HSMTMTS: Emma's Journey At East High Chapter 3: S1C3 - My New Life Begins, a high school musical: the musical - the series fanfic

[As Nini finished her song, that is when I finally spoke to her for the first time in a long time in-person, because one of the things I've always done is not interrupt her while she is singing.]

Emma Wood: Nini Salazar-Roberts. Still writing songs about boys and your relationships I see.

[Nini then turned to the doorway to see who was speaking, and she saw me standing there.]

Emma Wood: Like I mean really, you can't pick anything else to write a song about?

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Emma?

Emma Wood: Hey.

[Nini then got up, and ran up to me, and we then embraced. With that, get ready Wildcats, because the besties are back together, and we ain't backing down anytime soon. Go Wildcats!]

Nini Salazar-Roberts: I can't believe you're actually here! How have you been?

Emma Wood: I just had to say goodbye to my girl band and my local teen theater group because I'm making the choice to move away from the area of pain that has given me lately, so not feeling the greatest right now, but I'm excited to have a fresh new start.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: And what do your parents have to say about this?

[Tears started to build up in my eyes. Now to be clear, Nini had no idea up until this point that my mom had been killed by my father, who then proceeded to kill himself, so she had every right to ask the question. Nonetheless, the tear building still happened.]

Emma Wood: They died Nini…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: What?

Emma Wood: Not long after we got off our call a few weeks ago, officers came by the house, saying it's under investigation, after my father shot my mother and then shot himself. I knew they were going to separate, but it was still tough…

[I then embraced Nini, this time just for a moment. Then, while I would never be able to shake it away entirely, I tried to sing my pain away.]

Emma Wood (singing): Here I am alone, and maybe I deserve it

Emma Wood (singing): And my friends, well, they're mostly non-existent

Emma Wood (singing): And that's on me

Emma Wood (singing): I had a cause to help but did I help it?

Emma Wood (singing): Or did I see myself in a way that wasn't true?

Emma Wood (singing): This is not my father's fairytale

Emma Wood (singing): And no, it's not my mother's fault I fail

Emma Wood (singing): So when my story finally comes to light…

[Nini, seeing me in the state that I was in after all that, still in a state of sadness and crying, she decided to try and make the situation better, by some good ol' singing of her own. As soon as I figured out what was happening, I ended up joining her as well.]

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): All these flashes within your mind

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): You need to find the key that's in the present

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): All this power you feel inside

Emma Wood (singing): It's time to make my stand

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): You're not sending no apologies

Emma Wood (singing): I'm not holding back any longer

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): They wanna keep you down

Emma Wood (singing): I'd like to see them try

Emma & Nini (singing): Hey, Hey, Hey

Emma Wood (singing): They're not getting what they want from me

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): What didn't kill you made you stronger

Emma Wood (singing): They want to hold me down, I'd like to see them try

Emma & Nini (singing): Cause I was born to fly

Emma Wood (singing): All these flashes within my mind

Emma Wood (singing): All this power I feel inside

Emma Wood (singing): Cause I was born to fly

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): You're not sending no apologies

Emma Wood (singing): I'm not holding back any longer

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): They wanna keep you down

Emma Wood (singing): I'd like to see them try

Emma & Nini (singing): Hey, Hey, Hey

Emma Wood (singing): They're not getting what they want from me

Nini Salazar-Roberts (singing): What didn't kill you made you stronger

Emma Wood (singing): They want to hold me down, I'd like to see them try

Emma Wood (singing): Cause I was born to fly

[Emma and Nini then looked at each other, for just a moment. Nini sees in her best friend so much pain and so much emotion. She wishes she could do something for her, which gives her a great idea for what exactly would cheer her up.]

Nini Salazar-Roberts: So where's your new start going to be?

Emma Wood: Well, I had a long time to think about it…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: And?

Emma Wood: I thought it would be best for me to come to the place where you were, and where the good ol' High School Musical movies were shot.

Nini Salazar-Roberts (excitedly): So you're coming to East High?

Emma Wood: It's the start of something new.

[Nini then hugs me, in a moment of joy and happiness. This was a huge moment for me, but I could tell this was a huge moment for her as well, to have me nearby now on a regular basis.]

