The East High stage is empty.

Shockingly, blaringly empty, and Kelsi Nielsen feels that same sort of hollowness. It hardly feels like the same stage, anymore. No jazz hands and glitter moving to transposed songs, because Sharpay demanded things her way. No jock and math geek and enough chemistry to light up the whole of Albuquerque dancing around singing her songs the way they were meant to be sung.

It's all over, now.

"You're thinking too much, Kels." Ryan presses a kiss into her brown curls as his arms slip around her waist from behind. "What's up?"

"It's over, Ryan."

"I know." Ryan nods, looking around one last time.

The props have been dismantled and put in storage, all of the music sheets had been carefully placed in a binder and given to Kelsi, and soon, the theater doors would close as they headed out of East High for the final time. On their way to an amazing summer, and a bright future at Julliard.

"What's going to happen?" Kelsi worries her bottom lip between her teeth; she's always been something of a worrier, something that's become all the more evident as their future draws nearer. "What do we do now, Ryan?"

Ryan leans down, lips brushing against her neck. He's just as unsure as she is but she feels warm and safe and he thinks everything just might be okay as long as he has her. "I'm not sure."

"I wish I knew."

"But," he smiles against her skin. "Where's the fun in that?"

"I wouldn't feel like throwing up." Kelsi lifts an eyebrow, even as he remains utterly fascinated with her neck. "And, wouldn't it be nice to know what we have to look forward to?"

"Touche." Ryan has to concede that. Sometimes, if he could just catch a glimpse of what's in store for him, he'd work that much harder, just to be able to get there faster. "But, I could look forward to a hurricane if you were there, Kels."

If someone told him back in sixth grade that the shy little girl with curly pigtails and hands barely big enough to hold a pencil, much less play piano, would be the one person he can't seem to picture his future without, he might have laughed. But, standing here, on this stage with her now, he'd give anything to go back and change his ways.

Defy his sister, stand up for Kelsi, more.

He continues kissing her neck, not just because it feels good for both of them, but because she's addictive, this girl. Kelsi sighs and sinks into him a little better. It's weird to think of how far they've come, and how far they've still got left to go, but she could definitely see a future with him. It's far easier than trying to picture life without him.

"We've got to go, baby." Ryan murmurs quietly. "We've got a whole summer to enjoy before we leave."

"Are we going to be okay?"

"I think so, Kels."

"Hey Playmaker," Troy's voice echoes in the empty theater. "One last song?"

"Yeah," Gabriella nods in agreement. "One more song before we leave?"

"Wanna play?" Ryan asks her softly.

"Sure. Play with me?"

"Wouldn't be anywhere else, Kelsi." Ryan smiles at his girlfriend. "C'mon."

The piano is familiar and as the Wildcats come closer, Kelsi feels herself relax. She can do this. She can play piano while Troy and Gabriella sing and dance. She can be near Ryan, smell the warm cotton of his shirt and the way it mixes with his cologne. It's an unspoken agreement about what song should be played. Only this time, Troy and Gabriella step down, and let the composer and the choreographer take the lead.

"We're soarin', flyin', there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach."