Title: A Chaotic Mess of Pastels
Author: Me!
Rating: I'm not too sure about the new rating system but I would say this is about…PG-13.
Feedback: I'd love me some it!
Summary: Troy Bolton finally has life all figured out as his junior year wanes. However, his perfect world is in jeopardy as he discovers his past.
Disclaimer: I own not High School Musical or the songs or Zac…but if I did…heheheh. Wow! I don't own much. Wait! I do own Adele Carson!
Dancerlittle I really wish I knew who he'd choose!
StarInHeaven1014 You're the first person to describe any story of mine as a movie in the mind. I quite like it…ooooh! I hope this chapter is another favorite of yous!
Chapter Seven
All the improvs were over and done. Gabriella's face was a-lit with the pride of knowing she was able to once again overcome her fears. Now, the last segment…or at least he hoped. Troy's butt was falling asleep in the cushion.
Hands shot into the air, waving frantically. "You there." Pepper said.
A young man in a black shirt and khakis stood up. "How do you all deal with the stereotypes that comes with being associated with theatre?"
"Ah, well, I'm assuming you mainly mean gays?" Trevor simply stated. "Yes, we do have gays here – lesbian and gay men. So what? None of us here on stage are gay…believe it or not. I know most think it would be me, the token gay?"
It was true. Troy thought so. He laughed nervously at his wrong assumptions.
"The only way we can deal is to not acknowledge that. You don't have to be some flamboyant person to do theatre. You don't have to be a die-hard Drama freak to love theatre. You don't have to eat, sleep, breath this…you don't have to know every word to every musical ever written. You don't have to like Shakespeare. I don't."
Many nodded in agreement. The girl who played boy-crazy, Anna, in the opening scene added on. "You can't let those things get to you. You have to be comfortable with yourself and just be like 'Yeah, I like Drama. Jealous?' That's all you really can do."
"But it would be best if you weren't an athlete. We hate jocks." Niccolo joked. Goodness, Troy really hated that kid. A few in the audience whooped and applauded.
Adele stood up with mock indignation. "You've got to be kidding me! There's nothing wrong with jocks or athletes in general!"
"They tease us," Pepper said, a Cheshire smile on her face.
"I don't tease you!"
"You've been converted!" May-Ellen said.
"I hate you guys. You just don't know how to cut me some slack." She stomped over to the edge and sat down Indian-style.
"We love poking fun at her," Carlos did as an aside.
Adele huffed.
Another hand raised. It was chosen. "You were an athlete?"
"Still am. I was on Junior Varsity soccer and basketball at my school, though I loved soccer a little bit more."
Chad loudly booed at that.
"Oh shush," she giggled. "I did basketball to keep my endurance and cardio up in off-season. Nothing wrong with playing sports. A few people from my school didn't understand my decision but I hope they understand now…"
Adele chose someone else. They stood up – dressed in the most high fashion outfit that Troy had ever seen anyone wear…and that included Sharpay. "How can you get jobs acting out here?"
"Have a book. A portfolio of great snapshots. First impressions are key but having a great book starts you out. Get in as many non-school productions as you can get. Seeing a variety of things on a résumé is great. Always study and learn your craft. Master your success and don't be afraid of it. That's the one thing that can hold you back: being scared of the potential success you have." Adele pointed out.
Anna said. "We all have start-up books with different photos in it. It helps to show versatility. But mainly, get into TONS of plays. Understudy, background, supporting…any role is a good role."
Chad shot his hand in the air.
"What are you doing?" Gabriella asked.
He leaned forward to look at Gabriella directly. "I've just got a question to ask an old friend." Chad focused his attention back at the stage. His hand waved frantically as he lifted himself a fraction out of his seat.
Another young man with short blonde hair and a Volcom shirt picked Chad's hand out of the crowd. Troy groaned in anticipation.
As Chad rose from his seat, Adele rose from the floor. "No! This is going to be a waste of a question, Riley."
Riley shrugged his shoulders. "How do you know that?"
Adele grumbled. "What do you want to know?"
"It's just one simple question," smirked Chad. "What team?"
Adele mumbled.
"What team?"
"Wildcats."
"What team?"
"Wildcats!"
"Wildcats!"
"Getcha head in the game!" She had a huge grin on her face, defeated.
The audience guffawed at their antics. "That kid's pretty cool. He skateboards and sings opera."
"Really?" Gabi and Troy said in stereo.
"I watched the Good Morning, America segment with you three a few weeks ago. And a statement that I heard has gotten me interested. The woman interviewing you said that this musical was a bit controversial. How so?" A girl in a ponytail asked.
