This story was created during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the hard work of SAG-AFTRA, as well as the work of the WGA who, as of September 27th, 2023 have reached a deal with the AMPTP, the world of High School Musical The Musical The Series wouldn't exist. For more information about how you can help with the SAG-AFTRA strike, please refer to the link you can find on my profile.
Pre-Chapter Authors Note: The following songs are used throughout the course of this chapter:
Start Of Something New/Breaking Free/Just For A Moment Mashup - High School Musical & High School Musical The Musical The Series Season 1
Stand - Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
It's On - Camp Rock
Every Piece Matters - Dillon Chase
With that, please enjoy.
Man, I have been through a lot lately. I don't even know where to start. We're going into the Thanksgiving break here, and we've made significant progress on High School Musical The Musical. I've made significant progress on friendships and earning respect throughout the East High community, and now, for the first time since the year began, we're gonna get a break (or at least, for the first time since I've entered the East High community we're gonna get a break), and we're going to get to enjoy ourselves, and hopefully I will finally get the opportunity to ask Gina out (whether or not she'll accept is another thought entirely, but we will see when we get there). For now, we just gotta get through the day, and to end off the day, we have Ricky and Nini practicing their performance of Start Of Something New.
"Ricky & Nini (singing): I know / That somethin' has changed / Never felt this way / But right here tonight / This could be the start of something new / It feels so right to be here with you / Oh / And now, looking in your eyes / I feel in my heart / Feel in my heart / The start of something new"
They sound so good. It is so satisfying to see how far they have come, not only as performers, but as friends. They've rekindled that childhood friendship that they had in a hurry, that much is for sure. They go on to see a good chunk of the song that we all know and love, which is one of the most beautiful things that I have ever hea-…
The bell rings.
"Yes! Wooo!" EJ exclaims with great excitement.
We all turn to face him.
"Sorry. I really love Thanksgiving." EJ confesses.
"Apology accepted EJ. I too enjoy the holiday very much." I stated.
Thanksgiving is, indeed, one of my favorite holidays every year, though this year is going to be different, since, ya know, my parents are dead and everything…
God I didn't want to cry today when I shouldn't be since I'm feeling so good, yet that's what's about to happen. Why do their deaths have to be so painful…
"Em, you good?" Gina asks, walking over after seeing me crying.
Gina is really making a case for why I should ask her out right here and now. No, now's not the time, now's not the time, but if not now, then when?
"Thanksgiving is a holiday I've held so dearly, in part because my parents always outdid themselves and had a big feast every year." I reveal to Gina.
"And because they're no longer with us, you're upset about it?" Gina asks.
"Precisely." I confirmed.
"I… I can't even imagine how that must feel." Gina states.
"It doesn't really feel all that great, I can tell you that right now." I said in response.
Ok Emma, think think think. Is the third time the charm? Do I ask her out now, or do I wait? Ask now, or wait? Ask now, or wa-?
"Thanksgiving party at Ashlyn's, everyone's invited!" Carlos exclaims.
And there's my moment probably ruined. Dammit Carlos, out of all of the times you could've picked to do that, you just had to pick right now. Why, why, why? Now everyone's leaving, and I just turn to leave since I'm assuming you know who's going to do the same…
"Em, wait!" Gina calls out to me.
I stop. I turn. The opportunity is still on the table. The question is: Do I take it now?
"What is it?" I asked her.
"You were trying to tell me something. I know you're hurting right now, so I wanted to make sure that you got the chance to tell me." Gina states.
Ok, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. I've waited long enough to do this. It's time to just shoot for the stars, and pray that this is going to go how I want it to go.
"I was going to say that at least I know I'm going to have some happiness this holiday season, because I have Nini, and I have… you." I stated, struggling to get those last words out (man I'm bad at this).
"And I'm happy that you're in my life now Em. We've been the bestest of friends for a while now. I want to continue that." Gina says with a big warm smile.
Ok, maybe this isn't going to work out. Calm down Em. Calm down. Breathe, and this will go how you think it will if you just pray.
"That's not exactly what I meant." I stated, bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Gina asks in confusion.
Here. We. Go.
"Gina Porter. To me, we can be so much more than just simply best friends. I want to take it to the next level, if you're willing, because… I love you." I finally revealed after all of this time, looking her as straight into her eyes as I possibly could.
