NEW YEAR'S Eve had also rolled around fairly quickly. There was going to be a New Year's Eve party at Ashlyn's to celebrate the New Year and to very new beginnings.

Shiloh had been typing away at her phone in a group chat with the other club members. They had just gotten word that they had booked another interview with their so-called manager, Principal Gutierrez. They never assigned him to that job, they didn't even know they needed a manager. The magazine seemed to be a one time thing for the club, but apparently not.

Shiloh heard Ricky's front door open and shoved her phone back into her coat pocket.

"I'm not gonna stop. Not gonna stop 'til I get my shot. That's who I am, that is my plan. Will I end up on top?" He sang.

Shiloh held a bright smile on her face as she watched Ricky dance and sing towards her.

"You can bet on me!"

Ricky let out a heavy sigh, holding his fist in the air.

Shiloh let out a small laugh, "I really felt the... determination and power, Troy Bolton."

"Have to be a step ahead if I want the lead."

"Of course, wouldn't doubt it for a second."

Ricky leaned forward and Shiloh placed her fist on his chest.

"You smell like Throb." She pouted.

"Not wrong with a little Throb, baby."

"Everything wrong with Throb... baby."

The two of them heard the window being rolled down and soon enough Evie Fernandez stuck their head out of the window.

"Ricky "Lover Boy" Bowen."

"Can you two hurry up?" Madison Gregg asked, "There are four people sitting in a three person seat. It's tight."

"Really? I think we've only gotten closer." Jenna Russet joked.

"I have a curfew and it's at one-thirty. So, I'm not rushing, but I want to hang out before I have to frantically wave goodbye to everyone." Ashley Yang rushed out.

Shiloh glanced back at the four. Not saying anything as Evie looked back at the three people in the seat with her.

"You know what?" Evie smiled, "Take your time."

"Mmhmm. Roll the window up."

"Yes ma'am."

Shiloh sighed, "Where's Red? We can... squeeze 'em... somewhere."

"Uh, he's working. Can't come."

"That's suck. He was really excited to kiss, Ashlyn."

"Yeah. He thinks the first kiss was a fluke, but I thought he was crazy."

"Maybe it felt surreal to him. It actually happens to a lot of people who are..." Shiloh let out a small, breathy laugh, "Uh, forget. Ready to go?"

"No? What were you going to say?"

"Don't worry about it. It was my little Love Club brain... thinking. It happens to the best of us; was all I was going to say."

Ricky knew Shiloh loved talking about the Love Club. She did it quite often with him. The only this was, that she didn't want to bore him with it. She did the same thing when the magazine had asked her question on top of questions about the club itself and she just went on and on about it. They adored it and so did Ricky.

Shiloh was very passionate about her club and she wasn't going to shy away from that. She just didn't want to bore people with what she thought was cool and fun for her club. I mean, Dylan and EJ grew tired of her talking about it at some points, and look where they ended up.

"Well, I for one, love what goes on in your little Love Club brain."

"Thank you." She smiled, "Now, get in the car and roll your window down. I meant what I said, Throb is a natural douchebag scent."

As Shiloh left Ricky dumbfounded, Evie rolled the window down again, "You look nice. Too bad you smell like a douchebag."

"I don't smell that bad."

"Well... glad you're delusional."

Ricky rolled his eyes and sat in Shiloh's front seat, "Can I play a song?"

"Yeah, whatever you want."

As Shiloh pulled away from Ricky's house, the intro to Bet On It started... and never seemed to stop. The entire ride to Ashlyn's with the nonstop sounds of Zac Efron's voiced mixed with Ricky's.

Shiloh every now and then glancing in her overhead mirror into the backseat finding everyone trying to find some way to make the ride faster.

They had finally arrived at Ashlyn's and Shiloh quickly took her keys out of the ignition. The others not waiting a second longer to get out and head inside.

"Hey! It was getting to the best part." Ricky said.

"I'm sure we heard the best part ten times already. Also... you're finding another ride home."

"I thought I sounded great."

"You sound wonderful." Shiloh smiled, holding Ricky's face in her hands, squeezing his cheeks slightly, "You're gonna get Troy. No worries. Now get out of my car. The Throb scent is just going to linger."

"You really hate Throb?"

Shiloh pulled his face closer, leaning in slightly, "Yes, very much. Seriously, get out."

