WHEN SHILOH was adopted, she had to switch school and became the new girl everyone talked about.

She was in the 8th grade, wandering the halls of the middle school with much to care and worry about.

She was the new girl, she stood out because she was new and she knew that.

She desperately wanted to fade into obscurity, but she would never get that chance until high school.

And the first person to make their presence know to her was Dylan Lapids in their 8th grade social studies class.

Shiloh sat in silence as she mindlessly watched the teacher write the date on the board as he took a seat next to her.

Shiloh only shifted her eyes over at him, not really giving him much attention as he looked over at her.

"Hey," He called, "you're the new girl right?"

Shiloh finally looked over and nodded. That was the only thing she had said to him prior to Evie Fernandez making their way into the class and rolling their eyes.

Evie made their way over, slamming her book onto the desk in front of Shiloh, causing both her and Dylan to look over at them.

Dylan quickly rolled his eyes, slipping down in his seat as Evie smiled.

"Don't let him bother you." Evie warned. "Trust me, if cooties were real, you find yourself in hell with him." Evie smiled, sitting down in the desk in front of Shiloh. "I'm Evangeline, but people call me Evie."

"No one calls you Evie, you dumbass."

Shiloh turned, looking over at Dylan who rested his head on his hand as he looked over at the two of them.

Evie only flipped him off and drew their attention back towards Shiloh. "And you are?"

"I'm Shiloh."

Shiloh spoke softly. She wasn't really here to make many friends, it wasn't something she wanted nor needed. This was her second foster family and she was pretty sure that she would be relocated in a year once they found a flaw in the girl.

Evie nodded. "Wanna join me for lunch, new kid? I can give you the ins and outs that you need to survive this place."

"She sits alone at lunch, that's why she's asking you." Dylan quipped.

Shiloh only nodded. She reluctantly agreed to join Evie for lunch and once she didn't have a class with her and another with Dylan, she finally gave him her Snapchat.

That was how she met Evie Fernandez and Dylan Lapids.

A FEW months into being at this new school, Shiloh found herself joining the soccer team.

It was something she was passionate about and it kept her mind off of things she knew she couldn't really control.

Just like the beads of sweat that rolled down her face after practice. She was breathing heavily when she entered the school building and chugging down her water like her life depended on it.

She made her way to her locker when she saw a girl sitting a few lockers down, crying to herself.

Shiloh sighed, tugging on the strap of her duffel bag and made her way over to the girl.

"Hey." She called, "Are you okay?"

The girl looked up, "Do I look okay to you?"

Shiloh nodded to herself. She forgot that everyone wasn't like Evie or herself. Some people were mean and wouldn't like her.

So, Shiloh turned, making her way back to her locker.

"Okay, wait." The girl said, standing to her feet. "I'm sorry. I just found out my so-called friends had a groupchat without me in it and they were all saying some... not so nice things about me."

And through her, now clumped up mascara, Shiloh finally realized she was talking to the it girl, Jenna Russet.

Jenna was the popular girl in the 8th grade, but her social status dropped once her "so-called" friends groupchat was posted on social media.

Shiloh hadn't seen it and frankly didn't want to.

"You know," Jenna continued. "you really think you know someone and then you find out that you're Polly Pocket to them. Does that make sense?"

"No... I've had a Polly Pocket."

"Oh my, God!" Jenna cried. "I'm something no one knows of."

"Why do you care?" Shiloh asked. "They weren't really your friends in the first place."

Jenna turned. "They were my only friends. That's the problem." She sighed. "You know what, I really want to wallow in my pain alone, so if you don't mind."

Jenna made her way back to the locker that she was sat at prior and slumped back down onto the floor.

Shiloh sighed, approaching her once more. "We ride the same bus don't we? We walk so you aren't... stuck here."

Jenna looked back over, standing to her feet once more. "Fine, but I'll tell you about all about Polly Pocket on the walk home."

Shiloh nodded. "And I'll tell you all about... whatever I can think of on the walk."

"Trust me. There's nothing you can teach me, new girl."

And she was right that day, but Shiloh did teach Jenna to value herself and the true meaning of friendship.

"OH, THAT bull!"

"Molina! Gregg! Out for the next two games!"

Shiloh rolled her eyes and threw the dodgeball over to Evie.

She couldn't tell you why Madison Gregg was upset with her. She had gotten her out the game fair and square and yet, the "that's bull" line left her lips like it was nothing.

Shiloh pulled at her ponytail as she watched her teammates play the game.

It wasn't that serious of a game. It was 8th grade gym class.

Shiloh heavily sighed, her head resting against the bleachers. She didn't bother to look over to see who had sat down beside her, but she could only assume that it was Madison.

