LEMONADE | Ricky Bowen

6

LENNON RAE PHILLIPS

I was stalling walking towards the auditions, I didn't want to go and I could already hear the music coming from the stage, a soft hum of numbers counting, probably steps to a dance.

I'd tip toed round the next door to my right and to my surprise the classroom was empty apart from Mr. Mazzara. He was leant over a computer bashing it's system to get it to unfreeze.

"You a bit of a high school musical fan?" I scoffed swinging round the door frame only for my angle to be adjusted and from behind Mr. Mazzara appeared an anxious and time weary Ricky.

The teacher looked up at me with a scowl but it must've been the escape that Ricky was looking for.

"This is my nightmare" Mr. Mazzara grumbled under his breath and I couldn't help but laugh, neither of them looked impressed.

"Look I've really gotta go but if you get the DVD out just know I borrowed it-" Ricky shot me a glare as he stood forward with his guitar "-from the library-" the boy added gritting his teeth with guilt "-without checking it out."

The boy shot into a sprint and just before he barged past me he shouted to Mr. Mazzara,

"Wish me luck!"

I shot the teacher a scowl as he hit me slightly in his attempt to sprint through the door. It was a look that basically asked what the hell was going on.

"Theatre kids" mumbled Mr. Mazzara with an eye roll and in realisation I gasped.

Was Ricky Bowen really heading to the auditions?

"Ricky!" I shouted after him breaking out into a run to catch up with him but he was in full sprint.

I ran a corner and nearly smashed into a group of seniors before I saw the opening of the theatre door.

"Am I too late!" I hear him shouting and then he repeats it again but I'm running so fast I smash into the door and completely miss what the drama teacher had said back to him.

Literally everyone in the theatre paused to look at me, their mouths parted. Even Ricky stopped his mad run to look at me with a scowl, he was definitely confused.

Nini was on stage probably ready for her audition, I couldn't help but scan the rest of the audience they were a weird bunch of people. Some I really wouldn't have expected.

E.J cheered for Nini rather ill timed because the new drama teacher almost had a heart attack and threw up her coffee splashing its contents down upon the light board.

Everything went dark, so I took it as my time to slide into one of the seats at the back of the theatre so that I wasn't stood awkwardly and I could slouch to watch the end of the auditions.

Nini sang, impressive to say the least but the scenario around the situation made it cringe and the fact she managed to keep a straight face with two phone flash lights glaring at her was... talent.

"You! Late boy! Let's do the Chad sides."

Aw the poor boy really thought he was going to get Troy Bolton, it almost made me laugh when his head dropped. Against E.J, the narcissist, he had next to no chance.

"Hey there, I'm Ricky Bowen" he introduced awkwardly glancing between the teacher and the script he had in his hand.

Big Red had just entered the theatre and shot me a confused look, instead of saying another word he slide across into the seat next to me and put his thumbs up to Ricky who smiled.

"What's he doing?" I hissed across at Big Red who was just as shocked as me that I was talking to him.

"He thinks this is how he's gonna win back the girl" Big Red laughed motioning his head to towards Nini.

At this point I'd completely blanked out Rickys audition and was now in full thought about how I was going to tell the principal that I just didn't audition.

"What are YOU doing here?" Big Red hissed across at me and I laughed.

"Punishment" I replied and he nodded along before looking up. Big Red shot from his seat to pass Ricky his guitar.

For some reason I jumped up too and followed so I was at the foot of stage.

"He can sing?" I asked Big Red in shock and he chuckled and looked up to his best friend who strummed upon the guitar with ease.

As his audition came to an end, whoever was on the piano hit a few keys to show off and I couldn't even help it but laugh.

"Thank you" Clapped the drama teacher who looked towards the group and then made eye contact with me "late girl!"