Emma Wood: I need to become something different. I need to become something new. I need a fresh slate, and a fresh plate.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: No matter what you've been going through, I know that your parents will be proud of you and what you're doing.

Emma Wood: I'd like to think that too.

[We then sat there and talked, for about fifteen minutes. I was catching up on what was going on with Nini at East High, and Nini was asking what was going on to me. Then, we shifted focus

Nini Salazar-Roberts: So when do you need to go back for the final time?

Emma Wood: Probably sometime within the next week. Technically it's my property now, so I have to be there for when it sells, which surprisingly will be soon since I got a message while I landed that someone wants to buy it.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Nice! So it won't be long before you're here to stay?

Emma Wood: Probably will fly back in the morning, get it done, pack my things up, and begin the trek out tomorrow afternoon.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Awesome! And Em…

Emma Wood: Yeah?

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Maybe truly rock out with your girl band one more time. I know you already had a "final" show, but maybe it would help them out if you joined them again. I saw they've been having a rough time making their way without you.

Emma Wood: Yeah for sure, and I think I know just the way to help them.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Emma Wood singing magic?

Emma Wood: Emma Wood singing magic.

[And here I am, back in Atlanta. I sold the house officially earlier in the day, so yay, I'm free to move to East High full-time! Before I make the flight back home, though, as Nini suggested, I'm back where my girl band performs. I'm lurking in the audience, with an extra wireless microphone I grabbed while they weren't in here, but now, like I said, I'm lurking at the back of the crowd, waiting for my moment to strike, and luckily, with the specific song they picked, I know exactly when my time to strike will be. What song did they pick to perform? Well, I think y'all will know it.]

Skye Cooper (singing): We're soarin', flyin'

Daniella Berry (singing): There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach

Maria Parker (singing): If we're tryin', so we're breakin' free

Mikaela Burns (singing): You know the world can see us

Mikaela Burns (singing): In a way that's different than who we are

Maria Parker (singing): Creating space between us 'til we're separate hearts

Daniella & Skye (singing): But your faith, it gives me strength

Maria & Mikaela (singing): Strength to believe

Entire Girl Band (singing): We're breakin' free

Mikaela Burns (singing): We're soarin', flyin'

Daniella & Skye (singing): There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach

Entire Girl Band (singing): If we're tryin', yeah, we're breakin' free

Maria & Mikaela (singing): Oh, we're breakin' free (Ooh-ooh-ooh)

[I then made sure my mic was turned on, and then I came out from my hiding place in the back of the crowd, and started walking down the walkway towards the main stage. As I started singing, both the audience and my girl band members were in complete shock that I was back, and still on my A-game.]

Emma Wood (singing): Can you feel it building?

Emma Wood (singing): Like a wave the ocean just can't control

Emma Wood (singing): Connected by a feelin', ooh, in our very souls (Very souls, oh)

Emma Wood (singing): Rising 'til it lifts us up, so everyone can see

Entire Girl Band (singing): We're breakin' free

Emma Wood (singing): We're soarin', flyin'

Maria & Mikaela (singing): There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach

Emma Wood (singing): If we're tryin', yeah, we're breakin' free

Daniella & Skye (singing): Oh, we're breakin' free (Ooh-ooh-ooh)

Emma Wood (singing): Runnin', climbin'

Emma Wood (singing): To get to that place to be all that we can be

Maria & Mikaela (singing): Now's the time, so we're breakin' free

Entire Girl Band (singing): We're breakin' free (Ooh, yeah)

Emma Wood (singing): More than hope, more than faith

Daniella & Skye (singing): This is truth, this is fate

Maria & Mikaela (singing): And together we see it comin'

Emma Wood (singing): More than you, more than me

Emma Wood (singing): Not a want, but a need

Entire Girl Band (singing): All of us, breakin' free

Emma Wood (singing): Soarin', flyin'

Entire Girl Band (singing): There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach

Entire Girl Band (singing): If we're tryin', yeah, we're breakin' free (Breakin' free)

Maria & Mikaela (singing): We're runnin', ooh, climbin'

Daniella & Skye (singing): To get to that place to be all that we can be

Entire Girl Band (singing): Now's the time (Now's the time), so we're breakin' free

Entire Girl Band (singing): Oh, we're breakin' free (Oh)

Emma Wood (singing): You know the world can see us

Emma Wood (singing): In a way that's different than who we are

[After everyone in the audience left after their 10-minute standing ovation, people were calling for me to do one final solo performance, and my bandmates were encouraging it, so why wouldn't I give the people what they want, right? They've given so much to me over the years, so it was the least that I could do.]

