"Is everyone here?" Miss Jenn questioned as she strutted inside the bomb shelter of a rehearsal room.

It has been a week since the entire Drama department, even those who weren't present at the after-party, unanimously agreed to drop out of the Menkies competition against other schools, especially against North High.

"Big Red and Kourtney are on their way, they were called by their teachers after class." Ricky informed.

"EJ's also on his way, he had to submit some receipts to the student council for the senior expenses." Ashlyn relayed.

"So what's the emergency?" EJ questioned as he appeared from the room's entrance door, in full lacrosse gear. "I can't stay too long we have a game to win the day after tomorrow."

"We're just waiting for Kourtney and Big Red," Ricky helpfully informed. "Miss Jenn just got here actually.

"Sorry, we're late!"

Big Red and Kourtney rushed inside the room, both never bothering to place their things on the floor, and immediately stood in front of their drama teacher.

"Miss Jenn, are we talking about the Menkies invitation I got via email?" Carlos voiced.

"Wait, you too?" Ricky asked.

"Everyone from the drama club has received an invitation to attend the Menkies," Miss Jenn revealed. "Their rationale was that we deserve to at least attend the ceremony despite dropping out of the competition."

"Is it possible that this is another of North High's attempts at rubbing it to our faces?" Ashlyn asked.

Everyone agreed with Ashlyn's sentiment.

It was no secret to everyone that Lily resented Ashlyn for booking the Belle part instead of her.

"No," Miss Jenn denied the sentiment. "I've confirmed it with the Menkies board of judges and trustees, and they did say that we should have the privilege to attend the ceremony."

"But…"

"Why don't we treat this as our official field trip?" Nini voiced out her suggestion.

"As long as you have two teachers to chaperone you for the trip, considering there are freshmen in the department," Mr. Mazzara went inside the room and stood beside Ms. Jenn. "Miss Jenn and I will chaperone you for this particular field trip."

"So we're all in agreement?"

"What team?!" Ricky placed his right hand forward.

"Wildcats!" Everyone joined in to the huddle and placed their hands on top of Ricky's.

"What team?!"

"Wildcats!"

"What team?!"

"Wildcats!"

"Wildcats!" Ricky yelled the school's fictional mascot.

"Get'cha Head in the game!" Everyone cheered.


"Howie really looks good as Prince Adam." Kourtney whispered to Nini.

The Drama department used their invitations to get inside the hall where the Menkie awards were taking place. The first part of the ceremony was witnessing the different participating drama departments of the west coast perform a specific number from their respective musical plays before the actual awarding ceremony is held.

Currently on stage were the students of North High, performing the last song and dance number of their production, Beauty and the Beast, the waltz between Prince Adam and Belle after everything has been resolved. They can see Howie as Prince Adam dancing the waltz with Lily as Belle with the other cast members doing the same to the tune of the song 'Beauty and the Beast'.

"You've got to admit, Lily is the stereotypical Disney princess." Ashlyn observed.

"Ashlyn."

"No, I get it, I know I nailed my part," Ashlyn assured her fellow drama kids. "But don't you guys agree?"

"I mean sure," Gina nodded. "She may look like a Disney Princess, but she can't capture the character of one."

"Apart from Howie and Antoine, most of them really feel hollow when they sing their songs," Seb pointed out. "Even when Lily was auditioning with us, her voice felt hollow when she sang her songs, even with the warm-up."

"You noticed that too?" Ashlyn asked. "I thought it was just me."

"No, she really feels hollow when she sings her songs." Seb nodded.

"Even Ricky's awkward 'Bet On It' had more heart than her singing Belle." Ashlyn grinned.

"Oh it's because that I don't think she's all that bad, you're going to make fun of me too?" Ricky raised an eyebrow.

"Look, Ricky, just because she confessed her undying love to your big round eyes and big brown hair, does not mean she isn't the Queen of Mean." Big Red explained.

"Besides Kourtney is definitely dating Howie, and you don't see us harping on her." Nini grinned.

"Face it, Ricky, We all think Lily's bad news." EJ squeezed the younger boy's shoulders.

"You definitely could do better than her." Gina smirked firing his words back at him.

"Beauty and the Beast." The last note was sung as everyone on stage curtsied in front of the audience.

"Thank you North High!" The Emcee expressed, we will have a thirty-minute intermission to give a chance for South High to place their props on stage."

Everyone stood up from their seats and began exiting the room.


From the castle aesthetic that North High presented, South High's set was that of a cave with small portions of the stage decorated like modern-day cities to middle-aged castles.

