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:

High School Musical - High School Musical 3: Senior Year

A Night To Remember - High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Rewrite The Stars - The Greatest Showman

Can I Have This Dance - High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Gotta Go My Own Way - High School Musical 2

Born To Be Brave - High School Musical The Musical The Series Season 1

Everyday - High School Musical 2

Walk Away - High School Musical 3: Senior Year

With that, please enjoy.

Gina then comes back. I return her phone, she talks a little bit longer with her mom, and then hangs up.

"How long do we have?" I asked her.

""We"? What do you mean "we"?" Gina asks, confusingly.

"I mean I'm coming with you and your mom." I revealed, confidently.

"Seriously? You would be willing to go with me and give up your chance to be in your dream musical production to go with me?" Gina asks, completely surprised and amazed I would be willing to give that up.

"I'd be willing to give up anything for you, and I mean that with every ounce of my heart." I stated, proudly and confidently.

I can tell my words are affecting Gina, but in a positive way, which is incredible.

"The fact that you're willing to leave all of that, and the community that you've built here, for me, says everything about who you are." Gina states.

"I'm just doing what I think is right. Am I going to be disappointed that I'll miss an opportunity to play Taylor in your absence? Sure, I will be a little bit. That being said, however, you are far more important than a leading role in a musical production will ever be." I stated.

"And that is why I love you." Gina says.

"I know." I said in response, as we kiss on the lips.

"We're gonna have ten days by the way." Gina reveals.

"Gotcha." I said in response.

Gina then leaves the party, which I respect (I'm gonna give her space for the rest of the night), but that leaves me at the party, trying to figure out how to make it through the rest of the night, and figure out how to tell everyone else about the impending situation that is about to unfold…

I got it.

I motion for Nini to come over to talk away from everyone else, which I think creeped her out and concerned her a little bit, but she needs to know.

"Talk to me. What's going on?" Nini asks, concerningly.

"Gina and her mom need to move, again." I revealed.

"How long do they have?" Nini asks.

"10 days." I replied.

"And how are you feeling about this?" Nini asks.

"Never have felt better, since I'm going with them." I revealed.

"You are?" Nini asks, in shock and amazement.

"Gina's mom offered the opportunity to come with them, to be with Gina as much as I want, and honestly Nini, as much as you, and the musical, and everything in-between, has meant everything to me, I can't afford to lose that face-to-face time with my newfound girlfriend. Not now. Not after everything that's happened to me. Plus, I'm thinking about it this way. Gina has to move yet again, but this time she has me in her world, and I want to be there, alongside her, to help her with this pain. She is going to need the help. I can feel it. I hope you can understand that." I stated, confident that I'm making the right decision.

Nini then stares at me for a moment, and then, a huge smile comes across her face…

"As much as it'll pain me to see you go, I respect your decision. Your loyalty to Gina and her well-being is unparalleled, and I think that everyone will be able to understand that." Nini reassures me.

"Well that's welcoming to hear." I said in response.

"Now go enjoy yourself here in Utah, while you still can." Nini suggests.

"Not a bad idea." I said in response.

Ashlyn's POV Intermission

Okay, that was… weird.

Of course, everyone can have their introvert era, which Emma clearly is in right now, but it seems like that there's something more going on that she's not saying, and I want to see if I'm going crazy, and if there's a way for me to help her with whatever is going on, but I really don't want to bring it up with someone that's within Emma's inner circle (which is quite small at the moment but from the looks of it, it's a circle that could grow by the day), at least not yet, so I go to the two people that I know for sure that aren't within that circle, at least yet…

"Ricky, Carlos, wait for a second!" I called out to them, before they leave.

They are the last two people going out the door to leave, so it ends up working out in my favor…

"What is it?" Ricky asks, confusingly.

"Do you think Emma… is okay?" I asked them.

"That depends on your definition of okay." Carlos replies.

"Do you think it's the usual introvert kind of stuff, or something… more than that?" I asked him.

"Honestly, I think it's more." Ricky replies.

"Like what?" Carlos asks him.

"The whole… seemingly not liking crowds thing. It just seems… different." Ricky remarks.

"And her body language seemed… off." Carlos adds.

"You guys don't think she has autism or something, do you?" I asked them, bluntly.

Silence falls, for just a moment…

"Why are we gossiping about her behind her back? She wants to trust us." Ricky remarks.

