Starburst

Chapter 4: Here Comes the Rejected Love Interest

Welcome back to May's installment of 'Starburst'. In this chapter, it's Nini's turn to audition and Ricky gatecrashing. What could possibly go wrong?

Disclaimer: I do not own 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' or Ten from "Weightless". Ten and Jeonghan belong to my friend @zealous_light. I only own my original characters. Enjoy the chapter.

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After a long round of Troy auditions, it is time for the Gabriellas.

A couple of girls were really talented and could easily fit the role. Even Number One-I mean Gina pulled off an impressive audition and wowed everyone with her singing.

A while later, it was finally Nini's turn. And EJ was giving words of encouragement to his girlfriend before she went up.

"Ok, I could really use some last-minute tips. Like right now." Nini turned to her boyfriend for help. But she was speaking in some accent.

"Hey, you're doing the thing now." EJ noticed.

"What thing?" Nini questioned, not noticing her behavior.

"The thing you talk in a vague British accent when you're nervous." EJ pointed out.

"Babe, why am I so awkward?" Nini groaned, leaning close to EJ's chest.

Cress is pretty sure EJ finds Nini's nervousness as adorable, but decides Nini is already nervous enough as it is to embarrass her boyfriend in front of company.

"Listen to me: you got this. Alright? There is nothing for you to be nervous about. You went on this summer for the lead role with 20 minutes notice. You didn't miss a beat. And you did that yourself. You've got this." EJ started giving his words of encouragement and reassurance to his girlfriend.

Aww, this is sweet. EJ is unnervingly sweet whenever he's dating someone. The guy's a romantic. But then again there's only a certain amount of mushiness Cress can handle.

"He is such a hopeless romantic." Cress muttered over to Ten.

"Definitely." Ten nodded. When EJ had a rebound crush on Cress back in their freshman year, the guy had this whole 20 minute imaginary 'falling in love montage' that is mostly French romance films and K-drama inspired.

"I really appreciate..." Nini smiled, before realizing "Oh my god, I'm doing it again."

"Yeah you are. A total weirdo." EJ jokingly agreed. "And a hundred percent real. And that's why I love you."

"Don't worry, Nini. You'll do great." Ten chimed in.

"Yeah, good luck out there!" Cress agreed with Ten.

"Any intel on her?" Miss Jenn asked Carlos.

"Nini Salazar-Roberts. Harmless chorus girl. Usually plays farm animals and trees." Carlos replied.

"Ok Nini. Whenever you're ready." Miss Jenn told the girl.

Nini took in a deep breath, and prepared herself to sing.

All of a sudden the doors swung open and an obnoxious voice called out.

"Am I too late? Am I too late?"

That voice. Something about that voice makes Cress instinctively ball her hands into tight fists. That is the MOST annoying voice she has ever heard in her life.

"Whomst the frock is that rakefire?" Cress asked out loud, her face obviously scrunching up in disdain and disgust. She didn't even BOTHERED to look back at the party-crasher. Because that's how irritating the voice is.