{The next day}

I was talking to Ryan when Sharpay walked in and handed Miss Darbus a small box.

"Just something for you." Sharpay says proudly

Sharpay returns to her seat as the rest of the class files in. I walk to my seat and see that Troy and Gabriella are exchanging glances. They are so in love.

"Well, I expect we all learned our homeroom manners yesterday, people, correct? If not, we have some dressing rooms that need painting." Miss Darbus says when everybody is seated. "Now, a few announcements. This morning during free period will be your chance for the musicale auditions, both singles and pairs."
Sharpay claps and I roll my eyes at her move. To childish.
"I will be in the theater until noon for those of you bold enough to extend the wingspan of your creative spirit."
And she goes on and on and on.
"Now today, we are going to discuss the importance of Shakespeare..."

{After class}

I was walking with Kelsey to the auditorium, Ryan and Sharpay where already there because they wanted to have the best places. We entered the auditorium and saw that is was nearly empty except some students and Ryan and Sharpay of course. Kelsey made her way towards the piano while I want to the siblings. Ryan noticed me and smiled at me which I gladly returned. I sat in the spot next to him as we watched the auditions.

"This is where the true expression of the artist is realized. Where inner truth is revealed through the actor's journey..." The bell rings "Was that a cell phone?"

I check my phone just like everyone but it's not me.

"Is it mine?"Says a student on the front row.

Kelsey jumps up. "No, ma'am. That was the warning bell."

"Ah! Those wishing to audition must understand that time is of the essence. We have many roles to cast and final call-backs will be next week." Miss Darbus continues.

I hear something behind me so I turn around and see Troy behind a janitor's cart. I giggle and turn my attention back to the stage.

"First, you will sing a few bars and I will give you a sense of whether or not the theater is your calling. Better to hear it from me now than from your friends later. Our composer, Kelsey Nielson, will accompany you and be available for rehearsals prior to call-backs. Shall we?"Says Miss Darbus.

The first singer starts and it's hard not to cover your ears. I see Ryan and Sharpay are having the same problem as me.

(Off-key) It's hard to believe that I couldn't see

that you were always right beside me

this feeling's like no other

I want you to know....

He forgot the whole song how splendid... note to sarcasm

"Uh-huh. Yes, thank you. Next." Says Miss Darbus with an unimpressed tone.

Next contestant was even worse, o my...

(Badly off-key) It's hard to believe

that I couldn't sneeze... see

Sharpay and Ryan are looking at him with horror and I smiling at their faces Ryan notices my face and glares playfully at me.

"Alan, I admire your pluck. As to your singing... That's a wonderful tie you're wearing. Next!" I smile at her comment but it is a nice tie...

Third singer just as badly as the rest.

(Off-key) It's hard to believe that I couldn't see

That you were(winks at Miss Darbus) always right beside me

This feeling's like no other

I want you to (winks at Miss Darbus again) know

"Uh... stop." Says Miss Darbus just as crept out as me.

Cindra was next I know her from my English lesson.

(High pitched) ...so lonely before I finally found

what I've been looking... for (holding note) I could feel my ears pop.

"Ah... Cindra. What courage to pursue a note that has not been accessed in the natural world. Bravo! Brava! Perhaps the spring musicale." Cindra's smile vanishes ad walks of the stage.

The next student to audition does a ballet routine, which Miss Darbus seems to enjoy this. His audition ends when he crashes off-stage I couldn't contain my laughter so I let it out which deserves me a glare from Miss Darbus.

The next audition was from 2 students who looked rather disturbing.

Disturbed Girl: (spoken) It's hard to believe that I could not see

Disturbed Boy: Couldn't see

Disturbed Girl: That you were always right beside me

Disturbed Boy: Beside me

Disturbed Girl: Thought I was alone

Disturbed Boy: Alone

I look at Ryan who appears to be deeply entranced by the strange display; I smirk at this and grab his hand. He looks confused at our hand and then smiles at me before turning his attention back to the stage. I think I saw a blush but he doesn't like me does he??

Disturbed Girl: With no one to hold

Disturbed Boy: To hold

Disturbed Girl: But you were right beside me

Disturbed Boy: Beside me

At the end they are rolling on their knees, it was one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen in my whole life and I live in a house with 2 boys...

"Well, that was just... very disturbing. Go see a counsellor. Uhh. Next!" Go Miss Darbus again...

At this point I hear voices behind me so I turn around and see that Gabriella is hiding behind the cart to. I shake my head and turn my attention back to the stage where the new contestant stands waiting for Kelsey to begin.

Kelsey plays the intro to the song, but the sixth singer is overcome with stage fright and just freezes, poor boy.

"Thank you. Next." Miss Darbus says on which he runs of the stage.

"And for the lead roles of Arnold and Minnie we only have one couple signed up Sharpay and Ryan. I think it might be useful for you to give us a sense of why we gather in this hallowed hall." I squeeze Ryan's hand before letting them go on stage. "Good luck" I whisper to them.

As they get up to go on stage, Sharpay stops Ryan so she can go first. Ryan rolls his eyes. I make an annoyed sound. Again I hear a sound and see Troy and Gabriella next to me.

