how you get the girl

chapter four
( takes place in 1x02 'the read-through' )

"you can't just buy me a guitar
everytime you screw up, you know?"

- 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

Izzy and Ricky had agreed to meet up to walk home together after the read-through, but Izzy had stopped by her locker to get a few things. She was surprised when she saw Ashlyn making her way over to her.

"Ash! Hey! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!" Izzy said, smiling brightly at her friend, who smiled back nervously.

"Yeah, you know, I just wasn't sure if you really wanted to see me since the, you know, the break-up and everything," Ashlyn said, looking down at her shoes, and Izzy tried to ignore the way the word break-up sent a dagger through her heart. She tried for an unbothered laugh, but it came out a bit too high-pitched.

"No, of course, I want to see you! We shouldn't let some stupid guy get in the way of our friendship," Izzy said and Ashlyn smiled gratefully. Although almost every word that had come out of Izzy's mouth in the last twenty-four hours had been a lie, the ones she said to Ashlyn were true. She and Ashlyn had become close when she was dating EJ and she considered her a good friend. Even if Izzy and Ricky's plan failed and she didn't end up back with EJ, Izzy still wanted to remain friends with Ashlyn, no matter who her cousin was.

"Great, I'm so glad. But, um, I'm actually kind of here because of said 'stupid guy'," Ashlyn said and EJ popped his head around the corner of Izzy's locker, making her jump slightly and her smile disappear.

"Hey, Iz," EJ said and Izzy frowned at the nickname. Nicknames were reserved for people in her life, not people who had ended their relationship with a phone call.

"What do you want, EJ?" Izzy asked, and although her tone was cold, she couldn't stop the excitement that bloomed in her chest from the sight of him.

"I don't want anything, I just wanted to talk," EJ said, and Izzy noticed Ashlyn take a few steps back to give them some privacy.

"About what?" Izzy asked, a bored expression crossing her face.

"Uh, I saw you and Ricky together today during the read-through. I, uh, I saw him kiss you and I just wasn't sure what that was all about," EJ said and Izzy struggled to keep her expression impassive, although she was jumping up and down inside.

"Ricky is my new boyfriend, EJ," Izzy said calmly, and EJ frowned slightly.

"Oh,"

"Is something wrong?" Izzy asked, raising her eyebrows at him.

"No, there's nothing wrong, it's just that I thought you were angry with me because of how fast I moved on, but then you're doing the same thing," EJ said and Izzy narrowed her eyes at him. He might have been saying exactly what she hoped he'd say, but it still managed to piss her off.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Izzy said and she heard Ashlyn let out a small laugh, but she quickly disguised it as a cough when EJ gave her a look.

"You're upset with me because I've moved on after you broke up with me through a voicemail?" Izzy said, raising her voice slightly.

"Seriously, Eej?" Ashlyn questioned, and Izzy smiled smugly as EJ sighed.

"I'm not upset, I'm just confused," EJ attempted, but Izzy simply rolled her eyes. She was having too much fun putting him in his place.

"Confused about what? Confused that I didn't sit around and pine for you? Confused that I'm dating someone that isn't you? Because that doesn't sound like confusion to me, that sounds like jealousy," Izzy said, shifting uncomfortably because half of what she had said was true. She was still pining after EJ, she just wasn't sitting around. She was doing something about it.

It seemed that she had stunned EJ into silence, and she sighed before shutting her locker door.

"I have to go, Ricky's waiting for me. Bye Ashlyn," Izzy said, waving at her friend, who waved back weakly, before walking away.

She managed to stay calm as she walked away from them, aware of their eyes on her, but she immediately lost her cool when she turned the corner and saw Ricky waiting for her. He was leaning against the wall, staring at his phone, but he looked up when he heard her footsteps.

"Izzy, I am so so sorry about the kiss, I just thought it would be a good idea since I messed up with the whole compliment thing and it just seemed natural, you know, and-" He cut himself off with a grunt as Izzy ran toward him and attacked him with a hug.

"And you're happy. What happened?" Ricky asked with a slight laugh as she pulled back.

"You're a genius is what happened! The kiss totally worked, EJ is jealous now and I bet Nini is too, she's just hiding it better," Izzy said, slightly out of breath from her happiness.

"Wait, so you're not mad?" Ricky asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.

"Mad? Did you not hear me? The plan is working!" Izzy said before hugging him again, and he laughed before hugging her back.

