23. The Menkies

[Avni: The last two weeks have been a lot. Finals, rehearsals, boyfriends, well one boyfriend- it's been eventful, to say the least. But we're performing at the Menkies today, so I have a feeling it's going to get a lot more overwhelming.]

The cast circled up, holding hands and saying their own silent prayers.

It was the last calm moment before an evening of nerves and a night of anticipation before the results next day.

"Alright, Wildcats," Miss Jenn called. "Let's go."

Avni glanced at Ricky. "You ready?"

"Yep. Let's show them what East High's made of," he said.

Avni grinned at him as everyone cheered.

"What Team?"

"Wildcats!"

"Get'cha Head in the Game!"

"I will never get over you in this dress," EJ said to Avni- who was wearing the classic yellow Belle dress for the waltz scene.

She smiled as he pulled her closer, brushing her hair out of her face.

"I have a scene with you in this."

"Hmm, I know. I could barely get my lines out last time."

She laughed, "Let's hope that doesn't happen."

He hummed, leaning in.

"I have to go," she whispered.

"Right- to go dance with someone who isn't me."

Avni rolled her eyes. "You and me dancing would just be historically inaccurate," she teased.

"History would have to deal with it," he said, as he twirled her once, and planted a kiss on her lips- before she left to take her place for Tale as Old as Time.

"What do we think about our chances, you guys?" Avni asked as she plopped onto EJ's bed. Everyone had somehow gathered in his and Ricky's room- since no one was actually going to be able sleep at all.

"I think you'll get Best Lead," Ricky said.

"I don't think so. Did you see the girl from Carlson Prep? She was a literal angel."

"Good thing we're looking for the best humans," EJ said.

"Wordplay, EJ? Doesn't excuse the facts."

"I think we might win Best Musical," Gina said.

"We for sure did better than North High," Natalie said. "In spite of our transformation being the same."

"Yeah- what happened to them? They seemed kinda out of sync tonight," Avni said.

"I though you did something," Gina said to Avni.

"No, did you?"

She shook her head.

"Kourt? Did you get anything from Howie?" Nini asked her.

"Not really- he seemed fine before."

"Lily was sort of jumpy," Ricky pitched in.

Avni rolled her eyes, and exercised all her control in not saying anything. What Ricky was doing with her, would never make sense to Avni, no matter how much he explained it.

"Let's just do something different," Big Red said. Avni knew he wasn't happy with the whole Ricky-Lily thing either. "Distract ourselves."

"You guys wanna play a game?" Carlos asked.

The Awards were not as glamourous as Avni had envisioned, but they were pretty amazing in their own right.

Every school was seated at their own tables, and big names in musical theatre were presenting the awards.

They'd gone through several awards now, and so far, they had one medal- a bronze- from Ashlyn for Best Composition- which was so exciting. She'd been flying ever since and Avni couldn't help but grin at her now and then, she was so proud of her.

North High had only won Best Original Score so far.

"Just the leads left now," Gina murmured under her breath.

"And Best Musical," Avni whispered back.

"And now, nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Musical," the announcer said, and there was a montage of video clips. Howie was fifth on the screen, and the table cheered at his appearance.

"And now, to present the award…"

Kourtney's squeal drowned them out. "Can you imagine if he won?"

Nini squeezed her hand, matching her energy.

"In the bronze medal position," the announcer paused for dramatic effect. "Michael Weldon, Carlson Prep, New York!"

Applause flooded the room as Michael went up on stage to accept his medal.

"In the silver medal position- Howard Banks, North High, Utah!"

"Oh my god!" Kourtney yelled, getting up from her seat to hug Howie before he walked on stage. The table cheered like mad as he accepted his medal.

"Wow," Avni breathed, as she grinned excitedly at Kourtney.

Applause sounded around the room again as the gold medal winner was called.

"It's you next!" Gina exclaimed.

Avni started fidgeting nervously as every cell in her body screamed in anticipation.

EJ squeezed her hand.

The nomination clip played.

"In the bronze medal position- it's Mindy Woods, Midtown High, New York!"

Oh, okay.

"In the silver medal position- Sarah Hughes, Ackerman Prep, Montana!"

Avni's spirits started to deflate.

"Maybe you'll get gold," EJ said.

"Yeah, there's no way," Avni replied.

"And taking away the gold- its Jenny Todd, Carlson Prep, New York!"

Avni's heart sank- but she knew Jenny deserved it, all these girls did- and it was a huge deal to even get nominated- so she put on a smile and applauded for them.

EJ hugged her side, and everyone shot reassuring smiles at her- she smiled back, trying not to tear up. But it was fine- she'd made it this far.

"At least Lily didn't win," Gina said.

Avni chuckled, "Yeah, you're right."

"And now, the most awaited award of all- here are the nominees for Alan Menken Best High School Musical…"

Avni took calming breaths as the clip rolled and the presenter was introduced.

"Winning the Alan Menken bronze medal for Best High School Musical- East High School, Utah!"

"Ms Mathur!" Someone called as Avni stepped down from the stage and walked (floated) towards the table with everyone else.

"Hi," Avni said to the lady walked up to her, breaking off from the rest.

"I'm Martha Rodriguez, I'm president of an off-Broadway theatre company," she said, shaking Avni's hand before handing her a card.

Avni glanced at it and did a double take. "Oh my god- Seema Lahiri is from this company," she said.

"Yes, she was. She's moved on now, but I'm glad you've heard of us," Ms. Rodriguez smiled.

"Are you kidding? I'm a huge fan- the first ever Broadway show I watched was Aladdin and Seema Lahiri played Jasmine," she said breathlessly. "This is blowing my mind."

Ms. Rodriguez ignored her fangirling, getting straight to business. "Well, Ms. Mathur you are incredibly talented- and I would love to offer you an internship at my company this summer."

Avni's eyes widened at her words. "Wait, seriously?"

"You'll let me know?"

"Oh wow- I- yeah, I will. Thank you," she nodded.

What the hell just happened?

A/n

EJ as a boyfriend is fr the sweetest.

We're moving onto season 3 people!

I wrote 3 chapters for the next episode- I'm gonna drop them all tomorrow because I've finished writing the story and I'm kind of over coming on here to post a chapter everyday lol