"I thought you were hanging out with Chad" I say while raising an eyebrow. He gives me an annoyed look and ignores me while I smile at Gabriella which she returns. I turn my attention back to the stage as the music starts playing.

Ryan:
It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see

Together:
You were always there beside me
Thought I was alone
With no one to hold
But you were always right beside me

Sharpay:
This feelings like no other

Together:
I want you to know
I've never had someone that knows me like you do
the way you do
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

Sharpay:
So good to be seen
So good to be heard

Together:
Don't have to say a word

Ryan:
So long I was lost
So good to be found

Together:
I'm loving having you around

Ryan:
This feeling's like no other

Together:
I want you to know
I've never had someone that knows me like you do
The way you do
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

Together:
Doo Doo DooDoo
Doo Doo DooDoo
Do Do
Woa-ah-ah-oh

"I told you not to do the jazz squares."I hear Sharpay shout to Ryan.

"It's a crowd favourite. Everybody loves a good jazz square" Says Ryan to her I smirk at his comment.

Sharpay shoots a look at Kelsey who immediately puts on a fake smile and starts clapping. The rest of the small audience applauds including me but honestly I liked the slow version better.

"Well..." Miss Darbus starts and Troy and Gabriella immediately hide in their chairs "Are there any last minute sign-ups?"Ryan looks hopeful at me but I shake my head at him.

"Don't be discouraged. The theater club needs more than just singers. It needs fans too. Buy tickets!"Shouts Sharpay.

"Oh, actually, if you do the part with that particular song, I imagined it much slower..."begins Kelsey, bad move because Sharpay cuts her of. "If we do the part? Kelsey, my sawed-off Sondheim, I've been in 17 school productions. And how many times have your compositions been selected?"

"This would be the first." Says Kelsey honestly.

"Which tells us what?"Sharpay sometimes I think you're the ice queen of the school...

"That I need to write you more solo's?"

"No. It tells us that you do not offer direction, suggestion, or commentary. And you should be thankful that me and Ryan are here to lift your music out of its current obscurity. Are we clear?" "Yes ma'am. I mean, Sharpay." says Kelsey utterly frightened. "Nice talking to you."The ice queen says while walking away from her.

"Any last-minute sign-ups?"I keep my head low because I know Ryan is looking at me.

"No? Good. Done."Says Miss Darbus as she stands up to walk away.

"I'd like to audition, Miss Darbus." Says Gabi much to my surprise. Troy's face is in utterly shock at the moment.

"Timeliness means something in the world of theater, young lady. The individual auditions are long, long over and there are simply no other pairs." Point Miss Darbus, now sit Gabriella!! I shout in my head.

Troy stands up and says "I'll sing with her." O boy...

"Troy Bolton? Where is your sports posse or whatever it's called?"Called Miss Darbus surprised.

‟Team" Injects Troy

‟Ah." Mutters Miss Darbus.

"Um, but I'm here alone. Actually I came to sing with here."

"Yes, well, we take these shows very seriously here at East High. I called for the pairs audition, and you didn't respond. Free period is now over." Says Miss Darbus.

"She has an amazing voice." He motions to Gabi.

"Perhaps the next musicale." she says while leaving. I walk with Ryan and Sharpay out of the auditorium. "You guys sounded amazing" "What did you expect" says Sharpay in a mocking tone as she walks away leaving me and Ryan alone. "Sorry about her, again..."he says looking at the ground. "Don't feel sorry I know her by now it's not your fault. I loved you jazz squares by the way you have to teach me sometimes" "He looks at me happily and nods. "What about now??"He grabs my hand and drags me back to the auditorium. We pass Troy and Gabi on the way; they have happy faces I have to ask him about that later. We enter the auditorium and as expected there is nobody here. Ryan drags me to the stage and shows me how to do a jazz square. I mimic him and after a couple of times I can do it perfectly. Ryan and I are laughing our heads off. I teak a seat at the piano and Ryan rests his elbows on it. "Can you play??"He asks and I nod. I play some notes until Kelsey walks up to us. "I left my bag" she points at the bag next to the piano and I stand up hastily. She looks at me and then Ryan and sits on the piano stole. "Do you guys want to hear the original song?"I nod and stand next to Ryan. She hands us the lyrics and she starts to play.

Ryan:
It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
You were always there beside me

Abigail:
Thought I was alone
With no one to hold

both:
But you were always right beside me
This feeling's like no other
I want you to know

Both:
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

Abigail:
Ohhhhhhh

Wow that sounded amazing I didn't knew Ryan could sing like this and me neither, just wow. Ryan turns to me with a large grim on his face. "You sing amazing, I didn't know you could do that" "I didn't either..." I say with a grim while I hand the lyrics back to Kelsey. "Miss Bolton, Mister Evans I will see you both at the call backs, Kelsey help this two with the song." Miss Darbus says to us from the doors of the auditorium. She glances at me and Ryan and walks away. I look at Ryan with a shocked face which he returns. Kelsey beams at us and hands us Lyrics of the new song *meant to be* I'm still in shock as Kelsey hands me a note with dates that we need to practice with her. I glance at Ryan and see him just as shocked as me. O man what did I get myself into.

*meant to be is one of the songs from the movie 'teen beach movie' I'm in love with it so sorry if you don't like it.