A/N: Standard Disclaimers apply as usual. I don't own HSM or Wicked.

I do, however, own When The Rain Comes, all subsequent musical numbers (including lyrics), and all characters (Hayden, Noelle, and Corrina).

SLASH story. You have been sufficiently warned.

Thoughts and lyrics are in italics.

"Tweeet!" Coach Bolton blew his whistle in a vain attempt to get the students' attention out on the grass. Unfortunately for him, most of the class continued talking or simply not paying attention. Kelsi, drowning in her oversized gym clothes, remained sitting on the grass staring vacantly off into space. She had been trying to write a certain part to the music and it had just not been coming out right. So, currently, she was working it out in her head and trying to make the notes form themselves in her head. But, all she was doing, was giving herself a big headache and getting nowhere. Jason wandered over and plopped down next to Kelsi since it seemed as though Coach Bolton would spend the next half of class trying to get everyone's attention.

"Hey, how did Biology go today?" Jason casually asked.

Startled out of her thoughts, Kelsi jumped slightly and gave a short reply, "It was fine. You know. Just like every other day."

Not to be put off by her brief answer, Jason pursued the conversation, "So, what classes do you have left after this? I've got drama and math later."

"Oh. Same here." Kelsi wondered why he was being so nice to her all of a sudden. Normally, he could care less how her day was going. Sure enough, the paranoia kicked in, and Kelsi found herself thinking that he was in on some elaborate joke by the basketball team.

"That's cool. Oh look. I think Coach Bolton wants us to get up and play flag football." Jason offered an outstretched hand to help Kelsi up off the grass.

"You know what? I think I'm going to sit over here on the side. I don't think Coach will mind very much. Besides, I'm the biggest klutz ever." Kelsi explained with a patient almost bored expression on her face.

Jason coaxed in his best don't-you-think-I'm-cute voice, "Oh. Are you sure? It looks like it could be fun."

"I'm sure. I have a deadline to meet, and you know how Darbus is. She'll kill me if I don't have this score ready after I swore up and down that it would be done by Friday." Kelsi had a finality in her tone that she hoped would make Jason leave her alone and go back to his stupid jock sports and groupies.

"Well, alright then. If you say so." Jason looked down dejectedly and loped off to join Chad and the others on the football field. However, even though he had been clearly shot down by the none too happy Kelsi, Jason couldn't help but steal quick, furtive glances in her direction. As per usual, she seemed to be frozen in one position: hat down over her eyes, one leg crossed over the other, a pencil in her mouth, and sheets of music in her lap. Jason thought she looked very cute when she did that and conspired to tell her so the next time he attempted civil conversation with her.

Brrrrriing. Ahh, finally the end of school. Kelsi breathed a sigh of relief as she gathered up her notebook and papers and shoved them into her messenger bag before heading out the door of the classroom. She had been eagerly anticipating the end of the day since she had a massive headache and wanted nothing more than to go home and lie down. Making her way out a side exit, Kelsi slid into the seat of her black Honda civic and dropped her bag onto the seat next to her. She started up the car and managed to make the trip home an uneventful one. Fumbling with the keys, she got the door open and felt the cool darkness of the house envelop her. She moved to nap on the couch and to just try and make her headache subside. After what seemed like only a few minutes, she awoke groggily and stared at the clock until realizing she couldn't see it because her glasses were on the side table. Putting them on, she noted that it was five o'clock and almost time to go back to school for rehearsals. She felt her way through the house to the kitchen, got a cold glass of water, and pushed the button on their answering machine.

"Two new messages," resounded through the still house in a robotic tone. "First new message sent today at three thirty pm." Beeep.

"Hi Kelsi Nielsen. This is a reminder from Dr. Williams' office that you have an optometry appointment scheduled for tomorrow at four in the afternoon. See you tomorrow."

"Second new message sent today at four-oh-five pm." Beeep.

"Umm, hey Kelsi. It's Jason. From school. Anyways, I'm calling because I just wanted to see how you were. I didn't see you after school, and during math, it seemed like you had a headache...or something. So, I'll see you at rehearsals then. Later."

Click. The machine had dutifully repeated the messages to her and had commenced to shutting itself off.

Shit. I forgot Jason got a supporting role in this musical. He just won't leave me alone. Argh. Well, I guess it's back off to school. Yippee.

Kelsi grabbed her hat and jacket off the arm of the sofa and ran out the door with her music in one hand and a muffin in the other. She figured she could eat on the way since she had forgone her dinner for a little bit of sleep.

Upon nearing the multipurpose room that was serving as their makeshift theater for the week, Kelsi could hear Mrs. Darbus' voice reverberating off the walls. "Where is my pianist? We are going to have to get started without her. After all, the theater waits for no one!"

Kelsi rushed in, slightly out of breath, "Pianist here, Mrs. Darbus. Ready on stage." Arranging her music on the piano, she struck the opening notes for Dance to Me.