South High performed 'A Friend Like Me' with a lot of costume changes for Aladdin from his street rat attire to a sultan's robes heck there was even a time when he wore a knight's armor to wearing the beast's clothes from 'Beauty and the Beast'

"Now this is an entertaining number," Carlos grooved with the song. "Didn't think South High had a very high concept for 'A Friend Like Me'." He praised.

"It also makes sense, considering the genie's powers." Ashlyn nodded.

"They also won't be disqualified despite showing Princess Jasmine in the number as it can be argued that it's part of the genie's pitch."

The Aladdin on stage somehow ended up wearing just his harem pants and somehow chained to some rocks.

"So dont'cha sit there slack-jawed, buggy-eyed. I'm here to answer all your midday prayers." The shirtless Genie sang as he helped the equally shirtless Aladdin pull on the chains and break him free from his restraints.

"You got a genie for your chargé d'affaires. I got a powerful urge to help you out."

Smoke came out as the words were sung before another purple waistcoat dropped from above and landing on the Aladdin actor's head.

"I have to hand it to South High, they're creative."

"Shouldn't they be disqualified for the number of dance breaks they have?" Big Red asked.

"Technically, no," Carlos answered. "They did not alter the original script, they just made the number longer than how it normally is."

"Considering the number of outfit changes their Aladdin does in this number," Kourtney snorted. "The number of dance breaks is justified."

"Besides, we're almost at the end of the number." EJ pointed out.

Somehow Aladdin was now hand standing on top of Genie, who was also standing on top of an elevated uneven platform.

"Thank you South High!" The Emcee announced. "We will have another thirty-minute intermission to allow West High to set their set pieces and props.

"I have to say, I enjoyed South High's performance over North High's." Carlos offered. "Their number was enjoyable."

"A shame we decided to check the copycats over South's." Natalie lamented.

"We still have West High to go," Ashlyn reminded. "Maybe they have a better performance than South's?"


From the cave-like setting of South High's production, what was on stage were mock-up street lamps and some cardboard houses and at the center was a replica of the Notre Dame church, or at least the front is near identical to the church's entrance.

"Either it's 'Sanctuary' or 'Tupsy Turvy'." EJ guessed.

As soon as the first note was sounded and a man in jester's outfit slid on stage, it instantly clued everyone in on the song number.

As soon as the words started coming in, more and more of the ensemble dancers filed on stage from the back and both wings, dressed like circus performers. Some dancers came out of hiding from behind the cardboard houses, dressed as a commoner of the era.

Not a moment longer, the star of the show, the Hunchback showed trying to get away from the crowd but was thwarted at every turn.

"Their costumes are very creative and stylish." Kourtney praised.

'That's high praise coming from you, Kourt!" Nini exclaimed.

"Their dancers are also good," Gina agreed.

"Their set pieces are also humble," Big Red observed. "They made them work for their scene."

"Even their Judge Frollo looks stylish despite wearing only formal robes." Carlos praised.

"I think even without us competing, North High is going to have a hard time winning against them." Natalie commented.

"How is Ms. Jenn handling this?"

Everyone looked at Carlos, considering she was his chosen godmother.

"Ever since we decided to drop out of the competition, she's been calm, I think the other competition that North High is up against makes her happy." Carlos offered his guess.

The number soon ended with Quasimodo on top of an elevated platform standing on the throne wearing a golden crown and a purple cape.

"Thank you West High, we will have a fifteen-minute intermission, to give time for West High to remove their set-pieces." The emcee announced.


The winners for each category had been announced, with the awards being dominated by North High. They won best set design, best lighting, best ensemble performance, best costume design, best director, and best leading actress

South High won two awards best choreography and best orchestrations.

West High won one award best leading actor.

"Of course, North High is going to win most of the categories!" Carlos huffed.

"I mean, we've only seen one number from the other two schools." Big Red offered.

"Still, I was hoping that they wouldn't sweep at the awards," Carlos sighed. "I wonder how mother is doing."

"And for the Alan Menken Award for Excellence in High School Musical Theater goes to…" The emcee trailed off to create some tension.

Suddenly, some people wearing suits appeared on stage and began whispering at the emcee.

"Looks like, we'll just have to wait," The emcee awkwardly laughed. "We'll have another thirty-minute intermission."

As everyone murmured among themselves, the East High Drama club members looked at each other, equally confused as the other members of the audience.

"What do you think happened?" Ricky couldn't help but ask.

