarrassing."

"Come on. She's proud of you." Ricky stared straight into her eyes, grabbing her hand. "I'm proud of you."

Her breath quietly hitched in her throat. She knew Ricky would be proud of her for getting into Juilliard, but she didn't want to see the look on his face when she told him she would be all the way across the country.

"The thing about Stanford is that it's one thousand and fifty three miles—" Athena began, stepping in front of him.

"Fifty-three miles from here?" Ricky finished. "I know."

More like two thousand and thirteen miles.

"It suddenly seems like the rest of the school year is coming at us so fast."

Athena blinked back the tears in her eyes, leaning back slightly into Ricky was he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Yeah. I wish it would all just stop. At least just slow down."

God, she wished that could happen, too.

The piano then started, playing probably Athena's favorite song in the franchise besides You Are the Music in Me — Right Here, Right Now. And so Athena allowed herself to get lost in the song, staring at Ricky, her heart loving the view because he meant everything.

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the way he says "turn it on" I'M SORRY?????