"I know Ricky, but I'm just trying to understand her, so that I can better connect with her, but I wanted to know if I was going crazy for thinking the way I am, or…" I confessed.

"You're definitely not crazy. Now that you mention autism directly, I'm thinking the same thing." Carlos says.

"But do we bring it up with her now that we're thinking about so that we know for sure?" Ricky asks.

"No. If it's going to be brought up at all, it's going to be on her terms, not ours." I stated, confidently.

"I agree." Carlos says.

"If you two are in agreement, then so am I." Ricky says.

Emma has, slowly but surely, turned into a loyal and true friend for all of us, and this would be one of ther biggest secrets, should she ever choose to reveal it, so we have to be as respectful as possible, and we're going to do whatever it takes in order to give her the best time here at East High that we possibly can…

End Of Ashlyn's POV Intermission

I made the right decision, but it's very difficult for me to leave a friend group that I have built so delicately, but I'm doing this for Gina first and foremost. That being said, and even if no one else is going to, I'm gonna stay for Ashlyn's sleepover. Soon after I rejoin the party, it concludes, and as I suspected, given the mood-killing scenario that happened, especially when Gina abruptly left (I respect her decision to do that), no one stayed for the sleepover, which I could tell made Ashlyn sad, so I'm not about to contribute to that.

"I thought you would've left by now." Ashlyn remarks.

"I decided against it. Saw that everyone else left and I didn't want your sleepover idea to go to waste, especially since I felt bad, and since I'll be leaving East High soon." I stated.

"You're going with Gina then, aren't you?" Ashlyn asks.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked in response.

"I don't know about everyone else, but for me, I've seen your relationship with Gina just grow and develop, so it honestly makes sense to me as to why you would choose to go with her." Ashlyn replies.

"Well, as they say…" I stated.

And then…

"Me (singing): All together / Since it makes better

"Ashlyn (singing): The memories that last forever"

"Me & Ashlyn (singing): I want the rest of my life to feel just like a / High school musical"

"So, you ready to have some fun?" Ashlyn asks.

"Hell yeah! Let's do it!" I exclaimed.

First things first on the things to do at the sleepover list, some good ol' karaoke…

"Ashlyn (singing): It's gonna be a night"

"Me (singing): Oh, yeah"

"Ashlyn (singing): To remember

"Me & Ashlyn (singing): That's for sure / Come on, now / Big fun, alright!"

"Ashlyn (singing): It's gonna be the night"

"Me (singing): Here, tonight"

"Ashlyn (singing): To last forever"

"Me & Ashlyn (singing): Forevermore / We'll never, ever, ever forget"

"I appreciate you staying for the night." Ashlyn says, gratefully.

"I texted Gina to say that I wanted to give her space tonight, and I said the same to Nini that I wanted to have some space from her tonight, so it just ended up making sense. Plus I felt bad for you and wanted to make you feel better." I stated.

"That speaks volumes to who you are as a person Em. Doing anything and everything that you can to help those around you and make you feel better. It's a beautiful thing that I'm beyond grateful for. It'll be tough to see you go." Ashlyn says.

"I know, but I have to be there for Gina. She needs me right now, and I'm gonna be there for her, no matter what." I stated in response, proudly and confidently.

"That's awesome." Ashlyn says.

Text From Gina: I know it's late and I know you were going to hang out and have a sleepover with Ashlyn tonight, but could you come back to my place and/or have a discussion with me over the phone real quick?

Text From Me To Gina: Call me real quick and let's do this.

Text From Gina: Sounds good. Calling you now.

I don't know what this could be about, but we'll see I guess…

"Talk to me bae." I requested.

"You know you don't actually have to come with me, right?" Gina asks.

"Bae, if you're trying to talk me out of this, it's not going to happen. You mean everything to me, and I'm not about to abandon you so soon after I started dating you. No way in hell." I replied, confidently.

"You're sure?" Gina asks.

"I'm absolutely sure! I saw the situation with Ricky and Nini and how the thought of face-to-face separation ended up tearing them apart, and I can't afford for that to happen between us right now. If we break apart, I want it to be for a good reason, like we found love with someone else, or something else like that. I don't want it to be for a negative reason like that." I stated.

"We're not gonna break up. If we ever break up, it's gonna be on our terms. It's not gonna be for something like that. I promise you that." Gina reassures me.

