Slamming his locker door shut, Ryan walked down the hall thinking about how Shar had treated Kelsi that morning. He knew she was his sister and she was talented, but he also knew that didn't give her the grounds to step and others. It occurred to Ryan just how much control she had over him and everyone else for that matter. He hadn't been planning on going to the dance, but Shar had whined and stomped her feet like a five-year old until Ryan had given in. He didn't have much of a choice whether he wanted to go or not.

Kelsi's fingers danced across the black and white piano keys that afternoon, to the point that she lost track of time. Before she knew it, the doorbell rang, interrupting the up-tempo sequence she had been in the middle of writing.

"We're here!" Taylor called through the front door.

"Do I really have to go?" Kelsi asked timidly as she got up from the piano, "I have to finish that song…."

"YOU'RE GOING," both Gabbie and Taylor stated plainly, making their way up the stairs to her room. The two were already dressed to the nines and ready to go.

"Fine," Kelsi surrendered, "But can I at least see what I'm wearing?" She reached for the garment bag, only to have her hand slapped away.

"We want it to be a surprise!" At that, Taylor sat her down in a chair, and began to tame Kelsi's curly hair.

Over at the Evans' household, a shouting match was taking place between the fraternal twins.

"RYAAAAAANNNN!" Sharpay screeched, "DID YOU TAKE MY HAIR GEL AGAIN?"

"NO SHAR," Ryan yelled back, "FOR THE FIFTH TIME I DIDN'T TAKE YOUR HAIR GEL!" He sighed and turned back to his tux, inspecting it one last time. The boy pulled on the crisp white shirt and pressed black pants. Looking in the mirror, Ryan began to tie his silver bow tie. His thoughts wandered to the dance, "It's too bad that Kelsi isn't going. She never does anything but transpose, write, and transpose, she deserves to have some fun for once. But I guess Sharpay is right, she avoids attention whenever she can. I guess what I really want is someone to actually have an intelligent conversation with. Oh well, maybe next time."

"FOR THE LOVE OF BROADWAY SHARPAY, GET DOWN HERE! THE DANCE WILL BE OVER BY THE TIME WE GET THERE!" Ryan bellowed to his sister, glancing over at the clock. She still wasn't even close to being ready and it was almost time to go.

"YOU CAN'T RUSH BEAUTY!" Sharpay screamed back. Ryan sighed heavily, he was in for a long night.

"Don't stick that in my eye!" Kelsi squirmed nervously in her seat.

"Stop moving or I'm going to get in your eye," Gabriella advised, wielding the mascara wand, "Just look up!"

"This had better be worth it," she mumbled, looking up at the ceiling "I'm risking going blind…"

"You're done," Gabriella pronounced, screwing the lid back on the tube.

"Now close your eyes," Taylor instructed. Not bothering to argue any more, Kelsi obeyed and allowed Gabbie and Taylor to guide her into what she assumed was a dress. They slid her feet into a pair of shoes and Gabriella insisted on adding a final coat of lip gloss.

"Wait!" Taylor exclaimed, "We forgot the most important thing! Close your eyes one more time Kelsi, this is the last time, I promise." Reluctantly, Kelsi shut her eyes one more time. The girl felt a slight pressure on her face, the mask, how could she have forgotten? Kelsi opened her eyes and the two surveyed their friend from head to toe.

"Oh, Kelsi," Gabriella breathed softly.

"Is, is it that bad?" she stuttered.

"See for yourself," Taylor assured, turning Kelsi to face the mirror.

Lifting her eyes from their normal position at the floor, Kelsi saw someone unfamiliar staring back at her. She had perfect chestnut ringlets that fell slightly past her shoulders and had been draped with a thin, silver circlet. Her skin was dusted with a soft blush, her limbs were ladylike and delicate, and her lips were petal pink. She wore a white, off the shoulder gown that complimented her petite body. The most striking thing about her though, was her eyes. They were bright green and were framed by long, dark, eyelashes. Strangely enough, the pretty girl donned an silver mask that covered from underneath her eyebrows to her cheekbones and seemed to make her eyes almost glow with life. Kelsi thought to herself, "Who is that and what is she doing in my room?"

"That's you Kelsi," Gabbie smiled, as if she were reading the petite girl's thoughts and removed the mask to show her, "It always has been."

"Now do you think Sharpay or anyone else is going to recognize you?" Taylor smirked, "After you don't even recognize yourself?"

"I…," Kelsi paused, looking for the right words, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, now let's go," Taylor announced, "Gabbie and I are already keeping Troy and Chad waiting."

"But don't forget," she reminded them, "I have to leave by midnight so that I can finish the song sometime before dawn."

"Done," Gabriella responded, opening the door to her mom's Toyota.