Two days before opening night, Katy and Ava rush belatedly into the auditorium for rehearsals.
Ava: We're so sorry, Ms. Starr!
Katy: Our last class ran late.
Kira: It's okay, girls. But I'm glad that you're here now, because I have some bad news.
Katy: What happened?
Kira: Our Romeo quit, and none of our understudies know the part.
Katy: Oh no!
Ava: What're we gonna do?
Kira: That's what I'm trying to figure out. The show will go on, I promise. I just…don't know how.
The girls look dejected, until Katy's face lights up.
Katy: Wait, Ms. Starr. Do you mind if…I play the part of Romeo?
Kira: I wouldn't mind at all, but…are you sure, Katy? It's a big role to take on at such a short notice.
Katy: I'm sure. I've been helping Ava with her lines, so I've already got a good feel for the character.
Kira: Okay, I guess it's settled then! Katy, you stick with me so I can help you get ready for the dress rehearsal tomorrow. Ava, I want you to do a run through of all your scenes with the nurse, okay?
Ava: Got it!
She turns to Katy before she leaves with Ms. Starr.
Ava: I can't believe that just happened!
Katy: Hey, the show must go on, right? I guess I'll be seeing you later.
She exits with a wink, leaving Ava flustered.
Ava: I…yeah!
Alex sneaks up behind her.
Alex: A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet…
Ava pushes him jokingly.
Ava: Oh, stop it.
[Theme song interlude]
Kira: Great work today, everyone! Make sure you're ready for the dress rehearsal tomorrow!
Ava, Alex, River, and Katy all head out together.
River: Congrats on the new part, Katy! I'm sure you're gonna do great.
Katy: Thanks, River! How's all the behind the scenes stuff going?
River: Oh, it's a piece of cake! But I love it, I can't believe I didn't join theatre sooner.
Ava: What about you, Alex? How's the stage manager life treating you?
Alex: It's a lot to take in, honestly. But I'm learning a lot, and it doesn't even feel like work.
River: And I think the head stage manager is grateful to have an excuse to slack off again.
Alex: He is trusting me with a lot more stuff now…
Ava: Only because you clearly know what you're doing! I've seen how hard you're working, and I think you're doing great.
Alex: [smiling] Thanks, Aves.
Katy: Well, I'd better get going. I've got a lot of practicing to do tonight. I'll see you all tomorrow?
River: Yup!
Ava: See you later.
Alex: Break a leg!
Katy walks off with a smile as the others wave.
River: I should head home too. But Alex, you said I can meet your Uncle Dez soon right?
Alex: Yeah, he's coming to opening night!
River: Awesome! I can't wait. Later, guys!
Alex: Later!
Ava: Bye.
As River leaves, Alex turns to Ava.
Alex: Something up?
Ava: Oh, just…nervous, I guess.
Alex: About the whole Katy as Romeo thing?
Ava nods.
Alex: Don't be, Aves! She clearly likes you, and you guys are going to put on an amazing show together.
Ava: Thanks. I just can't stop worrying that somehow…I'll mess everything up. That I'll ruin the show, or make Ms. Starr disappointed, or that Katy's gonna hate me...
Alex: I know what'll snap you out of it.
Ava: What?
Alex: For a minute there, you were starting to sound like me. And I thought I was supposed to be the designated worry wart of the family.
Ava laughs despite herself.
Ava: Thanks, Lex. I needed that.
That night, Ava sits by herself in the practice room reading through her script. There's a soft knock at the door.
Ava: [not looking up from her book] Come in.
Ally enters, followed by Austin.
Ally: Hey, sweetie. Alex told us what happened with the show.
Austin: We just wanted to check in and make sure you were okay.
They sit across from her as Ava closes her script and shifts in her seat.
Ava: I'm fine, I promise. Just a little nervous.
Austin: Hey, that's totally understandable.
Ally: I mean, your first kiss is coming up soon, that's a huge deal! Have you talked to Katy about how you want to go about it?
Ava: Not really…I guess I probably should, huh?
Ally: It's all up to you.
Austin: But it might make things a little less awkward if you both know what to expect.
Ava: [musing] You're right. Hey, what were your guys' first kisses like?
Ally: [smiling fondly] Well, mine was with your Dad. We had just finished performing a duet together onstage. What was yours, Austin? I don't think you ever told me.
Austin: What do you mean? I had my first kiss that night too.
Ally: Aw, really? I never knew.
Ava: Thanks for coming to check on me, guys. I think I'm ready for the dress rehearsal tomorrow.
Ally reaches over to squeeze her hand.
Ally: We know you are.