"You swear?" I asked, on the brink of tears.

"I swear, with every ounce of my heart." Gina confirms.

And then, Gina really tries to calm me down…

"Gina (singing): You know I want you / It's not a secret I try to hide / I know you want me"

"Me (quietly spoken): I do"

"Gina (singing): So don't keep sayin' our hands are tied / You claim it's not in the cards / And fate is pulling you miles away and out of reach from me / But you're here in my heart / So who can stop me if I decide that you're my destiny?"

"Gina (singing): What if we rewrite the stars? / Say you were made to be mine? / Nothing could keep us apart / You'd be the one I was meant to find / It's up to you and it's up to me / No one can say what we get to be / So why don't we rewrite the stars? / Maybe the world could be ours tonight"

"Me (singing): You think it's easy? / You think I don't want to run to you? / But there are mountains / And there are doors they say we can't walk through / I know you're wonderin' why / Because we're able to be just you and me within these walls / But when we go outside / You're gonna wake up and see that it could all fall apart after all"

"Me (singing): I really want to rewrite the stars / And I want to say that you'll be mine / And they all try to keep us apart / But you are the one I was meant to find / It's up to you, and it's up to me / Even though everyone tells us what we should be / It's time for us to rewrite the stars / Since the world can be ours tonight"

"Me & Gina (singing): All I want is to fly with you / All I want is to fall with you / So just give me all of you / It feels impossible / It's not impossible / Is it impossible? / Say that it's possible"

"Me & Gina (singing): How do we rewrite the stars? / Say you were made to be mine / Nothing can keep us apart / 'Cause you are the one I was meant to find / It's up to you and it's up to me / No one can say what we get to be / Why don't we rewrite the stars? / Changin' the world to be ours"

"Me (singing): You know I want you / It's not a secret I try to hide / And now I want you / We're bound to heal and now we're free"

"Feel better?" Gina asks.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Good. Now we're gonna go to D.C., and we're gonna make the most of this situation." Gina reassures me.

"Damn right we will." I said in response.

I didn't think it would be this difficult to walk away from something like this, but I know what I need to do in order to be there for Gina when she needs me the most.

With that, it's now the next morning. It's about 6:30 AM. I leave a note on Ashlyn's table, thanking her for hosting me, and I get an Uber to head over to Gina's place, prior to the school day beginning, since we're now on the clock until we have to leave for D.C.. I arrive about five to ten minutes later, I knock on the door, and much to my surprise, Gina is the one to answer the door.

"You're up early." Gina states.

"So are you." I stated in response.

"I'm just nervous… with everything that's about to happen." Gina confesses.

"Same here." I said in response.

"But at least we're going to be going at this together." Gina says.

"Damn right we will be. Just gotta figure out how we're gonna tell everyone else that we're both gonna be gone, just like that. Any ideas?" I asked.

"Emma Wood singing magic perhaps." Gina suggests.

"If we're doing something like that, it's going to be together, or not at all." I stated.

"But if we're doing that, how are we going to do it? When are we going to do it? What song are we going to be using?" Gina asks, excited to be formulating a plan of action like this.

"To answer the how, we'll use our legendary talents combined. To answer the when, we can do it during rehearsals, or at the end of rehearsals, whichever works out better. To answer the what, I think I have a brilliant song idea." I revealed, as proud as I ever have been.

"And what is the Emma Wood "brilliant song idea"?" Gina asks, curiously.

"You will see." I said with a smile.

With that, we're at rehearsals, and about to end things for the day. I'm in a slick back ponytail, a short purple dress with black tights. I'm so tense. I'm nervous. I'm anxious, and when I get anxious, things usually end up in a not so great space…

Yeah, I have been medically diagnosed with anxiety, and I've been taking stuff for it for a long while now. I just get on edge a lot easier than others do, so there's that, but with Gina at my side, there's nothing that we can't do…

"Alright Wildcats, before I let you go for the day, I've been told that Gina and Emma have something they would like to share with the group, so girls, take it away." Miss Jenn says.

I then look at Gina, and she mouths "I told her. Let's rock and roll." That's what I like about Gina. She's always one step ahead of the game when she needs to be. Now it's time for us to do our thing, and have a good East High send-off…

Gina then looks me right in the eyes.

"Gina (singing): Take my hand, take a breath / Pull me close and take one step / Keep your eyes locked on mine, / And let the music be your guide."

