"Class dismissed," Ms. Darbus called as the bell rang. "Taylor and Sharpay please come to me," she said as the students began pouring out of the classroom. Taylor and Sharpay walked towards Ms. Darbus.
"What now Ms. Darbus?" Sharpay snapped. "My lunch break is ticking away!" she added.
"Yes Ms. Darbus?" Taylor said.
"Will any of you volunteer to accompany Troy in his act?" Ms. Darbus asked.
"No! Ryan and I are doing a special act, you know?" Sharpay snapped.
"Sorry Ms. Darbus, I need to complete my maths test," Taylor replied.
"OK then, I'll look for someone else," Ms. Darbus said disappointed.
Vanessa had her ear and a glass at the door and she was listening to every word said. If she helps Troy in the act she knows so well (because she is Gabriella) in the voice she truly has, then he will notice in an instant. As Vanessa began reflecting on her plan, the door handle started moving. Vanessa grabbed the cup and ran to her locker. Her locker was next to the classroom, so she was easily noticed when they opened the door. "Hi Vanessa!" Taylor exclaimed excitedly.
"Hi Taylor (oops, I forgot, I'm not supposed to know her name)," Vanessa replied in a blur.
"What did you say?" Taylor asked.
"Oh, nothing," Vanessa replied.
"Ah! Vanessa!" Ms. Darbus cried when she saw the sight of Vanessa.
"Yes Ms. Darbus?" Vanessa replied.
"Can you sing?" Ms. Darbus asked.
"Not too well, but I'll give it a try," Vanessa replied.
'What have I done!' Vanessa thought.
"Meet me after lunch break," Ms. Darbus said in a hurry.
"Sure…" Vanessa said.
Vanessa pushed the doors open of the cafeteria's doors. It was like a busy shopping mall. There were many tables filling the compound. The lunch table Gabriella sat at was near the canteen. Vanessa walked over to the canteen and was about to ask the lady for potato, gravy and some peas when a disturbing noise called out. "HEY! VANESSA! COME SIT WITH US!," Troy yelled at the top of his lungs. This noise shocked Vanessa so much that she jiggled and nearly dropped her tray.
"Excuse me kid, don't drop that!" the lady grouched.
"Sorry," Vanessa replied. The look on Troy's face changed completely when he saw what he had caused her to do.
Vanessa wandered over to their table and took a seat at her usual Gabriella seat. Vanessa wanted to speak to Troy and see what he thought about Gabriella. This was also way for Gabriella to gain information to see if Troy really loved her. Vanessa placed her tray down and opened the plastic utensil packet. She took a bite of her potato and Troy took a bite of his hamburger. They started their conversation when they both swallowed. Today Taylor and Chad decided to sit with Kelsi to discuss some of her composing components.
"So Vanessa, pretty big first day... so how are you settling in?" Troy asked concerned.
"Pretty well actually, thanks," Vanessa replied.
"I'm glad you are, although it's a pity you didn't get to meet Gabriella," Troy said disappointed.
"Oh! Who is Gabriella?" Vanessa questions pretending to be confused.
"Well, she's a really close friend of mine," Troy explains nodding.
"Why isn't she here today then?" Vanessa asks.
"I'm not sure...but I think Gabriella's sick," Troy answers.
"I hope I get to meet her," Vanessa says hopeful.
"I don't know how long she's going to be sick for, but if she was here, she'd be more than willing to show you around and chat to you," Troy said.
"I heard that she's not here for the talent show, and you were doing something together," Vanessa brought up.
"Oh yeah, we were going to do a duet together..." Troy explained.
"That's not good..." Vanessa unhappily sighed.
"Yeah, it's pretty bad... but just out of interest, can you sing?" Troy suddenly lightened up.
"I can, but it's not good," Vanessa explained.
"That's FANTASTIC! You could replace her in the duet. I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Troy enthusiastically screamed.
"Alright," Vanessa said like she wasn't interested.
"We can meet up later today to rehearse," Troy happily suggested.
"I'm sorry Troy... I'll probably have to go and speak to Ms. Darbus after Lunch Break. Does she even know what you're presenting?" Vanessa assured.
"Of course, I've given her all of the paperwork and song sheets," Troy positively assured.
"I'll have to ask Ms. Darbus to help me," Vanessa solutioned.
"Do whatever you want, but be ready by this afternoon... the show is after school," Troy instructed.
"I'm always ready," Vanessa made a speech of confidence.
"I have to go! Bye Vanessa!" Troy concluded.
The bell rang to end lunch break and students went running everywhere to reach their classrooms. Vanessa ran to the music room, where she knew Ms. Darbus would be because she had finished teaching all students for the day. Vanessa was supposed to be going to the Grand Hall for the opening ceremony, but she took an advantage as a new student to skip that and go to the music room.
"Hello Vanessa, nice to see you've found your way to the music room," Ms. Darbus greeted.
"Hi Ms. Darbus!" Vanessa said enthusiastically.
"Are you agreeing to help Troy with his Talent Show act?" Ms. Darbus asked.
"Yes, certainly!" Vanessa replied.
"Let's begin the song, on the count of three beats, you've got the lyrics in front of you," Ms. Darbus instructed. "Kelsi here will play the piano," she added.
"Alright," Vanessa replied.
"One, two, three."