Emma Wood: The people will get what the people want. Here's Wait For It from Hamilton.

[And so, the last solo performance from me, at least for a while, in Atlanta, and I'll let the performance speak for itself, because everyone thought it was my best one yet.]

Emma Wood (singing): Theodosia writes me a letter every day

Emma Wood (singing): I'm keeping the bed warm while her husband is away

Emma Wood (singing): He's on the British side in Georgia

Emma Wood (singing): He's trying to keep the colonies in line

Emma Wood (singing): But he can keep all of Georgia

Emma Wood (singing): Theodosia, she's mine

Emma Wood (singing): Love doesn't discriminate

Emma Wood (singing): Between the sinners

Emma Wood (singing): And the saints

Emma Wood (singing): It takes and it takes and it takes

Emma Wood (singing): And we keep loving anyway

Emma Wood (singing): We laugh and we cry

Emma Wood (singing): And we break

Emma Wood (singing): And we make our mistakes

Emma Wood (singing): And if there's a reason I'm by her side

Emma Wood (singing): When so many have tried

Emma Wood (singing): Then I'm willing to wait for it

Emma Wood (singing): I'm willing to wait for it

[As I went on, I realized that the sections that were sung by the ensemble in the original song were being sung by my bandmates, which I appreciated very much.]

Emma Wood (singing): My grandfather was a fire and brimstone preacher

Entire Girl Band (singing): Preacher, preacher, preacher

Emma Wood (singing): But there are things that the homilies and hymns won't teach ya

Entire Girl Band (singing): Teach ya, teach ya, teach ya

Emma Wood (singing): My mother was a genius

Entire Girl Band (singing): (Genius)

Emma Wood (singing): My father commanded respect

Entire Girl Band (singing): (Respect, respect)

Emma Wood (singing): When they died they left no instructions

Emma Wood (singing): Just a legacy to protect

Entire Girl Band (singing): Death doesn't discriminate

Entire Girl Band (singing): Between the sinners

Entire Girl Band (singing): And the saints

Entire Girl Band (singing): It takes and it takes and it takes

Entire Girl Band (singing): And we keep living anyway

Entire Girl Band (singing): We rise and we fall

Entire Girl Band (singing): And we break

Entire Girl Band (singing): And we make our mistakes

Entire Girl Band (singing): And if there's a reason I'm still alive

Emma Wood (singing): When everyone who loves me has died

Entire Girl Band (singing): I'm willing to wait for it

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait for it

Emma Wood (singing): I am the one thing in life I can control

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait for it

Emma Wood (singing): I am inimitable

Emma Wood (singing): I am an original

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait for it

Emma Wood (singing): I'm not falling behind or running late

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait for it

Emma Wood (singing): I'm not standing still

Emma Wood (singing): I am lying in wait

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait

Emma Wood (singing): Hamilton faces an endless uphill climb

Entire Girl Band (singing): Climb

Emma Wood (singing): He has something to prove

Emma Wood (singing): He has nothing to lose

Entire Girl Band (singing): Lose

Emma Wood (singing): Hamilton's pace is relentless

Emma Wood (singing): He wastes no time

Entire Girl Band (singing): Time

Emma Wood (singing): What is it like in his shoes?

Emma Wood (singing): Hamilton doesn't hesitate

Emma Wood (singing): He exhibits no restraint

Emma Wood (singing): He takes and he takes and he takes

Emma Wood (singing): And he keeps winning anyway

Emma Wood (singing): He changes the game

Emma Wood (singing): He plays and he raises the stakes

Emma Wood (singing): And if there's a reason

Emma Wood (singing): He seems to thrive when so few survive, then Goddamnit—

Entire Girl Band (singing): I'm willing to wait for it

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait for it, wait for it

Entire Girl Band (singing): I'm willing to wait for it...

