A/N: This chapter is more concentrated on Rob and Anne but Troypay is still there.
I do not own anything.
Chapter 9 – Rehearsals
"What?!" Rob shouted
Anne stood up and turned to Rob, "We have to keep an eye on them and the only way for us to do that is get a part in the play"
"Are you kidding me?"
"You agreed to help remember?"
"I agreed to help you help Troy and Sharpay but you didn't mention auditioning for the play. I'm the captain of the football team for crying out loud, I can't be seen singing in some play. Can't I just be part of the crew, you know paint sets or whatever" Rob ranted
"No, that's not going to work"
"Why not? We're still part of the play, we're just not going to act."
"That's not going to work because every year Ms. Darbus treats all cast members to weekend getaway at Lava Springs. Since Troy and Sharpay got the leads for the play, they are required to be there and they will use this opportunity to be all lovey-dovey with each other"
"So why does it matter? They're already doing it now, would it make any difference if they're going to do it in Lava Springs?"
"Don't you remember we own Lava Springs so that means Uncle Vance has eyes and ears all over the place and if word about Troy and Sharpay gets to him… all hell will break loose"
"You don't have to remind me" Rob said, looking away as memories of their past flashed before his eyes.
Anne just stared at Rob, her eyes pleading. She did not have to say anything else to convince him that this was a good idea, that it was their only idea. Rob sighed and rolled his eyes, "Fine. I'll do the auditions"
Anne smiled and instinctively hugged Rob, "Thank you"
Rob was shocked but it felt good to have Anne back in his arms. He first stood there and eventually hugged her back. He closed his eyes and hugged Anne closer to him. Anne inhaled his scent and closed her eyes as well. She missed Rob terribly and if only she could just turn back the hands of time, she'd redo everything that had hurt him and make it right. They stayed there for quiet some time until someone cleared their throat. Both Rob and Anne jumped out of each other's embrace and faced the cause of distraction.
"Sorry did I disturb anything here?" Ryan cockily said
"No, no, you didn't disturb anything. We were just practicing for the play…" Anne explained nervously
"Yeah, we're planning on auditioning but don't tell anybody especially the team" Rob added, stuffing his hands in his pockets but the tone of his voice authoritative.
"No worries Captain." Ryan turned to Anne "So Anne I was just wondering if you'd like to go grab some coffee."
Anne looks back at Rob before answering "I think I'll pass for now Ryan." She turned to look at Ryan and gave him a sweet smile.
Although a little disappointed, Ryan nodded. "It's ok. I'll call you later ok"
"Sure" Anne said as both she and Rob stared at Ryan walking out of the auditorium. As soon as he was out of sight, Rob turned to Anne "Why didn't you go with him? I don't mind"
"I just didn't want to…" Anne explained as they started walking out of the auditorium. "…so about the auditions, are you in or are you out?"
"I'm in. What do I have to do?"
"Well, it's a musical so typical song numbers would do"
"Do we sing solo or together?"
"It's up to Ms. Darbus but we should sing solo first and then if you're still up to it, we could sing a duet" Her voice sounding more hopeful than a few minutes ago.
"Okay" Rob trailed off
"Don't worry I'll help you" Anne said as she looped her arms around Rob's and headed towards the parking lot. This was the second time today that Anne surprised him and even though he wasn't supposed to feel good about it, he did thinking he'd rather be with her than anybody else.
Meanwhile, Troy and Sharpay were at Cheesecake Etc. The café was pretty full with people since nobody wants to sit outside due to the strong winds.
"Thank you for the song" Troy said as he cuddled closer to Sharpay.
"What makes you think it's for you?" Sharpay smirked
Troy faked a shock. "Oh well… whoever that song was for, I'd like to congratulate him for having the prettiest girl sing to him. Do I know him by any chance?
Sharpay laughed "You do know him, he goes to East High"
"What class?" Troy asked, playing along
"Our class and he's really popular"
"Really?"
"Yeah, he's on the basketball team and he is really nice too"
"I'm on the basketball team."
"Really? I didn't know that. Anyway, back to this awesome guy…"
"Awesome huh?"
"Yeah, he's actually the youngest player to be named captain and he has these dazzling blue eyes" Sharpay turned around to look at Troy and continued "He also has sandy, shaggy brown hair and has an infectious smile that can make me go weak in the knees"
"Like this?" Troy smiled
"Yeah, pretty much" Sharpay leaned in and gave Troy a soft kiss. Troy was about to deepen the kiss when Sharpay pulled back. "We really need to rehearse" she continued
"Can we do it later?" Troy asked, leaning in.