Gina then looks at me, straight in the eyes as well, with a look that I haven't seen in her before. It is a look of passion, almost like she feels the same way. Please feel the same way Gina. Please feel the same way…
"You love me?" Gina asks.
"I do, with every ounce of my heart." I replied, passionately and confidently.
"Emma, I…" Gina pauses before she finishes.
Please feel the same way, or at the very least, please for the love of god accept me for who I want to be.
"I feel the same way, at least right now." Gina reveals.
Thank God.
I'm so relieved that she feels the same way. I start crying tears of joy. At last, I have found love.
"Really?" I asked her, just to confirm for sure.
"Yeah. I've had a topsy-turney relationship with boys, with Ricky and EJ. I need a new start while I figure myself out." Gina confirms.
"Same here, though I'm coming out as queer, just so you're aware." I revealed.
"That's great. I'm coming out as queer as well, given my situation. Maybe I'll get into boys again, but until then, I'll give all of my love to you, bae..." Gina reveals in response.
"That means the world to me, bae…" I stated.
We then both stare at each other awkwardly.
"Socially awkward still?" Gina asks.
"Socially awkward still, but we'll make it work." I replied.
"For sure." Gina says with excitement.
We then began to sing a little mashup, to celebrate this occasion.
"Gina (singing): Livin' in my own world / Didn't understand"
"Me (singing): That anything can happen / When you take a chance"
"Gina (singing): I never believed in"
"Me (singing): What I couldn't see"
"Gina (singing): I never opened my heart"
"Me (singing): To all the possibilities, oh"
"Gina (singing): I know that somethin' has changed"
"Me (singing): Never felt this way"
"Gina & Me (singing): And right here, tonight"
Slight Pause
"Gina & Me (singing): We're breakin' free"
"Me (singing): We're soarin', flyin'"
"Gina & Me (singing): 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 (Ooh, woah)"
"Me (singing): More than hope, more than faith"
"Gina (singing): This is truth, this is fate"
"Gina & Me (singing): And together we see it comin'"
"Gina (singing): More than you, more than me"
"Me (singing): Not a want, but a need"
"Gina & Me (singing): Both of us, breakin' free"
Slight Pause
"Gina (singing): I fell in love / With the only girl who knows what I'm about"
"Me (singing): I fell in love / With a girl, and I can't tell if I fell out"
"Me (singing): After all is said and done / I can't just pretend I'm movin' on"
"Gina (singing): Is it just a part we're playin'? / 'Cause it don't feel like we're fakin'"
"Gina & Me (singing): When we're underneath the lights / My heart's no longer broken / For a moment, just for a moment / When we're singing side by side / There's so much left unspoken / For a moment, just for a moment / A moment in love (Just for a moment) / A moment in love (Just for a moment) / But is a moment enough?"
Slight Pause
"Gina & Me (singing): When it's the start of somethin' new / 'Cause it feels so right to be here with you, oh / And now, lookin' in your eyes / I feel in my heart / The start of somethin' new"
We then kiss on the lips. This is the moment I've been waiting for. A moment of love. This is everything.
"I really wish I had the guts to tell you sooner. I wanted to tell you when we were planning to save Miss Jenn and her job, but I chickened out." I confessed.
"Because you were afraid that I might not accept you?" Gina asks.
"Exactly." I revealed.
"Em, never feel that way when it comes to me. I can't speak for everyone else obviously, but I will always accept you for whoever you want to be." Gina states, confidently.
"You mean it?" I asked.
"Always." Gina confirms.
We kissed again. This feels so good to finally have this taken care of and out of the way. Now I can focus on the two things I want to focus on, with those things being Gina and High School Musical The Musical. I can't wait for the future.
Me and Gina are the last two to leave the room. We leave arm-in-arm, standing close together to one another. I then notice Nini looking at us, and all she does is smile, and I smile back. She told me to go for it, and I did, and it ended up working out big time.
As I leave to go home to collect my things to have a sleepover with my new girlfriend, Ashlyn approaches me as I head out the door.
"Hey." Ashlyn says.
"Hey Ashlyn. What's up?" I asked.
"Are you going to be coming to the Thanksgiving party?" Ashlyn asks, curiously.