"Me (singing): Won't you promise me"

"Gina (singing): (Now won't you promise me, that you'll never forget)"

"Me (singing): We'll keep dancing"

"Gina (singing): (to keep dancing)

"Me & Gina (singing): Wherever we go next"

"Me & Gina (singing): It's like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you / It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do / And with every step together, we just keep on getting better / So can I have this dance (can I have this dance) / Can I have this dance"

We both turn to face the other theatre kids.

"Me (singing): We gotta say what's on our mind / Something about us / Has to stay together these days"

"Gina (singing): Life keeps showing us the way / Here we are as somehow we / Ended up here together"

"Me & Gina (singing): It's so hard for us to say / But we gotta do what's best for us / But we'll be okay"

"Me & Gina (singing): We've gotta move on and be who we're meant to be / We clearly don't belong here, I hope you all understand / We might find a place in this world again someday / But at least for now, we gotta go our own way / (Own way)"

"Gina has to move again, and I'm going with her." I reveal to the group.

"Wow…" Miss Jenn says.

"So is this going to be your last day or…?" Ricky asks.

"We have 10 days." Gina reveals.

"But are you going to be staying with us until then, or…?" Kourtney asks.

"We're staying until we can't anymore." I replied.

"We'll miss you both." Nini says.

"But we understand why you're doing this." Seb states.

"And Emma, your loyalty to Gina and making sure that she's okay by going with her, is unparalleled. It reminds us all exactly who we should strive to be." Miss Jenn says.

"I'm only doing what feels morally right to me. Gina is everything to me, and I'm not about to lose that, when she needs me, and when I need her." I stated.

"Just… don't forget about where you come from." Ricky requests.

How could I ever forget all of this Ricky?

"Once a Wildcat…" I began to say.

"Always a Wildcat." Gina finishes.

"Alright. Thank You Gina and Emma for that incredible display of talent. You'll truly be missed around here, but just know you'll always be welcomed back here at any time you wish." Miss Jenn states.

"Well we're going to be available if y'all ever need us." Gina says.

"We're friends. We're family, and there's nothing that will take that away. We're all born to be brave, and it's time to show it." I added.

Of course Kourtney and Nini get excited when I say that. Why am I not surprised?

"Kourtney (singing): Don't need a king / I got my crown / Don't need a hero to lift me off the ground"

"Me (singing): I built this heart / It's beating loud / Won't let no bad blood ever bring us down"

"Gina (singing): Keep flying higher / Fight like a fighter / What if I'm everything that I will ever need?"

"Ashlyn (singing): A queen messiah / A strong survivor / Even the worst days won't get the best of me"

"Everyone (singing): 'Cause I was born to be brave / I know who I am inside / And I won't apologize / Made my mistakes / And they gave me wings to fly / To my castle in the sky"

"Me (singing): I used to feel / Like I was lost / It's like my phone's navigation was turned off"

"Ricky (singing): But it's the road / I stumbled on"

"Gina (singing): That led me right to the place where I belong"

"Big Red (singing): Keep flying higher / Fight like a fighter"

"Seb (singing): Yeah, I am everything that I was meant to be"

"Nini (singing): A blazin' fire / That's getting brighter"

"Me (singing): Don't need nobody here that don't believe in me"

"Everyone (singing): 'Cause I was born to be brave / I know who I am inside / And I won't apologize / Made my mistakes / And they gave me wings to fly / To my castle in the sky / Let my hair down and let it go / No more running, I run this show / Way up here, yeah, the view is gold / Born to be brave / Now I'm standing miles high / Like castles in the sky"

"Me (singing): Bosses and queens, stand up on your thrones / Know who you are, this is your kingdom / Legends at heart, individuals / Go make your mark, be original"

"Everyone (singing): 'Cause I was born to be brave / I know who I am inside / And I won't apologize / Made my mistakes / And they gave me wings to fly / To my castle in the sky / Let my hair down and let it go / No more running, I run the show / Way up here, yeah, the view is gold / 'Cause I was born to be brave / Now I'm standing miles high / Like castles in the sky"

"Me & Gina (singing): Like castles in the sky"

"Alrighty, let's bring it in." Ricky requests from the group.

I think this is going the way that I think it is going…

"What team?"

Yep. Just as I thought.

"Wildcats!"

"What team?"

"Wildcats!"

"What team?"

