"They're doing Rent? We were barely able to do Sweeny during my senior year."
E.J sat in his dorm room. Val was on the floor, searching for her clothes. "You know, Ms. Jenn," he responded. "Always trying to shake things up. I guess the days of High School Musical are over. Your jeans are over there. They're having auditions today after school."
Val slipped on her jeans. "Whose a senior this year?" Val asked.
"Gina, Carlos, and Seb," E.J responded.
"Gina is probably going to get Mimi," Val said. "She certainly has star power. I haven't had a chance to see Seb perform. Wasn't he Sharpay? I think Carlos could play Angel well."
Val sat in E.J's lap. She placed a kiss on his lip. They had started seeing each other during the summer. It wasn't a secret, but they weren't actively telling people. Most of their friends began to suspect things during rehearsal for Anastasia. They were a lot more handsy than they were the previous year.
E.J held Val's hip. "Do you want a round two?" E.J asked.
"I have to get to class," Val responded. She kissed his head before standing up. "However, I'll take you up on that offer sooner rather than later. Speaking of musicals, they posted the signup sheets for the winter one. I think you should sign up for it. I'm too swamped with classes to do it. I think it would be great for you to get back onstage."
"I've thought about it," E.J said. "Mrs. Greene said I should hone in on a creative outlet."
After his episode in April, E.J started seeing a therapist. Val helped him find one. Moving away for college seemed even sweeter now. E.J wasn't looking forward to telling his father about going to therapy.
Val slipped on her sweater. She also put on her sneakers. "Bye, babe," Val said. She kissed his cheek before exiting the dorm room.
That night, E.J went to a local frat house. He avoided the frat scene due to the drinking, but he had some friends living there. So, he made sure to avoid the fraternity when they were throwing a rager. The odor of beer was always pungent, though.
E.J didn't have to knock. He knocked once, and they laughed at him. He made his way to the basement. "E.J," Joshua called. He was a bit drunk. E.J didn't need to smell his breath to know that.
E.J flopped onto the futon. "I was just going to play COD," Joshua said. "Do you want to play?"
"Sure," E.J responded. Joshua changed the T.V. station, having the game already botted up. The two played a few rounds. They both won a few and lost a few. "I think I want to meet the other driver."