Disclaimer: I do not own HSM

Chapter 9: Shine

And when I feel unnoticed just two steps back from hopeless

You turn my world around with a single smile

That's who you are, that's who you are

You shine like a window to your heart I see all the possibilities

You shine and every day's another opportunity to shine

(Taylor's POV)

A part of me wishes that I could go home and start the weekend off by finishing my homework. However, I did promise Gabi that I would come to the opening night of the show.

I sort've want to see Kelsi too. She's worked extremely hard on the show. She takes music as seriously as Gabriella and I take our academics. I know that this show is important for her.

I made my way through the crowd to the auditorium and gave my ticket at the entrance. It was packed. I've never gone to a show before, but I don't think that Ms. Darbus has had such a full house.

I was looking around for a seat when I heard someone calling my name. I looked to see Chad waving me down at the front of the theatre. The whole gang was there too. (Excluding Troy, Gabi, and Kelsi, of course.)

"Hey, Tay. I saved you a seat right next to me." Chad said, apparently proud of himself.

"Thanks." I told him. Martha took a seat next to me.

The intercom started to speak. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats; the show will begin in less than ten minutes. Less than ten minutes. Thank you."

(Kelsi's POV)

"…Less than ten minutes. Thank you."

There it was. The signal that the show was going to start. I began to fix up my sheet music. Boy am I nervous. This is the first time that my compositions have been selected. I hope that everyone likes it. The Troy and Gabriella said that they loved the music.

"You'll do great." I heard a voice say behind me.

I turned and came face to face with Gabriella who was dressed in her first costume of the night. "Thanks. You will too. Are you nervous?"

"Don't remind me. I feel like I'm going to faint. There are so many people. More than when we did the callbacks."

"You are going to do fine. You're amazing in rehearsals." I encouraged her.

"Thanks."

"Five minutes till places people! Five minutes!" Ms. Darbus called.

"I gotta go. Break a leg." Gabriella said to me.

"You too."

(Sharpay's POV)

Ms. Darbus just called places. How I wish that I was going onstage tonight instead of that Montez girl. And she gets to do it with Troy. It's not fair. Troy never sang with me.

Ugh! And Ryan is just standing there reminding everyone about the choreography like nothing is wrong. He didn't get the part he wanted either. Sometimes, I do not understand him.

Ugh! This is so unfair! I haven't been beaten out since I started kindergarten! No one has ever beaten me out! No one! And now, I've been reduced to some…some…understudy. I wanna cry.

This is going to be like being at the callbacks again and watching the whole school come out to see them. This is the one of the biggest crowds we've ever had. I looked out at the audience. Scratch that. This is the biggest crowds we've ever had.

Oh. There she is. Gabriella Montez will never do this to me again. Never. Oh there's Troy.

"Troy," I said in my best flirting voice.

"Oh, hey, Sharpay." He said to me. Yes, success.

"I just wanted to say break a leg."

"Thank you."

"So I was wondering if you wanted to come to the after-party later."

He didn't answer me. I saw his gaze wander over the craziness and land on Gabriella.

"Sorry. I'd better go. It's almost time for the show. I'll see you." I watched as he made his way over to Gabriella and hugged her.

And that's another thing! Troy! She stole Troy! I am the most popular girl in school, and she is some nobody! How did she catch his attention? How did they even meet? It makes no sense that he would choose her. Ugh! No one gave me anything for Valentine's Day…well, at least not Troy. UGH! Another reason to want to cry.

(Gabriella's POV)

Breathe in and out. In and out. You can do this. You can do this. I looked behind the curtain and saw everyone. Okay. Okay. You can't do this. You can't do this! What were you thinking?! I know. I'll sneak out so that nobody can find me. Okay.

Just as I was about to sneak off, I felt two arms wrap around me, and I instantly melted and forgot my fear. I knew who it was before I turned around and met his mesmerizing eyes.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked me.

"Yes, I am absolutely perfect. Fine. Couldn't be better." I lied. He saw right through it.

"Brie, you might be a good actress, but you are a terrible liar. Tell me the truth."

I sighed. "Okay, Troy. I'm terrified. I can't do it. I'd rather leave right now."

He took my hands. "Brie, I'm nervous too. This is my first show too, but we're going to do fine."

"You don't know that. I can't even remember the lyrics for 'Breaking Free.' And we've been singing it a lot. I could've sung it in my sleep last night, but now I can't even remember the first word."

"Well, that shouldn't be a problem, because I'm the one who starts off." He joked, but I didn't laugh. He got serious again. "Brie, wait. Look, you're going to do fine. Okay."

I took my hands from his and started walking.

"We're soarin' flyin', there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach."

I listened to his voice and turned around instantly calmed. Dang. How did he do that? He was waiting for me to respond.

"If we're tryin' so we're breaking free."

He walked up to me. "I told you. You're going to do fine. It's just us. Just like kindergarten." I felt his hand trace the contours of my face.

