Chapter Text
walk in your rainbow paradise…
Winter break was nearing for the students of East High and everyone at the school was bouncing with excitement. The eagerness for a break from school, Christmas, and the New Year was looming in the air. Though the production of High School Musical: The Musical had been a success among students and the local community, the cast of the musical needed a break. So, they all decided to take a trip to celebrate their hard work.
At first, the cast didn't know what they wanted to do, or even where they wanted to go. After a few weeks of not having any solid plans, Carlos— the production’s choreographer— told the group that after Christmas his aunt and uncle would let them go to their cabin in upstate Utah for the week.
It took everything for Nini to convince her moms to let her go, but she would still be home for Christmas! She just wanted to spend time with her friends and just relax after all of the work that they put into the show. As for everyone else's parents, it was easy. They didn't have that big of a problem with it, as long as they didn't drink or do anything crazy. They're not going to do that— right?
So it was settled, they were going to take a trip to Carlos' aunt and uncle's cabin for a week and a half. Who else would be going? Well, Nini, Ricky, Big Red, Gina, EJ, Ashlyn, Carlos, Seb and Kourtney. They were all counting down the days until they could go, especially with Carlos mentioning that they got a large amount of snow upstate.
Ricky was looking forward to getting away from his house and his father. Although, he should want to spend time with his dad— he just needed a getaway. It felt good to spend time with Nini and not have feelings towards her anymore. He also found a home in the cast of High School Musical, it was like a part of him was always missing and he found himself throughout the course of the show.
So, there he was, almost three days until their trip, Ricky just heard the news that his best friend is just so happening to bring his CPAP machine with him on the trip.
"Dude, I'm sorry, but I can't just not take it with me? Do you want me to stop breathing during my sleep? I could die!" Big Red exclaimed, using his hands for emphasis.
Ricky rolled his eyes, "But I can't just not sleep for a week and a half! I've tried to sleep in the same room with you and that machine— numerous times— it's torture!"
Big Red leaned against the locker beside Ricky's, watching as Ricky put in his combination into his lock. "I completely understand. But if you're not rooming with me, then where are you going to sleep?"
Ricky shrugged and opened up his locker, "The couch maybe?"
"I doubt people will want you on the couch," The redhead replied, "It's just people get up at different times and no one wants a sleeping Ricky in the living room."
Ricky scrunched his nose, seeing where his friend is coming from. He finished putting his books in his bag and threw his bag over his shoulder. He then closed his locker, "I guess I'll just have to talk to Nini and see what she has to say. Who knows, maybe Carlos needs a roommate."
"Not happening. I heard from Kourtney that heard from Ashlyn that Seb and Carlos are rooming together. You know, since they're boyfriends."
Ricky sighed. Worst case scenario he's sleeping in the bathroom.
—
Ricky scanned the halls for Nini or Kourtney, both of them were in charge of the rooming situations. After heading down the hallway, he spotted the two girls he was looking for.
"Nini! Hey!" Ricky called after his ex-girlfriend who was standing at her locker with Kourtney by her side.
She looked up at him with a smile, "Hey! Are you excited for the trip? Three days!"
Ricky nodded his head, "Yeah— about the trip."
Nini furrowed her eyebrows and then looked over at Kourtney, who had a skeptical look spread across her face. The two girls waited for his response.
"I cannot room with Big Red. It's just not going to work out."
Nini frowned, "Why not? Is everything okay between you two?"
Ricky laughed, and nodded his head, "Yes, everything is fine. But, long story short— he has sleep apnea and because of that he has to sleep with a CPAP machine." He explained to the two girls in front of him.
"It's torture. I've tried so many times to sleep in the same room as him and I thought I'd get over it but I can't. And to make it worse, he puts on this red— no, white noise thing and it has a rainforest setting— it's just horrible." Ricky said all too quickly, leaving Nini and Kourtney to take it all in.
"Oh." Nini said, looking over at Kourtney.
"That sounds horrible." Kourtney attempted to suppress her laugh.
"I'm sorry but there just no way am I rooming with Big Red! I love him to death but I would like to sleep in peace. Is there anyone else I can room with?"
Nini and Kourtney exchanged worried looks, knowing that Ricky would not like this answer, "Well, uh, no one is rooming with EJ?" Nini said, her voice going high at the end of the sentence.
Ricky felt like he was going to fall over. EJ? EJ Caswell out of everyone in the cast? He's the only person who needs a roommate?
"You're kidding, right?" Ricky stared at them.
"Nope. I guess no one really wanted to room with him." Kourtney explained to Ricky, who was debating whether or not he wants to suffer and share a room with EJ for a week or to not sleep at all.
Ricky swallowed, not knowing if he really wanted to room with EJ. There's no way he can do that, but there's also no way he'll have fun if Red is keeping him up at night. It might not be so bad, right? Sure, EJ is a stuck-up, arrogant jerk in Ricky's eyes but they don't even have to talk to one another. All they have to do is sleep in the same room as each other.
Nini and Kourtney literally were watching Ricky as he contemplated the situation in his head. It took a whole minute for Ricky to finally let out a deep breath and look up at the girls. "I'll room with him."
Kourtney raised her eyebrows at the curly haired boy, “You sure about that, Ricky?"
Ricky nodded his head, "Yeah—yeah, I don't even have to really talk to him. We'll just be sleeping in the same room." He shrugged at Nini and Kourtney, who had skeptical looks on their faces.
Nini nodded her head slowly, "Alright, I'll let EJ know."
Ricky nodded his head triumphantly and thanked the two girls, then turned on his heel and walked away. Kourtney and Nini both watched as Ricky stalked off down the hallway. As the watched Ricky disappear around a corner, Nini turned to Kourtney.
"You really think this is a good idea?" Nini questioned her best friend beside her.
Kourtney shook her head, "Not at all. They're going to kill each other."