By the middle of the week the school had been taken by storm by Naveen Prince who had swept so many girls off their feet and irritating some boys in the process. Esmeralda's plan to wear red had definitely worked as Naveen found himself head over heels for her all day. He had also spent his next few lunch breaks with Esmeralda and her friends, much to Phoebus, Aladdin and Flynn's dismay. Flynn and Phoebus felt that what with Hercules' bulging muscles and Naveen's flirtatious ways, their self esteems were being trampled all over; Aladdin sat silently praying that no one would mention Jasmine for fear Naveen pursued her and a rich, handsome stranger was the last thing he needed ruining his chances. Not that they were all that great, he hadn't even spoken to her yet.

It had been weeks since Esmeralda and Phoebus convinced Jasmine to give Aladdin a chance and since then she had wondered if she'd dreamt it all. He could barely look her in the eye in the corridors. She figured he was scared, or maybe wasn't even aware that his friends had gotten involved and so she gave up somewhat with waiting and hoping and left him to stalk her Instagram in peace.

On Wednesday morning, Jasmine was dropped off a block away as usual. It was colder this morning and was seemingly colder and colder every day as October neared. She waited for the limo to get out of sigh before heading steadily down the road in her little beige heels. She was in a rather bad mood this morning as she'd argued insistently with her father and although it was trivial, their small arguments were occurring more and more frequently. It was odd considering how close they usually were. It started when Jasmine woke up earlier than usual to get dressed. She had spent the previous evening perfecting a new style of eyeliner, replaying YouTube tutorials to get it right. When she'd finally done it, she dressed in her new co-ord. A little ensemble of laced shirt and trousers in an extravagant shade of crimson. She felt incredibly pretty and fashionable but her father disagreed. He told her to change her outfit and said that she should spend more time on her studies then on 'Silly bright lipstick' and then proceeded to utter 'Allah forbid you have any daughters!'. She changed her outfit, agitated, into jeans and a blouse wrapped in her favourite designer camel coloured cape, she stormed out of the house. She knew her father cared about her and that he was trying to best by her but it shocked her how little he knew. She was a straight-A student and her studies were absolutely not to worry about for now and her clothes were nothing compared to some of the outfits girls would wear to school. Surprisingly though, he didn't hit her with his usual "You'll never find a boyfriend with that attitude!" which was his favourite quote to throw at her. This sentence alone infuriated her. The suggestion that she'd ever do anything for a boy was ridiculous, the idea that she would want one was ridiculous and most of all, she hated how much importance he placed in the dependence of a boy. She didn't need one, she may never need one but whether or not she did she'd never ever change her attitude for him; but her father was traditional and some things she just couldn't convince him of.

The wind blew harder and the sky was still grey, Jasmine's eyes pricked a tad at the strong wind and couldn't help but think about being in a nice sunny country right about now. At that moment though, her pretty beige cape was swept off her shoulders and the wind stole it, lifting it high into the air behind her. Jasmine turned quickly to fetch it but in her little heeled boots didn't want to run and walked quickly trying to grab it from the air- to no avail. She watched as her cape swooped high and the suddenly lowered, aiming for a muddy puddle on the bare road. As she looked hastily for cars, ready to grab her cape she was forced backwards by a coming car that stopped right by her, animatedly blue and fast, a boy stepped out and appeared round the back holding her cape in his arm, undamaged and inches from it's wet death.

"Thanks!" she said gratefully, grabbing it from him, before looking up and realising who it was

Aladdin. This is awkward. She thought.

She quickly adjusted the cape around her shoulders and buttoned it up for safe measure and then stepped back off of the edge of the road,

"Y-you're welcome" Aladdin stuttered rather late and stared at her for a moment,

"I'll get you after school, Al" the driver called and he sped off,

Jasmine stood awkwardly knowing just how uncomfortable he felt too, they both knew now they'd be headed in the same direction and she debated for a moment whether she should speed off without him or be polite.

"Nice car" she said politely, as she backed back up the sidewalk and turned awkwardly, "I get a ride to school too- especially in this weather"

Why are you talking about the weather she scolded herself you're not forty!

Aladdin jittered a bit before hurrying over and walking beside her,

"Y-yeah the paint was loads of money it was originally silver but the blue looks better" he told her, remembering what Genie had told him about his Lexus.

