CHAPTER 4 – Two in One

It has already been three weeks since East High opened its doors for the return of its beloved students. And for the past weeks, things have been going as smoothly as it can be. Sharpay and Ryan had already geared up for the upcoming auditions, Taylor and Gabriella were already posting the information sheets for the Scholastic Decathlon team's recruitment week, and Troy and Chad were already pumped up for the start of their basketball training and their soon-to-begin tryouts for the new players of the team.

"Next week's already the auditions. Ms. Darbus is already freaking out like mad. I don't see the point in all the drama," Sharpay said as they entered the homeroom.

"All the drama? Sharpay, did something hit you on the head" Gabriella joked around, setting her bag on her table.

"It's no surprise that Ms. Darbus is freaking out about it. She's down to work on two plays this year. Surely the pressure is getting onto her," Taylor said.

"Hey, Kelsi! You okay?" Troy said when he saw Kelsi approach them.

"Ms. Darbus and I are starting to kill ourselves with the upcoming auditions. I was assigned to compose the songs for the two plays and I still have to add myself a role on the second play. I've already finished the songs for the first play but I'm still in coordination with the scriptwriter about both plays. I'm getting so confused!" Kelsi exclaimed, giving off her negative vibe.

"Calm down, Kelsi. Breath, breath, breath. Relax yourself. I know you're having a hard time. The pressure's in every one of us. Sharpay and Ryan here are not only gearing up for the auditions of the winter musicale but they're also getting ready for the auditions for the new members of the Drama Club. Troy and Chad here have probably the worst pressure of all since they are vying for the championship this year and they're still in the process of opening the tryouts for new members, while Gaby and I here are getting ready for the Scholastic Decathlon and the recruitment for new members. Every one is really in the pressure zone here," Taylor explained.

"I know! It's just all too much. Senior year's really tough."

"Hey, Tay, why don't we ask Michelle to join the Scholastic Decathlon team?" Gabriella suddenly said, diverting from the topic.

"Michelle Richards? The black-haired cheerleader type chick who has the makings of the new heroine of a Jane Austen novel?," Taylor asked in a sarcastic tone. "Well, she does seem qualified."

"Qualified? Are you kidding me? Have a look at her transcript here," Gaby said said, handing her a brown envelope.

"Are you sure this is a transcript? It's like a month's record of child births in Albuquerque."

"Well? What can you say?"

"Hmm…Okay. Let's ask her later."

"Great! You'll definitely not be disappointed."

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Troy just got out of his Math class and there were no more classes for the day since the remaining teachers he had classes with were all called out to attend a teacher's convention in West High. He casually walked to his locker and tossed in his Math book. He closed the door and leaned his back on the locker beside his. What to do? What to do? Gaby still has two more classes to go; plus, her Chemistry Club meeting and Scholastic Decathlon meeting too. I got no practice today and Chad said he had to go home and help his dad clean out the garage. Ryan's definitely going to practice with Sharpay or have a meeting with the Drama Club or something. Now what am I supposed to do? God, I miss Gabriella. I wish she was with me right now. Then I won't have to worry on how to kill off my excess time here.

Troy started to walk, knowing not where he was to go. He leisurely walked around the campus. He stopped ever so often to read the bulleting boards – just to kill off the time. He passed by the Music Room and remembered how he used to rehears with Gaby and Kelsi way back then. He smiled to himself and extended his hand to the doorknob until he heard a melody playing from the inside. He peeked in from the see-through glass of the door and saw Michelle playing the piano. He smiled and was about to leave when he suddenly heard her humming and preparing to sing. He looked back and quietly opened the door. The piano was now moved facing the wall that allowed no view of the door. Troy quietly closed the door behind him and took a seat on the hair he found just beside the door. He smiled and just sat there waiting for Michelle to begin. I heard from Gaby that she can actually play the piano. Beauty and brains, now this. Let's see if this girl's got a knack for singing too.

"Put away the pictures.
Put away the memories.
I poured over and over
Through my tears
I've held them till I'm blind
They've kept my hope alive
As if somehow that might keep you here
Once you've believed in a love forever more
How do you leave it in a drawer?

Now here it comes, the hardest part of all
Unchain my heart that's holding on
How do I start to live my life alone?
Guess I'm just learning,
Learning the art of letting go.

Try to say it's over
Say the word goodbye.
But each time it catches in my throat
You're still here in me
And I can't set you free
So I hold on to what I've wanted most
Maybe someday we'll be friends forever more
Wish I could open up that door

Now here it comes, the hardest part of all
Unchain my heart that's holding on
How do I start to live my life alone?
Guess I'm just learning,
Learning the art of letting go

Watching us fade
What can I do?
But try to make it through
the pain of one more day
Without you

Where do I start to live my life alone?
I guess I'm learning, only learning,
Learning the art of letting go."

Michelle played the remaining keys of the song and then stopped. She smiled to herself before taking a deep breath. She saw a few piano pieces on top of the piano's lid and browsed it over.

"That was just amazing," Michelle suddenly heard.

"Troy?" she said, turning her head around. "Wha…? How long have you been there?"

"You have an amazing voice. Why don't you audition for the musicale?" Troy asked as if not hearing what she had said.

"Troy, please. I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone that I was here. I'm sorry. I'll be going now," Michelle said, standing up and walking towards the door, until Troy took hold of her arm.

"Don't go. Sing for me once more," Troy said, his eyes filled with warmth.

"No, Troy. I'm sorry but I won't. Please, let me go," she said, her eyes filled with nothing more but that.

"Please, sing for me once more," Troy said, his eyes still fixed on her.

"No. Now let me go, Troy, please."

Troy stared into her eyes and found her to be serious and nothing more. He finally let her hand go but still had his eyes fixed upon hers. Michelle quickly looked away and left him, closing the door behind her. Troy remained standing there before finally shaking off his thoughts and sitting down on the chair again. He sighed heavily and smiled. That was totally weird. It felt like a shock or something. Weird. But Michelle definitely has a great voice! She should really audition for the musicale. I'll talk to Ryan and Sharpay about it.Troy smiled to himself and glanced at the piano that had Michelle playing on just moments ago. It's the start of something new.