Wow, guys. Thanks. You all Rule! Now, I know I said (or I told someone. I forget) that this was the last chapter, but I need to put the play production in the next chapter. Also, what do you think of a sequel? Any ideas?

I would like to take this opportunity to say HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL IS TAKING OVER THE WORLD! IT IS A BAD MOVIE WITH BAD POP SONGS AND ACTORS AND A LEAD WHO LOOKS LIKE LUKE SKYWALKER AND HAS A HAIRCUT FROM THE SEVENTIES! STOP WRITING ABOUT IT! Please don't let my opinions dissuade you from reading this story. Feel free to argue with me about this so-obviously-cheesy-bad-pop-bubblegum-overdone-not-a-real-Musical.

Emma stood on stage with her arms crossed. She felt like her eyes would fall out of her head she had been rolling them so much. Paulina had been prancing around the stage like a prima Donna throughout rehearsal. Every so often she would stop to praise her own singing abilities and then turn around and tell everyone how Sam clearly dropped out because she wasn't "up to the competition." Currently, she was demanding all of Sam's costumes be refitted for herself.

Emma glanced into the audience at Danny sympathetically. He was slumped in the chair and had that haunted look he'd had for the past three days. Danny hadn't gone ghost since he left Sam and whenever he did speak, it was to fret over Sam's condition. Emma and Tucker were tired of hearing him go on and on about Sam, but they held their tongues. They new he was checking on her every morning before he went to school and every evening before he went to sleep. There hadn't been any change at all, and at this point, the trio was afraid there wasn't going to be. Paulina was the least of their worries.

"Ms. Sanchez, get on stage now, or by Ruddigore, I will pull you from this play!" Apparently Mr. Lancer had had enough too.

Paulina pouted before flicking her hair and stomping on stage. Emma sighed and rolled her eyes again. She was starting to get sore from doing that. Paulina took a deep breath, apparently preparing for the last Glinda-Elphaba scene and burst into noisy tears. Emma tried to control her gag reflex. She thought, This girl is so idiotic! Elphaba wouldn't cry like that, or Sam for that matter.

Mr. Lancer rubbed his forehead. "Start 'For Good.'" Apparently he had had his full of Miss Priss.

Emma took a deep breath and began, trying to sing louder than Paulina's obviously fake hysterical sobbing. It was hard to try to get the mood of the piece write, but she stood as close to Paulina as she could and tried to look comforting without touching the wretched girl.

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return.

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you:

Paulina was trying to drown out the song by sobbing louder and throwing herself on the floor. Everybody in the room was groaning at this point. It was a pity, because Emma had such a beautiful voice and the song really was touching. Emma braved on.

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun,

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good.

Paulina shot up off the ground comically and straightened her hair to begin singing. Because of this she missed her cue. The pianist was about to restart the song, but a voice from the back of the theater took over, softly at first but she built up strength as she continued to sing. Paulina stood still, amazed at the sound of the familiar voice. Everybody twisted around in his or her seat, except Danny. He was more shocked than Paulina, but was grinning like an idiot.

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part,

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend:

Emma was smiling hugely. Sam walked down the hallway of the auditorium, dressed in her black tank top and black skirt. All eyes were on her, but she was looking ahead at Emma and smiling. The only time she looked away from the stage was to shoot a grin at Danny.

Sam walked on stage and stood next to Emma, smiling at her and acting along perfectly to the song, as if she'd been there all along. She continued to sing.

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a sky bird

In a distant wood.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you.

Emma grabbed Sam's hand in hers, grinning and sang.

Because I knew you:

Paulina ran off stage, upset at the new arrival. Nobody inquired after her. In perfect harmony, they sang.

I have been changed for good

Sam and Emma faced each other and clasped both hands. She sang, almost recklessly.

And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

For the things I've done you blame me for.

Emma grinned and swung her arms with Sam's and sang.

But then, I guess we know

There's blame to share

Their voices built up together

And none of it seems to matter anymore

They sang their different choruses in perfect harmony. And then became quiet and looked each other in the eye. They sang together, much quieter this time.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

I do believe I have been changed for the better?

Emma broke in with her clear voice, filled with hope.

And because I knew you:

Sam smiled slightly, as if through tears and sang.

Because I knew you:

They let their voices merge and then fade away again as they sang the last two lines.

Because I knew you:

I have been changed for good.

Just like Sam's audition, there was complete silence afterwards, except for a few sniffles from over-emotional girls. Then the crowd erupted, standing on their feet and giving Sam and Emma a standing ovation. The two girls on stage blushed and curtsied.

Mr. Lancer ran up to them and kissed Sam on the cheek. She looked absolutely disgusted but chose not to comment. "That was wonderful, girls!" He exclaimed. "The show's a week away, but you could do that on stage today and do so well. I'm so happy!" He brushed a tear from his eye and turned to the rest of the cast in the audience. "Early dismissal! Everybody, go home and practice your lines."

Everybody cheered. A lot of 'Thank you, Sam!' was heard and in less than five minutes only two people were left in the auditorium.

Danny stood in the middle of the aisle with his hands in his pockets. He was grinning up at Sam so hard; it looked like his face would break in half. Sam descended the stairs with mock poise and stood about a foot away from Danny.

They looked at each other warily for a moment before wrapping each other in a hug. Danny held Sam tight, as if afraid she would disappear. He mumbled, "I was so worried you wouldn't come back."

Sam took a step back and looked at him. She arched an eyebrow and said, "Danny, I always keep my word."

Danny smiled softly, leaned in and kissed her.

Sweetness! FLUFF HEALS THE SOUL!