"I've never had anyone beat me in dodgeball before." Madison sighed. "It's always been my team winning every round."

Shiloh only nodded, pressing her elbows against her legs as she watched the game in front of her.

"I'm Madison, by the way."

"I know." Shiloh sighed. "You're on the varsity basketball team. You're good."

Madison nodded. "Thanks. I've seen you play. You're good too. Not that I know much about soccer in the first place."

Shiloh looked over, sitting up right. "You know, when you're not yelling at me from across the court."

"I'll work on that, new girl." Madison laughed.

They didn't get along for months after that. It wasn't until Shiloh introduced Madison to Jenna and Evie they all got along, but they weren't a club. Not just yet.

SHILOH SKIPPED lunch a lot once she got to high school. She would rather eat without her ex-boyfriend staring daggers in the back of her head.

So she would go to the library and just read most days. Other times she would use the school's computer or just sit and scroll on her phone, but today, she found herself in the cafeteria and maybe it was fate that she was there that day.

Once you enter high school, you were all the new people. Even if you went to middle school with these people, you were all the new kid, everyone except the actual new kid, Ashley Yang.

Shiloh had one class with the girl and they spoke a handful of times, but other than that, they didn't really speak.

Ashley had always sat alone at lunch, sitting the table that held the less crowded group and the quietest part of the cafeteria.

But, she didn't pick a spot that she wouldn't be unnoticed because Shiloh approached her table with a small smile.

"Can I join you?"

Ashley looked up from her lunch tray. "Uh, sure." She softly spoke.

And one by one, Evie, Jenna, and Madison all joined Shiloh and Ashley at the lunch table.

And that's how the members of The Love Club came together.

AND CURRENTLY, Shiloh smiled at the thought as everyone remembered how they reminisced on how they all joined in on the musical... and the shocking fact that Seb had been with Natalie prior to being with Carlos, but the Love Club knew that.

Seb came to them when he wanted to breakup with Natalie, but that news wasn't shocking to them.

Ricky insisted that, "Seb was singing the fucking song" to show Carlos that he still cared about him and their relationship. It was a song called Over Again that was supposed to be sung by Lucas Grabeel and Scott Hoying for the movie and Shiloh was lucky enough to hear the song on set.

Once their song was over and Carlos had ultimately forgiven Seb, Gina went next, sharing her story about how she joining the musical.

"Shiloh?"

The girl looked up from the ground, her arms crossed over her chest as she stood next to Ricky.

"I didn't join the musical." Shiloh said.

"We know, but you're here now, by some chance." Mr. Mazzara said.

Shiloh sighed. "Because Ricky wanted to get back together with Nini." She answered. "I mean... I met Ricky to that though."

Gina furrowed her brows. "You didn't know Ricky before the musical?"

"You'd think they've known each other since kindergarten or something." Victoria laughed.

"I was... actually crying when I met Ricky."

ONE YEAR ago, Shiloh found herself in the stairwell crying her eyes out and it was all because of EJ Caswell.

You'd think a two week relationship wouldn't have hurt her like this, but here she was, crying about EJ.

That's when Ricky made his way into the stairwell, not fully stepping in when he saw Shiloh crying on the steps.

"Um, are you okay?"

Shiloh quickly looked up, standing to her feet and taking her glasses off to wipe her eyes.

"Yeah, totally." She cried, almost laughing about her ridiculous her situation was. "I was just leaving."

Shiloh grabs her backpack from the ground and the heavy Love Club crate and began to make her way towards the exit, but Ricky continued to stand there.

He was never good at his emotions but seeing a girl crying like this alone made him feel like he had to do or say something that could make her feel better.

"Um, do... do you want to talk about it?" He asked.

Shiloh sniffed, rubbing her nose and sighing, "It's stupid."

"Can't be too stupid if you're crying about it."

Ricky brushed past her, sitting on the sets a gesturing that she sit back down and next to him.

She rolled her eyes, but took a seat next to Ricky nonetheless.

"My ex-boyfriend has this new girlfriend and... you'd think I, of all people, wouldn't care because he seems happier with her, but I think that's my problem."

"That he's happier with her?"

Shiloh looked over at Ricky. Her eyes red as she looked at him. "I want him to be happy with her and it may sound selfish but I don't but him to be happier. And she's looks like she's the kindest person."

Of course Shiloh knew who Ricky Bowen was and of course she knew that Ricky had dated Nini Salazar-Roberts. That's why she didn't name who her ex was and who this girl was.

She was hurt by EJ for sure, especially since they had been talking for months on end just for him to end it without a second thought, but she wasn't going to bring up Ricky's ex because she didn't know what he knew and maybe he wouldn't been just as hurt as she was.