Entire Girl Band (singing): Life doesn't discriminate

Entire Girl Band (singing): Between the sinners and the saints

Entire Girl Band (singing): It takes and it takes and it takes

Entire Girl Band (singing): And we keep living anyway

Entire Girl Band (singing): We rise and we fall and we break

Entire Girl Band (singing): And we make our mistakes

Entire Girl Band (singing): And if there's a reason I'm still alive

Entire Girl Band (singing): When so many have died

Entire Girl Band (singing): Then I'm willin' to—

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait for it…

Entire Girl Band (singing): Wait...

[After a second 10-minute standing ovation after my solo performance, with a little girlband help, I had some time to talk with my girl band girls, and man were they happy as ever to see me in the flesh.]

Mikaela Burns: That was awesome!

Maria Parker: Look at you Em!

Daniella Berry: Yeah seriously, that was amazing! You're still on your A-game from the looks of it.

Emma Wood: You know me Daniella. I'm always practicing, and I'm always staying on top of things.

Mikaela Burns: Which is always what we expected out of you. A-Game all day, every day.

Emma Wood: Defitnely.

Maria Parker: So I gotta ask since I'm sure the rest of us are thinking the same thing. What are you doing back here?

Emma Wood: I have to be here to sell the house off, and then I'm heading back to Utah, where I'll hopefully be for a long time to come.

Daniella Berry: Why the hell are you choosing to live in Utah, and not in like, I don't know, Nashville or something…?

Maria Parker: Wait a second…

Daniella Berry: What?

Mikaela Burns: Where in Utah are you going…?

Emma Wood: Salt Lake City.

Mikaela Burns: Which is where the High School Musical movies were shot…

Maria Parker: And she's told us about her friend that goes to East High…

Daniella Berry: Hold on, are you gonna be attending East High?

Emma Wood: Yes.

Mikaela Burns: Ok, that is seriously cool!

Daniella Berry: Congrats! That'll surely help drive the pain away.

Emma Wood: For sure.

Maria Parker: This'll truly be the start of something new for you.

Emma Wood: That's the idea.

Mikaela Burns: Just, Emma…

Emma Wood: Yeah?

Mikaela Burns: Always remain true to yourself, no matter where in the world you might be.

Emma Wood: Always Mikaela, always.

[Knowing this was about to be it, we all engaged in a group hug. For the rest of them, they were losing a bandmate and good friend, but for me, I was losing the chance to be in-person with a group of bandmates and good friends, but also, it was time for me to start something brand-new. I knew I had to do this, but that didn't make it any less difficult for me, and just like that, I sold the house, I packed up my things, and off I went to Salt Lake City, Utah. Sure, it was a taxing 2-day drive (29 hours in total, but with very minimum stops was taxing), but eventually, I made it. I then parked my car outside of Nini's driveway, and I went up to the door and rang the doorbell. Now, Nini didn't even know I was going to be here this soon, so this was going to be a surprise for her, and sure enough it was, as she opened the door and was as surprised as ever.]

Nini Salazar-Roberts: You're here?

Emma Wood: Somehow someway, yeah.

[We then hugged. Finally, we would be living together, and I would get the fresh new start I needed.]

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Tomorrow we're going back to work on the musical. You wanna come?

Emma Wood: I would be welcomed in on that?

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Of course Emma! I'll even introduce you to everybody if you want. Now that you're here and you're willing, I'm sure, to get involved, you'll want to get to know everybody.

Emma Wood: Yeah. I guess that's just part of trying to be a theater kid I suppose…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Em, is there something wrong?

[At that very moment, Nini didn't know this. In fact, no one outside of my family at that very moment didn't know this. Here goes nothing, I guess. I have autism, and one of the things that has been an effect of that is my unwillingness to talk with other kids, and as a result I have had great difficulty making friends, and yeah, it's been a whole cycle for so many years. I was grateful enough to get the friends that I got at the Atlanta community theater group, but now, I would have to start over with a new group of theater kids that I didn't know yet. I didn't know how I was going to explain all of this to Nini, but somehow, someway, I managed.]

Emma Wood: If I'm going to be living with you and your family, there's something you should know.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: What is it?

Emma Wood: I have autism.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: You do?

Emma Wood: Yeah, I do. I'm proud of it in a way, but sometimes it feels like it affects me in negative ways.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Then Em, I won't force you to do something you're not comfortable doing, so I have an idea.

