Chapter 9

Katherine's eyes were riveted to the stage during the performance. Jack would glance over at her during the show to see her reaction to a song or a line. He paid careful attention to the character of Cassie so that he could ask questions later. The more he watched, the more he became engrossed in the story and the characters.

During "What I Did For Love" Jack noticed a tear beginning to fall down her cheek. He reached over and took Katherine's hand in his. He placed a kiss on the back of her hand and then gave it a reassuring squeeze.

At the end of the show they joined in the standing ovation and waited for the lights to come up in the theater.

"If you don't mind, we were invited to the opening night reception," she said.

"Not at all. I'd like to meet your friend and I have a dozen questions about the show," he replied.

"A dozen?"

"Or so."

She laughed as she took his offered arm and they made their way to the lobby of the theater.

"Is that Ms. Darbus?" Sharpay Evans asked her brother, Ryan.

They were standing in the lobby waiting for their parents to finish a conversation with friends.

"Where?" Ryan asked.

"Coming out of the ladies room," Sharpay replied.

The siblings looked in that direction as their drama teacher walked towards someone. She was smiling as the man stood up and placed her pashmina around her shoulders, kissing her cheek.

"It looks like she's on a date or something," Ryan remarked as he turned to face his sister.

"Should we go over and say hello?" she asked.

"Let her enjoy her night," he said.

Just then Sharpay's face turned white.

"What's wrong?"

"Ms. Darbus…"

"I know."

"Her date…"

"What about him?"

Sharpay leaned closer to her brother and whispered, "look."

Ryan turned around just in time to see Coach Bolton hand his favorite teacher a glass of champagne.

"It can't be..." he whispered back.

"But it is."

Just then their parents came over and they started to leave. Sharpay looked back at the two teachers who were smiling and laughing.

"I wonder if Troy knows," she thought to herself.