That is a mighty good question Ashlyn. I wonder, Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I? I've already made friends with Nini, Kourtney, Ashlyn, Ricky, and Gina (who I am now dating), but this would be a great opportunity to get to really meet the rest of the cast and crew behind High School Musical The Musical. That being said, however, my autism, and me being, in general, socially awkward and not the biggest fan of large crowds with the potential to get really noisy really quickly, is a big negative. However, in this particular case, I think that I can, and I will, overcome all of that, because I want to be involved, and I want to do this. In this specific situation, the positives outweigh the negatives. I want to do this. I want to meet everyone. I'm going to do whatever it takes to do just that.
"I'm definitely coming. I can, admittedly, be a little bit socially awkward, but I want the opportunity to really meet everyone involved with this production, and I will do what I must to overcome my fears and be as involved as I can be." I replied, confidently.
"Good, because we need that angelic voice of yours, for a Thanksgiving karaoke night." Ashlyn says.
"Ok, hold on, I don't know about that. I'm already, to be honest, pushing my limits just by showing up." I stated.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to push your limits. I hope I haven't upset you." Ashlyn says, worryingly.
"Oh no, you haven't upset me. You wouldn't possibly have been able to know that until I told you, so no harm done." I reassured her.
"Well that's good." Ashlyn says, sounding relieved.
"Anyway, back to the point about the karaoke night at the party. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. I have been waiting for an opportunity to really show off what I can do." I revealed.
"Well perfect, then I'm sure we can work that into our schedule." Ashlyn reassures me.
"It will be fun. I can't wait!" I exclaimed.
Now, this is going to be a very interesting situation for me. Yeah, I'm usually the biggest introvert to ever exist on the face of the earth. However, this is an opportunity that I can't let pass. This is an opportunity for me to really expand my friend circle, and make it something truly special. I just need to be careful to not push myself over my limits. With time, I'm sure that I got this in the bag. Or at least, I need to make sure I have this one in the bag. I can't have a non-social life. Not now, not any day…
"Me (singing): I wanna scream, top of my lungs / Not sitting back, won't hold my tongue / No / Somethings are different than we thought / There's more to life than what we're taught / I'm speaking up / Enough's enough"
"Me (singing): 'Cause I can't go on this way / I gotta wake up and be brave / But I know I'll face the fire if I say"
I then head towards Nini, who's getting in the car with her moms, before Gina quickly signals for me to come with her and her mom. Nini sees that, and motions for me to go with her, so I do. I then go home with her. Gina & Me have gotten along so well, especially after we started dating, though I must confess that the whole going to the Thanksgiving party thing, while very exciting, is rather nerve-wracking to say the least, and I confine in Gina as we're heading to her place.
"This whole thing with the Thanksgiving party. It's exciting, but it's also…" I begin to say, before Gina quickly finishes my thought.
"Nerve-wracking?" Gina asks.
"Exactly." I confirmed.
"Em, if you don't want to do this, you don't have to. You know that, right?" Gina asks.
"I know, but I want to do this. I'm doing it for myself. If I'm gonna get anywhere socially and if I'm gonna succeed long-term, not only with this production but with the East High theatre kids as a whole, I have to get to know them, and this is the way to do just that." I replied, confidently.
"In that case, take the chance on yourself. Bet on yourself, and then, at the end of the day, everything will turn out ok." Gina reassures me.
And then…
"Gina (singing): 'Cause you're gonna stand strong / Nothing's stopping you"
"Me (singing): I'll be loud / They'll hear me now / I'm gonna stand tall / Take it to the top"
"Gina (singing): You'll be free, and they can't bring you down"
"Me (singing): So I'll rise / Won't turn back / I won't hide who I am / I'm gonna stand"
We arrive home, and honestly, I'm still stressed out about this whole Thanksgiving party thing happening in a couple of days. I don't entirely know what to think. The only thing that I know for sure, however, is that I am going to do this, and I'm going to do it well, and as we head up to her room, Gina can just see the determination in me. She knows I want to do this, but she wants to make sure I don't push myself over the edge (which I admire).
"So you're absolutely sure about wanting to go to the Thanksgiving party at Ashlyn's?" Gina asks me.
"Yes! I'm an introvert, don't get me wrong, but this has been the greatest opportunity I have had since coming to East High to make more friends. If I can do that and expand my circle, then I have to overcome any social awkwardness that may come along the way." I replied, confidently and passionately.
