AN: Again, some standard disclaimer. I do not own High School Musical. Only the story plot and the AU characters that exist within it. =] Thank you for the read and I hope that you enjoy!
"So Kels, what's new?"
It had been years since Kelsi and Jason had seen each other; more years than any of the others due to the fact that Jason, after high school, had picked up and moved to California following his director's eye. His talent behind the lens was undeniable and the last she knew he was an A-list director and producer working on projects that have all been nominated for awards.
Jason and Kelsi drove leisurely across town towards where the reception would be held and she could only turn and smile at her old friend to reply. "Oh man. Loaded question right there."
He laughed "Well, it has been years. But I heard you were up for a Director gig, Legally Blonde was it?"
Kelsi's eyes widened in surprise and she laughed. "Why does everyone seem to know about that?"
Which made Jason only chuckle again and shrug in response. "What can I say? I'm a director, I would know these things."
Kelsi smiled. "Alright, fair enough. But yeah, Terry McManis hired me as Musical Director for Legally Blonde the Musical. It's been a while since I've done a full new show by myself, but I'm really excited."
"Just like high school huh?"
Kelsi sighed reminiscently and nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so. But what about you Jason? What's going on with you?"
Jason chuckled. "A lot. I'm working for Disney now as a producer and I like being in the kind of family friendly part of town. Hollywood with all it's glitz and edge was getting a bit too rough."
Kelsi chuckled. "I know what you mean, Legally Blonde seems like such a breath of fresh air after a few of the shows I've done. Everyone now-a-days just want the next taboo idea on stage. What happened to the boy meets girl story? A timeless classic story line set to catchy music is always good for the soul."
Jason smiled. "Yeah, I agree. Which is why I was actually hoping you would be here Kelsi. I've been meaning to try and find you, but it seems that no one has been able to for a while.."
She raised a brow at him. "Oh no. Should I be worried?" Which only made Jason laugh and shake his head.
"Not at all, in fact I think you're the only person that would really support me in this."
Kelsi looked at him somewhat hesitantly though with a good humor sort of glance before sighing dramatically and leaning back against her chair. "Alright, I'm listening."
Jason smiled. "Great, well...I've had this idea for a while, and actually the first step was getting to Disney since I knew it really wouldn't be legitimate any other way. But, I've wanted to bring the movie musical back. And when I say movie-musical I mean full out Disney story."
Kelsi watched as Jason took another big sigh and began to relay all his plans out. "Ever since Rent came out in theaters I've felt that this genre is just screaming to be put back on the screen and so what I want to do is pull Disney away from this whole new movie of the month thing and go back to the roots, but of course with a modern twist. I don't want a cartoon I want real kids with real talent and a real Disney Classic, new for the generation. So what do you think?"
"Well," Kelsi said. "It sounds great Jason, the idea I mean, but what do you need me for?"
"To write it of course."
"What?" Kelsi's eyes nearly came out of her head. "You want me to write your movie script?"
Jason nodded. "I couldn't think of anyone else who would know how to put on a show Kels. I want it to be a musical, I want it to be like all those movies you used to make me watch when we were younger and no one knows them better than you. You're perfect. You're the one."
She felt herself blush slightly and laugh in embarrassment. "That's really sweet Jason, but really, I haven't finished an original piece in years-"
"Well then finish one Kelsi," He turned to her as he came to a stoplight and smiled. "Knowing you even your rough drafts are fantastic and you don't have to have it now, you have time because I need time to pitch this to the big guns back home, but I really want to make this happen and I need the best to do it. That's why I changed to Disney and that's why I'm asking you. You're the best and there is no one else."
She was still hesitant, unsure if it was wise to take on another project on the brink of starting a show but Jason could only pout with his pleading eyes and she sighed. "At least promise me you'll think about it," He said. And with that Kelsi could only nod.
"Alright, I'll think about it."
Jason smiled. "That's all I ask," and with that light turned green and began to drive again.
It was silent for only a moment before Kelsi looked and Jason with an inquisitive eye and shook her head. "So what happened Jason? Why all of this now? I mean, your previous works have always been on the fringe and no where near this kind of genre. What changed?"
Her friend could only sigh. "Honestly?" He chuckled. "Marriage and kids."
