By the last period of the day I was totally freaking out. Every one who was at the auditions looked at me in a weird way. Like I did something pretty unexpected. Hello! I've been auditioning for musicals since I got the part of Belle in our grade school production of Beauty and the Beast (even though I was just a third grader… the sixth grader weren't so thrilled about that part)! And I've been listening to Evanescence since there CD came out like, six years ago! I felt like the human freak, which I probably was to them anyway. Ms. Darbus said that she would get call backs up by the end of the day, I don't know how she decided so fast though, she had a very intuitive way of deciding who made it. The bell rang, and everyone was leaving for home except for the drama nerds. It was the end of the day, so Darbus had to come out with the list by now.
"I am so nervous." Gabriella said.
"It's just another play." I said.
"Well yeah, but scouts will be there! And I did not work this hard this long just to become an AP calculus teacher." She said sarcastically.
"I know what you mean." I said.
The list was crowded, but they all made way for the drama queens of East High. I looked on the list, I skipped over all the one like 'gang member 3' or 'back ground singer 7' and looked at the lead roles:
Taya Adams: Sharpay Evans, Gabriella Montez Characteristics: Lead, celebrity, talented, orphaned, smart, underestimated.
Hailey Vermont: Sharpay Evans, Gabriella Montez Characteristics: supporting lead, rich girl leaving home, spoiled, sneaky, talented, dating Brandon, Taya's new room mate.
Brandon Tanner: Troy Bolton, Ryan Evans Characteristics: Supporting lead, comes from bad family, a teen runaway, aspiring musician, can't afford rent without Hailey's help, intrigued by Taya.
Gavin Langdon: Ryan Evans, Zeke Baylor Characteristics: Supporting lead, Taya's manager, secretly helping Hailey.
Cameron Marco: Taylor McKessie, Caitlin Isaacs Characteristics: Supporting lead, club owner, a former celebrity, bitter.
Blake Carter: Chad Danforth, Jason Cross Characteristics: Supporting lead, one of Taya's best friends in Hollywood, is trying to revive he fame, interested in Cameron.
I looked over the list of leads, it was pretty well picked out, it was obvious that Ms. Darbus had though this whole thing through. I looked over at Gabriella. "We're locked leads!" I squealed.
"Huh?" She asked.
"If I get the lead you get the next biggest part, and vice versa! We got the two biggest parts for girls!" I said.
"That's awesome!" Gabriella said and gave me a hug.
It was awesome, I didn't care if I got the lead, just a good supporting performance and I could be in there! On my way to Hollywood! I knew that both Hailey and Taya had solo songs, so it was all good with me. I looked over at Ryan, who was sort of shocked that he didn't automatically land the part of Brandon.
"Students!" Ms. Darbus yelled above the clatter. "I have made a decision, for those you who have made call backs for the larger roles, there will be pairs only auditions-" The noise level went through the roof as everyone tried to stand by their closest friends. "That I have already chosen!" She finished and the room went silent. She smiled. "Mr. Danforth, please pair up with Ms. McKessie."
Chad protested. "But Ms. Darbus! I've been working with Taylor for the past week! No one else!"
"Are you… complaining?" Taylor asked, placing her hands on her hips.
"And I would just like to say thanks for carrying the torch." Chad said to Ms. Darbus.
I smiled, typical Taylor. Ms. Darbus continued. "Mr. Evans, please pair up with Ms. Montez."
Gabriella looked excited. "Have you ever noticed how cute your brother is?" She asked.
"I'm pretty sure that's illegal in New Mexico." I said.
Gabriella shrugged. "I still think he's cute."
"Hello Sharpay." Ryan said. He turned flirtatiously to Gabriella. "Ms. Montez" He said. Gabriella blushed deeply.
"Let me guess, they were playing the Titanic in rehab." I said bluntly.
Ryan gave me a look, but Gabriella's face lit up. "Oh! I love that movie!"
"Me too!" Ryan said, he was faking though, I could tell.
"Okay, what was your favorite part?" Gabriella asked.
"Uh… when the boat sank?" Ryan guessed.
"I know, that part always makes me cry!" Gabriella said.
"Me too." Ryan said unconvincingly. "Don't wait up Sharpay, I'll be out late." He said looking at Gabriella.
"I wasn't planning to. Oh and by the way this months issue of cosmopolitan just came in, after I'm done I'll give it to you so you can look at the pictures" I said and walked away. He deserved that. I knew he didn't come across all player-ish, but he was not so sweet at times, I think it came along with alcoholism. That wasn't going to happen with Gabriella.