"I just want to make sure you're not going to push yourself over the edge. If you're anything like me when I get pushed over the edge, it's not going to be good, for anyone involved." Gina states, worryingly.
"Don't worry about me bae. If I think my limits are being pushed, even just a little bit, I'll back out of the situation." I reassured her.
"That's great bae. Just make sure you don't push those limits, while at the same time making the friends that you desire." Gina requests.
"Of course bae." I said in response.
With that, here we go. It's Thanksgiving! Yay! It's just after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (which is as awesome as it always is). Right now, I'm trying to decide and figure out what my outfit is going to be for the party tonight. Do I go with a look that makes me feel comfortable, or do I go with something that I would consider to be outside of the box? What do I choose? I think I got it…
Ok, hear me out. Here's the outfit that I ultimately ended up putting together:
Clothing: Dark Blue Dress, Black Tights, and Purple Sneakers
Hair: Slickback Ponytail (All day, every day baby!)
Makeup: Black Eyeliner, with Red Lipstick
Accessories: Music Note Earrings, with my left wrist having a custom-made East High Wildcats bracelet I made on it.
Does this seem, oh, I don't know, excessive, for something like this? After all, it's just a party with other theatre kids. It's not like it's some fancy party or anything (do you really expect theatre kids to be the fanciest people on the planet?). So is this excessive? Yeah, it probably is. Do I care if it is? No, not really. This is about making me as comfortable as possible, so if excessive makes me feel comfortable (which it does), then so be it, that's what we're going with. Now, I just need to get to the party. Luckily, I'm here at Nini's place, and she's already waiting for me downstairs, so I'll see what she thinks about my outfit, and then we'll be on our way.
Big smile comes across Nini's face the second I walk down the stairs. That's gotta be a good thing, right?
"Well, what do you think?" I asked her.
"Where do I even start? You look so beautiful Em!" Nini squeals with excitement.
"Really? You think so?" I asked in amazement.
"Of course! You've never been the kind of girl that will focus on their looks, but when you do, it always ends up good." Nini states.
"And you don't think this is excessive?" I asked.
"Maybe a little bit, but that's who you always are, Em. You're always thinking outside the box. You're always so expressive. If this is your way of doing that so that you can feel the most comfortable in an environment that you're not familiar with, then I see no shame in going a little over the top in order to put you in the best mindset possible." Nini reassures me.
"Thanks Nini." I said.
"Always Em." Nini says in response.
With that, we're on our way. I must confess that, throughout the entire car ride there, I'm in a very mixed state of mind. This is something that I've been wanting to do for quite some time, and yet, now that it's finally here, there's this certain set of nerves that I'm getting, all over a simple party. What the hell is wrong with me? I didn't get that nervous over singing for the first time in front of the East High theatre kids and Miss Jenn. I didn't get nervous when I was thrusted into the right-hand gal position for Carlos when we weren't certain when, or if, Miss Jenn was going to come back. I didn't get nervous at all when I met Gina for the first time, so what is so different about this…?
"Em, you ok?" Nini asks, concerningly.
Oh? Was I thinking out loud?
"Honestly Nini, no." I confessed.
"Nerves again?" Nini asks.
"Yes." I confirmed.
"This is the night you've wanted, right?" Nini asks.
"Correct." I confirmed.
"Then just breathe in."
Breathing in.
"Breathe out."
Breathing out.
"And at the end of the day, everything is going to be alright. You'll have me and your girlfriend Gina to fall back on if you need it." Nini reassures me.
"I appreciate it that very much Nini, truly." I stated.
"Of course Em." Nini says in response.
And then, we arrive at the party. We were two of the last people to arrive for the party. Figures. I'm amazed by how nice everything looks, and how beautiful everyone else was looking. To my surprise (or maybe it shouldn't be surprising), the same sentiment is being shown towards me…
Guess Who? It's my bae Gina!
"Wow bae! Someone's looking sexy tonight!" Gina exclaims with excitement.
"Thanks bae. You're looking beautiful tonight too." I said in response.
"I appreciate that. How are things going for you so far?" Gina asks.
"It doesn't seem too bad so far. It's a lot of people I don't know in one spot, sure, but I told myself that I was going to take on this challenge and take it on with a great deal of stride, and that is exactly what I'm going to do." I replied, confidently.