"So was that your dad?" she asked, trying to make conversation

"Oh no" he said awkwardly and he stopped to consider, he wasn't embarrassed of Genie or of the fact that his mum didn't actually own a car, in fact he adored his mother and his uncle. In fact, Genie had proved the best company over his stay. Not only had he been using his money (his work as a tradesmen paid handsomely) to pay for expensive dinners most nights, but he'd had the dingy little flat feeling a lot more fun and would keep them all up laughing to early hours of the morning; but as Aladdin looked at Jasmine's curious gaze he couldn't help but want more... want to impress her.

"My dad?" he chuckled, "no that's my driver"

Jasmine's eyes widened, "Oh right...cool" she had to admit to herself, when Phoebus claimed he was rich she was sceptical but the car did look expensive even if the boys clothes didn't and she supposed he'd wanted to be humble- after all she didn't flaunt her wealth; with the exception of her nice clothes.

"Yeah we have quite a few cars" he continued,

"I didn't realise you were-" she began

"Rich?" he finished cockily, "yeah well I don't like bragging- money can come with pressure"

Jasmine raised an eyebrow but her expression remained soft, "Yeah, I understand"

Aladdin looked rather shocked at how well he was doing, as they turned the corner and headed for the large school building,

"Erm well see ya, Aladdin. Nice talking" Jasmine said politely, hurrying up the stairs to avoid any more awkwardness,

"See ya" Aladdin said half heatedly, feeling like punching himself for everything he had just said, feeling like this was all going to crash and burn before he knew it.

Elsa sat miserably in her first lesson of the day. It was the first history lesson she had attended since she had gotten in trouble that time and she had been pretty scared about going back. After her attendance scores were questioned by her homeroom teacher, Kida, a sports teacher, she realised that her absences in history had been really dragging down her percentage and she didn't want to end up explaining that to her parents. Mr Gray couldn't care less. It seemed he hadn't noticed Elsa's absence much less her arrival back. The dismal lesson passed painfully slowly and Elsa's heavy eyes were dropping when she noticed something moving quickly and excitably at the door.

It was Anna and she was waving manically, beckoning Elsa to leave the classroom and she was grinning broadly. Elsa looked worriedly at Anna and shook her head, knowing full well that Mr Gray would be less than happy to see her.

"Elsa!" Anna called through the glass window, while muffled, it had still been audible for a few students to stop and stare including Meg who had a clear disdain for Elsa... for everybody.

"Come here!" Anna continued and Elsa grimaced before clearing her throat. Mr Gray put his pen down and pulled a gross, questioning expression. "May I go to the bathroom?" Elsa asked bravely. Mr Gray just grunted and picked his pen back up, Elsa took the noise as a yes and scuttled from the classroom. She pulled Anna further down into the empty corridor so that her class couldn't hear.

"Anna, what are you doing?" she hissed "Aren't you supposed to be in a lesson?"

"Oh but Elsa I have the best news! I had to come and tell you!"

Elsa waited.

"I have a boyfriend, Elsa! Hans asked me out!"

Elsa blinked at her little sister, her expression hardened and her brow furrowed trying to make sense of what Anna had just said. "What do you think?" she jittered happily.

There was a long pause before Elsa spoke, "Anna, you hardly know him"

"Yes I do! He's taking me on a date this weekend!" Anna replied meekly, her smile faltering

"But Anna, he doesn't even seem that nice how can you-"

"Elsa, why aren't you happy for me?"

"You wanted my opinion and this is it" Elsa stated "This is a bad idea"

Anna shook her head, her eyes were sad and the excitement was gone "But I really like him!"

"Does he really like you?" Elsa asked, she was trying to be comforting but knew she was coming across all wrong and cold.

"What would you know?" Anna cried, hurt "It's not like you have a boyfriend or a crush! You're just jealous!"

The two stared at each other for a moment, frustrated and indifferent. Both felt the other was being hurtful, both felt the other was being ignorant.

"Go away, Anna" Elsa said harshly, and she headed back through to her classroom and left her little sister in the corridor alone.

"Ariel, we're going to the cafeteria and then the common room," Mulan called over her shoulder, "you coming?"

"I'll catch up" she said rather miserably and waved her friends off as the class piled out of the art studio,

Anita Radcliffe the art teacher sat at her desk sketching in her own book,

"Everything alright, Ariel?" she called sweetly, "aren't you going to lunch?"

Ariel gestured at her art book, "just finishing off, Miss"

"What's up?" Miss Radcliffe continued, "you don't seem yourself at all"

Ariel sighed and shaded in her trees, "Oh nothing, Miss, but thanks"

Miss Radcliffe stood up and placed her hands on her hips, walking slowly over towards one of her best students she raised an eyebrow,

"Come on, Ariel" she said, "what's wrong, dear?"

