Best of Both Worlds

By: lol925

Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical or Virgin Records.

Dedicated: To my readers, reviewers, friends, family, and Rachael for her continued support for my writing.

October 1, Gabriella's House, 7:00 A.M.

I was humming the song Mr. Forden had sent me and waiting for Laura's older sister to pick me up for school. Her car pulled up and I walked out the door. "Hey Laura, Melissa, Robyn, Natalie," I said.

"Hey Gabi! Sorry we were late. Laura took her daily half an hour shower and upped it to 45 minutes," Melissa explained. I just laughed. Laura claimed to only take them for that long on weekends, but we all know that she does it every day. Five minutes later, we pulled up at Roosevelt High.

We went inside and separated to go to our respective lockers. I got to my locker, got my books, and walked to homeroom. Robyn is in my homeroom, but Melissa and Laura aren't. "Good morning class, today I'm skipping role call since I see everyone is here and I'm going to go on and make announcements. The chess club is having their first match so I hope to see you cheering them on. If you have any questions on that please ask President Franklin Eirno. Tryouts for the soccer team are being held today during free period. The fall musical tryouts are also being held during free period. Hopefully you blossoming actors, actresses, and athletes show up!" she announced. She let us do whatever we wanted for the next five minutes until the bell rang.

The day was uneventful. When it came to free period, I decided to tryout for the musical. I told my friends and they came to watch me. Unluckily I was picked to go first. "Ms. Montez, what will you sing for us today?" Mrs. Winslow the drama teacher asked me.

I really wanted to sing my first song "Fly" but if I sang a song that hadn't come out yet, that would lead to trouble. "I'm singing "Girl Next Door" by Saving Jane," I replied.

"Give me the best you've got," she responded. I sang my best as I had at my audition. When I was done, the room broke out in applause. I walked off the stage to my friends.

"Gabi that was phenomenal! You are getting the lead and that's a fact. I think you're good enough to be a professional," Robyn exclaimed.

"The only time I've heard you sing was happy birthday to Robyn. Why didn't you tell us you could sing?" Melissa asked. Before I had time to reply, the next audition started. Most people were mediocre. A few people were horrible and a couple people were really good. I cannot wait for the cast list to be posted.

"There won't be any callbacks, because I have figured out all the roles. The cast list will be posted at the end of the day. You are dismissed," Mrs. Winslow announced. That made me jittery and excited for the rest of the day.

I didn't pay attention in class, which was unusual, because I always take notes. When my last class ended, I bolted out to the bulletin board. Everyone had crowded there, so I struggled to find my name. When I found my name it was next to Meagan Donaldson, I had gotten the lead!

As I headed to my locker I was on cloud nine, but deep down I knew I'd get the part. I felt if I was good enough to sign a contract with a record company, I could get into a high school musical. I got my stuff and headed outside to where my mom was picking me up. I was going to a recording studio to record "Fly."

"Hi honey, did you have a good day at school?" my mom greeted me.

"Yeah it was the best. I landed the lead of the school musical," I stated.

"That's great sweetie. I'm so proud of you," my mom congratulated. My mom and I talked for the rest of the ride until we got to Sunview Studios.

"I'm so nervous! What if most people can record a song in 2 days and it takes me 2 weeks?" I rambled.

"Gabriella, calm down. You worry unnecessarily. If you listen to what everyone says you'll do just fine," my mom responded in that way she had of calming my nerves. I took a deep breath and walked in.

I was greeted by Mr. Forden. "Hey Gabriella, did you practice the song?" he asked.

"That's all I have been doing practice, practice, practice. The background instruments help, but it's hard if you've never heard the song before," I responded.

"I'm sure you'll do just fine. Today we'll run through the song but we won't officially record it just yet. Now I'll let Don Sind do the rest of the talking," he said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Gabriella. First, I want you to sing the song through without the background music. I'll let you know what you're doing right and wrong. Feel free to add any oohs, yeas, or anything that makes the song unique," he informed me. I sang the way I thought it should be sung.

"That was fantastic. The only thing is if you think there are times when the background will have music and you won't have anything to say don't forget there will be back up singers echoing you. Now let's try it with the background music," Mr. Sind commented. I sang it again. This would definitely be my favorite song.

"Mr. Sind I really like the song. I was thinking in the 3rd verse when we change the tempo we could make the instrumental a little bit more upbeat," I suggested.

"That could be a possibility. I'll consider it," he said. I ran through it a couple more times. Then I left the studio. I was so excited. Making this CD would be fun. I also couldn't wait to learn the choreography for concerts.

"Mom that was fun. I am glad I agreed to this. Finally I can be in the spotlight," I sighed dreamily.

"I'm glad you're enjoying all this, but I don't want it to get to your head. When I was in college one of my good friends got an article published in a big magazine. It got to her head and she ended our friendship thinking she was better than I was. That didn't help her though. She know words at a grocery store, she isn't married, and only has a few friends. There isn't anything wrong with that, but it isn't where she wanted to be," my mom told me.

"I won't throw anything away because of this. I won't disrespect anyone either. Before all this, I was a typical teen, so I know what it is like to be invisible. Don't worry about it," I assured her.

We reached the house. I walked into my room to do homework. I could imagine my dad sitting front row at a concert screaming his head off like a kid. Boy, I missed him.

I had a bunch of homework and I'd lost time during the practice. It's a good thing I can pick up my homework easily or I would definitely fall behind. I worked on my homework until dinner.

"Gabi with recording your CD will you have time for musical rehearsals? You have scholastic decathlon and volleyball as well. When will you have time for schoolwork and friends? I think you have a lot on your plate and I'm worried," my mom stated once we were sitting down for dinner.

"Musical rehearsals are during free period. We don't have after school rehearsals until a few weeks before the musical. Scholastic Decathlon meets right after school twice a week. Volleyball is Thursday afternoon. If I record, only 3 times a week for the next 2 months I'll be fine mom. Between all our activities, my friends and I only have time to hang out on the weekend anyway. I got it under control," I explained to her.

"That's good to hear. You know moms are such worriers. Well I have to go make a phone call," my mom said as she carried her plate to the sink. My mom was assured, but after what she said, I sure wasn't.

I hope you enjoyed that chapter. It is kind of short and sort of a filler chapter. I am already in the process of writing the next chapter and it sure to be long and eventful! Please leave me a review and I'll update as soon as I can.