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𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬

chapter five:
learning to dance !

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AT AROUND ELEVEN o'clock that night, Athena sat in her bedroom, watching some random show on Netflix Violetta had recommended to her. One of Ricky's many sweatshirts adorned her body and she had the hood up to be more comfortable. Suddenly her phone rang, and she glanced over to see Ricky's name flashing across her screen. She answered and raised the phone to her ear.

"Hey, what's up?" she greeted.

"I need you to come over," Ricky told her.

Her eyebrows knit in confusion and she looked to the clock. "Right now?"

"Yes, right now. It's important."

Athena sighed. "Fine. This better be good."

"It is, Attie. Don't worry. See you in a few."

He hung up the phone. Athena put her phone in the pocket of her sweatshirt and stood up. She walked down the stairs to see Artemis sitting on the couch watching TV.

"I'm going to Ricky's, Artie," Athena said as she put on her shoes. "I'll be back."

"All right," Artemis replied. "Have fun, but don't stay there too late, okay?"

Athena nodded before leaving the house. She crossed her lawn into Ricky's and walked up the steps to his front porch. Athena knocked on the door, and almost immediately, Ricky opened it.

"I'm learning how to dance," Ricky blurted out.

A soft smile made its way onto Athena's face. "For the musical? You're not quitting?"

Earlier that day, Ricky had texted Athena that he was quitting the musical because of what Nini had said. Athena of course was disappointed, but she respected his decision. She wondered what made him change his mind.

"Nope," he breathed out. "And I need your help."

"By help I hope you know I'll be sitting on the couch giving you criticism," Athena replied, pushing past him and walking into his kitchen.

"Of course I do." His eyes then raked over her body, making Athena desperately try not to blush. "Is that my sweatshirt?"

"You left it at my house, so naturally I've been wearing it," Athena argued. "It's comfy. Anyways, you got popcorn?"

Ricky threw her bag and she put it in the microwave as he walked back out into the living room. When it was finished, she took it out and poured into a bowl. She then entered the living room to see Ricky fast forwarding on High School Musical. Athena sat down on the couch and began to eat her popcorn.

Of course Athena loved High School Musical. It was an all-time classic. However, she wasn't sure about hearing We're All in This Together on repeat for an hour. For probably the twentieth time, Athena watched as Ricky copied the moves from the movie playing in front of him. He missed a step, and Athena laughed, throwing another piece of popcorn into her mouth.

"Something funny, Attie?" Ricky asked, not taking his eyes off the screen. "I don't see you doing any better."

Athena threw a piece of popcorn at him. "I'm not dancing right now, genius."

"Hey," he protested. "You should be following these steps too."

She rolled her eyes. "I already know them. And if you wanted me to dance, you should've put on High School Musical 2 because that one is obviously superior. I'm pretty sure I know all the dance moves to Work This Out."

"High School Musical 2? Seriously? That's your favorite one?"

"Um, yes," Athena answered, putting another piece of popcorn in her mouth. "It's a cinematic masterpiece. You Are the Music in Me might just be the best song of the whole triology. And have you heard a sadder breakup song than Gotta Go My Own Way?" Her eyes then narrowed. "Oh, and you shouldn't judge me for liking High School Musical 2 because I'm pretty sure you've never even seen the first movie all the way through. After you've watched all three movies completely, then you can come talk to me."

Ricky flopped down next to her. "We're watching the first one right now."

"No we're not." Athena leaned forwards and placed the popcorn bowl on the coffee table in front of her. "You've been playing the We're All in This Together scene for the past hour."

Ricky's eyes narrowed playfully and surged forward, beginning to tickle her stomach. Athena let out a loud laugh and tried to push him away but had no luck because she was laughing so hard. If Ricky was being honest, he didn't want to stop tickling her. Her laugh was melody to his ears and he would rather listen to her laugh all day than listen to his favorite song. His stomach turned at how happy she was in that very moment.

Now he was really confused.

"What's going on here?" a voice inquired.

Ricky stopped tickling the girl, who let out a sigh and slumped back against the couch. The two of them glanced over to see Mike Bowen standing on the stairs. He wasn't confused at the sight of Athena being there but he was surprised to see High School Musical on the TV screen.

Athena waved at him. "Hi, Mike."

Ricky shook his head and stood up before he turned the volume up a little higher on the TV, beginning to copy the moves once more. Athena groaned and leaned forwards, grabbing the popcorn bowl back off the table.

"Hi, Athena," Mike responded before looking to his son. "Ricky, it's midnight. I thought you had a test tomorrow."

"I do," Ricky confirmed.

Mike looked confused. "This is for a test?"

"The most important one of my life."

He went to go back upstairs, but Athena spoke up. "Hey, Mike, if you can't sleep, you can stay down here with us. You can help me make fun of Ricky."

Ricky glared at the brunette who merely sent him back an innocent smile. Mike chuckled at the two and came back down the steps. When he sat down next to Athena on the couch, she offered him the popcorn bowl.

He took some popcorn in his hand. "Well, this is definitely a new one for you."

Athena laughed. "He's changed, Mike. Next thing you know, he's gonna be begging you to see a Broadway show in New York City."

"That's pushing it," Ricky said, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Athena shook her head with a smile. And in her heart, she couldn't be more proud of him for not giving up on the musical.

--- ☆ • ♫ • ♪ • ♫ • ☆ ---

THROWING CRUMPLED UP pieces of paper at Carlos wasn't the first thing Athena thought of to get his attention, but that was what they were doing. Carlos was currently in the library, watching something intently on the computer, but Ricky needed to show him he got the dance moves down. And Athena, of course, was there for moral support.

Ricky threw the crumpled up piece of paper at Carlos, but Carlos merely itched the spot where it hit him and kept his focus on the computer. He threw another one, and this time, it got Carlos' attention. Carlos looked up at the two. Ricky nodded his head to beckon him over into one of the aisles of the library.

Carlos approached them, looking wary. "If you two plan on assaulting me, I have to warn you, my mother plays Bunko with the librarian and we will press charges."

"Woah, Carlos," Athena protested with a small laugh. "We're not assaulting you."

"I wanna show you something, okay?" Ricky told him. "Check it out."

The three of them walked further down the aisle. Athena stood next to Carlos with a wide smile on her face. Ricky then began performing all of the moves that Carlos had choreographed the other day.

"Wow, you've been practicing," Carlos noticed. "I thought you quit."

"Not doing that anymore," Ricky responded as he continued to dance. "Still not sure on this last part." Ricky finished the moves and wiggled his fingers around.

"You're doing spirit fingers," Carlos revealed. "I want jazz hands."

"Jazz hands," Ricky repeated quietly. "Okay."

"Here, try it again," Carlos instructed. "Five, six, seven, eight."

Athena watched as Ricky did all the moves again, but faster and better this time. She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded in approval. He finished, ending with jazz hands this time.

"Ricky, that's it," Carlos praised.

He let out a chuckle of amazement. Athena raised up her hand for a high-five, and Ricky happily obliged. She smiled proudly, completely excited for musical practice later.

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filler chapter asf <3

but that's okay bc next chapter athena and nini are gonna talk and sing wondering with ashlyn