I don't own High School Musical or anything associated with it and I'm not making any money through this story.
A Little Help
Quietly humming to herself, Kelsie mounted the stairs, a stack of sheet music under her arm. Troy was already waiting for her, sitting on the floor next to the door to the practice room.
"Hey, Troy!" she greeted him with a smile, pulling the door open.
"Hi playmaker."
She smiled, like she always did when he called her that.
"So, you ready?" she asked as he followed her into the room. Kelsie loved this room. It was full of instruments and sheet music and books and in the center, the grand piano, the thing her entire world revolved around. Her eyes were already fixed on it, but Troy's voice caused her to turn around.
"Kelsie."
"What?" she asked.
He fumbled with the hem of his blue sweatshirt.
"Um, about, about the play."
Kelsie raised her eyebrows.
"What?"
He scratched the back of his neck and wiped his hand dry on his jeans before pulling at his sweatshirt again.
"Don't you, um, wouldn't you say that—You know, at the very end, when the curtain closes just before Minnie and Arnold kiss, don't you think it'd be better if they really did kiss? You know, for the whole mood of the play?"
Smiling to herself, Kelsie sat down on the piano stool.
"Don't you think you can get her to kiss you without a play?"
Troy shrugged.
"I don't know, I—"
He turned beet-red.
"How did you…"
Kelsie made a dismissive gesture.
"Troy, did you know the entire cheerleading squad hates me?"
Troy blinked in surprise.
"What? Why?"
"Because I spend more time with you than all of them put together. I've seen the way you two act around each other, and I know how you act when you're on your own. You could wear signs around your necks, and it wouldn't be any clearer."
"Oh," he mumbled. His face was still red.
"Trust me, she likes you."
Kelsie glanced at her watch.
"She's got a free period right now, you know."
"Oh, yeah."
Troy beamed at the small girl.
"Listen, Kelsie, do you think that maybe-"
Kelsie smiled.
"I'll practice a bit. Same time tomorrow?"
He nodded vigorously.
He headed towards the door and Kelsie, opening her sheet of music, turned to the piano.
"Oh, playmaker?"
She turned around. He was already halfway out the door, flashing her an ardent smile.
"Thanks."