"Oh my god! I got it!" Casey exclaimed hugging Emily in front of the notice board displaying the cast list for the new school musical.
"Sandra Dee in Grease too. That's a good one." Emily said trying not to laugh at Casey.
She was spared as Derek came past with Sam laughing at Casey's excitement.
"I knew you were a shoe-in for Sandra Dee. But who got Danny Zuko?" Emily said glaring at her boyfriend and Derek as they went cackling past.
"Derek?!"
"Say what?!" Derek said doubling back and examining the board.
"You got Danny?" Sam laughed.
"You can't laugh sweetie, you got Kenickie." Emily fired back.
"I'm glad you got Rizzo, Em." Casey said slipping her arm through Emily's as they walked away leaving a dumbstruck Derek and Sam. "I'll need someone to stop me killing Derek."
"Can Derek sing?"
"No. Can't dance, can't sing, definitely can't act. I don't know why he's been cast as the lead."
"He's got the rebel act down though." Emily said looking back over her shoulder at him.
Casey looked too. "I can't believe I have to kiss him."
"And sing with him, and dance with him. And act like you're in love with him. Well, at least that part won't be hard to act."
"Hey, stop that." Casey said, quietly warning.
"Sorry." Emily said gently. Casey's crush was a vetoed subject.
"Think you can create all the attitude needed for Rizzo?"
Emily gave her friend a playfully scathing look. "Are you kidding? They practically invented attitude for me."
Casey laughed. "How am I going to cope with Derek as my romantic lead?"
"You never know. It could end happily."
"I appreciate your optimistic hope, but I can't be. This will all end in tears."
"Ah well, you're so right. But I wouldn't miss it for the world." Emily giggled.
A few days later the rehearsals started. Derek really was hopeless. Casey was excellent; but she was born to perform. Casey was begged to help Derek diligently and help him with all the songs and acting, at home in private.
But motivating him would require something phenomenal. And Casey had to find it fast.