"Do you want to dance?" He asked coyly, again holding out his hand to her. She hesitated before again taking his strong hand in her own and feeling the sparks fly between their skin.

She intertwined her fingers with his and he wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her tight against him. They started slowly, cautiously stepping around the other people, and periodically on each other's feet.

After a few moments, Ashley couldn't take the silence anymore and took a deep breath. "So, do you have any um, back ground in theatre?" She asked uncertainly.

"Well, I've always loved music and I was in a few plays before, but television wise, I've only been in a few things. How about you?" They were falling into a steady rhythm of turned every few steps and swaying at the same time.

"I did Les Miserables a long time ago and have been in miscellaneous stuff since then. My most recent television escapade in this new show called The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. And that's about it." She replied, closing her eyes and resting her head on his broad shoulder.

They hadn't noticed everyone else going silent until someone rustled some papers and they broke away, blushing furiously. Kenny hid a smile and cleared his throat.

"Now that I have your attention, let's get started." And so they did each pair singing through a few songs such as, "What I've Been Looking For" and "Bop to the Top." Lucas and Ashley sang the best, save for one other pair named Caryn and Rob.

Kenny and Chucky also taught them a dance called "Were All in This Together." It was supposedly the finale of the show and also the song that everyone got to sing in.

Endless hours later, everyone who was auditioning grouped together for lunch before they all tried the finale as a group. Ashley met up with Vanessa and they sat down outside under a large tree.

"How was your callback?" Vanessa asked shyly, while opening a bottle of water.

"Awesome, I really like my partner, how was yours?"

"Really great, I got paired with a really cute guy named Zac every time. What's your guy's name?"

"Lucas. Lucas Grabeel."

"Oh! He was in Halloweentown!" Vanessa exclaimed excitedly.

"Oh yeah, you're right!" Ashley replied, scanning their fellow diners, looking for a particular blonde. A brunette walked up to them instead.

"Hey Vanessa!" He said warmly, sitting down next to the curly haired singer. Vanessa squealed, spilling water down her front and blushing a bright crimson

"Hey Zac, this is Ashley, Ashley this is my partner, Zac!" Ashley nodded at Zac, too distracted to really recognize him for the gorgeous being that he is.

Lunch soon ended, and the three surged along with the crowd back into the studio.

"Alright everyone!" Kenny called over all of their voices when they all were settled in the large dance room. "We'll go you in groups for the simplicity of it. Now don't worry if you mess up or not, just keep going. Okay? Let's go then!"

Ashley, Lucas, Caryn and Rob were in the same group and stood in a row. Ashley kept sending glares Caryn's way because she was talking to Lucas.

"Ready? 5, 6, 7, 8!" Chucky yelled and they all moved as one, singing at the top of their lungs.

"Were all in this together, once we know that we are, we're all stars and we see that…" The young actors finished the first verse and looked towards Kenny expectantly. I don't think I did terrible; I only stumbled twice and missed an arm movement or two… Ashley thought worriedly.

"Awesome job all!" The director said before calling up the next group. At the end of the day, everyone dragged their feet out of the building, exhausted.

Ashley was halfway to her car when she heard someone call her name. "Ashley!" She turned around in time to see Vanessa rushing towards her.

"Hey Ash! Do you want to come out with me, Lucas and Zac? We were thinking of grabbing a bite to eat." Ashley thought for a split second then grinned.

"Of course I do!" She squealed. "Just let me get changed."

"Yeah, I'm going to change too, no one like's eau de sweat!" Vanessa replied, giggling.

They exchanged cell phone numbers then went back to their respective hotel rooms. Ashley got back to her hotel room and quickly showered, blew dry, plucked, and made up her face before throwing on a pair of jeans and a quarter length tee.

She arrived at the restaurant that Vanessa had texted her about and felt her heart drop, seeing Caryn sitting next to Lucas at their table. Putting on a sassy smile, Ashley quickly closed the gap between her and Lucas, and flung herself down across from him.

Let the games begin… Ashley thought, watching Caryn flirt audaciously with Lucas and Zac

Hey all! Not sure how I feel about this chapter, but it's a filler, leading up to the real story, so please bear with me until we get to that point. Anyway, yet again sorry about the gaps between chapters. In a perfect world, I would write everyday and be done with this story at some point this millennium. Sadly we must deal with this world for now. Thanks so much for the reviews and as always keep them coming! I need all the criticism I can get or else I'll never improve my writing! Until I update again, peace, love and rock N' roll!