Sharpay placed her hand on Troy's chest, stopping him. She gave him her puppy-dog eyes she knows that he can't resist. Troy rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine, we'll rehearse… tomorrow" He leaned again to kiss her and rehearsal plans were soon forgotten.
The following day, Troy and Sharpay were lounging around the Evans' indoor pool house since it was scorching hot outside. They were at the shallow end of the pool with Sharpay sitting in between Troy's legs as he embraced her from behind. She giggled as Troy whispered something in her ear.
"So I was thinking instead of going out tonight, we can start rehearsing for the auditions" Sharpay suggested
Troy pouted "Aw, bummer and just when I had the perfect night all planned out"
Sharpay laughed heartily. "Yeah, whatever Bolton. But we seriously need to start rehearsing for the auditions. You promised me yesterday remember?"
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go." Troy stood up and offered his hand to Sharpay. They got off of the pool, dried themselves and changed. They headed straight into the Evans' music room, where they spent the whole afternoon.
Meanwhile, Anne and Rob were also rehearsing for the auditions inside East High's auditorium. Since Anne was a member of the Drama Club asking permission from Ms. Darbus was as easy. They were going through different songs for more than two hours and both of them were really tired and frustrated.
"Ugh, can't you just pick a song for me to sing? You very well know that singing is not forte" Rob said frustratingly
"No, we have to pick the perfect song or else we're not going to get a role in the play. I mean I can get a role regardless of the song I chose but for you, we really have to decide carefully" Anne frankly said.
Rob's eyes narrowed, "I'm going to let that one slide"
"Come on that was not an insult" Anne said
Rob ignored her and just kept on looking through different music sheets Anne brought. After going through 15 more music sheets, Rob gave up "Explain this to me again. How can you pick a song with this number of choices?"
"Well it depends. Most of the time you just got to choose a song that you can relate with, it helps you pull out and use your very own emotions. Sometimes you chose a song that you think the casting director would like. For example, Darbus likes Shakespeare, we can probably chose…" Anne trailed off as she was searching through the pile of music sheet and pulled out one "…Shakespeare in Love or something that's really old. And sometimes you chose a song depending on the type of play you're going to audition for. Like for instance, our Spring Musicale is First Romance. From the title alone, you can tell that it is a love story, so love songs would be your best bet in getting a role" Anne explained as Rob looked at her in amazement.
Anne turned to him, waving her hands in his face "Hello? Hello? Earth to Rob. Anyone in there?"
Rob snapped out of his trance and smiled awkwardly at Anne.
"Why were you staring? Do I have anything on my face?" Anne continually asked.
"No, no, no, you looked okay." Rob answered
"Okay then, have you found a song yet?"
"None" Rob said without looking at his watch. "Look at the time, I have to go. I promised my dad I'll play some one-on-one with him."
"Okay, but promise me you'll look for a song to sing this weekend. We only have 4 days for you to rehearse" Anne begged
"Yup, don't worry, I will" Rob stood up and walked out of the auditorium. When she thought that Rob was out of sight, Anne walked over to the CD player and hit play. Soft music flooded throughout the entire auditorium as she swayed slowly along with the music.
Rob, on the other hand, heard the music and headed back to the auditorium. He took a peek by the door and saw Anne gracefully dancing to the music. She looked like an Angel. He suddenly thought if he made the right choice and that if reuniting with Anne was the right choice. He knew that it was the only way to help Troy and Sharpay but there had to be another way, it's just that he has no idea how. Rob quickly snapped back to reality just in time to see Anne and Ryan kissing. Where did he come from, Rob thought.
He quickly tore his gaze off them. "I should have known" Rob said louder than he intended to.
Anne and Ryan suddenly pull apart and turned to Rob.
"Rob!" Anne gasped and then looked back at Ryan and then back to Rob "This is not what it looks like. You've got to believe me"
Rob glared at them and then walked out of the auditorium.
"Rob! Rob!" Anne called out but to no avail, Rob didn't even bother to turn back. She then turned to Ryan.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Anne shouted.
"I was kissing my girlfriend" Ryan simply said
Anne scoffed "Girlfriend? Where in the entire world would you get that idea?"
"Excuse me?" Ryan asked, confused.
"Look, just because we flirt, went out and make-out does not make you my boyfriend" Anne ranted.
"Oh that puts me in my place then. I guess I'll see you around then" Ryan said, heading out towards the door.
"Ryan, wait!" Anne called out. Ryan stopped dead in his track and turned back to Anne.
"I'm sorry. It's just that…" Anne explained
"Its okay, Anne, I understand it's him you want to be with not me" Ryan said calmly.
Anne closed her eyes and then looked directly at Ryan, "Sorry"
"It's okay. You don't have to apologize."