"I'm glad you're happy," He said as she pulled back, and she nodded.

"I am happy. And I don't want you to overthink what just happened, 'cause it was a good thing, but I just think that in the future we should have a way to warn each other before we kiss each other. 'Cause we need to look like a real couple who kisses and stuff, but we should have a code word or something that we say as a warning," Izzy explained and Ricky nodded slowly.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. But the code word has to be something normal enough that it wouldn't seem awkward if one of us just randomly brought it into a conversation," Ricky said and Izzy nodded as well.

"Well, maybe we could have a sign, like scratching each other's arm gently, or something like that," Izzy said, reaching forward and running her nails along his arm as an example. Izzy wasn't sure if she imagined it, but she could've sworn she saw Ricky swallow thickly as he looked down at her hand on his arm.

"Yeah, that could work, but we're not always going to be close enough to touch. How about...how about if our code was giving each other a compliment, like I can call you beautiful, or something, and if you're okay with me kissing you, you'll say thank you, and if you're not, then you'll compliment me back," Ricky suggested with a shrug.

"That could actually work. That's a good idea, Ricky," Izzy said and he smiled brightly.

"Good, I'm actually useful for something," Ricky said, and he said it with a laugh, but Izzy frowned at his words.

"You are useful," Izzy said and Ricky looked at her in surprise, before reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. Izzy noticed that he did that when he was nervous.

"I mean, I almost screwed it all up back in rehearsal over something as simple as a compliment. That doesn't seem really useful to me," Ricky said and Izzy's frown grew heavier.

"I shouldn't have sprung that on you. I took you by surprise and that's my fault. But don't count yourself out, Ricky. You're a really good partner-in-crime," Izzy said and Ricky smiled softly at the compliment.

"Thanks, Iz," He said and she returned his smile with one of her own.

.⋅ ✯ ⋅.

Izzy was doing her homework at the kitchen table when her mom came home from work. Izzy's mom, Elena, worked as a guidance counselor at her little sister's elementary school, which usually meant she got home at around the same time as Izzy, but Mondays were staff meeting days after school. Izzy had ordered them a pizza for dinner and had sat her little sister down in front of the TV, before finally turning to her homework.

"You're still not finished with your work?" Elena asked as she walked into the kitchen, pressing a kiss to Izzy's forehead in greeting.

"I got home late today. We had our first rehearsal for the musical today after school," Izzy explained as she set her pencil down. Calculus was frying her brain and she needed a break.

"How's that going, by the way?" Elena asked as she filled a glass with water.

"It's okay. Today was a little slow, but we should be getting into things by the end of the week," Izzy said with a shrug as she stood to set the table.

"And it's not awkward with EJ?" Elena asked and Izzy hesitated slightly at the mention of him. Lying to Cara was one thing, but lying to her mom was going to be nearly impossible.

"We kind of just avoid each other, he's with Nini most of the time and I'm with Ricky," Izzy said, avoiding her mom's gaze and busying herself with stacking plates instead.

"And am I going to meet this new mystery boyfriend of yours anytime soon?" Elena asked and Izzy nodded quickly. She had been expecting this. Elena had wanted to meet EJ before they'd even officially started dating.

"Yeah, well, we're pretty busy this week with rehearsal and stuff, but maybe this weekend?" Izzy offered and her mother nodded slowly.

"Izzy, I have to be honest, I'm a bit concerned," Elena said, setting a hand on Izzy's shoulder, making her pause in setting the table.

"Concerned about what?" Izzy asked innocently.

"I feel like you've moved on awfully fast. I understand that seeing EJ be with someone new might push you to try and do the same, but it's okay to be single right now. You were dating for two years, it's okay to take some time to heal," Elena said and Izzy faltered slightly under her mother's gaze. She had her guidance counselor face on, the face she wore when she was trying to analyze Izzy.

"Mom, I promise I'm okay. And Ricky makes me really happy. You'll see when you meet him, he's a really good guy," Izzy promised and she was relieved to find that despite all the lies she had been telling that day, that was true, Ricky was a good guy.

"Alright, well as long as you're happy, that's the most important thing. But promise you'll talk to me if you need to," Elena said and Izzy nodded.

"I promise," Izzy said and Elena sighed before pulling her daughter against her in a hug and pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head.

.⋅ ✯ ⋅.

