Chapter Six
"If I can't be your only one," Kelsi sang. Just then the door opened and Jason walked through. She closed the lid on the piano keys and faced him. "Hey," she said.
"Hey," he replied. He walked over to the couch and sat down. "What are you doing?" he asked, noticing the sheet of paper on the piano.
"Nothing really. I just thought of a song and I think it's perfect for Gabriella," Kelsi responded.
"Hmm," Jason said getting up. He walked over to where she was sitting. Kelsi was a great composer. When they were in their junior year of high school, she wrote the entire musical that Gabriella and Troy stared in, Twinkle Towne. That summer, when they all got jobs at the local country club and they had a competition against another country club, Kelsi wrote a spectacular song that Troy and Gabriella sang.
"What's it called?"
"Say OK," she stated. "It just came to me."
Jason leaned down and started to kiss her neck. "You are so amazing," he said.
"That feels so good," Kelsi told him. He tilted her head to the side so he had better access to her neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and started to feel all around her body. He reached up and cupped her left breast with his hand. Kelsi moaned sensually.
"Let's go to the bedroom," he whispered in her ear. She nodded excitedly. He picked her up and turned to the hallway. Before he could take a step the phone rang.
"Let the machine get it," she whispered. Jason took a step.
The machine came on before they could make it any farther. "Kelsi, if you're there, pick up. I got some great news for you." Gabriella's voice rang throughout the quite house.
"You had better get that," Jason said, setting her down. He followed her to the couch.
"Gabriella, what's so urgent?" Kelsi asked, picking up the phone. There was a moment of silence and then Kelsi screamed. "You're kidding." Another pause. "That's amazing." Jason looked at Kelsi. "I'll get started on it right away. Bye." She hung up and turned to Jason. "Guess what happened?"
"Tell me," he said. Something was up.
"I was nominated for the youngest composer in Albuquerque." She had the biggest grin on her face. "Ms. Darbus sent them the Twinkle Towne compositions and they liked my work. They want me to compose a song for the awards ceremony."
"Wow. That's wonderful," Jason said, jumping up. "How about we celebrate?" He asked, jerking his head to the bedroom.
Kelsi didn't get the hint. "We can go out later. Right now, I have to finish this song so Gabriella can sing it at the ceremony."
Jason sighed and plopped back on the couch. Oh well. There's always tonight.
"I'm so nervous," Kelsi said. She was standing with Jason, Troy, Gabriella and Taylor. Chad was in the bathroom.
"You totally deserve it," Troy assured her.
"You're amazing," Taylor agreed nodding her head.
"I told her that," Jason stated. He put a reassuring hand on her back. "Look, there's the president." A bald guy walked up to them. "We'll be ready in a minute."
Just then, Sharpay, Zeke, and Ryan ran up to them. "Are we late?" Sharpay asked, out of breath.
"You're here just in time," Kelsi stated. "She turned back to the president. I wrote two songs. One will be performed by Gabriella." She pointed to Gabriella. "And the other, Sharpay will perform." The president nodded and walked off.
Jason turned to her. "I didn't know you wrote another song."
Kelsi smiled at him. "It's a surprise."
At that moment, the president tapped the microphone. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are honoring the youngest composer in Albuquerque. Everyone, please give a warm welcome to Kelsi Cross." He started clapping and the audience followed suit.
"Wish me luck," she said.
"Good luck," they all said.
Swallowing, she stepped out on stage. When she reached the podium, the clapping stopped. "This is such an honor. I'll keep this short since we have two performances tonight. When I started composing in high school, I never dreamt that it would get me an award. But here we are. In case anyone was wondering how young I am, both my husband and I are nineteen." Just then, she stopped. She spotted Ms. Darbus in the first row. She had a smile on her face and made a motion with her head for her to continue. "They asked me to compose something tonight. I was already working on a piece for a friend, so I finished it, and to calm my nerves, I composed another song. I give it to my good friend, Gabriella Bolton." Everyone started clapping.
Gabriella walked onstage and accepted the microphone that Kelsi handed to her. Music started playing and she sang.
You are fine
You are sweet
But I'm still a bit naive with my heart
When you're close I don't breathe
I can't find the words to speak
I feel sparks
But I don't wanna be into you
If you are not looking for true love, oh oh
No I don't wanna start seeing you
If I can't be your only one
So tell me
When it's not alright
When it's not ok
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say ok? (say ok)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be ok)
Say ok.
