Auditons for the spring musical were held in the theatre. To Gabriella's amazement, Sharpay claimed to be ill and insisted that Ryan audition without her. Ryan couldn't believe that Sharpay would let him go on. She always thirst on stardom and other people's attention. Troy was auditioning, but Gabriella kept avoiding him until the auditons finally came. His last hope was Sandra, the head cheerleader.
Since Gabriella didn't have a partner and Ryan didn't have a partner, they were paired together.
Mrs Darbus' voice rang through the theatre, "Gabriella and Ryan, you're up!"
Since they could already sing, they had to rehearse the lines.
"Read the lines from the second act, and please fill it with emotion. Make it seem real, like you're really in love," Mrs. Darbud yelled as Gabriella and Ryan stepped on stage.
"That's impossible," Ryan muttered out with a hint of humor in his voice.
"Begin!"
"Please, say you love me. I know you do," Gabriella read from her script, using all the feelings she had for Ryan in her words.
"I do not. I can not," Ryan said with as much feeling as he could.
"Don't do this to me," Gabriella was at the point of tears by now. Ryan noticed, but shook it off.
'Maybe she just really gets into the play,' he thought.
'I'm not doing anything. You're practically watching my every move."
"Can you blame me? You've got me to where I wake up at 3 AM just to get ready to see you. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to you. I love you."\
"Don't play yourself for a fool, girl. You humor me," Ryan reached up and brushed his hand against her cheek.
Mrs. Darbus stopped them, "Excellent! I sensed the emotion."
Gabriella wiped her eyes and managed to say, "Thank you."
Ryan glanced at Gabriella, "Are you o.k?"
Gabriella didn't even look at Ryan. She didn't want him to see her like this, "I'm fine."
"Results will be posted tomorrow. Thank you everyone," Mrs. Darbus said.
Gabriella ran off stage with tears in her eyes. Ryan just watched her go.
'She said she was fine. I shouldn't worry about it. It probally has nothing to do with me," Ryan thought as he walked out of the theatre.
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Gabriella ran to her locker. Opening it, she grabbed her books for the next class.
'Why did I run? He probally thinks the worst of me now,' she thought.
Taylor came rushing in after her, "What was that all about?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Gabriella said trying to hide that she was crying.
"Well, the whole theatre saw you run off the stage crying. Even Ryan looked confused."
At the sound of his name, Gabriella blushed, "I didn't mean to run."
"Gabriella, I'm you're best friend. What is going on?"
Gabriella sighed, "The play reminded of what he could say if he only new truth."
At first, Taylor looked confused. Then she realized what Gabriella meant, "Tell me it isn't true."
Gabriella was unable to hide the sadness her voice any longer, "I wish I could."
"What about Troy?"
Gabriella sighed at the mention of Troy, "He's in the past, and I don't want to talk about it."
"But, why Ryan?"
"I don't know exactly. I can't explain hardly anything about how I feel. All I know is that he's the one thing I want, yet the one thing I can't have."
Taylor smiled in pity, "Don't say that."
"It's true."
Gabriella slammed her locker and walked calmly to her next class.