Ricky gave the girl a tight lipped smile. "I get it, kind of. I'm kind of in the same boat right now, which is why I'm auditioning for the musical... I think."

Shiloh sniffed, wiping the tears from under her eyes. "You think?"

Ricky turned. "I don't want to talk about it really, not now anyway." He sighed, "In my personal opinion, I don't think this guy is worth crying over. I don't think he'd be doing the same if the roles were reversed."

Shiloh only nodded, playing with their rings on her fingers. "I'm not use to getting advice... unless it's from, like, my club, but I've never liked their biased opinion."

Ricky furrowed his brows before nodding his head and smiling. "Oh!" He exclaimed. "You're... The Love Club girl aren't you? Evie, right?"

"No..."

"Oh..." Ricky sighed, clasping his hands together. "Well, I still stand by what I said. Besides... I think you're too pretty to cry."

Shiloh paused, looking over at Ricky with a genuine smile appearing on her face. She chuckled, wiping away the rest of her fallen tears.

"Thank you." She smiled. "I'm sure you're also too pretty to cry."

Ricky chuckled, throwing his head back. "No, definitely not. I'm like the dry heaving, snot dripping from my nose, type of crier."

Shiloh laughed. That's what he wanted, just for her to laugh.

He didn't know the girl at the time, but he meant what he said, not about the dry heaving crying thing, but that she was too pretty to cry.

And though he was in his own relationship dilemma, but he wouldn't deny that girl in who had just been bailing her eyes out, was pretty.

Shiloh sniffed, looking back over at Ricky. "Thanks. I really appreciate it." She began to stand, picking her crate back up. "I have to go, but I think that you should try and show this girl—"

"Nini."

"I think you should show Nini that you love her, full stop, and if you think that auditioning for the musical is how you do it, then go for it, Ricky."

He nodded, looking back at his guitar before furrowing his brows. "I didn't tell you my—"

But the time he looked back, Shiloh was gone.

Ricky sighed and grabbed his guitar, but something had fallen from his bag.

A card to let him know where exactly he could find The Love Club.

"OH MY, God." Ricky breathed, his hands covering his ears. "I called you The Love Club girl. I need to sit down."

Shiloh smiled. Ricky leaving her side and taking at seat on the piano bench.

Shiloh followed after, squatting down in front of him and taking his hands. "It's not like you said it in vain, Ricky." She softly spoke.

"So, let me get this straight." Evie said, "Before Ricky came barging into our club room, you had already told him to audition for the musical."

Shiloh felt Ricky squeeze her hands, causing her to look back at him.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

She smiled at him. "I could say the same." Shiloh sighed, standing to her feet. "Miss Jenn wanted The Love Club to help everyone before musical." She faced Miss Jenn. "You're the one who brought everyone together."

"Thats not true." She said quickly. "You'd be here with some other drama teacher."

"Um, no, we literally wouldn't. Have you not been listening to us?" Carlos asked.

"Actually, wait." Ashlyn called. "You have told us how you ended up here or why."

"It's not important." Miss Jenn smiled.

"We'll be the judge of that." Maddox said.

"Be nice, Maddox." Miss Jenn called. "Gina is the intimidating girl around here."

But with a heavy sigh, Miss Jenn sighed and told everyone about how she ended up at East. And it was all because of Alyson Reed.

"Full body chills." Ricky smiled.

"And that's how the story ends." Miss Jenn said.

One by one each of their smiles dropped. It was truly over for the theater department.

"Oh, wait." Miss Jenn called. "Goodness. I almost forgot. Madison, would you give me a hand with these?"

The two of them passed out small bags and Miss Jenn claimed them to be wrap gifts.

"They're gratified journals for all of you." Miss Jenn said. "For the movie. And I guess for our little show too."

"So, that's it." Ricky spoke, his voice cracking. "High School Musical's over?"

"Jennifer," A voice called. Everyone turned to see Principal Gutierrez standing behind them. "I thought we discussed this."

"I was just dismissing them, Principal Gutierrez." Miss Jenn paused, looking over at Ricky. "Yes, Ricky. It's over. But you've got lives to live. And loves to love. And all good things must come to an end."

"Well, guys," Gina sighed, "we all had a good run, then."

"We just got there though." Maddox muttered.

"My dad's here." Ashlyn sighed, tears falling from her eyes. "I should probably..."

And one by one, each of them left with tears falling down their face.

"Jennifer..."

"Give her a minute." Mr. Mazzara spoke, "These are her children."

And all that stood in that room was Ricky, Shiloh, and Miss Jenn.

