Starburst

Chapter 7: Self Control, Where Are You?

Wow, it's August, time for another monthly update of 'Starburst'! Buckle up, Wildcats because from this point forth it's all about testing the Golden Trio's patience and self-control. (More on Cress and EJ's case than Ten's)

Disclaimer: I do not own 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' or Ten from "Weightless". Ten and Jeonghan belong to my friend @zealous_light. I only own my original characters. Enjoy the chapter.

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The morning after,

"Morning Ten and Ashlyn. Where's E?" Cress asked, approaching Ten and Ashlyn.

"He left early to drive Nini to school today." Ten answered.

"Up front." Ashlyn spotted her cousin leaning against Ten's locker sulking.

"Caswell, what are you doing here?" Ten stopped in front of his neighbor.

"Go away." EJ huffed in response.

"You're in front of my locker, you fool." Ten pointed out, as EJ stepped aside.

"What's wrong, bud?" Cress asked, concerned.

"Miss Jenn added a kiss scene between Troy and Gabriella." EJ grumbled out loud.

"Eww, why would anyone want to kiss Bowen?" Cress's face wrinkled into an expression of disgust. She's sure her lips would shrivel and fall off her face when put even a mere foot near Bowen's mouth.

"Nini apparently used to at some point." Ten mumbled softly, loud enough to be heard by Cress.

"As an ethical serial dater, even I draw the line at kissing an ex." She shook her head.

"You made out with your ex at prom last year. Twice." EJ drily rebuffed.

"The difference is Charlie from the Chess Team was hot and Bowen is not." Cress refuted by holding up a hand, "But this is not about me right now. It's about you, E."

Ten tried his best not to look disturbed by Cress's endless dating life (or uh at least whoever has been in her Kiss List) and focus on EJ's woes instead.

"She's trying to ignite the sparks!" EJ moped.

"How do you even ignite sparks? For a fire without any tools? In the middle of a rain? Right in the center of a flood? At the bottom of the ocean? On Neptune? Hurling towards the Black Hole?" Cress wondered out loud.

'Each line is getting more exaggerated than the last. She must REALLY dislike Ricky Bowen,' Ten decided. He's seen her dislike other people before, but Bowen by far takes the biggest cake.

"He's trying to break us up. It's ridiculous." EJ exclaimed; his worries are starting to get the worst in him.

"I know that, and he's a fool for doing so." Ten took his books out from his locker before shutting it, "I understand that you don't want to lose her."

"If he does, I will start breaking bones." Cress declared, raising a fist to emphasize her point, "I broke Bryce from the Bookstore's nose once, I would be THRILLED to do it again with Bowen. I can do it FOR FREE!"

"Cress, don't. We are better than that." Ten intervened. He loves his friends, he really does. But Cress is the type to 'Act First' and 'Consequences Later'.

"Back to my point, you have to trust that she'll stay with you." Ten slung his bag over his shoulder, "Isn't communication essential in relationships? You can always talk to her."