"Maybe they had a Miss Universe situation?" Seb offered. "When they mistakenly printed or announced the wrong winner, and looked to correct it?"

"It'd be cruel to the competitors who thought they had won tho." Nini offered her opinion.

"That's just the sad reality." Gina nodded as if remembering something in the past.

"Are you okay, Gi?" EJ questioned his girlfriend, concerned.

"I'm alright, just remembering a friend back in elementary, she was announced to be the winner on stage but they were mistaken and immediately announced the correct winner, humiliating her."

"That's horrible!" Ashlyn gasped.

"This was before Jamie decided to walk out on us, and before we were constantly moving from place to place." Gina shared. "Her parents decided to transfer her to a different school immediately after, fearing for their daughter."

"Kids can be cruel sometimes." Carlos huffed.


As soon as everyone was seated, the person who went on stage was not the emcee of the program, but rather one of the suits who was whispering some words to the emcee earlier.

"After careful deliberation, the board of judges and the board of trustees has since decided to disqualify North High from the competition."

Everyone from the audience gasped at the revelation.

"Of course, North High still has time to defend themselves and appeal the decision. In which case, the awards they have won will be promptly awarded back to them. That will be all."

Out of the blue, someone stood up and began marching towards someone and began yelling.

"It was you!" The girl yelled. "You bribed the board to disqualify us from the competition."

"Ms. Wright, sit down right this instant!" Zack marched to his student. "Do not make this very difficult than it already is!" He growled.

"O my god! That's Lily!" Carlos gasped.

"That means…"

"She's yelling at Miss Jenn!"

"Settle your fangs Wildcats." Mr. Mazzara was suddenly beside Natalie. "Let's not make a scene here, your Miss Jenn is an adult, she can handle this on her own."

"Are we talking about the same Ms. Jenn who told Ricky to jump off of something high?" Kourtney couldn't help but whisper to Nini.

"Kourtney!" Nini elbowed her best friend.

"Why are you booing me? I'm right!"

"Bu-"

"What about you Mr. Mazzara?" Ashlyn asked.

"I'm just here not to add any more offenses to your records." The STEM teacher answered.

The said wildcats had the decency to look down and blush at the subtle call out.

"Caswell, you're in charge, do not let them leave their seats."

Both Caswells instantly knew who Mr. Mazzara was referring to. He was referring to the senior.

Mr. Mazzara immediately returned to his seat, besides Ms. Jenn.

From what every Wildcat could see, Lily was still pointing at Ms. Jenn rudely while ranting, and ranting, and ranting. The girl's words were drowned out by the murmurs of everyone in the audience, trying to make sense of the recent turn of events.

Another surprise came by the sight of a white cloth descending from above, and a projection was shown.

First, it showed Ricky Bowen, in his Prince Adam costume conversing with someone behind the camera, from the looks of things he seemed to be conversing with Lily from the blue cloth at the side of the projection.

The next thing the projection showed was the fully packed backstage of the theater, with everyone inside trying to leave in a hurry as if they had forgotten something. The camera soon stabilized as it showed Lily in full view of the camera, with no one else in the vicinity, gently grabbing the harness from where it's preset.

Lily was back behind the camera, as the projection showed the secret exit way of the school.

And the footage ends there.

"It was her?" Natalie growled. "When I get my hands on her!"

Everyone was upset with the revelation. Whispers and cruel looks were sent in Lily's direction.

"Who played the footage without our authorization?!" One of the suits exclaimed at the microphone.

Ricky was shocked. He was speechless. After all the times he had defended her, it turned out that she was the one behind it all. Behind getting yelled at by Ms. Jenn on opening night.

"Dude, are you okay?" Big Red was concerned.

Ricky simply gulped but did not respond to the question.

"Big Red, Kaden, could you two escort Ricky outside? I don't think he should be here." EJ asked.

Kaden and Big Red nodded as they gently hoisted Ricky off of his seat and accompanied the unresponsive boy outside.

"Couldn't believe that North High would sabotage us." Ashlyn gasped.

"I think she's worse than both Gina 1.0 and EJ 1.0" Gina joked.

"Hey!" EJ playfully protested.

Soon enough, Lily was escorted outside the theater with Zack coming along.

"It makes me wonder, did anyone else know?"

"Howie was sitting away from Lily during the show." Kourtney answered.

"Antoine was in front of Howie." Ashlyn supplied. "But he still could have known of it."