"Getting cold feet?" I heard Sharpay ask.

"Huh?"

"Oh. I thought something was the matter. You seemed nervous."

I looked at Troy, and he gave me a reassuring smile. "Nope. Just warming up."

"Oh. You know there are actual warm up exercises. Do what I do." I watched what she did and repeated.

"Places people!" Ms. Darbus called. Troy took my hand and led me on the stage to take our places. Ms. Darbus and Ryan stood close by waiting. Suddenly the curtain rose and the lights went on.

Troy…I mean, Arnold started to talk to me. "Oh. Hello. You must be new. My name is Arnold." And my nervousness dissipated.

(Troy's POV)

I took a deep breath as I felt the lights go on me. I was able to see the crowd. It was packed. Then I looked at Gabriella. She was more terrified than I was, and I need to pull it together.

I said my line. "Oh. Hello. You must be new. My name is Arnold."

"Minnie." I shook her hand.

"Have I met you before? You seem familiar."

"No. I've just arrived from another city. I've never been here before."

"Interesting. Well, it would be my pleasure to be your escort through this fair city."

"Why thank you, good sir."

"It's no problem. Twinkle Towne is an amazing place. We're named so, because the stars shine bright every night. I will have to take you to my favorite spot to watch the stars."

"I would love that."

(Ryan's POV)

Everything was going perfectly. Troy and Gabriella were doing everything right. Everything was going like we planned. The scenes were transitioning smoothly, and the audience was responding.

I watched as Troy and Gabriella walked onto the stage for one of the most important parts in the musical.

"So this is your favorite place huh?" Gabriella asked.

"Yeah. This is it. Do you like it?"

"I love it. It's beautiful." She twirled around and looked at the fake garden.

"Yeah…it is." But Troy wasn't looking at the garden.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You look like someone who just found their greatest treasure."

"That…is because I have."

"Arnold, we just met. We've only known each other for a few weeks. You can't possibly know what you seek."

"Minnie, I'm not seeking for anything anymore, because I've already found it. I've found her. I've found you. You know me better than anyone. It's just taken me a little while to realize that."

The piano started, and Troy and Gabriella started to sing.

Troy took her hands into his. Troy sang first. "It's hard to believe that I couldn't see, you were always right beside me."

Gabriella took the next part of the verse. "Thought I was alone, with no one to hold, but you were always right beside me."

They sang in unison, their voices harmonizing, "This feelings like no other; I want you to know, that I've never had someone that knows me like you do, the way you do. And I've never had someone as good for me as you. No one like you. So lonely before I finally found what I've been looking for."

Troy led her to the bench, and Gabriella's voice came out of the speakers. "So good to be seen, so good to be heard."

"Don't have to say a word."

"For so long I was lost, so good to be found."

"I'm lovin' havin' you around."

"This feeling's like no other."

"I want you to know, that I've never had someone that knows me like you do, the way you do. And I've never had someone as good for me as you. No one like you. So lonely before I finally found what I've been looking for."

"Ooooooo."

Kelsi continued to play as the scene went on. "Minnie, this is for you. I know that we just met, but you know me better than anyone."

Troy handed her the ring, and she accepted it.

The music stopped, and the audience applauded. Now that I thought about it, I don't know why I ever thought that the song sounded better faster. I knew that they didn't need any choreography.

(Chad's POV)

I wish that they would make something exciting happen. There was a commotion on stage and I turned to try and catch what Gabs had said to Hoops.

"I have to leave."

"Minnie, please." Troy reached for her and stroked her cheek.

"No, Arnold. This is how it has to be. You aren't the same boy I knew. I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry."

Troy grabbed her arm and let his fingers pull her chin up so that their eyes could meet. He could've sworn that he saw tears in her eyes. He almost forgot his next line, but he continued. "I'm still me."

"No, you're not. I'm sorry." Gabriella took the ring off her hand that Arnold gave to Minnie and gave it back to him before running off the stage.

What? They broke up? But they just met. I sniffed and tried to hold back tears. Shoot. I'm not supposed to be crying or emotional. Ugh! I just hope that Taylor didn't…ah shoot. She saw me. She's giggling. Ugh! Great!

(Ms. Darbus's POV)

The show is going quite well. Mr. Bolton and Miss Montez seem to surprise me with every passing scene. Mr. Bolton seems to have a knack for acting and dancing, as does Miss Montez. They could have a future in the performing arts.

I never would've thought that Mr. Bolton would be the one to star in my musicale. I believe that I made the right decision in choosing them for the leads.

I watched as they performed one of the last scenes.

"Minnie, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness…"

"Arnold," she interrupted, "You already have it."

"Just hear me out please." He insisted. Gabriella did what the script called for and remained silent. "I don't ever want to lose sight of what's important ever again. I don't want to lose you ever again. I love you."

"I love you too, Arnold." She repeated.

They leaned in and did their on-stage kiss. I could hear "Aw's" from the audience. And I could've sworn that I saw Mr. Danforth crying.