"Wildcats!"

"Wildcats!"

"Get'cha head in the game!"

That felt good.

"You guys are being too kind." I stated.

"It's only right to give you and Gina the proper send-off. You two are perfect for each other." Nini remarks.

Nini has been so supportive since the very beginning. I'm so incredibly grateful for her and everything that she has done for me. It's only fair that I give her a special good-bye as well, right?

"Me (singing): Once in a lifetime / Means there's no second chance / So I believe that you and me / Should grab it while we can"

"Nini (singing): Make it last forever / And never give it back"

"Me (singing): It's my turn, and I'm loving where we're at"

"Me & Nini (singing): Because this moment's really all we have"

"Me (singing): Everyday of our lives"

"Nini (singing): Wanna find you there, wanna hold on tight"

"Me (singing): But I gotta run / While I'm young / And keep the faith"

"Nini (singing): Everyday / From right now / You gotta use your voice and scream out loud"

"Me (singing): Take my hand / And together, we will celebrate"

"Nini (singing): Celebrate"

"Me & Nini (singing): Oh, everyday"

"Me (singing): We're taking it back / We're doing it here"

"Me & Nini (singing): Together"

"Me (singing): It's better like that / And stronger now / Than ever"

"Me & Nini (singing): We're not gonna lose / 'Cause we get to choose / That's how it's gonna be"

"Me & Nini (singing): Everyday (everyday) / Everyday (everyday) / Everyday (everyday) / (Everyday, everyday) / Everyday / Everyday, yeah (yeah)"

"Never lose sight of who you are Em, no matter how far away you go." Nini requests.

"Always Nini, always." I said in response.

The entire group then engages in a hug. I'm gonna miss seeing everyone face-to-face on a daily basis, but I know what I'm doing is the right thing. My girlfriend has to move yet again, but this time, I'm going to be there for her, when she truly needs me the most.

It's now the day we're supposed to leave for D.C.. It's about 7:30 in the morning. Gina's helping her mom with the final bit of packing. Meanwhile, I make my way early to East High, so that I can send my final good-byes to Miss Jenn and everyone else. It just didn't feel right to me to not do it. I walk into school, with everyone thanking me and saying they'll miss me and all that (the official East High Instagram posted a post about Gina and I leaving, which they didn't have to do but I appreciate them). I then make my way to Miss Jenn's office, and knock on the door.

"Enter." Miss Jenn says.

She looks very surprised to see me, especially since she knows full well that today's the day we're leaving.

Oh. Maybe that's why. Never mind. I'm an idiot. I should've known that she would be surprised.

Anyway, moving on.

"Emma dear, what are you doing here? Aren't you leaving for D.C. today?" Miss Jenn asks.

"Yeah, but I couldn't leave without a proper goodbye to my favorite drama teacher ever." I replied.

We then hug. Miss Jenn has said from the very beginning that I just need to put myself out there and go chase my dreams. There's nothing that I can't do if I don't put my mind to it, and I'm forever grateful for what she has done for me.

"Well, I should probably get going so we can make it on time, so Gina's mom can get to work." I stated.

"Have a safe trip, and remember. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat." Miss Jenn says.

"Damn right." I said in response.

With that, I walk out and away from Miss Jenn's office for what will likely be the final time. It feels weird, but I know that I'm walking away because I need to be there for my girlfriend, when she needs me the most. That's one of the best reasons that I could be walking away right now…

"Me (singing): Ooh, ooh, ooh / Ooh, ooh, ooh"

"Me (singing): I know I made the right choice / Believing that my luck had changed (Luck had changed, ooh) / I let my heart and forever / Finally learned her name (Her name) / I tell myself this time is different / And there's goodbyes 'cause I can bear to say it / But maybe I'll never survive the ones that's coming / If I stay (If I stay), oh no"

"Me (singing): Just walk away / And don't look back / 'Cause if my heart breaks / It's gonna hurt so bad / She knows I'm strong / But I can't take that / Before it's too late / Oh, just walk away / Walk, walk, walk away / Ooh, just walk away / Walk, walk, walk away / Yeah, yeah, yeah"

With that, we're on the road to D.C.. Just me, my girlfriend, and my girlfriend's mother. This is gonna be awesome, and we're going to make the most of this situation that we're in now…

"This is the start of something new." Gina says to me.

Damn right it is Gina. Damn right it is…