At this Kelsi became even more surprised. "Married? You got married? And have kids?"
Jason laughed. "Yeah I did, about nine years ago or so. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. To be honest, I had been out of contact for so long with everyone, except Zeke, that high school felt like a lifetime ago. But...I regret that you couldn't be there. You would have really liked Amanda."
"Oh," Kelsi said, noticing the way he mentioned his wife was in a passed tense. "Am I not going to meet her?"
Jason could only sigh and shake his head. "She died about three years ago. Cancer"
Immediately Kelsi mentally kicked herself. "I'm sorry Jase."
But he only waved her off. "It's okay, you didn't know. And besides, it was a long time ago and I've come to terms with it, so don't worry."
She reached out a hand to him and squeezed comfortingly before sharing a small smile together. "So how many kids do you have?" At this Jason's whole face seemed to light up and he quickly pulled down his vanity mirror to grab pictures before handing them to Kelsi.
"The eldest is Aaron, he's eight and then two twin girls, Janie and Jessi. They are five."
Kelsi took in the sight of three beautiful children all sharing different aspects of Jason physically and she couldn't help but coo. "Oh Jason they are beautiful, you must be so proud,"
He nodded profusely. "Every day. And that's why I want to bring this whole genre back Kelsi. You see Amanda loved musicals too and as the kids grew up she used them a lot to teach them different lessons about sharing and looking out for each other as well as about love and the power of love. So, especially when she got sick, the kids really took to watching the movies over and over again. I guess they wanted a reminder on how to cope with everything. When Amanda died I just couldn't bring myself to get thrown back into my regular projects. Everything just seemed like a compromise of the morals Amanda and I had taught our kids and so, that's why I want to do this movie-musical to let my kids know that happy endings are real and they aren't just old movies for old times. The stories their mom loved are still classics and that's why they are important."
Kelsi couldn't help but feel slightly overwhelmed and she laughed. "That sounds wonderful Jason. That's a great thing to want to teach your kids. I try to teach my daughter that everyday too."
It was then that Kelsi sort of froze. She had just mentioned Riley unintentionally and now it was Jason who looked surprised. "You have a daughter Kels?"
What could she do? She couldn't say no, she wasn't ashamed of her daughter and looking at the picture of Jason's kids and seeing how excited he had been at the mention of them only made her feel guilty for even thinking of denying Riley. So, she smiled weakly and pulled out her own picture of her daughter's last dance recital. "This is Riley and she's my whole world."
Jason pulled up to the reception hall and parked before taking the picture of Riley from Kelsi and smiling. "She's a stunner Kels, how old is she?"
"She just turned seven."
As Kelsi looked at Riley, smiling with a missing tooth in her blue fairy wings she couldn't help but swell with pride, the echoes of that particular recital coming back to her. "She looks just like you."
Kelsi couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah well, as much as she may look like me she can sometimes be the exact opposite. Loud, fearless, and always singing." It was then that a flash of Ryan came to her mind and she pulled back, earning a look of concern from Jason.
"Traits from her father?"
Kelsi sucked in a large breath. "Must be."
The car grew silent as Kelsi closed her eyes, trying to push all of the guilty feelings she had been having lately away. But Jason pressed his hand on to hers and whispered. "Are you alright Kels?"
She looked up and smiled weakly in response. "Yeah, just thinking about how it all got to this point."
He didn't press her for what she meant, or even pushed further on the issue of Riley's dad, but instead held her hand in his and smiled. "I know the feeling. Really, sometimes, when I get a breather just to kind of look back on it all, I wonder how I can cope, especially since in high school I was such a slacker." The two laughed and Jason handed back Kelsi her picture.
"But I look at my kids and all I see are the good stuff." He laughed and leaned back into his seat and shook his head. "In spite of all the bad stuff that goes on, I've still got them.
"Yeah." Kelsi agreed, looking down at her daughter. "Yeah, you're right."
"She has some nerve."
Zeke glanced over at Sharpay as he drove to the reception and sighed, turning back towards the road. He was trying his best to stay focused on driving and not the fact that her angry pout coupled with the way she twirled her hand in frustration was extremely attractive. But being in such close proximity made it difficult. "Or a really good explanation..."
