Starburst

Chapter 3: The Triple Troy-Outs

Or how she can rush into relationships without thinking ahead...and then have Ten and EJ break up with her exes for her. Ten has a delicate way of breaking news to said exes gently. EJ...well, he's more direct and likes to poke some fun into it.

Cress went forward to collect a number it was rather last-minute. But better be on-time than late.

"Cress, you don't have to do this." Ten pointed out.

"Oh, but I want to. What's the point of going through the entire senior year if I don't get to share the spotlight with my two best friends?" Cress assured Ten, as she attached her number onto her shirt.

Ten was pretty sure this was Cress's bizarre way of assuring he won't ever be left alone or uncomfortable. He appreciated the gesture though...

"Look, when I was a kid watching High School Musical, I couldn't decide which character I liked best. The beauty of bisexuality, everyone's hot." Cress added.

"You're just auditioning to make every other homophobic parents mad if Miss Jenn decided to go for a Sapphic Troy and Gabriella." The stage manager, Natalie Bagley snorted a little.

"Guilty as charged." Cress winked as she made finger guns at her friend, earning a few chuckles from the other auditionees. She glanced over and saw that even Ten was holding back a tiny smile.

Welp, at least she managed to make her friend a bit at ease.

"You're gonna do great, Ten. You as well, Cress." Nini tried to provide some words of encouragement to EJ's friends, mostly at Ten.

"Could you even remember all the lines considering you decided to join at the very last minute?" EJ asked.

"You made me run some lines with you last night over the phone, I think we're good." Cress shrugged, "I have a good memory."

"Lies, you can barely remember the names of the Founding Fathers. And Ten had to help you memorize them in a different way." EJ shook his head.

She called them 'Geography Washing-Machine', 'Alexander Hamburger', 'Thomas the Jet Engine' and 'Benjamin Frankenstein'.

"I have a more...selective memory." Cress replied defensively.

"Ok theater people, let's do this!" Miss Jenn knocked on the door and announced.

And what happens next is what Ten could only describe as a human stampede of students rushing outside to the auditorium.

"A 5-6-7-8!" They all heard Miss Jenn announcing from outside.

Outside, a line of dancers were rehearsing some dance moves. One particular student stands out, and that was the girl with the 'Number 1' label. She radiates an aura of confidence and has a very strong presence on stage.

"Huh, I haven't seen her around before." Cress muttered under her breath. And since she's someone who is too curious for her own good, she's making it her mission to find out more about this new girl.

"Great! That's it for warm up." Carlos announced, as the dancers took a short break.

"That was the warm up?" Nini voiced out in a worried tone.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do fine." Ten assured the younger girl.

"Everyone, pair up. Not with a friend. Theater is a community." Miss Jenn declared.

Unfortunately for Miss Jenn, Cress basically knew almost everyone in the theater club. Save for Number One. And some of the new freshmen.

Also unfortunately for Ten, he tried to subtly hint to pair up with one of his two best friends but they're gone to socialize now.