16. Yes, And…

[Avni: I think I'm actually doing okay. This Gina thing has hit me hard, but I'm trudging forward, and being as supportive as possible. Nini's in the show now- which means Ricky and her are going to be all couple-y in front of everyone- but I'm going to reserve my opinions about that and again, support Gina. Plus, Ricky's been a great friend to me lately- and I'm going to reciprocate. As far as EJ is concerned, we'll see where that goes.]

"Hey," EJ said as soon as Avni entered the bomb shelter.

She huffed. Already?

"No flowers today," he said. "I brought you coffee." He extended a paper cup with a note.

Avni felt conflicted. Was she supposed to accept it? She'd made it seem that she'd only been accepting the flowers because they were literally in her locker. But how could she say no to his face?

"She won't be taking that," Ricky said, coming up just in time. "C'mon," and he dragged her away.

"You're welcome," he said to Avni.

Everyone was currently obsessing over North High's perfect video.

"Damn," Avni murmured.

"I know, it's incredible. Even I have no notes," Carlos said.

"Huh?" Avni asked. They aren't talking about what you are. "Right, yeah," she covered up.

"What are you doing?" Gina asked scandalously, looking into Avni's phone over her shoulder.

Avni flushed, "Nothing."

"Nothing?" Gina quirked an eyebrow. "Who is he?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Who is this North High kid you're stalking?" She said loudly. Her words were followed by indignant cries from all the other theatre kids.

"Okay, okay. Chill! He's their choreographer, okay? I just got carried away in the thirst traps."

"Show," Gina made grabby-hands at Avni's phone. "Oh, wow," she said as she scrolled down his page.

"I know right."

"Are those abs real?"

"They are in my head."

"Okay, everyone, back to me," Miss Jenn called. "North High is clearly focusing on bells and whistles. Impressive. But distracting. All we need is..."

"Friendship?"

"No, Seb, all we need is to get back to basics. Emotional performances that connect with the audience can make all the difference with these judges. And I have a plan. Which is why you've been called in today. And that plan is... a weekend acting intensive."

"A weekend acting intensive like-"

"Improv. Character work. Movement exercises."

"All that sounds great Miss Jenn. But how did North High even find out that we were doing Beauty and the Beast?" Avni asked.

Murmurs of agreement broke around the room.

"I suppose," Miss Jenn started. "I suppose I did. I was bragging to Zachey Roy about our puppies in Act Two and I guess I told him?"

Avni groaned, "Miss Jenn," she shook her head.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry, it won't happen again. Take notes, children. Nothing should stand in our way of Menkies gold. And don't forget, we have something North High doesn't."

"Friendship?" Seb asked again.

"A brand-new original song for the Beast and the rose," she paused. "Um, and, uh, how's that coming along, you guys?"

When they didn't say anything, Miss Jenn asked Ricky to stay and Nini to leave and get a draft down for the song. Then they all circled up to start their intensive.

Gina was struggling up there, Avni knew. She guessed Gina hadn't said anything to Ashlyn about moving away yet. So, when Gina stormed out, and Miss Jenn called a five, she didn't go check-up on her. She let Ashlyn do it, knowing they needed to have a conversation.

When they came back in, she picked up on the awkwardness and hurt between them, so she knew Gina had told her.

"Okay, let's keep this improv thing going! But this time, in character. EJ, Avni, care to come up here and show them how it's done?" Miss Jenn said.

God, why is this happening to me?

"Avni's with me, actually." Ricky said, saving her again.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. Gina and Ashlyn weren't paired either. Up you come!"

EJ stood up, but Avni hesitated.

"Actually, can I go? I want another shot at this," Gina said.

The fact that she was willing to do something she wasn't comfortable with just for Avni made her feel utterly grateful for her, and absolutely crushed that she was leaving.

"Gina, you can join in later. C'mon," Miss Jenn said.

Avni got up, "Okay, yeah."

She took a deep breath as she placed herself in front of EJ.