"Explanation!" Sharpay cried, looking at Zeke incredulously, her eyes wide with shock and disgust. "Explanation for why she just dropped off the face of the earth? Explanation for why she wouldn't return any of our phone calls, our emails or our letters? Explanation for why she abandoned all of us and made us all believe that she was dead!"
"Woah," Zeke held up a hand and sent a look of concern towards Sharpay. "Let's cool the drama jets and take a step back, no one thought Kelsi was dead."
But Sharpay just turned in a huff and crossed her arms. "Well she could have been. She was as good as..."
Zeke sighed and reached out to her, pulling a hand out of the twisted knot of her stubborn pose and lacing his fingers through hers. "Shh." He whispered, stroking her hand as he noticed her tears. "It'll be okay. Like I said, I'm sure she has a really good explanation."
Sharpay and Kelsi had gotten close over the years. The two most important women in Ryan Evans' life had become just as important to each other and had become best friends, almost sisters even. Especially with Sharpay convinced that Kelsi would be her sister in law one day. But when Kelsi had cut contact with everyone after the split with Ryan, Sharpay shouldered a brunt of the loss. To make matters worse the whole thing had happened in the midst of Sharpay's career crash. And so, when Sharpay had needed Kelsi most she hadn't been there. She wasn't there to help Sharpay through it all.
Zeke couldn't say he was surprised that her reaction was this way, but, still, he felt obligated to defend Kelsi. While he hadn't been around to see how Sharpay was doing, only hearing how it had been difficult through Gabriella or through Troy, he had been around for Kelsi's side of the story. He knew that, as difficult as it had been for Sharpay to lose her best friend, Kelsi had had her own struggles to deal with. She had lost the love of her life, had felt as though none of her friends would understand, and raised a baby on her own.
He couldn't attest to Kelsi's decision being acceptable, but she had had it rough. And she did have a good explanation.
"Whatever." Sharpay sighed, pulling her hand out of Zeke's and wiping carefully under her eyes so as not to disturb her make up. "It's probably a stupid excuse."
Zeke sighed. "I don't know," He whispered, ignoring the fact that she had deliberately pulled away from contact with him and reaching out for her hand again. This time holding it more firmly and bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss. "Don't knock her down until you've asked."
Sharpay was staring at him with confusion and tried to pull her hand away, but he held on firm. Stroking his thumb over hers gently as they continued to drive. "What exactly are you doing? And why are you defending her?"
Zeke only shrugged but held tight to her hand. "Just being here for you and I'm just saying, that Kelsi's been gone for almost seven years Shar, don't you think she would be able to offer something?"
"Maybe." Sharpay muttered. "Doesn't mean I'll forgive her..."
Zeke shook his head. "Of course you'll forgive her." He sighed. "You love her. And when you love someone," He said, turning toward Sharpay and pulling her gaze to his. "You want more than anything in the world to forgive them. It's just a matter of if you'll let yourself."
Zeke held her gaze for a beat longer before turning back to the road, his words resonating within her like the song they first danced to together as a couple.
"I'm sure you've heard these words before
And I know it's hard for you to trust them once more
You're afraid it all might end
And a broken heart is scared of breaking again
But you've gotta believe me
I'll never leave you
You'll never cry long as I am there
And I will always be there"
As her mind wandered back from that freshman dorm party her eyes began to focus in on Zeke who was softly humming the same tune under his breath. She shook her head. "You have to stop doing this Zeke." She whispered, finally pulling her hand from his and crossing it over her chest so that he couldn't get to it. She turned to stare out the window when he sighed.
"I can't Sharpay." He whispered back in a strained, almost defeated tone. "You were always it for me. And I know it's been years since we've even spoken, but seeing you now only reiterates to me that I never stopped loving you. And I probably never will."
His words pierced through to her heart like an arrow and it made every inch of her hum, but she couldn't fold. Clearing her throat she shifted farther away from him and sighed. "It's not that easy Zeke. We can't just pick up where we left off."
"Like hell."
The forcefulness of his voice surprised Sharpay enough to turn. "What?"
"Like. Hell."
He pulled into an empty spot in the reception hall parking lot and parked, turning his body towards her. "It is that easy Sharpay. If we want to be together then we be together thats it!"