Austin: And we'll be right there in the audience, cheering you on. We'll even bring a huge "Team Ava" sign.
Ava: Please don't.
They all laugh as they come in for a group hug.
The next day, Katy approaches Ava in the auditorium just before the dress rehearsal, wearing her Romeo costume.
Katy: Hey, can you come with me for a sec?
Ava: Sure – oh!
Katy takes her by the hand and leads her out of the auditorium into an empty classroom, where she sits on top of one of the desks.
Katy: I think you should kiss me.
Ava: W-what?
Katy: Sorry, that came out kind of strong. I just think…for the first time, we should kiss in private. Rather than trying to figure it out onstage with everyone watching.
Ava: [shakily] Okay.
Katy places a gentle hand on Ava's cheek and runs her fingers through her hair. Ava gets lost in her eyes until they flutter shut, with their lips softly touching. They break apart with shy smiles.
Katy: Perfect.
They stay for a moment in comfortable silence.
Ava: We should…probably go back.
Katy: Okay.
As they turn to leave, Katy turns back around and pecks Ava on the lips again.
Katy: Once more for good luck!
She floats off and Ava watches with a giddy smile.
Back in the auditorium, Ms. Starr turns to Katy and Ava as they enter.
Kira: There you are, girls! I was wondering. Hurry backstage so we can get started.
As they head backstage, Ms. Starr takes a seat in the audience next to Alex, who holds a clipboard.
Kira: Lights!
River gives a thumbs-up from the electrical booth and turns on the stage lights.
Kira: And curtain!
The curtain rises and the actor playing the Narrator steps out.
Narrator: Two households, both alike in dignity…
The scene changes to opening night of Romeo and Juliet. Austin, Ally, Dez, Carrie, Trish, and Chuck step into the entryway of the school auditorium, which is decorated with fairy lights and photos of the cast.
Austin: Wow, Kira really went all out!
Ally: Yeah, this place looks amazing!
Trish: We're gonna go find our seats. You guys coming with?
Ally: That's okay. Austin and I wanted to say hello to some of the other kids' parents.
Trish: Okay!
Trish and Chuck walk into the auditorium. Dez and Carrie go to follow, but they're stopped by River as they come flying out of the stage door.
River: [breathing heavily] Alex told me you were here! Are you Dez Wade?
Dez: That's me! You must be the River we've heard so much about.
Carrie's eyes go wide.
Carrie: All this time I thought he was friends with an actual body of water.
Dez: I'll explain it to you later, babe. See you after the show, River?
River: Okay!
Dez opens his arms and hugs River before they run back towards the stage door. They meet Austin and Ally's eyes with an elated grin, and Austin gives them an amused thumbs-up.
Kira: Austin, Ally, I'm so glad you could make it!
She hugs both of them briefly.
Ally: We wouldn't miss Ava's big night for anything!
Austin: Or Alex's. You should hear him talking about this show, he's been having a blast!
Kira: Well, so am I. This is a great group of kids, and Alex has been a huge help.
A blonde woman sneaks up and hugs Kira from behind, sneaking a kiss on her cheek.
Cassidy: Hi, baby!
Kira: Oh, hey, you! Guys, this is my wife, Cassidy.
Austin: Cassidy, from the Melody Diner?
Cassidy: The very same! How've you been, blondie?
Austin: I've been great! It's good to see you again, but…how did this happen, exactly?
Kira: Oh, so I moved out to California to go to college. I went to this music festival one night, where Cass and her band were performing.
Cassidy: I got her backstage passes, and the rest is history.
Austin: Aw, that's awesome!
Ally: Good for you guys!
Another man comes up and intervenes in the conversation.
Dallas: Excuse me, are you Ms. Starr?
Kira reaches out to shake his hand.
Kira: That's me! And you must be…
Dallas: I'm Dallas, Katy's dad.
Ally: Wait, Dallas?!
Dallas: Ally?! Is that you?
Ally: It's me! Wow, you look incredible!
Dallas: So do you! I can't believe how long it's been.
Ally: Me either! I'm sure you remember Austin.
Austin and Dallas shake hands.
Dallas: Of course. Great to see you, man! I gotta say, I'm surprised the two of you ended up together.
Cassidy nods in agreement, but Kira interjects.
Kira: [jokingly] I'm not.
The group laughs.
Kira: Well, I better go and make sure everyone's ready. But you guys enjoy the show!
Mumbles of thanks and good-byes persist as the group breaks apart. Soon, Austin and Ally are the only ones left. Austin offers his arm to Ally as she snuggles up to his side, and they walk into the auditorium together.