Oliver still couldn't believe that Ricky showed up. Yeah, he was happy his best friend was there, but part of him was a bit upset with him for ruining that moment he had with Gina. Oliver had a interesting morning, getting woken up because of Carlos doing his morning routine. After a talk with Ricky, Oliver found out that he broke up with Lily because she took the Beast mask. Oliver wasn't surprised Lily was the one who took it, but he was glad Ricky broke up with Lily, he never liked the blonde. And then Carlos, Oliver, and Ricky were concerned about Jet, who had been laying on his back staring at the ceiling with no response for awhile. He was breathing and blinking so they assumed he was okay.

Oliver was now at the barn where the auditions were being held and he was getting prepared for auditions. He had a lyric sheet in hand, going over the lyrics of the songs that he had to sing. When he overheard a familiar laugh, he looked up and looked to his right, watching as Gina and Ricky talked with each other and for some reason he felt a sting of hurt, especially when Ricky made Gina laugh and she playfully shoved him. 

"You know, the curly-haired kid isn't gonna explode no matter how much you glare at him."  He didn't even realize he had been glaring at Ricky until someone caught him red-handed. 

Oliver looks over to his left where he heard someone speaking to him, his harsh gaze softening after he recognized that voice. "Blythe?" 

Blythe smiles at him. "Hi, Oliver."

-ˏˋOliver stands outside of the barn, grinning at the camera. "I can't believe she's here! I haven't seen her in three years." He admits. "Her dad is in the army so she doesn't really stay in one place for long, but luckily she was able to stay in Salt Lake for all of middle school." He frowns. "But then her dad got moved to an army base somewhere across the country and since it's just the two of them she had to go with him." He smiles excitedly. "Now it looks like she'll be here for the summer which is very exciting. I can't wait to introduce her to Gina. I think they'll get along well since they both love dancing." He then starts fiddling with one of the rings he wore, looking nervous. "Or at least I hope they get along well." ˎˊ-

Oliver laughs in disbelief, shaking his head and pulls her in for a hug. "I can't believe you're here. I haven't seen you since middle school." 

"Yeah," Blythe hugs him back, looking guilty about having to move, but then she smiles again as she pulls away from the hug. "My dad was moved to an army base near here and so I was able to come to camp this summer." 

"I'm glad you're here." Oliver admits, looking at her with a smile. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Blythe nodded.

The two childhood friends were too busy conversing to see Gina watching the scene from afar with a confused look on her face. "Oh, that's Blythe." Ricky informs Gina after noticing the confusion on her face. Gina glances at him with furrowed eyebrows. "Yeah, Ollie and Blythe were close friends in middle school before she had to move because her dad got stationed at a base across the country. He's in the army."

Gina nods in realization, looking back at her boyfriend and Blythe. "Oh." Seeing them laughing and smiling at each other made her feel a sting of hurt for some reason. 

A blonde-haired girl walks on stage, speaking to everyone with a smile on her face. "Hey, everyone. I'm Val," Everyone grew quiet as she begins to talk and gathers in front of the stage. "And not too long ago, I was just like you, waiting in the wings for my chance at stardom. Then I went to college and my dreams of Broadway were instantly dashed by my Intro-To-Movement professor, who said I wasn't convincing as a human being."

Oliver glances over at Ashlyn with raised eyebrows when the red-haired girl laughs. Then her eyes widen when she realized Val wasn't kidding. "Wow."

"But now I'm a psych major." Val smiles. "And I'm also your choreographer. The director will kick off the auditions in just a moment." 

"Corbin Bleu. Whoo!" Ashlyn cheered. Everyone then dispersed, some continuing to practice, and others talking amongst themselves.

Blythe winces and shakes her head, earning a confused look from Oliver. "What's wrong?" Oliver asked.

"You haven't heard?" Blythe furrows her eyebrows. When Oliver shakes his head in response, Blythe sighs. "When I was catching up with EJ, he confessed that Corbin isn't directing the play, just the show, and that he's the one directing the play." She grimaces when Oliver gasped in shock. "Oops, I said too much."

Oliver's eyes widen. "Wait, what?" Then he grew more surprised and confused after realizing something. "Back up, since when are you and EJ friends?"

"I came to this camp many times before." Blythe responds with a small smile, she glances over at EJ, her smile widening when he locked eyes with her and smiled and waved at her. Blythe waves back at him. "And we've become best friends over the years." 

"Okay that makes more sense." Oliver nods in understanding. He furrows his eyebrows. "But if EJ is directing the show then why hasn't he told me or the rest of his friends?"

"He's probably really nervous about it." Blythe defends EJ. "He has a lot of weight on his shoulders now." Oliver nodded in response. He had to admit he was a bit upset with EJ for not telling him or the others that he was directing the play even though he told Blythe. But he understands why EJ kept it a secret, he probably doesn't want to let his friends down. 

