Austin and Ally, now in their 40's, sit together at the piano in the practice room.
Austin: [singing while Ally accompanies with piano] I-I-I own this dream, 'cause I-I-I got you with me…
Austin/Ally: …there's no way I could make it without you, do it without you, be here without you!
They grin at each other as they finish the song.
Austin: We've still got it.
Ally: Heck yeah, we do!
They high-five as the door opens, revealing their children, 14-year-old Alex and 16-year old Ava.
Ava: Mom, Dad!
Ally: Hey guys!
Austin: How was school?
Ava and Alex take a seat next to the piano.
Ava: It was great! Ms. Starr is going to announce the school play tomorrow!
Austin: That's awesome!
Ally: Are you going to audition, Ava?
Ava: Definitely!
Alex: As long as you don't have a repeat of last year.
Ava: Alex!
Austin: Hey, don't listen to him, Aves.
Ally: Yeah, you made a great 'Baker Number 3' last year!
Ava smiles, embarrassed, while Alex grins smugly.
Ally: What about you, Alex?
Austin: Yeah, you're in high school now too, buddy! You could audition if you want.
Alex: Oh, I don't know…
Ava: You totally should! We could be on stage together!
Alex: That would be pretty fun…
Ally: Yeah! And it would be a great way to get you out of your shell.
Alex: Okay, I'll give it a try.
Austin, Ally, and Ava make various sounds of encouragement.
Alex: But if I get 'Baker Number 3', I'm not doing the show.
The family laughs.
*Theme song interlude*
The next scene opens in Ms. Kira Starr's homeroom. Alex, Ava and the other students are seated while Ms. Starr stands at the front of the room.
Kira: Alright class, I know we're all excited for the announcement of the big school play, but first I want to take a minute to introduce our newest student, Katy.
The new girl walks in, and Ava is awestruck.
Kira: Did you want to introduce yourself to the class?
Katy: Um, sure! Hey everyone, I'm Katy. I just moved to Miami from Los Angeles, and I'm excited to get to know you all.
Kira: Thank you, Katy. There's an open seat right next to Ava, in the back.
Katy: Thanks.
Ava: [whispered to Alex] That new girl is really pretty!
Alex: Well, she'll be sitting right next to you! Say something to her.
Katy: [as she's sitting down] Hi.
Ava: Hey! Um, I'm Ava.
Katy: Nice to meet you, Ava.
Ava: So, do you uh, come here often?
Katy: I…guess so? This is my homeroom.
Ava: [chuckling awkwardly] Right.
Ava looks over at Alex helplessly, as he stares at her exasperatedly.
Kira: Alright, and without further ado, I'm delighted to announce that this year's play is….
She recreates a drumroll on her desk.
Kira: Romeo and Juliet!
An excited murmur spreads through the classroom.
Ava: [to herself] Yes! No more 'Baker Number 3.'
To Ava's horror, Katy overheard her. Alex shakes his head.
Kira: Auditions will be next Friday. Good luck!
The school bell rings overhead.
Kira: Oh, and there's the bell! Have a great day everyone, I'll see you tomorrow.
Alex sits at the piano in the practice room, idly plucking at the keys. There's a knock at the door.
Alex: Come in.
The door opens to reveal Ally, smiling sympathetically.
Ally: Hey, honey. What are you doing up here all by yourself?
She takes a seat next to him at the piano bench.
Alex: Trying to psych myself up for auditions tomorrow. I'm really nervous.
Ally: You're going to do fine. What's the worst that could happen?
Alex: I could blank on my lines, throw up, and embarrass myself in front of the entire school?
Ally: Well, I meant that as more of a rhetorical question, but –
Alex laughs despite himself.
Ally: Look, no matter what happens, I'm so proud of you for putting yourself out there.
Alex: Thanks, Mom.
They hug.
Alex: How did you overcome your stage fright?
Ally: Well, it took time. And a lot of courage. But eventually my curiosity became stronger than my fear.
Alex: What do you mean?
Ally: I learned a lot about myself right after conquering my stage fright. Like, the anticipation is always worse than the actual thing. And that the audience is almost never as scary as they are in your head.
Alex: And that Dad is a really good kisser?
Ally is caught off guard, but plays it off.
