Wow…thanks for the reviews! I really wasn't expecting that. You all are so sweet and thoughtful…and it makes me want to write you all a great story. I am so excited to start on Kelsi (and Ryan's) college experience…almost there right? I just finished watching HSM3 with the kids for movie night, so I am feeling very inspired for Senior Year right now.

Senior Year

I found myself somewhere between excited and scared during my senior year at East High. I was excited because, well come on, it was my senior year. I mean it doesn't get any better than that. But I was also scared because it was my last year at East High. Once I graduated I was stepping through the revolving door of the unknown. And that scared me so much. I couldn't help wondering what would happen to all of my friends. We were used to seeing each other every day, and it seemed change was coming long before any of us were ready.

There was only one place I dreamed of regarding college…Juilliard. Juilliard had the most diverse music program out of any college I googled. When I mentioned my choice to my mom I was certain she would nix the idea right away. You see, it is just her and I…always has been. We are kind of like the two musketeers. I was worried about how she would cope with me living in New York. But soon after I shared my dream with her she surprised me with two tickets to New York for my birthday. We were going to visit Juilliard…to this day it is one of the best presents I have ever received. The moment I stepped off the plane in New York, I knew that was where I needed to be. Not indefinitely, but it had to be my beginning. (After East High of course.) As soon as we were back in Albuquerque, I started researching every avenue available concerning scholarships and grants. The next week my letter and tape were in the mail.

Now, I know what you are thinking…what about Ryan? Well, within the first week of classes I happened to overhear Sharpay and Ryan talking about Juilliard. (Okay, I didn't exactly overhear them…I may classify more as an eavesdropper. Remember those baby steps I mentioned earlier?) The thought of Ryan and I attending the same college was beyond thrilling. However, the idea of being so far away from the rest of my friends was horrible. For the first time I had best friends, friends who loved me for exactly who I was. It was difficult to comprehend what starting all over was going to entail.

I knew the musical was going to be my last chance to play piano on East High's stage. When Mrs. Darbus asked me to compose and offered Ryan the part of choreographer I seriously thought I had died and gone to heaven. (Seriously, I heard angels singing!) Thanks to the previous summer, Ryan and I were already closer than we ever had been. I could even speak coherently around him. Unless he was focusing all of his attention on me, then I just fought to keep my heart from falling out of my chest, keep the ever present butterflies from flying out of my stomach and keep my face from turning as red as a tomato. (Have I told you yet that I am a blusher?)

I was sitting in homeroom thinking of ideas for the musical when I overheard Sharpay say something that sounded alarmingly like "one woman show." As fast as I could I wrote down all of the Wildcats' names. I knew as soon as Mrs. Darbus read off my friends' names it was mandatory I run as far away from them as possible. It was Gabby who stood up for my actions and convinced the rest of the gang that the musical was important. When Troy raised his hand, I knew we had a show. After Ryan, Gabby and Troy were going to be the people I missed the most. It was soon after that when Mrs. Darbus announced the title for the musical…Senior Year. It was perfect; I was going to write a story about us…about everybody. It would be the perfect tribute not only to East High, but to all of my friends as well. And that wasn't all; Juilliard was going to be there. They had gotten my letter. The whole time I was thinking I was going to have to go to them to audition, but they were coming here. They were coming to Albuquerque to see Ryan, Troy, Sharpay and I. But not all of us were going to be picked; they were only giving out one scholarship.

Ryan and I worked tirelessly on Senior Year. And guess what? I totally cut my blush count in half. And the butterflies, they were my fuel. Every romantic song in that musical can thank my butterflies. It wasn't long before most of the musical was written and choreographed. As we neared our senior prom, all I had left to do were a few lyrics here and there. Well that, and work on my dance for the prom sequence in Senior Year. I was dancing with Ryan, and my mind was caught somewhere between bliss and extreme nervousness.

Ryan and I worked mainly during free period and after school. You can imagine my surprise when he joined me in the music room at 6:30 one morning. He was aware of my early morning practices of tea and piano, and while I had invited him to join me I was under the impression the early morning time did not agree with him. I almost slid right off the piano bench when his thigh touched mine. It seemed like electric currents were running rapidly throughout my body. And his smell, wow…it was like rain and soap. (So good!) He started playing the piano and singing the lyrics that were inspired by him…because let's face it; all I wanted to do was be with him. And then he looked at me and said the word "beautiful." Not in relation to me, but to my music. Which in my world is pretty much the same thing. I was still hung up on the beautiful comment when I heard him mention prom. And that my friend was when my head and heart went into overdrive. I started spewing something about lyrics and then before I knew it I had a date to prom. When I think back on it, he never asked me, he just stated it. Like it was the truest fact in the world to him.

Prom was amazing. I couldn't help wishing that Gabby and Troy were there. But I can speak for all of the Wildcats when I say we were all thankful Troy was going to Stanford to get Gabby and bring her home for the musical and graduation. It was because of Troy and Gabriella that everything changed at East High. It was imperative that they both be there for the conclusion of our high school story. I wish I could tell you that prom was where Ryan and I recognized there was something more than friendship to our relationship. But it wasn't time for that yet; there were experiences to be had before we were going to be ready for each other. But prom did offer us something huge, a deeper friendship. Prom night was the start of Ryan's and my relationship as best friends. And you know what they say; friendship is the foundation to all of the BEST relationships.

The musical was a success, but it didn't go off without a hitch. Gabby and Troy made it back in time for their duet. But not before Sharpay and Rocketman sang my song in a way which can never be duplicated. (One of the funniest and most entertaining scenes I have ever seen.) Ryan was wonderful…as always. And Sharpay and Tiara went down fighting in true diva fashion. Senior Year ended up being perfect because, well, it wasn't perfect. And when they called my name as recipient of the Juilliard scholarship, in all honesty that was one of those moments in life where there are no words to express the feelings that take over your body. The experience was heightened when I looked out into the audience and saw my mom crying her eyes out while wearing the biggest smile imaginable. And when Ryan's name was also announced I was officially on that cloud numbered 9.

Graduation was the following weekend. And you know what the funny thing was, we were ready. It seemed inconceivable to me at the beginning of the year that we would ever be ready to go our separate ways. But I realized we weren't necessarily going "separate ways." We were still best friends, logistically we were just going to be a little (and in some cases a lot) further away from one another. But distance didn't strain our friendships, not a chance. We just grew closer, stronger and better.