Emma Wood: Go on.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: If you find the courage and you're up for it, you can still meet everyone tomorrow, but I think today, there's someone that you should meet.

Emma Wood: Is that so?

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Of course! She's someone who understands the outsider's perspective on things, like you'll be feeling right now.

Emma Wood: Understatement of the century…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Well there you go then. She'll be able to understand you in a way that, perhaps, some of us can't.

Emma Wood: Perhaps. Now, where do I go to meet her?

[I didn't know what to expect when meeting this person. Her name was Gina Porter. From what Nini told me, she's a transfer student, having moved around a ton over the years. She's never been able to stay in the same place for that long, which made me think that she hasn't really had a chance to be a solid community for herself, and that maybe, just maybe, I would be able to help her with that, but first things first. I had to actually meet her, and see if she could be the kind of person that I needed in my life. As I would find out, as I rang the doorbell and she opened the door, she would be able to help me well beyond what I could've imagined.]

Gina Porter: Hey.

Emma Wood: Hey.

Gina Porter: Emma Wood, right?

Emma Wood: Yeah. Nini said you had an outsider's perspective, that might be of help to me.

Gina Porter: Understatement of t-

Emma Wood: Of the century. It's what I said to Nini.

Gina Porter: Why?

Emma Wood: When she said that she assumed that I was feeling like an outsider and all that with this move to East High, that's what I said in response.

Gina Porter: I guess we're more alike than I thought we would be.

Emma Wood: I guess so.

Gina Porter: Anyway, I hear that you're a singer and dancer.

Emma Wood: I consider myself as such, though how good I am in those areas is another story entirely…

Gina Porter: I think your song covers Instagram tells me all I need to do about your exceptional talent.

Emma Wood: Let me guess, Nini told you about that?

Gina Porter: Yeah she did. The two of us may have our own issues with each other that we need to sort out, but we both agreed that we needed to help you right now, and she showed your page to me in order to best help you.

Emma Wood: Oh did she now? Sounds like her.

Gina Porter: She's always looking out for you.

Emma Wood: Clearly.

Gina Porter: Anyway, here's some free advice about the whole outsider thing. I thought I would need to try and fit in with everyone else, but then I learned that I don't need to learn how to fit in with everyone else. I just needed to be myself.

Emma Wood: So when I come tomorrow to the musical work or whatever it's called, just be myself around everyone else?

Gina Porter: Absolutely. When you meet new people, always be yourself.

Emma Wood: Well it's a good thing I'm not afraid to do just that. I just hope it'll all go well, and then maybe, just maybe, there will be some form of role that I can get in the show. I know I can't get any named roles but anything at this point would be a dream come true.

Gina Porter: 'Cause at the end of the day, you're still in High School Musical, The Musical…

Emma Wood: Still a weird name, if I'm being honest.

Gina Porter: Oh yeah, totally is, but anyway, let's see if I can help a little bit in the dancing and singing departments, as talented as you are already.

Emma Wood: Wait really?

Gina Porter: Absolutely! After all, the outsiders have to stick together, right?

Emma Wood: I suppose so.

Gina Porter: Well then, let's get started.

[And yeah, that's how that happened. Nini really went out of her way to introduce me to someone who would not only be interested in similar areas to me, but she indirectly introduced me to someone who understands my outsider state of mind right now, which I was truly grateful for. With that, it was now the next day. For now, I had an air mattress on the other side of Nini's room. For what it's worth, it did its job. I was up earlier than Nini, in large part because I was nervous, and Nini could see it as she got up about 10 minutes after I did, and here I am, dressed in a short black dress, my hair tied back into a slick back ponytail, sitting on my air mattress, thinking about what is to come, and as I said, Nini could tell that I was nervous, and she did everything that she could to help.]

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Hey.

Emma Wood: Hey.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: You gonna be alright?

Emma Wood: I'll be fine. It's just, new environment, new people, new start… I know I said I wanted it, but now that it's finally here…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: You're not sure if you can handle it?

Emma Wood: Exactly…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Don't be nervous Em. You got this. You'll have this in the bag. You get through the day, you join us for the musical prep later this afternoon, we'll find some sort of role for you to have in the show, and it'll be all well and good.