She smiled as she let go of his face and stepped onto Ashlyn's lawn. Ricky quickly followed out, beating her to the door.

"Gonna go in?" She questioned.

"Yeah, I'm just preparing."

"Preparing?"

Ricky turned and hit Shiloh's shoulder lightly, "Bet On It. You love it."

"I'm really trying to."

Ricky swift you opened the door and began singing Bet On It yet again, "I'm not gonna stop, that's who I am. I'll give it all I got. That is my plan."

"What's up with him?" Evie asked.

Shiloh shrugged her jacket off her shoulders, "Don't know. Maybe he's just excited for the musical."

"You think?"

"Will I find what I lost? You know you can, bet on it, bet on it. You can bet on me."

A round of applause grew for the small performance. Carlos stood from his spot.

"Okay, okay, okay! Does anybody not know we're doing High School Musical Two?" He asked.

"We are?" EJ asked, a hint of confusion and excitement in his voice, "Whoo-hoo!"

Carlos groaned, falling backward onto the couch.

Ricky held his hand out for Shiloh to grab and once she did so, the two of them sat on Ashlyn's couch. Gina eyeing the two of them from the side.

Evie took notice of the small glance and bumped Ashley's arm.

"Ow. What?"

"You worked with Gina a lot last semester. Did you ever notice anything about her?"

"I can't notice anything but the pain shooting up my arm. Why are you asking?"

"Just wondering... Do you want me to kiss the booboo?"

Ashley held her arm up. Evie rolling their eyes and kissing her arm gently. Gina quickly stood from her seat, "I'm getting a root beer. Anyone want anything?"

"I'm good. Thank you."

Gina didn't want for another response as she made her way into the kitchen.

Ashlyn soon approached the others, "Love Club, Ricky, we're writing our New Year's resolutions down and guessing who wrote what. A game Kourt came up with. Put them in the bowl when you finish."

"Thanks, Ash." Shiloh smiled.

"Do you know what you're writing down?" Ricky asked.

"Yes, and I hope you're a good guesser."

She actually had no idea what she wanted her resolution to be. She seemly had everything figured out at the moment. She had her best friends, a very supportive household, and she was in a very happy and healthy relationship. What more could she ask for?

She twirled her pen in her hands before settling on a fitting resolution.

No matter what, nothing changes within the room. Was it obvious that Shiloh had written it? For sure. But she meant it. She, no matter the opportunities that came her way, would not change how she started the club. She knew exactly how it stood.

Shiloh dropped her resolution into the bowl and began a small conversation with Nini beside her. After an hour or so, the game Kourtney came up with began.

"Okay, listen up. Rules of the game. This is important. We need to set intentions and be accountable to one another this year." Kourtney explained.

"This is a terrible party." Natalie Bagley sighed.

"Hey, watch yourself. Okay." Kourtney laughed, pulling a resolution from the jar, "All right, resolution number one. Anyone's guess. "I resolve to..." This is so stupid. I can't."

"Come on, Kourt, you have to read it." Nini urged.

""I resolve to remember everyone fondly when I go to Duke." Any guesses?"

"EJ!" Ashlyn exclaimed, "You got into Duke?"

"I mean, have I technically gotten "into" Duke? Did my father and our grandpa before him also "go to" Duke? Guys, I think it's just a "matter of time"." He answered.

"Okay. I lost track of all the air quotes." Ricky joked.

"Okay. Resolution number two. Oh, I don't get this one."

"Just read it!"

"This one doesn't say anything except for the words "My cows".

Seb spoke up, "You guys, I thought we were writing down what we're thankful for."

"Um, here we go. Okay. Let's see what we got. Um... "No matter what, nothing changes within the room.""

"Shiloh." Jenna smiled, "I mean... it could've been any of us."

"You're right. It was me. There's been a lot going on and I'm sure everyone in the club is proud of that. I just... no matter what, the club room is a safe space for everyone. I just don't want that to change." Shiloh explained, "Go ahead and read the next one, Kourt."

"Okay, yes, I will. Um, let's see. Next." She started, clearing her throat, ""All I want is for our generation to save the planet, and I would also like absolute clarity about my love life. Thank you"."

Ashlyn chuckled, "Who is it? Is it you?"

The doorbell song rang and rushing inside was Big Red.

"Six pizzas. Two with lactose-free cheese. I'm here."

"Yes. Thank you." EJ smiled, taking the pizzas from Red, "Good Lord, dude, did you fall into a bucket of cologne?"