"Yo Em, is that really you?" A female voice calls out.
I turn my head, and it's Ashlyn calling my name.
"Wow, I barely recognized you! You look so beautiful!" Ashlyn exclaims.
"I appreciate that. Things have gone remarkably well since the minute I stepped foot here. It's actually insane." I stated, in complete disbelief.
"It's deserved. You're so talented. Don't think anything differently. Things happen for a reason, 100% of the time." Ashlyn reassures me.
"If that's what you really think, then I guess that's what I will do." I stated.
"You should do it. Now are you ready for a little Thanksgiving karaoke night, so that you can really show us all what you can do?" Ashlyn asks.
I thought you would never ask me again Ashlyn.
"Let's do it." I replied, with great excitement.
"Then let's get this show on the road." Ashlyn says, with a large grin on her face.
With that, we walk over to the rest of the group, to let the madness begin…
"So… who's going first for this Thanksgiving karaoke night that you've been telling us you wanted to do?" Nini asks.
"I was thinking that Emma, the new one on the scene, could get the opportunity to go first and really show everyone else who hasn't yet seen her exceptional singing skills, and show them why she belongs here."Ashlyn says in response.
"Sounds good to me." Carlos says.
"This is gonna be good." Ricky adds.
Well Ricky, let's find out if this is going to be good or not. Now, what song is it that I should sing? I think I got it.
"Me (singing): I hope you're ready for the time of your life / Just look at me, I put a gleam in your eye / Buckle up, we're gonna take you for a ride (Ah-ooh, ooh) / Let's go, we gotcha goin', get in the vibe / Everybody, put your hands to the sky (Hands to the sky) / Buckle up, we're gonna take you, take you high (Ah-ooh)"
Now everyone's joining in. What is going on?
"Others (singing): Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what'cha got / C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, ready or not / La-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bob"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Others (singing): Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top / 'Cause we, 'cause we, 'cause when we rock, we let it rock / Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Ricky (singing): Are you ready?"
"Me (singing): (Yeah!)"
"Gina (singing): One, two"
"Gina & Ricky (singing): One, two, three, four!"
"Me (singing): Showstoppin' when I step in the place / Before it's done, you're gonna beg me to stay / Get on board, c'mon, let's ride the wave (Ah-ooh, okay)"
"Nini (singing): Let's go, let's go, we just do what we do"
"Ricky (singing): Watch me break and pop, I'll pass it to you"
"Ashlyn (singing): You wanna rock like us 'cause you're never second place (Ah-ooh)"
"Gina (singing): (You ready, ready?)"
"Others (singing): Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what'cha got / C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, ready or not / La-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bob"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Others (singing): Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top / 'Cause we, 'cause we, 'cause when we rock, we let it rock / Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"EJ (singing): Woo!"
"Seb (singing): Okay, now"
"Ricky (singing): Are you ready?
"Carlos (singing): C'mon, one, two"
"Gina (singing): One, two, three, uh!"
"Me (singing): Th-th-there, there, there is no competition, eh / That's why we in the number one position / That crew can't hang with us / Man, we're too dangerous"
"Gina (singing): Ah, ah, ain't got the style or the stamina"
"Nini & Ricky (singing): Just doin' our thing, get hooked on our swing (Uh-huh)"
"Carlos & Seb (singing): Rockin' the place, droppin' the bass"
"Me (singing): Makin' all the girls sing"
"Gina (singing): Uh-huh, yeah, we make the bell ring (Woo!)"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on"
"Ricky (singing): Drums!"
"Others (singing): Yeah / Woo!"
"Carlos (singing): A little guitar, please"
"Ricky (singing): One, two, three, four!"
"Others (singing): Woo! / Yeah / Ha-ha"
"Others (singing): Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what'cha got / C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, ready or not / La-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bob"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Others (singing): Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top / 'Cause we, 'cause we, 'cause when we rock, we let it rock / Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Others (singing): Show me, show me, show me, show me, show what'cha got / C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, ready or not / La-la-la-la-la-la, let me see how you bob"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Others (singing): Get crazy, crazy, crazy, take it over the top / 'Cause we, 'cause we, 'cause when we rock, we let it rock / Rock it, rock it, rock it, rock it, dance till we drop"
"Me (singing): It's on, it's on, it's on"
"Others (singing): It's on! (It's on, it's on)"
"Me (singing): One, two / One, two, three, uh!"
