……………

R: "Please! I can explain! Darlin' I love you! Love!" I watched as Troy raced across the stage toward Gabriella.

She had tears in her eyes and stood off to the side glaring at him. "I h-hate you Frankie Miller!"

I was sitting on a stool next to the curtain watching Kelsi's masterpiece unfold. My eyes lingered on her as she sat on her piano bench brow frowned in deep concentration. It was the afternoon before our big night. I was fairly relaxed having only one real big part where I come in the dimly lit club smoking a cigarette asking the manager if I can spice things up with my trumpet tune.

"Alright my soaring birds of theatrically genius." Darbus sang as she stood eyes alive with a glint and gentle glow. "Tonight is opening night and I wish you shining stars well! Meet back here at five o'clock sharp!"

And with that the very last rehearsals were over. I hopped off my stool and caught Sharpay.

"So you ready?" I asked. She sighed and flicked her long blonde locks back.

"I'm prepared now I can only hope for the best. See you at home" She walked off stage checking her watch.

I couldn't help but frown. We still weren't on the best talking grounds but it was getting better little by little.

"Why so sad Evans?" Kelsi asked coming up behind me music sheets in hand.

"Sharpay" I said as she nodded.

"You ready for tonight?" I asked as we make our way to the car.

"I'm so nervous!" She exclaimed "I mean it's one thing if the actors are bad but an entirely different thing if my show sucks there's going to be big time composers there thanks to Darbus I mean why did she have to invite all of her acting and composing buddies?!"

I watched her and laughed. "You're going to be great, don't worry babe just chill!" I kissed her cheek and I drove her home.

K: Don't panic! Don't panic! Just breathe. In and out, in and out. Walking in circles I paced the old wooden floor. It was 7:00 thirty minutes till curtain.

Darbus was on stage greeting the guests and going on and on about the play and me well I stood near one of the dress rooms was having yet another breakdown. I stood there for who know's how long talking to myself trying to clam myself down.

"Hey what about the thing I said earlier chill out babe!"

I turned to find Ryan standing in full costume. A white shirt with the selves pulled up along with brown trousers, and a gray cap leaning on the side of his head letting his blonde hair appeared out the side and I have to say he looked very attractive.

I kissed him suddenly trying desperately to ease my mind. And so far it was working.

I let my lips and worried thoughts get lost in his gentle touch and intoxicating smell. Backing up against the wall I sighed eagerly in Ryan's mouth. Air. I need air. My head was screaming to stop and breathe but my heart wouldn't let go. Too good, too perfect.

It was Ryan who let go gasping for oxygen he let out a "Wow" before turning and capturing my lips again. His arms were wrapped tightly around my waist and my hands were lost in his hair letting his cap fall to the floor. A cough and clearing of the throat was what made the two of us tare apart. Faces flushed with embarrassment and the heat of the moment. We were met with the laughing faces of Troy and Gabriella.

"Well uh Miss. Darbus just wanted us to come find you two and tell you the first act with be starting soon." Gabby said as Troy walked past still laughing. After they left I turned to Ryan

"Thanks for the distraction Evans" I smirked and walked away.

R: I stood in a dreamy daze as I watched her walk away a little bounce to her step. I picked up my hat and walked to the dressing room. Sharpay was there looking over her lines. I lingered in the doorway waiting for her to see me.

"Oh! Ryan!" She exclaimed turning around. "You scared me…" She said.

"Sorry, you nervous?" I asked still standing in the doorway.

"Ryan when have you ever seen me nervous?" Sharpay answered with a… was that a smile.

I laughed "Touché! Well anyway Darbus wants all of us to gather so she can give the speech." I watched Sharpay groan and stand.

"I hate those speeches they bore me to death" I nodded and followed her.

When Sharpay and I made it to the stage the red curtains were set ready to be pulled and people were running around frantically trying to make sure everything was perfect. And as always there stood Darbus waving her arms around and telling how proud she was. I found Kelsi standing behind Mrs. Darbus minding her own business clearly not paying attention. She fiddled with her hands and sighed.

Under the dim theater lights she looked beautiful. I wanted to wrap my arms around her waist and tell her so but then I would be reining the moment.

"And now my birds of theater grace spread your wings and let tonight be the night you soar!" I watched Darbus finish and I couldn't help but shuffle a chuckle and if I'm not mistaken I heard a faint giggle as well. I smiled at Kelsi as she walked over and said

"I couldn't help myself that speech was probably one of the top five craziest things she's done."

And so the night began…

K: Three bows and a bouquet of wildflowers from dad (I always did hate roses too cliché) later I was feeling light as air. The play was over and I was shaking hands with all of Mrs. Darbus's composing buddies.

"Wonderful show Miss. Nelson loved the harmony and split couplets you made those actors sing. Grand idea" I smiled and blushed as Mr. Chopin, one of the Broadway directors, shook my hand.

"Thank-you" Was all I could say.

As people began filing out and the lights were beginning to shut off I stood on stage. My last show. True, there was the spring play but it wasn't enough time for me to write a brand new play. Mary Watson was taking the spring play. I cleaned my glasses off on my blouse and took in a shaky breath. There was only one light on now in the distances back stage a yellow light glowed. Lonely and alone.

I looked around the empty theater. No one. There was not one sound.

"…Hey" I heard a voice from behind. Turning I saw Ryan in the lonely light.

"Oh hello." I said still not moving from my place in center stage.

"It's over I suppose." I said not facing him but the empty crowd.

"What are you talking about? It's just begun!" Ryan leaped forward to me. "Look!" He said "Look at your future unfold those guys loved you! You're going to college to study music and your going to light up the world… you and your piano"

I slowly searched for his hand and found it warm and safe against my cool one.

"…Hey listen-" I cut him off.

"Don't, don't ruin the moment." He stopped and held my hand tightly and I felt a very small tug at the corners of my lips. And there at the school theater late in the evening I found a new beginning standing on my stage. Next to my piano holding hands with my Evans.