"I implore everyone present not to post everything that happened here on social media," One of the suits spoke through the microphone. "The board of trustees is still in the middle of investigating the matter, let us remember that one of the parties involved is a minor."

There were murmurs of agreement.

"I'll give the floor back to the Emcee to award the special awards."

"Thank you!" The Emcee went back on stage and continued his duties. "Again, I reiterate the importance of not posting what had happened tonight, remember that one or more parties that were involved are minors," He added. "Since we're postponing the awarding for best musical play for today as investigations are ongoing, let's proceed to the special awards."

The audience cheered.

"Not many people know but the Special Awards are given to participants and non-participants of the bi-annual Menkies competition. In this case, even those whose acts were disqualified because of failing to adhere to the competition's rules and guidelines are still given recognition for their efforts." The Emcee narrated. "I award the Special Award of Undeterred Performance to East High."

The peanut gallery clapped their hands in applause.

"East High may have decided to drop out of the competition, but despite the circumstances of their last scene, they were still able to deliver a stunning performance."

"W-we're getting an award?" Carlos couldn't breathe.

"Who should go with Ms. Jenn?"

"Carlos and Ashlyn." EJ decided for the group. "Ashlyn was our lead and Carlos was the one who steps up whenever Ms. Jenn is otherwise occupied.

"What about you? This is the last chance for you to be on stage with an award." Ashlyn questioned.

"I meant what I said a week ago, Ash," EJ smiled at his cousin. "I've basked in my share of spotlights, it's your turn to do the same."

"Aww EJ."

"Shall we, Belle?"

"We shall, Lumiere."

Ms. Jenn, Carlos, and Ashlyn all shared one hug before climbing on stage to receive the award.

"We will always be grateful for this award, but I must say, the reason we dropped out of the competition, even though we have already finished our opening night, was because of how much about the competition has dictated our work ethic." Ms. Jenn started her spiel. "The students and I pushed each other beyond our limits, which lead to few accidents."

Ashlyn raised her hand that still had her bedazzled braces.

"As the competition got intense, the students were filled with a sense of paranoia that led to them trespassing North High property on the assumption that they stole one of our costumes, which their director did, but that's not the point." Ms. Jenn continued. "On opening night, as soon as we realized that our harness was missing, I had told our male lead to jump off, even when he had literally done the same weeks before our opening, which lead to the accidents I mentioned before." She admitted.

Mr. Mazzara looked at Ms. Jenn with proud eyes, proud for admitting her mistakes and flaws.

"As we let the idea of winning the competition get into our heads, we did not realize that we had already forgotten why theater exists in schools. We had forgotten that it was to be a safe place for everyone in the performing arts, where no one would judge them if they put themselves out there, where everyone is accepted for who they are."

Ricky, Big Red, and Kaden returned to their seats they looked confused as to what was happening.

"What's going on? Why're Ms. Jenn, Carlos, and Ashlyn on stage?" Ricky spoke the question.

"Right," Seb nodded. "We were just awarded a special award for undeterred performance because we were still able to make the show go on despite Lily's theft."

EJ tapped Seb's shoulder in disapproval.

"O-ooh!" Ricky's eyes widened.

"Wait, I thought we dropped out of the competition?" Big Red couldn't help but ask.

"It's a special award given to participants and non-participants of the competition." Nini supplied.

"Our moral compass had been compromised as soon as we let the competition get into our heads. That's why we, as a group, unanimously decided to drop out of the competition." Miss Jenn ended her spiel.

"Belle, any words?" Ms. Jenn gave the microphone to the lead.

"What Ms. Jenn said was true, apart from our moral compass, we also had forgotten the one most important thing about theater."

"And that's being with your people." Carlos supplied. "Chemistry on stage says a lot about the actors who play the characters. If one castmate is uncomfortable with one of the leads, then that reflects negatively to the show, no matter how skilled of a singer, dancer, or actor you are."

"We must admit, we were confused as to why we were invited to witness the ceremonies when we dropped out of the competition." Ashlyn supplied.

"But we thank the board of judges of the Menkies for gracing us with this award!" Ms. Jenn raised the trophy. "Wildcats, this is for us."

Ashlyn, Carlos, and Ms. Jenn nodded at each other.

"What team?" Ms. Jenn stated to the microphone.

"WILDCATS!" All the wildcats present responded.

"Once again, thank you to the Menkies's board of judges and trustees for giving us this award." Ms. Jenn gave a last-minute sentence of appreciation before she and her students walked off stage.

