That morning, she snuck out of her free period class to the auditorium and spotted Troy also watching the auditions.
"So you decided to sign up for something?" She asked, sneaking up behind him. He jumped and spun around and she grinned. They hid behind a mop and observed everyone trying out.
Gabriella kept track and decided none of them really stood a chance until Ryan and Sharpay stood up together.
"And for our pair auditions we only have one couple signed up, Sharpay and Ryan, perhaps you would like to give us an example of why we gather in this hallowed hall." Ms. Darbus rambled while they strutted on stage.
A peppy song began to play and they snapped in rhythm. Gabriella grimaced at this but grinned while Ryan began to dance.
He did a one-handed cartwheel and Gabriella bit her lips to keep from commenting. Troy rolled his eyes a little and shook his head in disgust at their performance while Gabriella gaped at him.
All too soon, the song ended and Gabriella sighed but pretended to be happy while she and Troy stood up.
As they were walking out, she suddenly turned, "I'd like to audition, Ms. Darbus!" She called, the over-rehearsed words flowing easily off her tongue. She didn't dare turn around, but she could only imagine Troy's facial expression at this point.
Ms. Darbus and Troy began having a small debate about being on time in theater but the answer was clear: no.
Gabriella grimaced but regained hope when the pianist tripped. Troy and she rushed onto the stage and gathered her paper. Over the course of their conversation, Gabriella learned this girl's name was Kelsi, she was a shy composer and she was in the drama group.
"Do you want to hear how the duet is supposed to sound?"
Gabriella beamed and nodded then followed her to the piano. Gabriella sang along to the words she had just heard Ryan sing, only slower, softer and shorter.
Troy joined in with her, much to her relief and she tried to make a connection with him about how theater was his true calling, even if he was too afraid to admit it.
"Wow…it's nice." Troy complimented awkwardly.
"Bolton, Montez, you have a call back!" Ms. Darbus reentered the theater, "Kelsi, give them the duet from the second act, work on it with them." She instructed.
Kelsi nodded excitedly and began to chatter about rehearsal and times and such. Gabriella pretended to listen enthusiastically while really, watching Troy closely for his reaction.
He looked scared, awkward and dumbstruck. 'Oh well, he'll get over it.' Gabriella thought, thoroughly satisfied that her plan had worked.
Gabriella skipped out of the room and ran to her next class, only to literally slam in Ryan. She winced, 'Smooth move, Montez!' and stood up then grabbed Ryan's hand and helped him up.
He adjusted his light blue hat and smiled at her, "Do you enjoy sweeping me off my feet every time we meet?" He lightly pushed her so she walked into the class ahead of him.
"Uh, oh, well…" She trailed off awkwardly then cleared her throat, "It's a favorite pastime of mine."
He smirked secretively and sat down as the teacher began class. Gabriella kept zoning out, thinking about singing and her thoughts kept drifting to Ryan; what he was thinking, what he was looking at, if he wasn't paying attention too. She was thinking about him so much, she didn't notice when he tapped her on the shoulder with the rest of the columns homework.
Finally, he whacked her on the back of the head and she jumped then turned around and blushed, "Sorry." She mouthed. He shrugged and she turned back around.
Luckily for Gabriella, the bell rang a short time later and she quickly bustled out of the room, back to her locker.
While she was standing and changing her books, Sharpay sauntered past and 'accidentally' brushed her shoulder against Gabriella's.
Gabriella slowly turned around to see the 'Ice Queen' herself giving her a cool stare. "May I help you?" the brunette asked sweetly. Sharpay smiled, "I was just coming to tell you: Stay away from Troy and my brother. Troy is mine and you can't keep distracting Ryan from the musical. Got it?" She winked the strutted away.
Gabriella rolled her eyes, "As if I'm going to date a stupid high school boy." She muttered then slammed her locker shut and stormed off.
I am so sorry for not updating! Okay, I wrote almost all of this two weeks ago but didn't have a chance to finish it until tonight! This week was crazy! I had two MRIs, doctor's appointments and sleepovers! Eek! So, sorry (again) for this being short and rather uneventful, but I have to get the annoying details (i.e. the auditions, Gabriella getting through to Troy, Sharpay being annoying, etc) done with before I can actually work on the rest of the plot! It's stupid, but it has to be done sigh. Anyway, what do you think? Is it decent? Thank you so much for the reviews, I'm amazed at how well this has done! Oh, for those who read WDCT, first off, thanks for reading and sending 300+ reviews! Secondly, I have the ideas for the sequel and will start writing it soon but I won't be posting it till June! So keep on the look out for that and for updates on this! Love you guys a thousand red skittles!