Ally: Did Ava tell you that?
Alex: Nah, Uncle Dez did.
Ally chuckles, lost in the memories.
Ally: Yeah. Your dad and I had our first kiss that night, too. Just another thing to make the moment all the more special.
Alex: [teasingly] You guys are so cliché, it's kinda gross.
Ally playfully ruffles Alex's hair as the scene fades out.
The next day, in the school auditorium.
Kiara: Alright, everyone. Thank you all for coming to audition for our school play. I'll be going in alphabetical order, so when I call your name, come with me.
As the first students go to audition, Katy approaches Ava and Alex.
Katy: Hey, guys. I just wanted to say, break a leg in there!
Ava: [confused] But if I break my leg, I wouldn't be able to perform in the show.
Alex elbows Ava and gives her a look.
Ava: Oh, you meant like good luck!
Katy nods, a bewildered yet amused smile on her face.
Ava: Well, uh, twist an ankle to you, too!
Katy: [through a laugh] Thank you?
Kira: Katy?
Ms. Starr waves for Katy to follow her. Katy waves to Ava and Alex before going into the room. As the door shuts, Ava sinks into an empty seat and groans.
Alex: [patting her back] Real smooth, Aves.
Ava: I can't help it! I turn into an idiot when I'm around her.
Alex: Let's just hope you don't share any scenes together.
Ava nods as Alex sits next to her.
Ava: What about you? Do you feel ready?
Alex: I think so. I talked to Mom last night, and I decided…no matter what happens, at least I gave it a shot.
Ava: Good for you!
Katy exits the room, with Ms. Starr following behind.
Kira: Alex?
Alex stands, taking a shaky breath to clear his nerves. He makes eye contact with Ava who gives him a thumbs-up. As he follows Ms. Starr, Katy sits next to Ava.
Ava: How did it go?
Katy: Not bad, I think I've got a chance!
Ava: I'm sure you did great.
Katy: Thanks!
Alex comes back into the room. Ava meets his eye, and he shrugs. She smiles sympathetically.
Kira: Ava?
Ava stands, ready.
Katy: Hey, Ava.
Ava locks eyes with Katy, who winks at her.
Katy: Twist an ankle.
They share a smile as Ava heads into the room.
Several days later, Ava runs into the music factory after school, holding a sheet of paper.
Ava: They just released the cast list! Guess who got the part of Juliet?!
Austin: That's amazing!
Ally: Congrats, honey!
Trish: [fake crying] I've never been prouder.
Alex: Aunt Trish?!
Ava: When did you get here?!
Trish hugs both the kids while Austin and Ally look on fondly.
Trish: While you were at school. I wanted to come down for a few days to surprise you! Now, tell us more about the show!
Austin: Yeah, Lex, what part did you get?
Alex: Oh, I…didn't get cast.
Ally rubs Alex's arm sympathetically.
Alex: But it's okay! I'm still glad I put myself out there, and I'm really excited you got the leading role, Aves.
Ava: Aw, thanks, Lex.
The siblings hug.
Alex: I'm also glad you won't be sharing any scenes with Katy.
Ava turns beet red.
Austin: Wait, who's Katy?
Trish: Yeah, do we not like her or something?
Alex: Oh, no, we like her. Ava really, really likes her. Don't you, Ava?
Ava: [drawn out, a mix between embarrassed and annoyed] Alex!
Ally: Aw, our little girl has her first crush!
Ava: How do you know it's my first crush?
Ally: Ave, you thought everyone in your class had cooties until the eighth grade.
Ava: Okay, she's my first crush.
Austin: Well hey, maybe you guys can get to know each other during rehearsals!
Ava: Nah, I doubt it. She's playing Rosaline, so we don't even have any scenes together.
Trish: Hey, you never know!
Ava: I guess so. Whatever happens, I'm just glad I got the part!
Austin: We're so proud of both of you!
Ally: [tossing her arms around Ava and Alex] Our little superstars!
Trish: I say we go out to dinner tonight to celebrate, on me!
Ally: Aw, really?
Alex: Let's go!
The group exits together, with Ally and Trish following behind.
Trish: Remind me, which places do kids eat free again?
Ally laughs before catching up with the others, walking hand in hand with Austin.