When the rain falls, light and warm

To refresh the weary and cool the tired

Hold me in your arms, twirl me 'round

Drench me with peace, fill me with joy

Douse my heart in those rains of love

For these quiet showers calm the soul

Give rest, confidence, and true bliss

Times for the world I'd never miss.

Troy and Ryan's voices rose and fell in perfect harmony as they vocalized one of Kelsi's newest numbers that she had added to the musical as a last minute thought. Kelsi smiled happily as the two performed the piece just as she had intended it to sound. Mrs. Darbus had liked the idea of having four stars in the play, so Kelsi, accordingly, wrote in two more stars. Which is how it happened that Troy and Ryan were singing a number together. The other two leads were none other than their corresponding female counterparts, Gabriella and Sharpay.

Kelsi thought this play would come off spectacularly with just a bit more rehearsal. Having written it originally for only one male lead and one female lead, she hoped the plot wouldn't seem too congested. She had adapted it so it would reflect two different relationships happening at once instead of one integral focus.

Rehearsals finally ended three hours later, and Kelsi was relieved to be going home at last. As she stood to close the piano and collect her music, Jason appeared by her side.

Still dressed in his nineteenth century costume as Hayden Miller, he looked utterly ridiculous now that he stopped to think about what he was wearing. Grinning sheepishly, he complimented Kelsi on her newest play. "I really like the story in this one, Kels. Although, I think we could do without the old fashioned costumes. So, it's about two couples who realize they're in love with the girl or the guy in the other couple, right? Gabi makes a perfect Noelle and Sharpay does justice to Corrina's character. I think Darbus actually got the casting right this time..."

As Jason gushed on about how much he liked Kelsi's play, she could hear her stomach growling hungrily. Jason heard it too and blushed. "I guess I've kept you pretty long after rehearsals ended. How do you feel about getting something to eat? You know you can't say no. I mean, I even heard your stomach growling, and there's no surer sign that someone is hungry, after all."

Kelsi smiled slightly, "Sure, that sounds good right about now. What do you say to a burger? I could go for something gooey and greasy."

Several minutes later after Kelsi had driven her car home, they were both settled into Jason's truck and on their way to a local burger joint. Deciding on eating there, they both ordered and waited for their food to be ready in the nearly vacant little restaurant. They sat down at a small table and looked awkwardly at each other over the tops of their drinks.

Jason nervously questioned, "So, you like musicals, huh? Have you heard of Wicked?"

"Ohmygosh! It's like one of the best of all time!" Kelsi squealed. She stared at Jason with wide eyes wondering how he would know of any musicals at all. Visibly more relaxed, she teased, "And here I was thinking you were some sort of philistine with no interest whatsoever in anything besides basketball."

Jason grinned back at her, "Yeah, my sister is totally into that sort of stuff. And let's just say, she really likes singing the soundtrack. Loud."

Kelsi looked slightly crestfallen, "So, I guess you don't actually know what the musical is about, then?" She had rather hoped that this would be a good topic to pursue.

"Are you kidding? Who do you think took her to see the musical when it came to New Mexico?" Jason puffed out his chest in a superior big brotherly way and grinned maniacally all the while.

Brightening, Kelsi eagerly pounced on one of her favorite subjects to talk about. She and Jason talked animatedly about any and all things related to Wicked. Some time during their conversation, their food arrived, but they continued to talk even with hands, and sometimes mouths, full of hamburger.

After they had fed their rumbling stomachs, they were deep in conversation, not realizing how late it had gotten. Jason's pocket started to vibrate, jolting him back to reality. Pulling his cell phone out and flipping it open, he motioned to Kelsi that he was going to take the call. Kelsi nodded and checked her watch only to find that it was nearly ten o'clock and they had spent the last two hours eating, talking, and laughing.

"...yeah, OK, Dad. Yeah, I'll be home in about ten minutes. Ok, later." Looking apologetic, Jason offered an explanation, "Sorry about that. My dad called to see where I was and to tell me that curfew is in half an hour. I guess we have to get going, then?"

Kelsi agreed, saying that she had to get up early tomorrow morning anyways. Jason drove to Kelsi's house chatting amiably the whole way about how lame one of their Drama projects was that semester. Turning into Kelsi's driveway, Jason shut off the engine and hopped out to open the passenger side door after Kelsi couldn't get the door unstuck.

"Oh, ha, the door was switched to childproof lock," Jason crowed triumphantly when he got the door open for Kelsi. Giving her a quick hug, Jason said, "I had a great time tonight, see you tomorrow?" And with that, he wished her a good night and slid back into the driver's seat. Kelsi unlocked her front door and smiled into the darkness at having gained a new friend.

For once, she didn't feel like she had to hide who she really was when she was with Jason. She liked how they could talk about anything and have some good laughs, too.

That night, Kelsi slept peacefully with a trace of a smile still lingering on her lips.

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