Something had come up at work for Izzy's mom, so Izzy had to swing by to pick her sister up from school the next day. She had texted Ricky and asked him to tell Miss Jenn that she would miss the first part of the rehearsal and if it would be okay if she brought her little sister along. Ricky had texted back telling her that it was fine and that he'd miss her in rehearsal, which made her smile.

Izzy had just arrived at school, thirty minutes into rehearsal with her little sister, Camila, in tow. She moved to open the door to the entrance of the school but jumped back slightly when Ricky came bursting through the doors, Big Red on his heels.

"Hey, is rehearsal over already?" Izzy asked. It took her a second to realize that he was frowning.

"It's over for me," Ricky said and Izzy frowned.

"What do you mean?" Izzy asked, and she noticed Big Red step back to give them some privacy.

"I'm quitting the musical," Ricky said, frowning at the ground.

"Cami, go sit on that bench over there, I'll just be a second," Izzy said to her little sister, and once she had walked away, she turned back to Ricky. "What happened?"

"Nothing happened, I just...I think that what we're doing is selfish," Ricky said, lowering his voice significantly, and his words felt like a blow to her chest.

"What?" Izzy said, the word coming out slightly strangled.

"They're happy together, Izzy. Why are we fighting to get in between that? We should both just move on," Ricky said, turning away from her.

"I don't understand. What changed? An hour ago you were all in, and now you're saying all of this. What happened?" Izzy asked, reaching out and latching onto his sleeve, making him turn to face her.

"Why did something have to happen for me to finally see sense? It took me a second but I finally see this plan for what it is, which is crazy, and you should too," Ricky spat, pulling his arm out of her grasp and turning away from her again.

"Ricky-"

"Just give it up Izzy! I don't know how that guy has such a hold on you, but you need to quit being so obsessed with him and just move on. Life isn't a movie, it's about time you realized that." Ricky said before walking away, Big Red following close behind.

Izzy turned to see if anyone had witnessed their conversation, but there was just Camila seated on her bench, staring at her, and the new girl, Gina Porter, sitting a few benches away, out of earshot.

"Izzy, are you okay?" Camila asked as she walked up to her older sister.

"Yeah, of course," Izzy said, but it was hard to get the words out past the lump in her throat.

"Then why are you crying?" Camila asked softly, and Izzy turned slightly so her sister wouldn't see her wiping her eyes, which were slightly wet.

"It's just allergies. I'm fine, I promise. Let's just go home," Izzy said, taking her little sister's hand and leading her down the road, in the opposite direction that Ricky and Big Red had gone down.

.⋅ ✯ ⋅.

Ricky had been right, of course. Life wasn't a movie. But it did sometimes play out exactly like one. Like when Izzy was at home the next night, curled up on her couch watching When Harry Met Sally, and the doorbell rang right when Harry was telling Sally that when you realized you wanted to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you wanted the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

Izzy sighed as she hit pause on the remote before standing up and going to answer the door. She was surprised when she opened it and found Ricky standing on her porch, a plate of cookies in hand.

"They're 'I'm sorry' cookies, which are appropriate because I'm really sorry. And I know that you probably want to slam the door in my face, but I think that you should at least try the cookies, and maybe hear me out too. But you should definitely try the cookies 'cause for some weird reason I'm, like, freakishly good at baking," Ricky said, his words tumbling out in a rush, and Izzy stared at him silently for a minute, before reaching forward to take a cookie. They were surprisingly good, but Izzy fought to keep an impassive expression on her face, not wanting to let him off the hook just yet.

"You screwed up," Izzy said finally and Ricky nodded vigorously. "Maybe you were right in saying that we're selfish to do this, but it was out of line to say those other things to me,"

"I know, and Izzy, I'm so sorry. I got scared and I took it out on you instead of owning up to things. The truth is that Nini kind of got on my case for not being a good Troy and messing up some of the dances and told me that I should just let EJ take my part and that made me insecure," Ricky said, twisting on his hands in his hoodie, and Izzy's expression softened slightly.

"She shouldn't have said that to you, you earned the part fairly and you got it even before we started any of the fake stuff," Izzy said and Ricky shrugged.

"I don't know, I think she was kinda right, I do screw up with the dancing a lot-"

"You're a good Troy, Ricky. You might need some help with the dancing, but I'm sure Carlos would be happy to give you some extra help with that. Don't let her get in your head. You're the perfect Troy," Izzy said and Ricky faltered slightly at her words.