Sharpay shook her head. "No! That's not it Zeke! We can't just start up again like the past nine years haven't happened. We both have different lives, we're different people! How do you know I even want to be with you again?"
As Sharpay felt the words leave her mouth she summoned up all of her acting chops in order to hide the wild beating of her heart. She stayed stone face, looking completely serious and almost challenging up against the man she once knew. But Zeke looked undeterred and his gaze stayed steady on her as he slowly smirked.
"You still think I can't see right through you Shar? I know you inside and out. Despite the years apart I still know you like the back of my hand and you can't fool me. I said that seeing you reiterates that I never stopped loving you, well, it also tells me that you never stopped loving me either."
Sharpay felt a shiver run down her spine. He sounded so forceful, so confident, that she almost caved right then and there, her heart wanting to scream out, "Okay! Anything you say. I believe you!" But she held her ground. "You're wrong. I'm not the same girl I was back then Zeke and too much has changed-"
"Have your feelings for me changed?"
His question cut deep within her and she felt her face drop all pretenses as she looked into his eyes. "I-"
"Cause you're right, things have changed. We're both grown and are no longer kids who are too scared to commit more than a few years to each other." He sighed. "You think I don't know why you said all those things that night? You think I didn't understand why? I knew you were scared and that you didn't want to ask me to stay." He dropped his gaze down into his lap and rubbed one palm over his other fist. "But the truth was I left without fight because I started to think that maybe it was time to go, time to give us and my idea of us space."
When he finally look back into her eyes she could barely breathe, uncertain of how to feel with all of this new information. But he didn't give her much time to rebound, just continued on. "But the difference is now I know I can't give you up without a fight. And no matter the distance between us, no matter the years we've been apart, I cannot move on in my life without you."
He sighed once more, taking in a deep breath before asking, with a quiver in his voice for the first time, "But maybe you're right. Maybe it is different for you. So let me ask, have your feelings for me changed?"
She couldn't speak. She could barely breathe or move, and his words seemed to echo through her like she was an empty cave. "Zeke..." She croaked out, noticing that the confidence in his eyes dim slightly with fear. He was afraid of what her answer would be and she realized that she could still read him easily as well.
She thought of the last time she had told him that she didn't love him. She remembered pushing him out the door and slamming it behind him. She also remembered how much it hurt to push him away and how hard it was to pick herself back up again. She thought back to those years when she needed him there and he wasn't and how much she hated herself because she had made him leave. Was she willing to do it again? Did she want to do it again?
It was all so confusing. It had been years since they had seen each other, but could she lie as easily as she had before about not needing him? Was it even easy last time?
"Zeke..." she started again, taking in a deep breath and turning her attention to the hands in her lap. "I-I-" she swallowed hard and shut her eyes tight, "I don't think the way I feel for you will ever go away but-"
He didn't let her finish. In that moment he reached out and slipped a hand gently but swiftly to her cheek and pulled her closer, firmly pressing his lips against hers.
And all thought instantly flew from her mind.
AN: Okay, so I know that I've been promising the reunion chapter for...well...years now, but in the wake of my two year hiatus the story has begun to change form. Not in a bad way just...it's speaking different things to me and this scene with Zeke and Sharpay, which was never even a thought two years ago, has suddenly become an important and pivotal scene. (which you will see in the next few chapters) I will say though that the reunion chapter will be the next one, FOR SURE because it's already been outlined and plotted out. Let's just hope that no more left field scenes (like this one) come pouring from my brain onto the page.
...unless of course it becomes apparently necessary to the plot, which I don't think it will.
Anyway. I told you I would update soon. Keep an eye out for the next one which should be coming within the next week and a half (Lord willing) And also, thanks to all those who wished me Happy Birthday. It was truly an experience...turning 21. Haha and before you all get crazy visions in your head of your dear wordsmith boozing it up in Las Vegas, let me just tell you I live a fairly Disney-esque life with a pretty Disney-esque (Conservative Bible-Believing) family, so be aware: my idea of wild is hardly wild to anyone else. XD just saying.
Haha, but I had fun, not just in Vegas but in writing this. And can I just say: I 3 Zekepay.
who's with me?
-scribbling wordsmith-