"Um, Ricky, could you get the lights on the way out?" Miss Jenn asked.

"What do I write in a gratitude journal?" Ricky asked.

"Anything you're grateful for, honey."

"This is what I'm grateful for."

Miss Jenn smiled, resting her hand on Ricky's shoulder. "I am so grateful I got to be your teacher."

"You were so much more than just a teacher." Shiloh smiled.

Miss Jenn had done so much for Shiloh was her club was at their breaking point.

Truly, if Miss Jenn hadn't asked The Love Club to help out with the musical, they would not be in the position they had been in. They wouldn't have been taken seriously, they wouldn't been laughed out of East High that day of the meeting.

Shiloh had a lot to thank Miss Jenn for and it broke her heart that she couldn't be the one to return the help when Miss Jenn needed it the most.

"It's okay, Shiloh." Miss Jenn smiled. "Being your teacher was enough."

With that, Miss Jenn pulled the two into a hug that didn't last very long because they began to hear singing in the auditorium.

They followed the sound down and found Emmy singing on stage.

She had moved away from everything she knew because she saw that she had a chance to be herself at East and it had all just been taken away from her with ease.

As she sang, everyone had returned, watching her singing until she hit the very last note.

They all began clapping for her and she turned, stunned at the audience that she had gather.

"She should be the future of this department." Jenna smiled.

"She should be the future, period." Ricky said.

"Miss. Jenn, we have to save the show." Kourtney sighed. "For the next generation. I said it and now it cannot be unsaid."

"I just don't know how." Miss Jenn answered.

Suddenly, another voice rang through the auditorium and it was Alyson and Bart approaching them.

"Oh, come on, Jennifer." Alyson smiled. "Trust the process." She continued. "Well, we heard from Emmy that your drama department was in trouble."

"Coach and Darbus never could agree on anything, but, well, Bart and Alyson can." Bart smiled. "Your program is worth saving. We're donation a quarter of our salaries from High School Musical 4."

Miss Jenn smiled, stepping forward. "How much is that, if I may ask?" She smiled as Alyson whispered in her ear. "I am underpaid. But at this point we don't even have a stage manager and the show is supposed to be next week."

"I could always call Natalie." Seb said.

"Seb, honey, hush." Carlos instructed.

Maddox smiled. "I've got stage management covered."

"But half of our ensemble quit. Three of them actually have mono." Miss. Jenn said. "Who's gonna play Sharpay's assistant? Who's going to play Coach Bolton? Am I actually playing Ms. Darbus?"

"Yes." Alyson answered.

"Ricky Bowen, please report to the counseling office." Mr. Mazzara spoke over the intercom.

Shiloh knew what it was about. She honestly forgot that Mr. Mazzara approached her about the idea and yet, he hadn't said anything else about it since.

"Hey, um, there's something I need to tell you."

Ricky turned. "Yeah?"

"Um, I've actually been accepted into half of the colleges I applied for."

"Are you serious?" Ricky smiled, pulling her into a hug and kissing her temple. "Congratulations, baby."

She knew Ricky would be excited for her, but it wasn't what she was worried about. It was the after. What would happen next?

She and Ricky hadn't spoken once about college and that's what scared her.

"They don't allow bottled water at Lewis College." Kourtney approached. "It's a total win for the environment. I learned that on my visit." She paused. "Why do y'all sound so... Oh, I'm not a part of the conversation. I'm sorry. Bye-bye."

Shiloh chuckled. "I just want to know where your mind is."

Ricky nodded. "How about tomorrow?"

"Or... whenever you're ready."

Ricky sighed. "I don't know you don't want to talk about the future and trust me, I don't either."

"Mr. Bowen to the counseling office."

"Ricky, I want you to know that... whatever happens... I, um, I hope I'm there with you. For... however long you chose to have me."

"Shiloh—"

"Ricky, honey," Miss Jenn approached. "I think Mr. Mazzara needs you."

Ricky nodded and made his way to his office.

With that, everything was looking up. The musical was back on, kind of, and the movie had officially wrapped which gave Shiloh one last thing to worry about.

But then her phone rang. "Hi. Yeah, this is Shiloh Molina."

She turned, waving towards Gina and the girl soon joined her side.

"Yeah, she's with me now."

She put the phone on speaker and listened to every word that left that woman's mouth.

"Are you serious?"

Well, that gave her one more thing to worry about.

— lucy has something to say !!

this was a BITCH to write fuck tim for the flashback scene that change the trajectory of my life

anyways bart johnson's personality is strictly high school musical

anyway, let's give it up for the you're too pretty to cry origin story slayyyyyyyyyy

bye :))))