"I'm so sorry, Izzy." He said, his voice breaking slightly on the words. "Please believe me when I tell you how sorry I am. You didn't deserve any of that,"

"I believe you. And it's okay, let's just put it behind us and keep moving with the plan. If you still want to move forward with the plan, that is," Izzy said and Ricky was nodding before she even finished her sentence.

"I want to move forward. It's a good plan, Izzy. It's not crazy," Ricky said and Izzy laughed softly.

"It is a little crazy," Izzy said with a shrug, and Ricky laughed too.

"Yeah, a little. But it's gonna work and that's all that matters," Ricky said and Izzy nodded, smiling slightly.

"Uh, my little sister is watching us from around that corner, so you should probably kiss me right now," Izzy said and Ricky's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She had heard the soft footsteps a few seconds ago and she could feel Camila's eyes on them.

"Uh, when we were younger and my mom and dad would fight, he would always kiss her after they made up to signify that the fight was really over," Izzy explained and Ricky's expression softened, the way everyone's did when Izzy mentioned her father, which wasn't often.

He set the plate of cookies down on the small table near the door before setting his hands on her waist and pulling her against him gently in a kiss. She stood on her tiptoes and slid her arms around his neck as he held her against him. They pulled back when they heard quiet gagging and Izzy turned to her sister with an amused smile.

"Cami, were you spying?" Izzy asked and her sister came out from behind her corner, a guilty smile on her face.

"I just wanted to make sure he wouldn't make you cry again," Cami said and Izzy cringed when she felt Ricky stiffen beside her.

"I made you cry?" Ricky asked and Izzy turned back to him, an embarrassed blush tinting her cheeks.

"It's no big deal, really. We've moved past it, remember?" Izzy reminded him and Ricky nodded slowly, but he still looked guilty.

"Well, I actually got you another 'I'm sorry' gift," Ricky said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a necklace. "Uh, I was watching the High School Musical movies to get back into the Troy mindset and in the second one Troy gives Gabriella a necklace with a T on it, for Troy, so I got you a necklace with an R on it, for Ricky. It's a small gesture, but I know Nini and EJ will notice since they're such big fans of the movies," Ricky explained and Izzy stared at him in surprise. "So, do you like it?"

"Ricky, I love it, it's so pretty. I'll wear it every day," Izzy promised and she turned so he could clasp the necklace around her neck.

"Do you want to come in? I'm watching When Harry Met Sally and I'm at the best part," Izzy said, opening the door wider.

"Is everyone okay with me coming in?" Ricky asked, staring pointedly at Cami, who was still frowning at him.

"She'll like you as soon as you give her one of your shockingly good cookies, don't worry. Come on," Izzy said, latching onto his arm and pulling him toward the living room. "You wanna come watch a movie with us, Cami?" Izzy called out to her sister, who was still standing by the wall, watching them.

"Are you guys going to kiss again?" Cami asked and Izzy laughed when she saw Ricky blush slightly.

"No, don't worry. And you can try one of Ricky's cookies too if you'd like. They're really good," Izzy called and she smirked when her sister came running into the room at the mention of cookies. They sat on the couch together, Cami curled up on one end and Izzy and Ricky seated together in the middle. Ricky offered Cami a cookie from the plate and she took it doubtfully, but she was all smiles the second she took a bite of the cookie, which made Ricky relax and Izzy laugh.

"What? It's very important for the boyfriend to be in the little sister's good books," Ricky said to Izzy, who nodded through her laughter.

"Yeah, that's true. She'll probably be your toughest critic. What do you think Cami, do you like Ricky?" Izzy asked, turning to her sister, who was finishing off her second cookie.

"Yeah, he's better than EJ. EJ never made me cookies," Cami said and Izzy glanced at Ricky, who just shrugged.

"You can't beat a man that bakes," He said and Izzy rolled her eyes, but she was smiling lightly.

.⋅ ✯ ⋅.

author's note!

second half of the episode is here as promised! the next  episode won't be broken into two chapters like this one was, and it will actually be a lot shorter.

i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, thank you all so much for reading and leaving comments, it makes me so happy to know that you guys are enjoying it, and i hope you continue to do so!!

i'm not sure when the next chapter will be out, but hopefully soon!! thank you all so much for reading again and i hope to see you in the next one! stay safe!

- maya 💗