Ariel put her paintbrush and looked up at her teachers kind face, "it's just..." she began,

Anita took a seat opposite her and picked at a paintbrush with her index finger, she blinked curiously

"You see" Ariel continued, "I'm in the school production this year"

Anita smiled, "Oh well that's wonderful, High School Musical this year isn't it?"

"Yeah" Ariel replied dully, "and I really wanted a main role- I know it sounds selfish"

she paused and looked up at Anita who was listening intently,

"I've always liked drama and especially singing... I'm an understudy"

Anita nodded understandingly, "I see"

"I shouldn't complain" Ariel admitted, "It's the first rehearsal after school but I just feel so useless"

"Now Ariel, I've heard you singing every now and then while paining and you're fabulous!" Anita grinned, "Just because you're not a main role doesn't make you any less talented!"

Ariel nodded, she knew her teacher was right but it didn't perk her up much,

"Besides, you're a junior, seniors always get main roles, I guarantee you'll get one next year!"

"Yes, I suppose you're right" Ariel forced a smile, "Thanks Miss Radcliffe,"

Miss Radcliffe smiled, "Oh don't be silly- do cheer up, dear"

Ariel pulled her backpack on and assured her teacher she would before heading off to lunch.

Meg gnawed happily on a huge bar of chocolate. She was on her period which meant three things. Number One, Hades wanted nothing to do with her. Number Two, she was way more miserable than usual. And Number Three, she needed chocolate.

"Hey, Meg" Meg looked up and saw Hercules smiling down at her, she wasn't all that surprised to see him since he approached her most days now. "Wonder Boy, I just can't seem to get rid of you" she laughed.

"What you got there?" he asked

"Cadbury's" she stated, Hercules nodded. "Nice, I can't eat that stuff" Meg frowned as he pulled out some hummus and carrot sticks. "Does that rabbit food really fill you up?" she screwed her nose up.

"Hummus is actually pretty good" he shrugged

"Your eating habits are a little depressing, Herc"

"I've got to stay fit somehow. We can't all be like you!"

"Like me?"

"All you eat is junk food and you're still so tiny!"

She blushed a little, "Thanks, but I make up for it with spots and fatigue" she joked

"You should really get an eight hour sleep every night" he said "I try to be asleep by ten so I get nine hours"

Meg raised an eyebrow, "Sounds riveting"

"It's not too bad. Phil, my personal trainer, he's pretty strict"

"Hey, Hercules!" Aladdin called from the other side of the room. "I'll be one minute!" Hercules smiled and waved Aladdin off.

"You've all become quite close" Meg observed

"Yeah, they're all nice. I didn't have many friends last year" he admitted,

"Well, I know how that feels" Meg sighed. Hercules looked at her for a moment with a soft smile and Meg couldn't help but look back into his royal blue eyes, his lips were so pretty-

Meg snapped out of it.

"Anyway" she said quickly, "I don't mind not having friends you know I-"

"Hey Meg" Hercules said, with a tilt of the head, "Can I take you out some time?"

Meg's mouth parted and her eyes twinkled, she could have squealed like a child if she'd been alone, she couldn't believe he was actually asking her out here and so casually. She opened her mouth to say yes and to smile, there was nothing stopping her after all. This is what she'd been waiting for-

but then there was Hades. She could hear his sadistic tone now. "I'll have to let you know" she said finally, not looking him in the eye.

"Sure" he said after a moments silence, "that's fine". They exchanged a brief and forced smile which was mainly just pressing their lips together before he joined his friends over in the corner, leaving Meg with her chocolate and an angry image of Hades.

Ariel made her way to the auditorium at exactly 3pm. Today was the first rehearsal for the school production. They'd be performing it in June, at the very end of the year and wanted to get started as soon as possible, not that Ariel felt that important, she'd only really be sat around doing nothing anyway. Jasmine walked her over to ease her nerves and the two stood outside the hall doors, Ariel taking deep breathes.

"Jasmine I know I'm useless I really don't want to be here" Ariel rambled on anxiously, Jasmine took her friends hands and said firmly, "Ariel, you're going to be fine!" Ariel breathed and calmed, "you're right".

"Hey, you going in?"