"We're soarin' flyin', there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach."

"If we're tryin' so we're breakin free."

"You know the world can see us, in a way that's different than who we are."

"Creating space between us, till we're separate hearts."

"But your faith, it gives me strength, strength to believe…"

"We're breakin' free!"

"We're soarin."

"Flyin'."

"There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach."

"If we're tryin', yeah we're breakin' free."

"Oh we're breakin' free. Can you feel it building? Like a wave the ocean just can't control."

"Connected by a feelin' ooo, in our very soul."

"Very soul. Ooo."

"Rising till it lifts us up, so everyone can see. We're breakin' free. We're soarin'. Flyin'. There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach. If we're tryin', yeah we're breakin' free. We're runnin'. Climbin' to get to that place to be all that we can be. Now's the time, so we're breakin' free."

"More than hope, more than faith"

"This is true, this is fate, and together we see it comin'."

"More than you, more than me."

"Not a want but a need, both of us breakin' free."

"Soarin', flyin' there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach. If we're tryin' yeah we're breaking free. Runnin', climbing, to get to that place to be all that we can be. Now's the time, so we're breakin' free."

"Oh, we're breakin' free."

"You know the world can see us, in a way that's different than who we are."

It was interesting that people who've had no interest in the performing arts are here watching the two most unlikely people who got the lead roles.

The curtain closed and applause was heard. Mr. Bolton and Ms. Montez were joined on the stage by their fellow cast mates and bowed as the curtain call presumed.

In a moment, everyone was backstage again. "Troy, Gabriella." They turned and looked at me, and I gave them a smile. "Bravo."

"Thank you, Ms. Darbus." They said in unison. I could've sworn that they were surprised, and that Miss Evans seemed horrified. Though I cannot imagine why.

(Nobody's POV)

"I told you that you would do fine." Troy told Gabriella.

"Yeah. You were right. I think that the rest of the shows won't be a problem. Thanks, Wildcat." Gabriella gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"No problem."

Troy and Gabriella were met by the gang backstage. "You were amazing." Taylor said to me.

"You were all right. I just wish that there had been a little bit more action. I was practically asleep. No offence, Kels" Chad said.

"Oh please. Don't believe anything that he says. He was on the edge of his seat. He cried twice." Taylor said. Everyone laughed, and Chad looked embarrassed.

"Well, I had…something in my eye." He defended, but no one believed him.

"And I thought that he only got that way when he watched soap operas." Troy commented, receiving a glare from Chad.

Kelsi spoke to Gabriella. "I knew that you could do it." She told her.

"You were right. Thanks, Kels."

"Hey, great job guys." Ryan called out to Troy and Gabriella.

"Thanks."

"Hey, would you guys like to come to the after-party?"

"You have after-parties after shows?" Asked Chad. He loved after-parties.

"The sports teams aren't the only ones. It's going to be at our house. You can all come if you want."

"We'll see you there." Zeke promised him.

Everyone carpooled in Gabriella's Mom's van. Her mom dropped them off and told all of them that it'd be no problem to pick them up later. They all looked at the house and gasped. It was one of the largest houses that they'd ever seen!

When they went inside, music was blaring and people were dancing. Most of them were from the drama department. Chad automatically turned his attention to the huge buffet.

"I will see you guys later." Chad told them as he walked off.

Zeke and Jason saw where he was headed and followed suit.

Troy and the rest of the girls laughed at them.

"You're not hungry, Wildcat?"

"Nah. I'm okay. My adrenaline is still pumping and such."

"Yeah. That was the most fun I've had in a long time. Well, since we did the callbacks. That was great. Hey, do you wanna dance?"

"Sure."

They danced to a few songs and one slow one before getting a little tired and settling for going back to their friends.

Troy suddenly had a familiar feeling in his gut. "Hey, where did Chad go?"

The music stopped, and they turned their heads to a familiar scene.

"Hey, guys, I propose a toast to the two leads of this show who've made it a big hit. I don't know if I would've ever set foot in the auditorium if it weren't for them, but I'm glad I did. To Troy and Gabriella."

Everyone raised their sodas and toasted them and got back to the party.

"Dude, did you have to do that again?" Troy asked in a serious voice.

"Yes."

He smiled. "Well, thanks."

"No problem."

(Sharpay's POV)

I saw Troy and smiled, so he decided to come to the after-party. My smile quickly turned into a scowl when I saw Gabriella holding his hand leading him to the dance floor. Why am I not surprised? They were practically inseparable.

I saw Danforth stop the DJ and propose a toast to Troy and Gabriella. How dare he do that! This is my house!

Ryan and some of the girls raised their glasses, but I quickly put a stop to it.

At least I was going to be going to Paris in a few weeks, I'll get away from all this icky lovey dovey Troy and Gabriella stuff. And go to Paris. Fabulous.

Author's Note: I wanted to thank everybody who's reviewed so far. They make me want to write even more, so keep them coming. Thanks.