****

"Yo, we are ready." Val announces, walking back to the stage after leaving an office. She stands on the steps that led to the stage. "It is time to introduce you to your director," EJ stands by her on the steps to the stage. "Rocket Man himself, EJ Caswell."

Everyone claps hesitantly, everyone but Oliver and Blythe confused about why Corbin wasn't there. "Act like you know what you're doing." EJ muttered to himself, trying to ease his nerves. He nods. "Act." Val smiled encouragingly at him and stepped to the side as he walked up the steps to stand on the stage.

Ashlyn frowns. "No Corbin Bleu?"

"Sorry, Ash." Oliver sympathetically smiles at her. "It looks like EJ is directing the play and Corbin is directing the show of the play." 

"It's complicated." Blythe chimes in, earning confused looks from Ashlyn, Kourtney, and Carlos. She smiles awkwardly. "Oh, sorry. I'm Blythe. Childhood friend of Oliver and best friends with EJ." 

"Oh." Kourtney smiles. "Nice to meet you. I'm Kourtney. This is Ashlyn, Carlos, and Gina." She points at each of them she introduces, all of them giving Blythe friendly smiles. Kourtney glances around with confusion. "And Ricky is somewhere around here." 

Blythe chuckles and nods. "Nice to meet you all."

Ashlyn smiles. "You too."

"Circle up." EJ announced, gesturing for everyone to gather around the stage.

Everyone circled up, holding each other hands. Oliver stood between Gina and Ashlyn with Kourtney standing by Gina's right side and Blythe was standing by EJ's left side since Val was standing by his right side. 

Blythe had closed her eyes during the moment of silence, opening one eye and looking at EJ with confusion and slight amusement when he suddenly started singing in a high-pitched voice. Oliver shares an amused glance with Gina when EJ started singing. It reminded him of when Miss Jenn did this at auditions. 

"Do you wanna build a snowman? It doesn't have to be a snowman. We used to be best buddies-"

EJ's singing was interrupted by the doors opening. Ricky walks in, wearing a snow suit people would wear when skiing. He grins, raising his arms up. "Frozen time! Let's go." 

Carlos points at Ricky. "Now that's tradition." 

"Where's Mr. Bleu?" Ricky inquired.

****

"Okay, everyone. Let's take some grounding breaths." Val instructs. "And we're off!" 

"For those of you who I technically know, today, you're not Wildcats." EJ comments. "Today, you're a bunch of blank canvases, strangers to me. Today, we've never met."

"Maybe don't talk." Val suggested, earning a sheepish smile from EJ.

Everyone began singing the song 'For The First Time In Forever' which was the audition song. Val would circle around the person who was currently singing, taking notes here and there. While some of the others were singing, everyone else would get their picture taken by Maddox. 

Then the next audition song was 'Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?'. Emmy was up first and Oliver felt bad for her. She was so nervous, but he still thought she did a great job. Then Emmy's best friend, Alex, went next and she did a great job as well. 

Soon everyone had sang and it was time for the scene work auditions. "Where are the scripts?" Kourtney asked EJ.

EJ looks at her with confusion. "Scripts?"

"For the scene work auditions?" Gina chimed in.

"We're doing a show with no script?" Carlos raises his eyebrows. "What is this? 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'?"

"Yo, Mr. Director-man." Ricky calls out. "Where do you want us all to stand?"

"Can everyone just wait one second? Please?" EJ asked with a forced smile and Blythe looked at him with concern, hoping that he was okay since she could tell by the look in his eyes that he was nervous and anxious. Oliver frowned. He could tell EJ was getting overwhelmed with everything and he felt bad for him. 

"What if they all just, uh, acted out the lyrics from the songs?" Maddox suggests. "You know, like a dramatic reading." When no one said anything she nervously smiles. "I don't know. I'm just a stage manager."

"No, that's a great idea." Gina reassured her.

"Yeah," Blythe agrees. She smiles. "Let's do it."

EJ glances at Maddox with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

****

Then everyone had their turn to audition with saying part of the lyrics to the two songs they sang. Oliver had to admit he was a bit more nervous about this than actually auditioning with a script. It was hard to actually say lyrics that were originally sung. Towards the end of Kourtney's turn, the doors opened, causing everyone on stage to turn around. Oliver raised his eyebrows, surprised to see Jet walk in.

"Sorry," Maddox apologizes, crossing her arms. "Auditions started over an hour ago."

"It's okay." EJ reassures Jet, stopping the boy from leaving. He walks forward to stand at the front of the stage, smiling at Jet. "Everyone's welcome to try out."

"I'm not so sure about this." Jet admitted.

