There was a secret doorway and a hidden key that Year 12's used to reach the Balcony Table. When Vanessa was Gabriella, Troy, Kelsi, Chad and Taylor once went to explore and discover the hidden secrets of the Balcony Table. The Year 12's hidden roster was in the un-used filing cabinet the teachers had put on the Balcony Floor. Vanessa made her way to the cafeteria and just ordered a sandwich. She stuffed it inside her pocket and made her way up the lift to the Balcony Table. The lift, in the front entrance of East High, went only to the Balcony Table, Principal's Office or Staffroom. If you were ever caught by a Year 12 heading up the lift, you'd need to look like you're in trouble or you were delivering an item to the teachers. The good old sandwich trick for the teachers worked a wonder with the Year 12's. Vanessa ran to the lift and quickly pressed the button. The lift doors opened and she quickly pressed the 3rd floor, where the Balcony Table was. The doors began to slowly shut. Vanessa wished that it would shut quicker. She could hear the footsteps of older kids chatting. "So, I can't wait until the chat in the Balcony Table, I've been waiting to discover the secrets the Balcony Table holds and chat in private since I was in Year 9, when I came to this school," one said.

"Yeh! Me too! I can't wait! HEY! Who's in the lift?" the other one cried.

'Oh no! Quick lift! Shut!' Vanessa thought. 'They must be the kids going into the room today!' she thought.

The lift doors finally shut and she began to rise.

Without the key, used by the Year 12's to access the Balcony Table, the room was sealed shut. Even if you wanted to put your ear up against the door, you couldn't hear a thing. If Vanessa could get there first, then she'd be able to get inside and lock them out. She saw Kelsi making her way up to the Balcony Table when she was buying her sandwich, so she must be inside. The key was hidden under the large sign on the door saying: KEEP OUT! BALCONY TABLE FOR SENIORS ONLY

The lift came to a halt and the doors opened slowly. Vanessa had to act quickly, there was no time to dawdle around and look for the key. She went on her tip-toes and looked under the sign. Nothing there. She went to the door to check if it was open. It was open. She turned the knob and saw the table nicely set up. She spotted Kelsi sitting at the table. "Lock it!" Kelsi mouthed. There were several locks in on the door. Vanessa pressed the button on the door knob, turned the key for the extra lock and flicking a lever to stop anyone coming in.

Loud footsteps came marching out of the lift. As this was Vanessa and Kelsi's first time sitting in at the Balcony Table, they felt scared of what the Year 12's would do to them if they discovered that they were in there. The footsteps lead away to the bathrooms on the left of the lift. Kelsi sighted a laminated sign which said 'Cleaning in Progress' and 'Not for Use Today.'

'If I put the 'Cleaning in Progress' sign up, then that means that they'll wait until the cleaning is finished, but if it's not in use today, we may spot them make their ways back to the cafeteria' Kelsi thought. Without a moment to lose, Kelsi grabbed the sign and shoved it under the door. The footsteps led back to the door.

"All the way here and this sign!" one Year 12 exclaimed.

"Who cares? Let's just steal someone else's turn or ask the teacher to go to the bathroom and we'll sneak in here," the other replied sneakily.

Vanessa and Kelsi let out a sigh of relief. Then they made themselves comfortable on the chair and began their conversation:

Vanessa

Kelsi

So, Vanessa, or should I say Gabriella, let's first of all move the table back so people can't see us from the cafeteria, just in case.

(Moves the table back)

Now that no one can see or hear us, why did you choose to be Vanessa?

Kelsi, I wanted to test my friendship, that's all.

Can you tell me your findings?

Yes, Troy seems like he gets really grumpy when the real me isn't around and you know a friend when you see one.

I wonder why Troy doesn't seem to notice your voice in the Talent Show. I'm surprised that no-one came up to you after the show to tell you!

I guess that's just one of those things, when they see the face, they know the voice. I guess…

I can't believe you could hold that real gymnast in you when Isabella Stanley came… It must have been so hard!

Yes Kelsi it was pretty difficult but if you had continued winking and whispering to me like that, someone could have been suspicious!

No need to get grumpy… Anyway, I think we should get out of here before some other Year 12's come to discover their findings…

OK, just please, don't spread the secret around, I've got three days left in my sick week. One more question before we leave. Please keep Troy from getting grumpy because it gets me so angry?

Sure Gabriella, your secret is safe with me. I'll try my best to keep Troy getting angry… Anything else?

Yes. Please stop winking at me.

I think we should go now… alright, I'll keep myself from winking. Let's go before someone sees us. Have you got the sandwich?

Yes! Quick, take the key.

Vanessa and Kelsi grabbed the key and opened the door cautiously and carefully, making sure there was no-one around. They tiptoed out the door and Kelsi slipped the key back under the sign and Vanessa pulled the sandwich out of her pocket and pressed the button for the lift. "If there are any Year 12's in the lift, say we pressed the wrong button," whispered Kelsi. Vanessa nodded. The lift bell rung as the doors opened slowly as Vanessa heard voices from inside the lift. There were Year 12's inside the lift!

"Oh my GOSH! What on EARTH are you DOING HERE!?" a girl called Cindy screamed at the sight of the two holding a sandwich.

"Um, we're taking this sandwich to Ms. Darbus, she forgot it in the classroom," Vanessa stuttered.

"Then what are you DOING in on the BALCONY TABLE FLOOR?!" Cindy screamed back.

"We pressed the wrong button!" Kelsi screamed to compete against her.

"Well, well, you're safe this time, but the next time we catch you up here, you will be PUBLICALLY HUMILIATED!!" Cindy yelled at the top of her lungs.

The group exited the lift as Vanessa and Kelsi walked inside the lift and pressed the button to ground floor. "Oh my gosh! That was horrible," Vanessa said relieved.

"Yes, I've seen that Cindy girl before, she's HORRIBLE, I had to be her Year 11 activity partner when we were in Year 10. That was one of the worst times in my school life," Kelsi said reflecting.

The lift bell rang again and they walked out of the lift. They sighed a sigh of relief. Back to the cafeteria!