Emma Wood: You mean it?

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Of course I mean it! Who do you think I am?

Emma Wood: Ya know what, fair enough.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: I'm going to go get ready, we're going to go school, and we're gonna make sure you have an awesome day, alright?

Emma Wood: Sounds good Nini, sounds good.

[We arrived at the school. Nini then went off to start her day, and here I was, on my own. To me, it seemed like, what was probably, another typical day at East High, at least for the most part. There was a large crowd of students going through the halls of East High, and then, there's me, entering the office of the Principal. Now I know what you're thinking, and no, I did not get in trouble the second I got there, but rather, I had asked, prior to my first day, to greet the principal of my new high school, and to perhaps see how he might be able to help me fly in this new environment. I then walked into the main part of his office, and upon seeing me, the Principal got up and shared a handshake with me.]

Principal Gutierrez: Ms. Emma Wood, is it?

Emma Wood: Yes.

Principal Gutierrez: Welcome to East High Ms. Wood. I hope that you will find our school to be one where you can thrive, given the most impressive transcripts that I have received from you. You have a great future here.

Emma Wood: As Gabriella Montez said in the first HSM movie Principal, "I don't want to be the freaky math girl again", thank you.

Principal Gutierrez: Well, luckily for you, you won't have to be "the freaky math girl" again. Judging by the interests and extra activities you listed on your transcripts and student resume, I'm sure you'll find something you'll love here. At your request, I did ask Ms. Porter this morning to take time and join you when you were finished with me.

Emma Wood: Thank You Principal. That was most thoughtful of you to consider my special request.

Principal Gutierrez: It was my pleasure Ms. Wood. Especially after what you told me about your parents, I felt it to be a privilege to help the newest student of East High.

Emma Wood: Thank You.

[As I shook hands with Principal Gutierrez and left, standing outside the door was the very person that I was asking for.]

Gina Porter: Hey.

Emma Wood: Hey. Thanks for doing this.

Gina Porter: Of course. Happy to help you. Now let's get you going academically, and then, we can get you fitting right into the musical.

Emma Wood: Let's do it.

[I, somehow, made it through the day. Sure, in part it was because of Gina's willingness to help, but I feel like I was really able to stand out and, as she said for me to do, be myself. The rest, eventually, came naturally to me. Now, it was time for the musical prep. It was about five minutes before it was going to start. Me and Gina took our seats. Gina was to my right, and Nini, by some miracle of seating arrangements, was sitting to my left, with Ricky Bowen sitting on her left. Nini then leaned over to talk to me.]

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Hey. You've been having a good day?

Emma Wood: Yeah.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Good. How was the help I got for you yesterday?

Emma Wood: You couldn't have paired me with anyone better.

Gina Porter: She's been the best to work with. A good listener, and is always willing to learn and listen to what others have to say.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: Well good. Now, let's see what we can get for you today.

Emma Wood: Yeah. We'll see what happens there.

[The day's activities shortly thereafter were started by the Drama Club teacher, Miss Jenn. She seemed friendly and kind, which was good, especially when I wanted a role in this show. Luckily, however, I did not have to wait long, as shortly after things got started, I was, at least to me, unexpectedly introduced to the entire Drama Club.]

Miss Jenn: Alright Wildcats, listen up. I was told we have a new student joining our fold today. An extra set of hands and another talented student on hand, even this late in the game, will be of help to us. Everyone [she then points my way], this is Emma Wood.

[I then stood up and waved hello to everyone, and I got a little bit of clapping from, what were now, my fellow theatre kids, which felt great.]

Miss Jenn: Emma, I've been told about your incredible talents, particularly in the singing department.

Emma Wood: Oh I don't know about that…

Miss Jenn: If you're comfortable, do you want to show your new family what you're made of?

Emma Wood: I suppose it wouldn't hurt anything…

Miss Jenn: Perfect! Any song you want, just let it out, and breathe. [To the rest of the group] Everyone, let's sit down, relax, and listen to talent displaying itself for the first time.

[I then did as Miss Jenn said to do. I took a deep breath, and I just let out the lyrics to the first song that I could think of off the top of my head.]