"But…"
"Anne, although I'm not used to being 'dumped', I can move pass this. Don't worry." Ryan smiled. "…Plus it really looks like you're still hung up on him"
"Am I that obvious?" Anne smiled sheepishly.
Ryan smiled "Yeah but I told you its okay. You and Rob belong together"
Anne laughed, "Gah, you're so gay"
"Hey!"
"Sorry I just have to"
"Yeah, yeah. Come on, we'll go get some ice cream then we'll go to Rob's and explain everything" Ryan planned out.
Anne raised an eyebrow "Ok, really, who are you and what did you do with Ryan?"
"Very funny, Anne. Now let's go before I change my mind" They both ran out of the auditorium laughing.
After getting ice cream, Ryan and Anne drove over to Rob's house as planned. Anne knocked expecting Rob would answer so she was surprised when Lucy Bolton opened the door.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Bolton. Is Rob home?" Anne smiled
"Uhm, no, he's not yet here. Do you want to wait for him?"
"It's okay. I'm just going to give him a call later. Thanks so much" Anne turned back and walked towards to Ryan's car, looking disappointed as ever.
"Not home huh?" Ryan asked
Anne shook her head and stared out of the window, "Can you just take me home?"
Ryan nodded and started his drive towards the Evans' mansion.
All throughout the week, Anne hadn't seen nor heard anything from Rob. She hadn't seen him anywhere in school and whenever she called the Bolton's, his either not home or sleeping and calling his cell phone proved to be useless because it would get straight to voicemail. She tried everything that she can think of without tipping off Sharpay and Troy.
Thursday night came with still no word from Rob and Anne was frustrated as ever. She decided to go for a swim something she always does to clear her mind. She was swimming back and forth the pool, too distracted to even notice Sharpay walk in.
"Anne?" Sharpay called out but Anne was too focused in swimming to even hear her. "Anne! Anne!" Still no reaction. Sharpay got impatient and snapped her fingers. Water from the pool was slowly drained. Once Anne noticed this, she stood up; the water was only up to her waist, looked confused but got her answer when she saw Sharpay.
"Sharpay! Put the water back in the pool" Anne shouted
"What's the matter with you?" Sharpay asked calmly.
Anne gave her a death glare. "Put. The. Water. Back. In. The. Pool"
"Not until you tell me what the hell is wrong with you." Sharpay shouted back.
Anne rolled her eyes and groaned "It's none of your business Pay. Now can you please put the water back in the pool?"
Sharpay sighed and snapped her fingers. Water soon filled the pool and Anne continued swimming. Sharpay rolled her eyes, obviously something is bothering her cousin but she also knew her all too well not pressure her when she's pissed. She walked out of the pool house and went straight to her bedroom. She reached for her Sidekick and quickly dialed Troy's number. It only took one ring before Troy answered
"Hey beautiful" Troy answered
"Hey" Sharpay said with less enthusiasm.
Troy noticed and asked "What's wrong Pay?"
"Nothing, it's just that Anne's been acting weird today and the fact the she totally bit my head off when I asked her what's wrong"
"Oh… Sorry to hear about that but come to think of it Rob is acting out of the ordinary since he got home last Saturday and honestly, I haven't seen him since then." Troy said, concerned apparent in his voice.
"Wait… Rob left?"
"Yeah, I haven't seen him here or in school"
"Have you asked your parents about it?"
"No, I just noticed it but I'm going to ask later"
"Okay, so are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Yeah but…" Troy trailed off
Sharpay laughed "You don't have to be nervous about anything. You know the song by heart."
"I know, I know but this is my first time singing in front of thousands of people"
"Don't worry the auditorium just have a maximum capacity of 500" Sharpay teased.
"Ha ha. Very funny" Troy rolled his eyes
"Well, it's true" Sharpay defended
"Okay, okay. Now go to bed my love. We have a big day tomorrow. I love you" Troy said
"I love you too. Good night" Sharpay replied and flipped her phone close. She looked out the window just in time to see the lightning. Her eyes went wide. There has got to be a way for her and Troy to be together without causing any natural disaster.
"There has got to be a way…" Sharpay murmured as sleep took over her.
On the other side of the mansion, Anne was still wide awake. She was lying in bed for nearly two hours hoping that sleep will creep into her but to no avail. Her clock reads 12:20AM and it has been two hours since she overheard that Rob left. She rolled out of bed and decided to go for soothing bubble bath.
"Oh well, I guess I'll have to help Sharpay and Troy by myself" Anne whispered as she stepped into the tub.
A/N: You know I love hearing what you guys think, so reviews please!!!! :)