The two girls turned around and stared up at a pale boy with the loveliest aqua eyes and a wave of deep black hair. He smiled at them, but was looking more directly at Ariel. "I...er... I can-I" Ariel stammered, lost for words

"She'll be in in a moment" Jasmine smiled, and the boy pushed the doors opened and headed in "Ariel snap out of it!" Jasmine said, "you can't do that every time you see him!"

"Jasmine he's perfect" she sighed, Jasmine just rolled her eyes.

"Oh... what would I give to be on stage with him, what would I pay to stay there beside him-"

"Quit it!" Jasmine snapped, half laughing, "that sounds like a bad 80's song" Ariel giggled, "you're right it did... how embarrassing"

"Listen to me, Ariel" Jasmine said sternly, "go in there, be confident and bubbly and- be yourself, OK?" Ariel smiled and gave her friend a quick hug before heading into the auditorium. Scared and alone, she watched as Eric looked up at her and the butterflies in her stomach swirled. Then she noticed someone else, Vanessa Shell. She turned and gave her an icy look and the butterflies in Ariel's stomach dropped down dead.

Belle hurried down the steps of the school as students swarmed out, "Adam!" she called, her hands full of papers and plastic wallets, "Hey Adam!" She half jogged up the road, chasing the tall boy with the light ponytail.

"Adam!" she said as she hurried along next to him, "Didn't you hear me?" He looked down at her, amusement in his eyes, "Of course I did" he shrugged.

"Well why didn't you answer?" she cried, he tilted his head side to side, "that wouldn't have been as funny"

She scowled at him, her face red and somewhat sweaty. She pulled a sheet of paper from her satchel bag and handed it to him, still glaring. "Now now" he teased, "you really ought to smile" He took the paper from her and glanced it over, "what's this rubbish?"

"'What's this rubbish?'" she mimicked, "your geography assignment!"

"Oh!" he grinned, "Thanks Belle, I didn't actually think you'd do it...cool" he said rather happily and he began strolling away. Belle watched as he headed down the road and turned the corner and her scowl didn't fade the whole time,

"What a horrible old beast of a boy" she muttered, heading home for a well needed cup of tea.

By 3:15 every member of the cast for High School Musical were in the auditorium, sitting in their seats and looking eagerly up at Mr Crab and Clopan. The teachers handed out scripts and score sheets with each song on and briefed them. "We're more or less following the films script," Mr Crab explained, "we'll be rehearsing Wednesday's and Friday's after school. After Easter it'll change to every day"

Esmeralda and Phoebus groaned,

"Now now" Clopan said, "we've got to put on the best show we can and it'll mean working hard"

"I'm so excited!" said Aurora,

"Now, first things first" Mr Crab said, "Is everyone happy with their roles?"

Ariel pouted, sinking into her seat she wanted to yell 'NO I AM NOT HAPPY', she wanted them to know being an understudy was not enough, that she wanted more, that she deserved more.

"Good good" Mr Crab replied to the silence,

"Now we all want you to channel your characters, we want you to really feel them" Clopan said making lots of hand gestures

"This will help you when you're singing as them- especially doing your solo Vanessa" Mr Crab continued,

"Sir the thing is" Vanessa started, "I'm getting my tonsils out at Christmas and my doctor would prefer I didn't sing for a while, I'll be fine for opening night"

Mr Crab looked hesitant, but Clopan was quick to answer

"Not to worry!" he said, "as long as you're fit and healthy to sing beautifully in time for June"

"Oh I will be" Vanessa smirked,

"For now we can skip your singing rehearsals then" Mr Crab decided, "and if your voice isn't ready in time Ariel can-"

"It will be" Vanessa said sharply, with a cold look at Ariel

There was a slight pause as everyone glanced at Vanessa,

"Right then" Clopan clapped, "we're going to do some trust exercises, pair up!"

Ariel watched as Esmeralda and Pocahontas paired up, then Aurora and Phoebus and Eric and Vanessa,

"Ariel you can go with me" Mr Crab said awkwardly, and she shuffled over toward him

They began with a mirroring exercise, copying one another actions.

"That junior was way better than Vanessa" Esmeralda hissed,

"Everyone knows Vanessa's a real life Sharpay Evans" Pocahontas agreed

"No no no, Sharpay had some good in her" Esmeralda said, "Vanessa's pure evil"

"I didn't know that school plays were your thing?" Aurora said politely as Phoebus and her waved their hands around weirdly,

"They're not" he admitted, "It was this or expulsion"

Aurora pulled a shocked face and made a little "oh!" sound, she had never spoken to Phoebus before and something told him she didn't want to ever again, she now thought he was some sort of criminal.