"Thank you, East High, for that moving speech," The Emcee praised. "Now to award the Special Award for Costumes and Design, I give this award to West High!"

Everyone clapped as Carlos and Ashlyn went back to their seats.

"You know, it should've been Carlos and Gina, or Carlos and EJ on stage," Ashlyn stated. "I agree that Carlos should've been with Ms. Jenn, but Ej, that was literally your last chance to be on stage as an East High student."

"If it means that my cousin would be in the spotlight, I'll take it." EJ shrugged.

"You know, it would've been appropriate if our leads were the ones on stage." Rico offered his opinion.

"Ricky would have stomped down the idea, fast, if he was here when we were awarded, "Nini stated thoughtfully. "He had always hated change, and seeing his face projected onscreen was one change too many for him to handle, right Ricky?"

The boy in question simply nodded in response.

"You say that, but out of all of us, he's the one who changed the most," Kourtney offered. "Barring you, EJ, and Gina of course."

"Hey!" EJ protested. "No need to call us out like that?!"

Kourtney simply raised an eyebrow at the reaction.

"Now before we end the ceremonies," The Emcee called everyone's attention. "Let's all view the highlights of East High's production, Beauty and the Beast."

"I think Mr. Mazzara may have known that we were getting an award," EJ whispered to his castmates. "He had asked one of the A/V club members to capture our performance on video.

"Once Upon a Time, in a faraway land," The voice of Mr. Mazzara's faux British accent blared through the speakers of the theater.

Everyone watched as Steph walked on screen as the Enchantress who cursed Prince Adam to become the beast, whose transformation into a grotesque figure was quick and jaw-dropping.

The next number was 'Belle' with Ashlyn as Belle roaming around the stage, singing the song.

It was followed by 'Gaston' where EJ as Gaston was on top of the table while the other dancers spin it in its place as he sang the song while Big Red as Lefou was under the table jiving to the song.

The next thing shown was the 'Be Our Guest' number and it began with Carlos as Lumiere and Ashlyn as Belle standing spotlighted before the faux doors behind them opened to reveal the moving utensils.

Followed by the 'Something There' number where both Belle and Beast sang their thoughts together of each other. It also showed the chemistry between the actors on stage.

Followed by the 'Mob song' number where EJ as Gaston was on top of an elevated platform and egging on the villagers as a young-looking Maurice was thrown into a cart followed by Belle before he and the villagers marched to the castle.

The next scene that came up on the projector was how Gaston stabbed the Beast in the back before the assailant himself fell backstage. Followed by the transformation scene where the Beast was lying on a table before the lights went out and focused on the glowing rose cutout at the far end of the stage.

As soon as the lights went back, the Beast was back to being Prince Adam, standing on top of the spinning table.

The last scene to be featured was the waltz between Ricky and Ashlyn as Adam and Belle respectively, with Belle wearing the golden dress that the character was known for.

The lights went out momentarily before it returned, the waltz continued amongst the dancers but with the leads absent.

The ensemble dancers bowed first before Babbette and Lumiere walked on stage together, bowed at the audience, and joined the dancers in dancing the waltz.

Mrs. Potts and Chip followed the former feather duster and former candelabra and imitated their actions as soon as they were on stage.

The mother-son duo was followed by Cogsworth and the Enchantress, then by Gaston and Lefou, and lastly, Adam and Belle.

After the entire cast bowed, the video presentation ended.

"Give it up for, East High!" The Emcee announced.

Everyone clapped their hands as soon as they were prompted as two spotlights shone on East High's drama department in the audience and one on Ms. Jenn.

"They're the ones who got their presentation sabotaged, right?" Natalie could hear the people whispering.

"It didn't even look like they had a problem at all!"

"It's a shame that they dropped out of the competition."

"I know, if what they said on that speech was true, and still able to perform admirably well, then they're true professional actors in the making."

"I don't know, we've only seen a few numbers from their production," Another one played devil's advocate. "They could have made blunders on the numbers we never saw."

"That may be true, but I'm sure the transformation scene at the end was where the harness that girl took was supposed to come into play, judging from how they handled that, I'd say excellent marks."

"I suggest that you stop listening to the conversation." Someone from Natalie's back whispered to her. "You'll miss the moment."

Natalie turned around, but she couldn't tell who was the one whispering to her earlier.

"I thought you said the transformation was just passable!" Nini exclaimed to Kourtney.

"It really just looked passable!" Kourtney defended herself.

"Are you kidding?! It was incredible!" EJ exclaimed.