"Nobody's judging you." Ricky reassures him, stepping off the stage and walks over to Jet. He hands Jet a lyric sheet he picked up off a nearby chair. "Come on." He pat Jet on the shoulder before he backed up. Everyone had moved away from the circle they formed, all of them now facing Jet. 

"For the first time in forever I'm getting what I'm dreaming of." Oliver smiles when he noticed Ashlyn walking over to the piano. He thought it was sweet she was going to play the piano for Jet while he sung. "A chance to leave my lonely world. A chance to find true love." Jet glances over at Ashlyn with surprise when she started playing and she smiles encouragingly at him. "For the first time in forever we're no longer shut outside. For the first time in forever the gates are open wide. Oh, I know it all ends tomorrow so it has to be today. 'Cause for the first time in forever, for the first time in forever nothing's in my way."

Everyone stared at Jet with shock and surprise as he held the last note for a long time. Well, everyone but Maddox. Oliver noticed she looked annoyed while Jet auditioned which made him confused. He wondered if maybe she didn't like Jet. Ricky is the first one to applaud. He stood up from where he had sat on the steps, smiling from ear to ear as he applauded for Jet. Oliver followed his lead and soon everyone else joined in with cheering and applauding for Jet. 

Ricky walks forward, looking at Jet with surprise. "Dude, are you kidding me?"

Gina walks over to Jet with a smile. "That was so good."

"That was insane." Ricky commented.

Oliver furrowed his eyebrows when Jet threw the lyric sheet onto a nearby table and walked out. Ricky and Gina turn to face everyone and Ricky smiles, pulling up his sleeve. "I have chills." 

****

Later that day, Oliver and Gina were heading to the pool to hang out, their hands intertwined. "Babe, you did amazing." Oliver compliments, smiling softly at hear and she giggles, smiling back at him. "You're definitely gonna get Anna."

"Thanks. You did amazing too." Gina comments and she playfully nudges him. "I bet you're gonna get Kristoff." She beams. "Wouldn't it be great to play lead roles together?"

"Yeah,"  Oliver agrees and he grins. "It'd be really great." His grin fell as nerves and anxiety began to appear. "But I don't think I'll get Kristof." 

"Oh, please." Gina scoffs. "I'm sure you will. You're super talented." She smiles reassuringly at him and squeezes his hand. "Honey, don't worry. You'll get Kristoff." 

Oliver looks like he doesn't believe her, but he still smiles at her. "So, auditions were interesting, right?" He asked, deciding on changing the subject.

"They sure were." Gina chuckles. "You ready to go to the pool?"

"Sure." Oliver smiled.

"Beat there you." Gina challenged, letting go of his hand and took a running start.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Oliver whined, beginning to run after her and he grinned when he heard her giggle.

****

Later that night after hanging out with Gina at the pool, Oliver was walking back to the cabin when he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

"Hey, Ollie!" 

Oliver glances over at Ricky and smiles. "Hey, Rick. What's up?" 

"Just wanted to talk with you." Ricky admits. He smiles. "So, are you excited to see which part you're gonna get?"

"Honestly, yeah." Oliver nods .He bites his lower lip, fiddling with some of the rings he wore. "But I'm also nervous. I don't think I'll get Kristoff, they're a lot of other talented guys here."

"Wait, you're trying out for Kristoff too?" Ricky raises his eyebrows, looking slightly surprised which confused and offended Oliver a bit. He smiles. "That's great! I'm sure you'll get the part, buddy." He encouraged, beginning to walk ahead of Oliver to the cabin.

"Wait," Oliver jogs over to him, looking at him with confusion. "Why did you look surprised I was trying out for the lead?"

"I mean, don't get me wrong you did fantastic the last time you played the lead, but you almost had a panic attack a few times before the show and even during the show." Ricky reminds him. He looks at Oliver with concern. "What if that happens again? That would be kind of embarrassing on national TV. I don't want you to have to go through that."

Oliver stares at him suspisoucsly and crosses his arms. "Why do I get the feeling you don't think I'm good enough to get the lead role of this play?"

"I just don't want you to freak out or anything when you get the part and everything becomes too much for you." Ricky reassured him, trying to avoid actually saying that he didn't think Oliver should get the lead role for this play. Not that he thought Oliver wasn't good enough for it, he was, but Ricky knew that with being the lead role of the play and basically the rest of the summer being recorded for national TV would be all too overwhelming for Oliver. He didn't want that for his best friend. But since Oliver didn't know any of that he took this as an offense and was hurt by Ricky. 

"Whatever," Oliver rolls his eyes. "I think you're just threatened by my talent." 

"You think you're a better singer than me?" Ricky chuckled.

Oliver nods. "Yeah."

"Well, I think I'm a better singer than you." Ricky tells him. He sighs. "How are we gonna figure this out?" 