"Who does that girl think she is?" Vanessa said to Eric,

"I don't know" he shrugged, "she's kind of cute"

Vanessa snapped her fingers in his face and he mimicked,

"She is not" she said defiantly, "she wants my role!"

"She's an understudy, and besides, she auditioned pretty well"

"Eric stop being so soft, she's a junior-"

Eric glanced over at her, giggling as she pushed her nose up and her teacher copied,

"Besides" Vanessa said with a gleam in her eye, "she has a boyfriend"

Eric looked back at his drama club friend and his shoulders dropped, "oh right... ah well"

The mirroring exercise was going pretty well, a few people were giggling and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, when a flood of white light came from the top of the hall and the auditorium door opened,

"Can I help you?" Mr Crab called,

"Sorry I'm late" a familiar voice called back, strutting down the stairs toward the front

"Ah!" Clopan beamed, "my nephew!"

"Naveen?" Esmeralda exclaimed, "what are you doing here?"

"Everyone" Clopan announced, "this is my nephew Naveen, he and his parents recently moved back to Disney and I, of course, promised him the role as Ryan"

There were exchanges of looks particularly between Esmeralda and Phoebus,

"Grab a partner, we're doing some trust exercises" Mr Crab said, and he gestured Ariel who began mirroring with the mysterious boy awkwardly,

"Naveen!" Esmeralda grinned to Pocahontas, "Naveen is playing Ryan!"

"Talk about nepotism!" Phoebus hissed, eavesdropping

"Oh shut up" Esmeralda said, "he seems theatrical"

Phoebus looked over at Naveen who was clearly flirting with Ariel, "Hmph" he groaned.

The first rehearsal session finished at 4:00pm, and the students gathered their things and headed out. Esmeralda and Pocahontas had waited up for Ariel and tried making conversation, talking about how her audition was great and how it's a shame she wasn't cast. Naveen headed out with Phoebus, who seemed less than happy about listening to Naveen ramble on about girls.

"Anyway, it was nice meeting you Ariel" Pocahontas said, as she and Esmeralda left the hall and headed down the corridor,

"You too" she smiled,

"Hey Ariel!" Ariel turned, for a split second she thought Mulan had called her but she realised Mulan was way at home by now, no, it had been Vanessa Shell.

"Can I speak with you for a moment?" she flattered,

"Sure" Ariel replied hesitantly,

"Listen" Vanessa started, a grin on her face, "I know you fancy Eric"

Ariel's eyes widened, "what no-I-"

"Save it" Vanessa said quickly, "he doesn't like you anyway, he has a girlfriend, in fact he asked if you were a freshman"

Ariel's heart thudded and dropped. He thought she was a freshman? Practically a kid? Ariel could have cried, how embarrassing. A part of her did think maybe he could like her but as Vanessa stared at her she knew she was just being a hopeless romantic, she felt stupid.

"I won't tell him" Vanessa offered sweetly, "I'll save you the embarrassment- after all it would be embarrassing if he found out"

"That's really nice of you" Ariel nodded quickly, "thank you"

"It is nice of me isn't it" Vanessa said, and her sweet grin turned into a twisted smirk, "perhaps you should do something for me in return?"

"Oh sure" Ariel said, "what?"

Vanessa half chuckled and Ariel's offer to help her rang in her head, regretfully.

"I want you to sing for me" she said simply,

"What?" Ariel blinked,

"In Easter we're doing a practice performance for the staff" she explained, "they give us headsets, we can mess around with the microphone and just have your voice over mine"

Ariel just stared, she couldn't be serious?

"Oh come on" Vanessa continued bitterly, "it's not like you'll be doing much else, you're only an understudy- I can't sing and you can, it makes perfect sense"

"Won't we get caught?" Ariel tried,

"Not if you're careful" Vanessa replied rather threateningly, "so are you going to do it or not?"

Ariel wasn't an idiot, she didn't want Vanessa getting all the credit for her singing and she certainly didn't want to help her smash a role she didn't deserve.

"No, sorry" Ariel said politely,

"Fine" Vanessa said surprisingly calmly, "I'll just let Eric know you fancy him.. you're fourteen right?"

Ariel's shoulders dropped, "I'll do it" she swallowed, "but not for you, I just don't want to be embarrassed"

"Perfect" Vanessa grinned, "make sure you learn those songs then!" and she turned and strutted away.

Thanks for the feedback guys! I hope you liked this chapter I'm so happy to get these story lines going