4. Blocking
[Avni: We have blocking rehearsals today which were always my favourite because it always feels like one big bonding experience, in character and outside of it. But now that Natalie Bagley had lost her hamster and was making it everyone's problem, well excuse me for being a bit testy. Who looks for a hamster anyways? Aren't they just like little cats who'll come back when they're hungry or sleepy?]
"…I was at the computer lab, bribing some hacker to crack into my phone to recover a message you deleted when you stole it," Nini's voice rang out.
"Wait why did you think that-" EJ defended himself. His lip was busted.
"What happened to EJ's face?" Avni asked Ashlyn.
"Ricky threw a basketball at him during rehearsal."
Avni's eyes grew wide, and Ashlyn nodded, sharing the sentiment.
EJ and Nini had huddled up farther away, and their conversation was no longer audible. But judging from the looks on their faces, it was obviously not going well for EJ.
"You know, when EJ said he was going to come clean- didn't buy it for a second," Avni said. Ashlyn only shrugged.
"Hey is the door locked or something? Why can't we get in?" Nini asked all of us.
"Oh, Natalie's missing her emotional support hamster, he got lose. Gina and Carlos are helping her find it," Ashlyn replied.
A high- pitched scream came from inside the theatre.
"I think they found it."
"Dead, probably," Avni said under her breath. Big Red cracked a grin.
Nini and EJ turned back to talk to each other, again in hushed voices.
A minute later, Natalie stormed out, "I need a moment."
Gina rushed out after her. "I'm gonna go help her. Get EJ to shine at rehearsals today," Gina told Avni. She nodded, not questioning her.
"Is he dead?" Ashlyn asked Carlos.
"No, now she thinks he's in her gym locker."
"Why the screaming?"
"That was me, she stepped on my toe. We're ready to begin people."
We all trudged into the bomb shelter.
"Okay Ricky's running late so Nini and EJ, you're on for Breaking Free," Carlos announced.
EJ stepped forward, but Nini was nowhere to be found- and neither was Gina. Which sent Carlos into a frenzy, "Why can't you people just be here- we have to block this-"
Avni saw her chance. "Okay, Carlos, calm down. I can fill in for Gabriella. I know the part," she offered. Glancing at EJ, she said, "We've blocked this stage a million times."
He nodded, not entirely looking at her.
"Okay, let's do this," Carlos said.
EJ and Avni walked to the side of the stage. "We'll move up, right?" Avni asked.
"I'll go centre stage first, then come back for you, then we can both move up together," EJ said, somewhat shakily.
Ignoring his demeanour, Avni nodded, "We can use the space when the song picks up. Sounds good?" Avni asked Miss Jenn and Carlos. They nodded.
The stage was set and the music started.
Avni stood as far downstage as she could, looking nervous as EJ smiled at her encouragingly, all of his apprehension vanishing as he walked towards centre stage, starting his lines, "We're soaring, flying, there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach, if we're trying, so, we're breaking free."
Avni opened her mouth to sing, but made it look like nothing was coming out. EJ walked up to her, letting the music keep playing, "C'mon, you've got this," he whispered. "Just like kindergarten."
He kept smiling at Avni, taking her hands in his. Not breaking eye contact, Avni hesitantly began Gabriella's lines, "You know the world can see us, in a way that's different than who we are. Creating space between us, till we're separate hearts."
Now officially at centre stage, they started together, smiles and confidence slowly growing, "But your faith it gives me strength, strength to believe…"
"We're breaking free!" Avni sang, her true voice shining through.
EJ and Avni twirled and danced around the stage, using the whole space, and just having fun- but never breaking eye contact.
This was what I loved about being on stage with EJ. It seemed as though we were the only people there, going on an actual journey as actual people, not just as characters in a play.
It felt natural and safe.
The tempo slowed down again, and EJ and Avni met at centre stage again, hands clasped, their voices melding together perfectly, "You know the world can see us, in a way, that's different than who we, are."
The music died down, and gave way to applause.
The bubble broke, and Avni tore her gaze away from EJ.
"Wow, you guys, that was-" Carlos started.
"Magic," Miss Jenn finished.
"We've just done this a lot," EJ said.
"Yeah, it's just practiced ease," Avni brushed it off.
"Sorry I'm late- my mom caught an earlier flight, where are we?" Ricky burst in.
"EJ and Avni were just blocking Breaking Free," Carlos said.
"Oh," Ricky replied, glancing over the pair. "Where's Nini?"
Avni glanced up awkwardly at EJ. "I'm not sure," he said, stepping down from the stage.
"We have to block all of Troyella duets, next is What I've Been Looking For, scene 7," Carlos said.
"I actually don't have it," Ricky said. "Can I borrow a script?"
"You need your script, Ricky, and a pencil. It's a blocking rehearsal," Miss Jenn interjected.
"Can I borrow a pencil?" Ricky asked Avni.
Before she could reply, or question if he was okay, Miss Jenn spoke up again, "No, actually, you can't. When you come to rehearsal, people, you come prepared."
Natalie and Gina burst in then, and Natalie was sobbing. Something about glitter.
"That girl is exhausting," Gina said to Avni. She only grinned in response.
"So you're teaming up with EJ now?" Avni asked Gina a beat later.
"Well if EJ gets promoted to Troy, Nini will quit now that they're broken up."
"I suppose Ricky's only helping matters by showing up late and without a script."
Gina hummed in reply.
"Natalie, we feel your pain," Miss Jenn said. "But I was just explaining what a constructive rehearsal requires. Focus, and honestly, another day like this, and I'm going to show up with my emotional support coyote."
"Miss Jenn, I know the scene," Ricky stated.
"Can you see me in my office? Thank you."
"Wait, are we done?" Ashlyn asked.
"We are, Miss Darbus. Take a note, this is what a frustrated drama teacher looks like. Go, scoot, and come back when you're ready to take this seriously and park your distractions at the door."
"EJ!" Avni called after the boy.
He sighed and turned around, looking at her expectantly.
"I'm sorry about your face," Avni hesitated. "And about the break up."
"I really don't want to talk about it right now, Avni."
"Okay," she said, nodding. "On an unrelated note, I'm glad we got to do a scene together, for old times' sake. It was fun."
EJ cracked a smile. "It was," he agreed.
A/n
Oh my god, you guys- Breaking Free?!
I sort of pictured EJ and Avni as that 'it' couple that has incredible chemistry and everyone thinks is dating but them- like oof its all so cute jbclisdhieuhdibdkjbscjkbjk