"Okay, picture the scene. We're in the castle. Belle's trying to save the Beast, Gaston's trying to kill the beast. They have one final conversation. Go!"

"We could've had it all," EJ said in a harrowing voice. "But you had to throw it away for that beast!"

Avni flinched at his volume. Stay in character. "We didn't have anything for me to throw away," she said calmly. Belle is calm.

He huffed, "How can you say that? I loved you."

Avni sucked a breath in. This is Gaston saying it to Belle.

"You loved the idea of me," she said sadly.

EJ shook his head, taking a step towards her. "I would've loved you forever."

"You would've kept me like a trophy on your shelf."

"What do you think he's going to do? He's a beast."

Avni felt a surge of anger. "Is that why you're doing this? Do you truly believe-" she paused. Belle. "That petty acts that do nothing but show your arrogance are going to help you gain favours from me? Are going to prove that you're better than the man I love?"

His eyes lit up dangerously. He took a step forward, "You still have a choice." He took another step. "We could run away together." Another. "I would make you so happy." He would. He was now close enough for Avni to smell his cologne and see every micro- expression on his face.

"She doesn't want you, Gaston," Gina piped up. EJ took a step back, but Avni just stared at her. What is she doing? "Not after what you did to her father. Not after what you did to her egg."

A dead silence followed her words, probably as everyone tried to make sense of her out-of-character words. Avni just stared at Gina again, trying to decide how to react. When she glanced at EJ, his expression made dread creep up the back of her throat. He looked betrayed.

"You told her?" He asked quietly.

"Wait are we talking about the devilled egg?" Kourtney asked.

"You know?" Avni asked in surprise.

"Nini told me." That made sense.

"Nini knows?" Ricky asked.

"Wait, you told Avni?" Ashlyn asked EJ.

"You knew too?" Avni asked her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Am I the only one who doesn't know?" Ricky asked.

"Apparently," EJ said quietly. He looked at Avni one last time, and then walked out of the room.

Paper cup in hand, Avni knocked on EJ's door.

He looked surprised and then a little upset to see her.

She extended the paper cup to him. "You brought me coffee?" he asked.

"Of course not. It's eight o'clock. Also, I have no money. That's lassi from the restaurant."

He smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry," Avni said. "I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand earlier. I didn't mean to embarrass you- or put you in the spot."

EJ only stared at her.

"Okay, um- I'm gonna go."

"Wait, I thought you had more to say," he paused. He ducked into the house for a second, and then returned wearing a coat, closing the door behind him. He took a seat on the patio bench, inviting Avni to sit beside him.

"I'm sorry too," he said when she sat down.

"I know," she breathed out. "Why did you do it? Tell me honestly."

"I knew her and Ricky were a thing and that she definitely had feelings for him and I felt threatened. I felt like I had to make big moves."

"She didn't even know you were responsible for her getting to play the lead in the first place."

"Yeah, but she had this magical summer where she found herself, with me. Even though we're broken up, she knows that I was responsible for some part of her journey. Honestly, my whole relationship with her was full of insecurities, and I'm not used to feeling that way- I made some bad choices."

Avni didn't know what to say. She understood what he was saying, but did it excuse his behaviour?

"I did it because I thought you'd get over it," Avni looked up at him in surprise, but he was staring straight ahead. "I didn't think it would affect you. It obviously did, and I felt terrible."

It wasn't even about the role, Avni realised. It was about him. It was about staring against him and being up there on stage with him.

She suddenly understood the urge EJ had to share the stage with Nini.

But he's never felt that for me.

"You were right," EJ continued. "I wouldn't have told you all this if Nini and I were still dating. But that's only because that break-up helped me grow," he paused. "I wanted to give you a chance to leave."

"You aren't letting me leave."

He looked at Avni for the first time. His eyes held hurt. "I couldn't," he said. "Do you want me to stop?"

Looking into his eyes, for the first time in forever, Avni said the first thing that came to her mind. "No."

He smiled a full smile, dimples and all. "Friends?"

She nodded, "Friends."

A/n

We're getting closer to the end!

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