Pepper cleared her throat. "When I wrote this play it was just something I was funning around with. During yet another boring history class was when the idea hit me. I wanted to write a play set in history. I wanted to do this for our two friends who are seniors this year. They'll be leaving us."
Niccolo and a red-haired girl shared a bittersweet smile.
"I wrote it and with Trevor's help, it was completed. For all our theatre classes that we shared, we'd use scenes and such from it as class assignments. One day we were all approached to do it in its entirety for the school. I'm surprised that we've gotten so lucky, met the right people to get this far. This play is about interracial dating…during the 1920's. Since we're using an all underage cast – excluding Niccolo that is, some of the things that make the musical realistic, isn't that great for our age.
"There's smoking involved. Most of the cast never even takes a drag. Niccolo can but doesn't. There's alcohol usage…opium…uppers and downers are used by a character that's an addict. The two leads, Adele and Niccolo, share a love scene…and the 'n' word is used often. There's a lot that make this play touchy but I think it's worth it."
Troy was stunned. An intense burning fired inside his chest. Niccolo and Adele are an item in the play…if he found out she was dating him…
Why did he even care? He berated himself. She was no longer in his life. She wasn't even his friend anymore, why should he care who she mixes up with? There's an easy answer for that.
Mrs. Osbourne walked back onto the stage.
"All right everyone," May-Ellen said. "Let's all do one huge collective sigh." The crowd followed the order. "The relief of the end has come upon us."
The teacher spoke. "I hope everyone enjoyed today's presentation. This special ensemble will finally have a few months off before we take this show on the road where we can all prove to Broadway that that is where these kids belong."
A standing ovation ended the afternoon's events. "Wait! Huddle in," Carlos said mid-bow. The teens circled around him perplexed. A handful of seconds ticked by before they turned back around. "If it won't screw up your plans too much, we would all like to invite you all back here at 10 o'clock – morning standard – to see a viewing of 'Waiting to Fall'."
Carter's Theatre erupted with hollers and resounding applause. All around Troy the sounds of overeager Drama students grew louder and louder. Soon escorts and sponsors quieted their classes down. One look from Darbus hushed East High.
"Okay. I'll take that as a 'yes'."
The students began to rise from their seats. Each aisle was instantly filled with field trip-goers ready to move to the next adventure. A tech worker opened the door. "All buses have yet to arrive. There was accident and all six are stuck in traffic. Just take a seat and we'll let you all know when they get here."
Troy groaned. "I want out of here."
"I know. I'm getting pretty hungry." Kelsi said.
Gabriella turned around. "How did you get up here so fast?"
"I'm fast and nimble…and tiny." The two girls laughed. "I guess we ought to find somewhere to sit." The composer found seats nearby where other East High Wildcats were seated.
"That was so much fun! I can't believe I was able to go on stage. It was pretty cool, huh?" Sharpay questioned once they all sat down. Troy was standing while Gabriella sat next to Kelsi and some other Tinkle Town cast member.
"It wasn't too bad. I don't know if improv is for me. If I ever do this again, I'd like to stick with scripted words." Troy folded his arms over his chest.
Ryan nodded, sitting down in a seat a row ahead of the group of friends. "Yeah, it can be hard but it's needed. If you forget lines, you gotta know how to make them up as you go along – making sense all the while."
"You are certainly right, Ry!"
The group turned around as Ryan sank in his seat, turning around. "Adele!"
"Ryan Evans." Adele embraced him. "I've missed you so much. All you guys…even you, Sharpay."
"Addie, I can't believe you're living the dream," said Ryan, releasing her from her grip though keeping an arm around her shoulders.
"Me neither. And Chad, I hate you, you big fat loser."
"Love ya too. Get over here."
Adele squeezed through the space between the rows. "Excuse me," She muttered to Troy. He moved out of the way, not even thinking of saying a thing. Chad wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. "I need those ribs not broken." Her voice strained.
"Whatever. You told me you use your diaphragm to sing. I've missed you." Chad said.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, Kelsi. And Troy…" Chad had let her go and Addie leaned against a chair. "I don't know you but hey!"
"Gabriella Montez," The two girls shook hands.
"Adele Carson. Nice to meet you. You were awesome up there."
"Thanks," Gabi's cheeks colored a bit.
A tapping noise clicked and clacked. "Hmm,"
"What Sharpay?" Adele's eyebrow hitched.
"Nothing; nothing at all…"
Adele and Sharpay's past was rocky and hostile at best. There were moments where they were hospitable but most times…
…all war was loose. The only thing that could keep them from full out brawling was Ryan. Near the end of freshmen year, Ryan and Adele became good friends. Troy had completely forgotten about that. Perhaps because at the time he could hardly believe all the new things that changed the old ways in his life.
