DISCLAIMER: The only characters I own are "Lauren" and "Olivia". None of the other characters belong to me.

Lucas laughed, "Aw, Lauren, I love you too. You are such a great friend!"

Lauren sighed and closed her eyes, "No…Ryan. I mean…I'm in love with you."

Ryan stared at her blankly and tears flooded Lauren's eyes.

"This was a mistake…I'm sorry," she said as she started getting up. She got off the stage and walked slowly towards the doors. She pulled it open and left the theatre…leaving Ryan behind with it.

She went home after school and started practicing for the callbacks, which, for Ms. Darbus' nerves, had been moved to Monday. She hadn't heard from Ryan all weekend and when she got to school on Monday, avoided him at all costs.

The bell rang for free period and Troy, Ryan, Gabriella, and the few other students called back sat in the theatre, anticipating the arrival of Ms. Darbus and Kelsi. When she finally arrived, she took her seat at the table and Kelsi set herself up at the piano. Six students performed before Gabriella was called to the stage. Troy kissed her and whispered something in her ear before she confidently strode onto the stage. She handed Kelsi the sheet music and started belting out her song. When she was finished, she bowed and quietly left the stage.

"Lauren Stephans…you're up!" shouted Ms. Darbus.

Lauren's heart raced as she slowly walked onto the stage, stopping by the piano to hand Kelsi the music. She stood at center stage as Kelsi played the intro and then started singing. Seeing Ryan in the front row made her heart race. She was nervous but focused on singing. When she was done, she bowed and Sharpay gave her a huge thumbs up. The crowd clapped for her as she exited. She sat down next to Sharpay and Taylor, both of whom congratulated her.

Then it was Ryan's turn. He went on stage and went through the normal routine. He started singing, and as usual, sounded magnificent. He was confident and sexy as he took over the stage with his amazing performance. He took a huge bow as the crowd went wild. He sat down next to Troy, who was the last one called up. Troy sang really well and when everyone had performed, Ms. Darbus announced that the cast list would be posted the next morning.

The theatre was buzzing as the students filed out. During lunch, everyone was talking about the callbacks and who they thought would get the parts.

The group of friends was pleased to see Ryan sitting with them again, without Olivia. Lauren avoided all eye contact with Ryan and ran to her next class before they had a chance to talk.

After school, Sharpay walked home with her and the two of them hung out for hours.

"I have to say…as much as I adore Gabriella's voice, you rocked! I think you'll get 'Andrea'," said Sharpay confidently.

"Well, I won't get my hopes up."

"Lauren…did you tell him yet?"

Lauren bowed her head and nodded, "I told him on Friday."

Sharpay sat up instantly, "Oh my God!!! What did he say?!"

"Nothing."

Sharpay's jaw dropped, "Nothing? He…he didn't say anything to you?"

Lauren shook her head, "Nope. But that's okay."

A few hours later, Sharpay left, leaving Lauren to do homework and such. When she was done with all her school work, she went to bed, both excited and nervous for the next day.

When she showed up at school, Lauren saw the exact same thing she had seen the week before. A group of students was huddled around the theatre arts board. There were students crying and students celebrating. Once again, Lauren pushed her way through the crowd so she could see the results.

Congratulations and thanks to all those who auditioned. Rehearsals start next week.

FORBIDDEN

JOE

Ryan Evans

ROGER

Troy Bolton

PENNY

Sharpay Evans

ANDREA

Lauren Stephans

UNDERSTUDIES

JOE- Paul Jacobson

ROGER- Harry Landser

PENNY- Jennifer Aarons

ANDREA- Gabriella Montez

Lauren was in shock. She had beat out Gabriella for the role and was going to be starring the school musical opposite Troy, Sharpay, and Ryan!

As these thoughts consumed her, someone jumped on her from behind and wrapped her in a tight hug. She turned to see Sharpay smiling from ear to ear.

"Congratulations! Oh my god, how awesome will it be for us to be co-stars?!" shrieked Sharpay.

"It's gonna be great. And congrats to you too!"

The two of them walked arm in arm to their classes, earning many "congrats" on the way.

They ran into Troy and Gabriella, whom they congratulated but couldn't find Ryan.

"Oh shit!" said Sharpay stopping, "Lau, I have a meeting with Ms. Darbus and I left my sweater in the theatre. Can you run and go get it for me?"

"Sure," said Lauren, turning around and heading for the theatre.

When she got there, she looked frantically for Sharpay's sweater, but it was nowhere to be found.

As she looked, she was startled by a voice, "Congratulations, Ms. Stephans."

She turned around to see Ryan, standing at the aisle, "Thanks…you too."

She kept looking for the sweater, trying to avoid him.

"There's no sweater, Lau."

She looked at him, "What are you talking about?"

"I told Sharpay to get you to come here. Look, I know my reaction the other day wasn't really what you expected."

"I wasn't really expecting anything… it was more of a hope that the reaction would be different."

Ryan sighed, "It was just a surprise… I mean… thought you felt that way about Troy."

"So did I," replied Lauren, "But I was wrong."

"Listen, Lauren… I…"

"Don't worry about it. Let's just pretend it never happened, ok?"

She walked towards him.

"I don't want to pretend it didn't happen," he whispered.

Lauren looked confused.

Ryan pulled her close and moved a whisp of hair off her face. He then slowly leaned towards her and brushed her lips with his.

"I love you too." He whispered.

Lauren smiled as Ryan leaned in farther and pressed his lips against hers.