Imani sat annoyed in Miss Darbus' homeroom. She remembered Gabriella saying that Miss Darbus', for some reason, chose to leave teaching juniors and move with them to teach senior homeroom. It wasn't like they learned anything in homeroom. All they heard were announcements and things that had nothing to do with them whatsoever.

"Pay attentions, Miss Jones," Miss Darbus said still reading the announcements. "They will be served in the cafeteria: chili-cheese fries, pizza, nachos, salads. Since it is the 3rd Thursday of the month they will be serving Chik-fil-A sandwiches as well. Of course since you are seniors you may leave campus for lunch as long as you are on time for your next class. Tonight is the opening night for the freshman-sophomore rendition of Romeo and Juliet. Show your support by showing up and watching their hard work pay off. Talent show sign-ups in the main hall. Depending on the number of talents there may be auditions. Sign ups will be over tomorrow after last periods. Please sign up before then. It is a lot of work to organize when the acts will come on. It will last during 4th period in the auditorium on Friday. Be ready to perform in front of your peers. Bring your best talent. Have fun. Do things that will set you apart from the rest, costumes that have something to do with your talent. The prize for third place prize will be a ditch-pass. Second place prize will be a $250 shopping spree to any mall. First prize will be a $ 5000 scholarship to any college in the country. Good luck."

The only thing that Imani heard was the talent show. She wasn't sure if she wanted to sign up or not. She loved to sing and was said to be good at it, but she was still new. She'd only been at school for three weeks she had a few friends, more like acquaintances, in her classes. She remembered Troy from when they were kids but he didn't seem to remember her. She made no attempt to get him to recognize her either.

Imani was so happy when the bell rang and Darbus dismissed them. She walked up to the sign up sheet. Before she signed up she wanted to see who she would be going against, if she did sign up. She saw a blonde girl who was in her home room. She signed Sharpay Evans in pink an in huge letters. She also saw Gabriella sign Troy and Gabriella. She a few more random people sign up. She wasn't sure who they were because she didn't have classes with them.

"'Sup, Imani," JT said looking at her from the sign-up sheet.

"Hey, JT," Imani smiled. JT was in her 3rd period chemistry class and her lab partner He was white with sand brown hair and hazel eyes. "So you're signin' up, too."

"Yep, 'too?' I don't see you're name on the list," JT said slyly looking up and down the list.

"Well now you do," Imani said walking past him, snatching the pen from his hand, and writing her name on the sheet. "So what are you gonna do."

"Me and a few of my dudes are going to do a song and dance to it," JT told her, "You?"

"I don't know, yet. I'm thinkin' bout singing. See ya," she waved bye to him. Her two classes before lunch went by fast. Imani was glad about this. She was hungry. Her stomach was growling louder than she had ever heard, but maybe it was just her because no one else seemed to notice it. She felt slightly dizzy but she ignored it, she knew it was because she was hungry. She was so happy when she got into the cafeteria.

She got chili cheese fries and a bottle of apple juice. She decided to sit with JT. "So are you gonna tell me what you're singing for the show," Imani asked putting one of the fries in her mouth.

"Not until you tell me what you're singing for the show," JT reasoned with her.

Imani leaned across the table and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Now will you tell me?" she asked looking at him with pleading eyes.

"I'm still not going to tell you. You're just going to have to wait," JT said winking at her.

"Well that's fine Friday's only four days away."

in this story East High is on block schedule. 4- 90 minute classes that they have for 1 semester.

a ditch pass lets them skip any class of their choosing during the year and not be held responsible and will not have to do the work.