Emma Wood (singing): Livin' in my own world

Emma Wood (singing): Didn't understand

Emma Wood (singing): That anything can happen

Emma Wood (singing): When you take a chance

Emma Wood (singing): I never believed in

Emma Wood (singing): What I couldn't see

Emma Wood (singing): I never opened my heart, oh

Emma Wood (singing): To all the possibilities, ooh-ooh

Emma Wood (singing): I know that somethin' has changed

Emma Wood (singing): Never felt this way

Emma Wood (singing): And right here, tonight

Emma Wood (singing): This could be the start of somethin' new

Emma Wood (singing): It feels so right to be here with you, oh

Emma Wood (singing): And now, lookin' in your eyes

Emma Wood (singing): I feel in my heart (Feel in my heart)

Emma Wood (singing): The start of somethin' new (Oh, yeah)

Emma Wood (singing): Yeah it's the start of somethin' new

Emma Wood (singing): It feels so right (So right) to be here with you, oh

Emma Wood (singing): And now, lookin' in your eyes (Lookin' in your eyes)

Emma Wood (singing): I feel in my heart (Feel in my heart)

Emma Wood (singing): The start of somethin' new (The start of somethin' new)

Emma Wood (singing): The start of somethin' new

[I closed my eyes, took another deep breath, and I opened my eyes to clapping, from everyone, which I couldn't even believe. I guess I was a lot more talented than I thought I was. Unknowingly to me, Carlos and Miss Jenn then begin whispering back and forth to each other, as they were both impressed and amazed by my performance, and they knew that they had to get me involved, one way or another.]

Carlos Rodriguez (whispering): She may be new to East High, but she is not new to singing. That was pure gold.

Miss Jenn (whispering): I know, that was amazing.

Carlos Rodriguez (whispering): Now we have to decide what we can do to not let this raw talent go to waste…

Miss Jenn (whispering): Put her on the list for the background singers for Stick to the Status Quo & Get'cha Head In the Game. Give her the application form as well. She has so much potential.

Carlos Rodriguez (whispering): Already on it. Maybe we can even get her in as an extra assistant.

Miss Jenn (whispering): That would be good compensation for not getting a main role, right?

Carlos Rodriguez (whispering): I would hope so.

[As their conversation was going on, I was having an unexpected conversation of my own, with the other members of the Drama Club.]

Ricky Bowen: That was amazing!

Gina Porter: I couldn't agree more.

Ashlyn Caswell: Remind me why we haven't had you since the start of the production…

Emma Wood: Aw, you guys…

Nini Salazar-Roberts: That was so amazing Em. You've grown so much since we first met.

Ricky Bowen: So, the two of you are childhood friends?

Emma Wood: That's one way to put it.

Nini Salzar-Roberts: We go way back.

Gina Porter: Well no wonder you're so good Emma. Just look at who your bestie is.

Emma Wood: Yeah, but I've been able to stand on my own, having done my own singing practice with a community theater and local girlband back in Atlanta, and I hope to forge similar bonds here with all of you.

Ricky Bowen: Well you have me interested.

Gina Porter: As do I.

Ashlyn Caswell: I'm interested as well.

[Carlos then approached me, and handed me a piece of paper.]

Emma Wood: What's this for?

Carlos Rodriguez: Fill this out, and you have yourself a background slot in High School Musical: The Musical.

[Miss Jenn then approaches Carlos and Emma.]

Miss Jenn: In addition, since I can't get you on the main cast at this point, I would like to offer you the opportunity to join me and Carlos, as another assistant for the production.

Emma Wood: Are you being serious?

Miss Jenn: You will be able to work alongside Carlos, as the two of you will continue to work on the choreography, and I would like to put you in charge of making sure everyone's voices stay intact, and make sure that you work with anyone who may be struggling.

[A tear of happiness then began streaming down my cheek, as Nini was standing not too far away from me, beaming with pride. I then turned to Nini, with a big smile on my face.]

Emma Wood: I think I'll be just fine here.

Nini Salazar-Roberts: I think you will be Em.

Gina Porter: Hey, school's almost over for the day. You want to come home with me? Maybe I can really get to know you.

Emma Wood: Really?

Gina Porter: Of course.

Emma Wood: Best day of my life.

[And with that, I finished my academic day, and spent the rest of my regular day with the first of, what I hope to be, many new friends.]