Reviews and criticism are welcome! :) Yes, the title for this fic is from the Aly & AJ song, and like HSM, I don't own it. Just inspired by it. :)
Her flight from Albuquerque to Anaheim had barely docked at the gate when Kelsi Nielson pushed a thumb down on her phone's power button to turn it on. Around her, fellow coach passengers leaped up and began scuffling to be first off the plane. But Kelsi's eyes stayed glued to her phone's screen.
No text message, please no text message...
And then her phone buzzed.
Kelsi bit her lip and scanned the words.
Hon, major meeting in New York got moved to tomorrow. Had to take the earliest flight out today. The hotel's all paid for, so go have fun! - Mom
Even though this wasn't the first time she'd gone to visit Mom and found she'd flown off to another city, Kelsi still felt a twinge of disappointment. But she had learned to be flexible a long time ago-- her mom worked as a publicist for one of the TV studios here in California and was often juggling her schedule to fit Kelsi in... somewhere.
Too bad summer vacation doesn't apply to her... but I'm going to make the most of my time here. A flight attendant was staring her down. Okay, I'm hurrying! Kelsi shouldered her pack and adjusted her yellow and black plaid newsboy cap before sprinting down the aisle.
Making the most of her time here. That meant long, uninterrupted hours in a hotel room between her, her music notebook, and the little portable keyboard she took on all her trips. So it wasn't a Steinway. But after her dad bought it for her when she was nine and they were going on a road trip, she realized quickly that its light weight made it very travel-friendly. You never know when inspiration will hit you.
Let's see. I've got to think of some songs for the winter musical. This one can't be a Sharpay Show for sure – we're all graduating. We're all in this together. This show would be the last of its kind.
Of course there were also college plans to consider. The ominous future floated ahead. Kelsi had even toyed around with the idea of submitting a scholarship application to Julliard, but right now she had other, more pressing matters on her mind... namely, the perfect duet for Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez.
Working at the resort with them only reinforced her belief that their voices were made for each other. You are the Music In Me and Everyday had increased their abilities – and Kelsi's too. And now she was ready to cut her teeth on some new material... ready to write for their last chance to share the stage. Not just songs for Troy and Gabriella, but for all her fellow seniors.
She emerged into the airport like a bear stumbling out of its cave from hibernation. After sitting on a quiet plane, her music and notebook the only objects requiring her attention, all the hustle and bustle of the terminal was a little shocking. After walking towards the escalators, she suddenly remembered that her mom's Acura was not waiting outside the airport for her.
Kelsi fumbled to find the business card that had the name of a reputable and inexpensive taxi driver. Kelsi groaned as she shuffled off to the side and began unzipping all the pockets of her backpack. Chances were it was at the bottom of the pack. She set her backpack precariously on the edge of one of the seats in the passenger waiting area and felt around inside.
Just then, two unmistakable voices, so out of context in the Californian airport, tickled her ears. Kelsi snapped her head up and scanned the faces of the travelers before her. No way...
"We're riding Small World first, Ryan." The tone sent a chill down Kelsi's spine and she instinctively clutched her backpack like an animal trying to hide behind a rock. "If you don't like that, you'll be riding Bobsleds alone."
"I can't ride it alone," said a male voice as if the other were asking him to burn his collection of hats – which Kelsi knew that voice owned. "Who would I sit with? Who would I cling to as we go past the hungry Abominable Snowman?"
"I don't know! Get my other suitcase. Hurry up, the limo is waiting. And we know Maurice does not like waiting."
Sharpay and Ryan Evans emerged from behind a column. Sharpay, dazzled out in pink leather pants and a white rhinestoned jacket, a pink tote bag in the crook of her arm, took the lead in front of her brother. Kelsi barely found Ryan's white bucket hat behind a conglomerate of pink and brown snakeskin luggage.
They were heading right for Kelsi.
She shrunk even further behind her backpack.
"Wait --" Inches away from her, Sharpay lifted a hand and wrinkled her nose. "Did I leave my Juicy sunglasses on the plane--?"
"Kelsi!"
She twitched and peeked over her backpack to find Ryan beaming at her from in between two suitcases. Sharpay froze and turned around.
"Kelsi Nielson?"
"Uh... you found me?" Kelsi said, rising to her feet. She forced a smile.
"Why are you here?" Sharpay demanded. "Shouldn't you be home, like, working on some fabulous song for me for the next musicale?"
"Actually, I'm out here to visit my mom. But I just found out after I landed that she had to leave this morning for New York."
"That sucks," Ryan said, setting down his load of suitcases.
"Yes, and so does making Maurice mad." Sharpay stared at her brother. "We have a limo to catch, Ryan!"
"Oh – right. Hey, you should come with us!" He gave Kelsi a cheerful smile. "What do you say, Kels?"
Kelsi returned it with equal fervor. She began to open her mouth to ask what they were up to, when a sharp glare from Sharpay stopped her instantly. It would've fried her with a lightning bolt if the Evans girl had that power.
"Ryan!" Sharpay hissed.
"I'll – um – think about it," Kelsi coughed and slung her backpack on.
"You have my cell number. It's actually good you're here. I wanted to run some song ideas past you, so call me tomorrow after nine PM." Sharpay instructed, and then whipped around. "Come on, Ry!"
Kelsi watched as the Evans twins hurried off. Ryan looked at her over his shoulder before they turned a corner, and wiggled his thumb and pinky near his ear. Call me! he mouthed.
Kelsi grinned and tipped her cap. Okay.