"Everyone (singing): It's on!"
I close my eyes. I'm picturing in my head something, or rather, two very specific people…
"Em, we're so proud of you and how far you've come. Never lose sight of who you are, and never lose sight of the road ahead…"
I had to think about my parents just a little bit, alright?
With that, I open my eyes again, to applauds for everyone all around me. I guess I can really do something right and I guess I'm really as talented as everyone says I am. It's all been worth it. All the struggles. All the pain. All of it. It's all been worth it. So much time and dedication has been given to perfect my craft, and now, it's truly on display, for all to see, just like I've always wanted…
"Wow, that was amazing!" Gina exclaims.
I can't say that I'm surprised that Gina was the first to offer her praises. Her loyalty is admirable.
"That was legendary." Carlos states.
"I'm so obsessed with everything about that performance." Ashlyn says.
"You've learned and improved your skills so much Em. I'm so proud of you." Nini says with a big smile.
"Thanks Nini, and thanks everyone. A lot of effort has gone into getting my talent levels to where they are today." I stated.
"It's clearly been worth it." Ricky remarks.
"I'll say." Gina adds.
"You guys are all too kind to me." I remarked.
"It's well-deserved Em! I think it's time that you really see that for yourself. You have to stop doubting yourself. This is your moment." Ashlyn says.
"You're so talented bae. It's time for you to start flying." Gina adds.
"It truly means a lot. I think I'm starting to see that I need to stop doubting myself. I know what I can do. I know who I can be. It's time to finally accept that, and try and shoot for the stars." I stated, confidently.
"Your parents would be so proud of you Em." Nini says.
"I like to think that they would be." I said in response, proudly and confidently.
"Now can we get an encore…?" Carlos asks, out of nowhere.
Wait? What? Again? He wants me to go again?
"I would also like to see you go again." Ashlyn states.
"More talent please!" EJ exclaims with excitement.
Now everyone's starting to chant "Emma encore!" over, and over, and over, and over again…
Now it's getting louder and louder. Oh god… calm down Emma. Just calm down. You can fight this…
Louder and louder now…
Nope, I'm done. I'm walking outside. This is too much… I get it all of them but Nini and Gina don't know, but come on, that was a little overboard…
As I'm outside trying to decompress, a certain someone comes out to comfort me.
"Your limits got pushed with that one?" Gina asks, concerningly.
"That would be correct." I confirmed.
"You should be proud of yourself for lasting that long without an incident like that though." Gina states.
"I am, but I still wish it didn't happen at all." I said in response.
"I know, and I'm sorry that it happened." Gina says.
"It's not your fault that I'm an autistic introvert…" I stated in embarrassment, looking away from my girlfriend in embarrassment and regret.
And then…
"Gina (singing): I want to save you / And I wish that I could / Like a date really should / Sustain you / You're misunderstood / Won't fit in but different is good"
"Me (singing): Yeah I gotta be grateful"
"Gina (singing): I been up all night / Having so many thoughts of you / It is so difficult to view / No telling what it really does to you"
"Me (singing): And I lost the fight / The tears won the years run / I'm right here but I fear some / Will not comprehend / What it's like to be me when they see me / But since I'm so lost in myself I cannot let them in / Faded but I didn't see it"
"Gina (singing): Your name I would say it repeat it / Like show me your eyes and I hope you respond / In due time or look up in agreement"
"Me (singing): But being one of the youngest / I fear I wouldn't even get the proper attention"
"Gina (singing): What if I never stopped holding you close in my arms / Would you not of gone ghost I'm conflicted / I grieve what I don't comprehend / Miss the things that could've been / Believing that when it's the end / Your mind will be sound and then fully restored / And we'll feel with perfection amen / Until then"
"Me (singing): And I don't want to see no symptoms / I don't want to see no label / I just want to see myself / I don't want to see disabled / And I don't want to see no symptoms / I don't want to see no label / I just want to see myself / I don't want to see disabled"
I then took a good look, right in the eyes, of the girl of my dreams. Gina came into my life at the exact time I needed her too, and now here she is, supporting and comforting me when I need it the most, after I've done it for her on multiple occasions, both before and after we started dating. It is truly one of the most beautiful things in the world…
"Me (singing): Cus' this is where I love with no restraint / This is where I serve with no condition or complaint / This is where I'm not obsessed with typical responses"
"Gina (singing): You're more than good the way you are / My miracle and my promise"
"Me (singing): And I don't want to see no symptoms / I don't want to see no label / I just want to see myself / I don't want to see disabled / And I don't want to see no symptoms / I don't want to see no label / I just want to see myself / I don't want to see disabled"
We then kiss. So much has happened to both of us the last few weeks, it's not even remotely funny. I'm just excited to see where the journey goes from here.