"There's something going on in that over-teased, over-hairsprayed bouffant of yours. Spill,"
Sharpay stood to her full height. "There's nothing going on…as we all can see. Or can we?" Her eyes darted down to Adele's hand that was grip a seatback.
"What the-?"
Troy knew what she was talking about. The immediate circle of East High students silenced themselves. All eyes were on that hand. The ring. Why did they have to have such a publicized relationship two years ago? Adele dropped her hand from sight, slipping it into her back pocket.
"No one knows what you're talking about. And if they did, they have the decency to keep their mouths shut." She stepped closer to Sharpay, eyes narrowing. "If you don't know what's best for you…though you never did-"
The female Evans twin donned her infamous 'Ice Queen' stare.
"All right you two." Ryan warned them. "So, Adele…how's the school? Learn anything new?"
The two young women continued the intense staring contest. Adele broke the leer between them. "Accents. We underclassmen sometimes have mentors – typically seniors and juniors – who help you through the years. They can teach you things. My mentor and good friend, Niccolo, taught me some great ones. I can speak almost every dialect from the U.K. (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), France, Spanish countries, Russia, United States…"
Her brown eyes followed a point beyond the group. Troy glanced over his shoulder. That little…Niccolo.
"And Italy of course."
"Wow," said Ryan, sincerely interested.
"We even go to pain a saying on our lockers. My locker row says 'In over my head'. And that's exactly how I've felt since I started going to the Institute." She laughed. That was the thing about Adele; once a fight was over, she was fine.
"Cool," Chad said. "Remember when I spray painted my locker in eight grade?"
Troy chuckled. "Oh yeah. 'The Chadster'…you were such a loser."
"Don't laugh. It was your idea to put that up there."
"Oh no, no, no. That was all Adele."
Her jaw dropped. "No way. I just suggested it. You two boys went off with the idea!"
For the first time in a while, the three of them were the Three Musketeers again. Chad and Troy said in unison. "Not possible!"
"It was. So move on," said Adele, giggling.
"I can't wait to see you perform tomorrow." Kelsi said sweetly.
"I can. Tonight was supposed to closing night. But now we've got a special revival. So soon too…that's got to be a good sign. I really hope you all like it. I think I'm starting to get nervous."
Gabriella perked, jumping into the conversation. "Why? You've played it out in front of others – strangers."
"Yeah, well. That's the thing. They're just strangers. I'm not out to prove a thing to them. I'm just doing my job. But you guys – you are my friends. Some I mean." She spat the last comment out. Sharpay sniffed haughtily in response. "I stepped out of the comfort zone, trying to push boundaries. I don't want to fail in front of the people I want to prove myself too. I hope I don't mess up." She confided.
"You won't. You're too good."
"You better say that, Chad." Chad slipped an arm around Adele's waist as she draped her arm around his.
Watching the two friends show support for one while the other took the support and comfort, compelled Troy to do the same. Though that thought was fleeting and shoved to the back burner. The tech worker had come back, announcing the arrival of the buses.
"Here's my room number." Chad jotted down on Troy's arm.
"Same hotel?"
"Yup. I'm sticking around with her. Going to see her school will be fun."
"Don't break anything. I hope you all have some fun in this city. There's so much to do." Adele went around and hugged Kelsi, Ryan, Gabriella, and Sharpay. It was a weak, light tap to the back and quick retreat. But a hug nonetheless. She stood in front of Troy awkward and unsure.
"Bye," he said as he turned to go up the aisle and out the exit door.
The subdued change in her overall person was a deterrent for him to wait for Gabriella. He recognized that look. He pitied that look. He hated that look for all that it meant.
He wanted to erase that feeling from her mind.
Troy was the first person on the bus. He flopped into his seat, smoothing his fringe of hair from his face. He was in some deep waters now. Always in the back of his mind, Troy Bolton felt that he should have stayed home during this week. Right now he would be spending the last day of school before Spring Break in free period.
That was the only good thing about seeing Adele again: he wasn't stuck in school.
He sensed Gabi before she even made herself known to him. "Are you okay?"
Peering into her concerned dark eyes made everything go away. Troy grasped her hand and pulled her into his lap. She laughed. Wrapping his arms around her, Troy pressed his cheek to her back. "I'm okay now."
"Everyone in their seats. We're going to lunch." Mrs. Darbus declared.
Gabriella sat in the seat beside her loving boyfriend. "You sure?"
"Positive," He kissed her innocently on the lips. 'Not so positive' was the true answer. For the first time in this new relationship, Troy began to wonder if he should share with Gabi the details of Adele and the love he had for her.