"Figure what out?" Oliver raised his eyebrows.

"Who's the better singer." Ricky replied.

"You could do a sing a duet of a song and whoever sings it better is the winner?"  A voice suggested but it sounded more like a question.

The two best friends look over to their right with surprise, not realizing that EJ was now standing by them, looking at them with a sheepish smile. He was confused as to why the two best friends were suddenly fighting, but he hoped maybe his suggestion could help settle their fight.

Oliver and Ricky nods. "Good idea." Oliver comments. "And I know just the song to sing."

****

Dream On by Aerosmith instrumental version covered by the show Glee played on Oliver's phone. Oliver and Ricky were now in the barn, standing on the stage and their friends sat in the audience. Oliver and Ricky stood across from each other on stage, both holding microphones in hand and staring at each other intimidatingly.

https://youtu.be/3Uy5oGcLQaY

Oliver starts off the song. "Every time that I look in the mirror. Every time that I look in the mirror. All these lines on my face getting clearer." He walks towards the middle of the stage, facing to turn the small crowd. "The past is gone. Oh, it went by like dusk to dawn. Isn't that the way? Everybody's got their dues in life to pay."

"Yeah, I know nobody knows where it comes and when it goes. I know it's everybody's sin. You got to lose to know how to win." Ricky throws the mic to hold it with his other hand as walks towards the middle of the stage and stands by Oliver, facing the small crowd. "Half my life's in books' written pages. Lived and learned from fools and from sages. You know it's true. All the things come back to you."

Then the two best friends turn to face each other. "Sing with me, sing for the year." As Ricky turns to face the crowd to sing the next part, Oliver walks to the left side of the stage to be more dramatic. "Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears."

Ricky walks to the right side of the stage, glaring over ta Oliver and he glares back at him. "Sing with me if it's just for today," It was just Oliver singing at first before Ricky joins him. "Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away."

Oliver faces his girlfriend and friends with a smile, playing air guitar during the guitar part of the song after he finished singing. "Yeah, dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream it 'till the dream comes true."

Ricky sings the next part of the song. "Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Dream it 'till your dreams comes true. Yeah. Dream on."

Then Oliver and Ricky went back and forth, continuing to glare at each other after the other one sang. "Dream on." 

"Dream on."

"Dream on." 

They both kneel on their knees, back to back as the belt out the last part of the song. "Dream on. Dream on. Dream on. Oh." They both breathed heavily after the song ended out of breath from the singing during that tough song. The two boys glanced at their friends when they cheered loudly and applauded for them, all of them standing up.

"Oh my gosh! That was, like, a private concert!" Kourtney beamed.

"Seriously guys, you're both talented singers in my book." EJ commented, causing Oliver and Ricky to look slightly disappointed since they wanted their friends to pick a better singer. 

"Same here." Gina agreed, smiling at Ricky and Oliver as Blythe, Carlos, and Ashlyn smiled and nodded in agreement.

Oliver and Ricky stand up as Blythe shrugs. "Yeah, I don't see the point of arguing who's the better singer when you're both super talented."

"And you guys shouldn't argue. You're best friends." Carlos adds. "You shouldn't let something as petty as 'Who's the best singer' or 'Who's going to get the lead role' get in the way of your friendship."

Oliver and Ricky glance at each other with guilty expressions. "We good here?" Ashlyn chimes in with a yawn. "'Cause I'm tired and I wanna sleep."

"Yeah, you guys can go." Oliver smiles a bit at his girlfriend and friends. "Thanks for the help." He walked down the steps, grabbing his phone off the piano as everyone began to leave. His smiled widened when Gina kissed his cheek before she left. 

"That was hot by the way." Gina whispered to him, causing his face to turn a bright shade of red and she giggled as she walked away.

"They're right." Ricky speaks up, walking down the steps to stand by his best friend. "We shouldn't let something like this get in the way of our friendship." 

"Yeah," Oliver agrees, turning off his phone and puts it in his hoodie pocket. He sets the microphone on the piano after turning it off and then did the same with Ricky's and did the same with Ricky's microphone when he handed it to him. "So let's make a deal. We're gonna be happy for each other no matter what role the other one gets." He smiles, offering his hand. "Deal?"

Ricky smiles and shakes his hand. "Deal." 

A/N new character unlocked lol everyone meet blythe! blythe is portrayed by g hannelius! if it wasn't obvious she'll be ej's love interest & i already love her & ej. also omg gina & oliver, they're cuties. okay but glee's version of dream on is amazing, honestly one of my fav covers glee did right after smooth criminal. i figured it'd be cool to add some drama between ricky & oliver since i havent done that yet. also dont worry, they're wont be any rina in this book bc i want oliver & gina to be happy throughout the book & at the end!