"You ready to go back and try to have some fun?" Gina asks.
"I'm willing to try." I replied.
As we turn to go back, Nini comes out.
"Hey, there you are. Did you have one of your near-nervous breakdowns again?" Nini asks.
"Yes." I confirmed.
"Are you alright?" Nini asks, concerningly, now that she's confirmed what had happened.
"I'm fine Nini. I'd now like to come back and try to have some fun." I stated, confidently.
"Well that's good, because Carlos has set up a homemade board game, High School Musical The Choosical, and he wants to make sure you're back to play it before we start." Nini reveals.
"Really?" I asked.
"It speaks to the friendships and respect that you are earning bae. Little by little everyone is really getting to know you. It speaks volumes to who you are trying to be." Gina says, proudly.
"Thank You bae. Now let's go have some fun." I requested.
What an eventual night this was. I had such an amazing time, especially after I explained to everyone why I had abruptly left in the middle of them singing my praises. They understood why, and they promised not to be that loud again, which meant everything, so I was able to have fun the rest of the night. Now I'm going home, and I feel like I'm at the top of the world. I feel like there's nothing that can bring me down right now. Nothing at all…
I come back inside, to find everyone cheering for me. Cheering? What the hell is going on?
"We may have gone over the line…" Carlos remarks.
"And we're sorry." Ashlyn says.
"It's not y'all's fault. You don't know me, at least not yet, so you couldn't have possibly known that was something that was gonna bother me that much. Apology accepted." I did in response.
"Now are you ready for High School Musical The Choosical?" Carlos asks with a smile.
"It'd be a dream come true." I replied.
"Well let's have some fun." Nini says.
To Carlos' credit, this custom High School Musical The Choosical board game that he made is absolutely incredible. The categories and the board itself are just masterfully designed. It's so fun, and somehow I've been able to assist my team (with Gina at my side), and we get to the end of the game, where Gina comes up clutch by answering the last question right, giving us the win. I'm so happy for her, as is everyone else. She calls her mom to tell her about it, she puts us on speaker, but then she asks to be taken off speaker, and she requests for me and Gina to talk with her alone, which concerns us both.
"You're off speaker. What's up?" Gina asks.
I can't hear anything that is being said, but watching Gina's face and body language tells me that it's not something good…
"We just moved here!" Gina says in disgust.
Oh no, is she about to move again…? After trying to comprehend what the hell I just heard, Gina turns to me and hands me her phone.
"She asked if she could talk to you." Gina reveals.
"Sounds good." I said in response, still completely unsure as to what to think or what to do.
Gina then gets up (I assume to go to the bathroom or something like that), leaving me to speak with her mother, Terri Porter.
"From what Gina tells me, you're an exceptional first true girlfriend for her, and that you've been loyal and true to her." Terri states.
"It's all I've attempted to be." I said in response.
"You've made her truly happy, and that speaks volumes to me. I'm sure you heard that me and Gina have to go again, so if you want, I want to invite you to join us in Washington D.C., where you can live with us, and you can be with your girlfriend face-to-face." Terri says.
Wow, uh… That's a lot to take in.
I don't even know what to say. I'm not entirely sure what to make of that information. On the one hand, getting to have face-to-face for 100% certainty every single day with my newfound girlfriend, that would be awesome! On the other hand, I've built this thing at East High that I want to keep going, no matter the cost. Losing what roles I have with the first-ever East High production of High School Musical The Musical would take… some getting used to. However, losing that invaluable face-to-face time with my girlfriend might be even worse, and aside from Nini, Gina's the closest thing that I have to a family, so it's honestly an easy decision as to how I'm going to handle this…
To Be Continued