Shiloh glanced over at Ricky, "It's natural men scent! It says so on the bottle." He argued.

"It's natural douchebag scent... you smell like Dylan."

"I'll stop using it immediately."

"Yeah. Big Red's taking you home. Check on him."

Ricky held his hands up, a sign of defeat, and made his way into the kitchen to check on his friend.

"Hey, Shiloh? Can I ask you something?" Gina asked.

"Of course."

Gina tugged on Shiloh's wrist and ventured towards a move private area of the living room.

"I really hate to bother you-"

"I was standing alone. Don't hesitate to talk to me. I'm still me. The..."

"Easygoing, soft-spoken girl."

"Took the words right off the magazine." Shiloh smiled, "What's up?"

"Can you tell how someone feels about you by how they look at you?"

"Sometimes. William Shakespeare said that the eyes are the window to your soul. Your eyes could move rapidly back and forth and some people may see that you're worried or scare and if you're holding a gaze with something or someone, people may think you're infatuated with that someone, but you're eyes aren't the only thing that holds expression."

Gina nodded slowly, "I was just wondering."

"Well, now you know. And, hey, you never know who's looking."

"Thanks, Shiloh." Gina smiled, "...Aren't you going to say the thing?"

"What thing?"

"And remember..."

"Oh! Um, and remember if we helped, you have to give us a five star review."

"Why'd you hesitate?"

"I think Principal Gutierrez is going to get rid of the five star review thing. I mean, I don't know yet... I should know by the time we're back at school. But it's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal? You guys really rely on those."

"I want to keep any authenticity the club, for sure. It's just really hard to tell someone no these days. but I'm trying. So, maybe that five star review will come in handy, Gina."

"Remember, my feedback is both precious and invaluable." Carlos spoke, "So, think of this medley as a pre-audition workshop. You may begin."

"Don't you have a Gabriella to score?" Shiloh asked.

"You think I can get the lead?"

"I know you'll get the lead. You're Gina."

The medley soon started. Seb playing Fabulous on the piano. Seb switched spots with Ashlyn, who started playing You Are The Music in Me with Gina.

Shiloh felt Ricky's presents from behind her, and soon felt her back begin pressed against his chest, the guitar now in front of her.

"No."

"You don't have to sing, but you're playing." Ricky said, "I'll guide you. You can't say no we're about to start."

Ricky grabbed Shiloh's hands and put them in the appropriate chords as the sounds of Ricky and Nini picked up where Gina and Ashlyn left off.

Evie smiled at their friends and glanced around the room. Their eyes landing back onto Gina.

Evie was horrible at reading people, but it was very obvious that Gina seemed sad.

"One minute till midnight!" Natalie shouted.

Cheers quickly rang around the room and Ricky removed the guitar from around him and Shiloh.

"See! Not too bad." He smiled, holding his fist out.

"Never again."

She bumped her fist with his as the medley continued. The countdown to midnight starting at ten.

The celebration of the New Year didn't last long. Miss. Jenn walked into the room, "I have an announcement."

"You cut your hair!"

"Thank you. Wait, do you like it? That's not the announcement. Okay. Um... Contrary to rumor, we are not doing High School Musical Two. We are doing an American classic. Beauty and the Beast."

Shiloh threw her arms around Jenna's shoulders, "You're auditioning." She whispered.

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"And I know East High just did it a couple of years ago." Miss. Jenn continued, "But you didn't do it my way. And you didn't win the most important award in all of theater."

"The Tony?" Gina questioned.

"Okay, the second most important award."

"The Drama Desk?" Seb asked.

"Everyone, calm down! This semester, we are entering the Alan Menken Awards for High School Musical Theater. And we are going to win."

"Um... That means beating North High, Miss. Jenn. They have a thousand-gallon Little Mermaid aquarium." Carlos said.

"Then we will have an aquarium, too."

"For Beauty and the Beast?" Evie asked.

"Okay, I need to study the text. So, who is ready to show the world they deserve to get that scholarship to NYU?" Miss. Jenn asked, "I mean, who is ready to go from amateur thespians to statewide award winners?"

"What team?" Ricky called.

"Wildcats!"

- lucy has something to say !!

i totally didn't forget gina was a character 🤨

also didn't know how to end this, but that's fine... it's all fine :)

bye i'm literally out of memes/tweets for this show

bye :))))