When you call
I don't know
If I should pick up the phone every time
I'm not like all my friends
Who keep calling up the boys
I'm so shy
But I don't wanna be into you
If you don't treat me the right way
See I can only start seeing you
If you can make my heart feel safe (feel safe)
When it's not alright
When it's not ok
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say ok? (say ok)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be ok
Don't run away, don't run away)
Let me know if it's gonna be you
Boy, you've got some things to prove
Let me know that you'll keep me safe
I don't want you to run away so
Let me know that you'll call on time
Let me know that you won't be shy
Will you wipe my tears away
Will you hold me closer
When it's not alright
When it's not ok
Will you try to make me feel better
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say ok? (Say ok)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be ok)
Say OK
(Don't run away, don't run away)
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be ok, don't run away)
Will you say OK
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be ok, don't run away, don't run away)
When she was gone, the audience erupted with applause. Kelsi took back the microphone. "This next song was a surprise. The only ones who know it are me and another friend of my, Sharpay Evans."
As usual, Sharpay trotted on stage like she owned the place, with a microphone head set on. She opened her mouth.
Boy
walk in the spot, he's so fresh
He got what he needs to
impressin'
Just look at the way that he dressin'
Ain't no
question chicks like oh.
Girl
walkin' the spot, she stop traffic
She blowin' your mind with her
asset
So Jessica Alba fantastic,
Instant classic boys like oh.
Maybe
I can see us moving like that.
Maybe I can see us touching like
that.
Baby I can see us kissing like that.
We don't need no
more that he said she said.
Maybe I can see us moving like
that.
Maybe I can see us touching like that.
Baby I can see us
kissing' like that.
We don't need no more that he said she said.
He
said girl you winnin'
She said boy where you been at
Stop
talking let's get with it
Just like that they
He
said you're amazing
She said then why ya waiting
No more
deliberating
What you doin' let's get to it
Just like that they
Boy
actin' as if there's no pressure
He do everything to get with
her
He say anything to convince her.
Money spent, two diamonds,
send her
Girl
playin' it cool but she's with it
She lovin' the fact that she's
gifted
Everything he do she gets lifted
Feels so wicked lovin'
like oh.
Maybe
I can see us moving like that.
Maybe I can see us touching like
that.
Baby I can see us kissing like that.
We don't need no
more that he said she said.
Maybe I can see us moving like
that.
Maybe I can see us touching like that.
Baby I can see us
kissing like that.
We don't need no more that he said she said.
He
said girl you winnin'
She said boy where you been at
Stop
talking let's get with it
Just like that they
He
said you're amazing
She said then why ya waiting
No more
deliberating
What you doin' let's get to it
Just like that they
One
night with you, boy just one night with you,
All the things we
could do,
Every day i think of
One
night with you
no one else but us two
All our dreams would come
true
If we'd just get together
Maybe
I can see us moving like that.
Maybe I can see us touching like
that.
Baby I can see us kissing like that.
We don't need no
more that he said she said.
Maybe I can see us moving like
that.
Maybe I can see us touching like that.
Baby I can see us
kissing like that.
We don't need no more that he said she said.
Oh, what you waitin' for?
He
said girl you winnin'
She said boy where you been at
Stop
talking let's get with it
Just like that they
He
said you're amazing
She said then why ya waiting
No more
deliberating
What you doin' let's get to it
Just like that they
You're
gonna like it
You're gonna want it
You're gonna like it
We
don't need no more that he said she said.
You're gonna like
it
You're gonna want it
You're gonna like it
We don't need
no more that he said she said.
When she finished, everybody screamed. Sharpay smiled her Sharpay smile and shot Kelsi a look of thanks. Kelsi went to the microphone one more time. "I'd like to introduce my family." She motioned for the others to join her onstage. "These people have been there for me in so many ways. They are my inspiration. Especially my husband Jason." She pulled him close. In order she announced their names. "Troy and Gabriella Bolton, Chad Danforth, Taylor McKessie, Sharpay Evans, Zeke Baylor, and Ryan Evans."
The President jumped onstage. "Wow. Those performances were spectacular. The songs were amazing. Kelsi Cross, the city of Albuquerque presents to you the youngest composer award." He handed her the award. At the bottom, on the plaque, her name gleamed in the light.
"We're going to go out to celebrate," Jason whispered in her ear.
"And we can have our own little celebration when we go home," she whispered back. Jason's eyes got big and he rushed them all offstage.