"Congratulations, dude." Big Red congratulated his best friend. "I'm sorry about Lily

"We did warn you," Gina offered. "I just did not think she'd be much worse than EJ 1.0 and Gina 1.0 combined."

"We weren't that bad, right?" EJ's voice cracked.

"You did steal, but you guys eventually returned what you stole." Ashlyn laid down the facts.

"For the record, I did not steal the phone."

"True, you just deleted a voice message." Nini reminded him.

"Oh c'mon!" EJ exclaimed. "I thought I was forgiven."

"Forgive, but never forget."

"I'm going to steal that, girl!" Kourtney smirked.


The day after the Menkies, Ms. Jenn called for an emergency meeting with the drama department. She arrived with everyone already assembled in the rehearsal room.

"So what's the emergency?"

"Has anyone seen the video North High posted on their Instagram?" Ms. Jenn questioned her students.

"What?"

Everyone fished for their phones and immediately went to their former rival's Instagram page.

"Hello, this is Zack Roy." Zack's face was on everyone's phone as soon as the video clip started. "You have heard right, I have encouraged my students to do what it takes to win any and every competition they set their sights on," The man maintained a stoic appearance. "It was up to them to give themselves the advantage they need. I never thought that my students would stoop so low to steal an actor's harness during their opening night."

Everyone was glued to their phones as they processed the apology video that North High posted.

"As such, I deeply apologize for what my students did."

"He wasn't sincere." Natalie commented.

"He's taking everyone down with Lily?" Kourtney scoffed. "How dare he?!"

"Didn't he also steal our mask?!" Carlos growled.

"With the North High's apology video, it confirms that they have been completely disqualified from the Menkies with no hope of appealing their case." Ms. Jenn informed the group. "As such, the Menkies board of trustees has emailed the other participating schools' drama teachers and principals of their verdict with what to do."

"What action did they take?" Gina couldn't help but ask.

"First, they revoked their decision to award Lily of the best leading actress, with no school wanting the award in the once it was vacated."

"W-why wouldn't anyone want to get that?" Big Red and Ricky were confused.

"Because, it'd basically be admitting that you're just leagues below someone else, that and you just won on a technicality." Carlos explained to newbies of theater.

"The winner for the Alan Menken Award for Excellence in High School Musical Theater was supposed to be North High." Ms. Jenn added. "They were supposed to receive $50,000 in check as the school's reward, with North High's offense, the Menkies board decided to split the $50,000 reward money amongst all the participating schools, even to the ones who were disqualified and those who dropped out of the competition."

"How much do we get?" EJ couldn't help but ask.

EJ was in the drama club for four years straight, he was aware of how much the drama club was receiving in terms of money. It was a wonder how they were able to produce Beauty and the Beast, the first time.

"There were 20 participating schools for the bi-annual Menkies awards, barring North High, there'd be 19 left." Ms. Jenn stated.

"If we count North High, each school will get $2,500." EJ answered casually.

"No, with North High's offenses, they're excluded from the count." Ms. Jenn shook her head.

"If we only count the 19 schools, then each school would receive $2,630." Ashlyn calculated.

"You rounded the answer off to the nearest tens," EJ casually pointed out. "Leaving a $30 excess."

"I mean, would you give each school the very exact change up to the last cent?" Ashlyn questioned.

"Wait for a second, you both do math?" Carlos couldn't help but ask the Caswell cousins. "How come we were never aware of this?!" He demanded.

"It's not like we were hiding it." Ashlyn shrugged.

"EJ's literally the senior class treasurer," Big Red pointed out. "But even I can't do math that quick."

"Neither can I and I'm an assistant manager." Kourtney raised her hands.

"That's how the money's going to be divided ideally, with the $30 given to the school North High tried to sabotage, us."

"If only that would come true." Gina sighed.

"At the very least, East High will get $2630 from the money that North High was supposed to win." EJ reported.

"At least the department will have some budget for the fall musical." Ms. Jenn sighed in relief.

The school bell suddenly rang.

"Okay, wildcats, that will be all, please return here after school and we'll decide on some things." Ms. Jenn dismissed her students.


"Ms. Jenn, EJ can't make it this afternoon," Ashlyn informed the drama teacher. "He has one last WaterPolo match before he can finally focus on final exams."

"That's okay, I wanted everyone but EJ today." Ms. Jenn smiled at the Caswell.

"Wait, Why?"

"We're doing a graduation party for our Gaston." Ms. Jenn announced. "So anyone got any ideas?"

"I may have a few." Gina volunteered.