I walked over to Troy. "Hey Shar." He said.
I choked, remembering the last time we talked. I put myself back together in a matter of seconds though. "So final auditions are next Friday, do you want to work on them now or later?" I asked.
"Later is good, I have to do drills today with my dad." He said.
"Cool with me." I said.
I was about two feet away from escaping when he grabbed my shoulder. "No pressure… okay?" He whispered into my ear sending chills down my spine (what a cliché). Huh? No pressure? What was he trying to say? Was it about the play or about… something else? He played basket ball on teams since he was like, five, he of all people should know that saying 'no pressure' is like reverse psychology's only flaw. And then there was the whole 'it was hard enough deciding without that' factor.
I turned and gave him my classic half-smirk-half-smile. "You've been spending too much time with your dad." I said and walked away, somewhat satisfied by my cover.
I walked over to Ryan and Gabriella. He was still taking the bullet for what I said earlier. "… well see, I look at the pictures in that magazine because they- um- do a great job… portraying the female… mind." He said nodding rapidly.
"But how can they? I mean, they're only pictures." Gabriella said.
"Well… they have captions." Ryan said shakily.
"Um, just so you two know, I was joking. But I think we just got a confession out of him." I said patting Ryan on the shoulder. He gave me a look. "Okay, well I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm going to go figure out what song I'm doing for call backs. Toodles!" I said, and walked away, leaving him to have to explain all over again.
I went back to Troy's house and did nothing for two hours but contemplate the whole date with Troy thing. I mean, if I had to pick, what would it be? Love or dignity? I couldn't decide. It was horrible. And the whole no pressure thing didn't quite help all that much either. But still, it was nice to know that he cared enough to at least try to help (key word being try). Even with that bit of encouragement, it was pretty much suck fest at the Bolton house, or at least in the guest room. But hey, I was basically used to 24/7 suck fest so I guess it could have been worse.
"Hey." Troy said from the door way.
I managed a small smile. "Hey." I said back. "So… how are things with your dad?" I asked awkwardly.
"Good." He said, he walked over and sat next to me on my bed. Okay, he was either feeling really, really optimistic or he was trying to make small talk. I liked the second idea better.
I waved it off and turned to look at him. "Do you want to practice for the-"
"Listen Sharpay…" He cut in. "I think we should just skip to the part where we stop pretending." He said with an uncomfortable smile. When did he get all confident?
"Yeah… me too." I said. I don't know how it managed to get from my mind to my mouth with out the rest of me noticing but it did.
"I don't want you to feel cornered or anything. I really like you Sharpay. But if you don't feel the same way…" He paused, the most scary pause ever. "I'll get over it." He said. Sounding not so sure on his decision. "But if you think it might work-"
He didn't have to finish, I'd heard enough. "Yes."
"Huh?" Troy looked genuinely confused.
"Yes." I repeated.
"Yes? Yes to what?" He asked.
I smiled to myself. For the first time lately that I'd been with Troy, my mind wasn't rushing at all. In fact, that one stupid part of my brain that only let me remembers Ryan, or Gabriella, or my mom somehow shut itself off. At that moment, all I knew was that Troy, the one I'd been wanting all this time, wanted me back. "Yes to everything." I whispered, as if it was some sort of a secret. I leaned in for a small, barely worth mentioning peck on the lips that left my lips tingling. We pulled away and smiled.
"Was that so hard?" He asked, smiling like an idiot.
"No, but it was worth the wait." I said.
"I'm glad you think so." Troy said, holding me by the back of my head and gently pulling me back in to a long, deep kiss. Yup, definitely worth the wait.
YAY! It's official Troypay couple-ness! This chapter felt kind of short because of the call back list but the kiss at the end makes up for it I hope. I feel so warm and fuzzy inside… like one of the people Sharpay makes fun of! Okay, so I hate to keep asking all you guys for ideas but does anyone out there know any duets I ca use? I'd be so lost with out all you reviewers! Thanx again! I'll update as soon as I can. This Monday I'm going to a Fall Out Boy concert with a few friends… even though we have to drive for like, a zillion hours I'm hoping it'll be worth it. I'm not a big FOB fan but my friend is and I'm looking forward to it. Besides, it gives me an excuse to shop for a new outfit (What? Behind the black nail polish lies a girl who loves to shop!!) Okay, I'm ranting now… BYEZ!!!