So High School

1

"A new school year" Vania heard her best friend say as they walked into East High. "I know Ash, we have been here before" Vania teases looking at Ashlyn. "Some are a bit longer than others," Ashlyn replied, nudging Vania. "Just by a year,"  Vania answered, getting to her locker. Ashlyn stopped next to her locker to open hers. "Well a year is a year" Ashlyn stated.

"Anyways, have you given any thought about what we talked about?" Ashlyn asked hopeful "I have and it's going to be a big no from me" Vania answered, closing her locker, leaning on it. "What? Why?" Ashlyn asks. "Cause everytime that I audition for a play. I got put in the ensemble. So I will just accept my part gracefully. " Vania replied

Ashlyn was about to speak when the school speaker rang out. "Good morning, students. Please make your way to the gym for our annual back-to-school kickoff" Vania smiled and held out her hand for Ashlyn to take. Which she did but not before letting out a huff. Both girls made their way when EJ walked up to them. "Hello ladies" He sing out, walking next to them.

Ashlyn looked at Vania in pity but Vania just shook her head. Vania grew up with the Caswells. Well more like she lives next to Ashlyn and since they were little, they have been friends. EJ came around all the time and became friends with Vania as well. No surprise, when Vania started to have a crush on EJ.

Until this summer, Vania didn't have hope that EJ would have feelings for her, which she was fine with but apparently Ashlyn talked with EJ and found out that he might've also had feelings for Vania. So Vania was building up nerve to ask EJ out but two days before he was set to come back from camp. He was gushing to Ashlyn and Vania about his new girlfriend.

"Are we excited for yet another school year?" EJ asked, putting an arm around Ashlyn. "Oh yeah, school work does it for me," Ashlyn said in a monotone. Vania just giggled at her friend's words. "And let's not forget the oh so amazing school food" Ashlyn piped up, rolling her eyes.

EJ held the gym door for them, Ashlyn and Vania walked in swiftly sitting down in the bleachers. "I'm sorry" Ashlyn apologized, looking guilty. "What for? There's nothing to apologize for." Vania shrugs, looking towards the front "I gave you hopes and then-" Ashlyn began but Vania stopped her. "Trust me Ash, you know me better than anyone. My hopes weren't that high. Remember? I always expect the worst."

Ashlyn just sighed and looped their arms together. "I'm sorry again about your grandma" Ashlyn whispered, "It's fine, she's going to get better. It's just cancer. She has been beaten before, remember," Vania said but it sounded like she was trying to convince herself as well.

The principal came to the podium. He started to state his rules and what rules are changing. "And I am also pleased to announce that this year seniors will be allowed to wear baseball hats on Fridays" Principal Gutierrez stated. Ashlyn and Vania shared a look, trying to hold their laughs.

"And now for a special introduction This year, East High has a new drama teacher with an announcement that she swore in writing, would not cost too much money" Mr.Gutierrez gave the podium to the new drama teacher.  "Please hold your applause" she said before grabbing a launcher from the podium before launching a shirt to the student next to them. "Go, Wildcats!"

She walked to grab the mic "My name is Ms. Jenn and when I heard that the high school where High School Musical was shot had never staged a production of High School Musical, the musical I was shocked as an actress inspired as a director and triggered as a millennial. Auditions are tomorrow after school. This show could change your lives and I'm saying this as a background dancer from the original movie Third from the left back row, red headband and those are my real teeth so... Oh, and meet your student choreographer, Carlos You know him as captain of the color guard I know him as an unpaid rising star"

The bell rang, making everyone get up and started to walk to their classes. "Come on, new teacher. That means a new set of eyes. " Ashlyn said , walking out of the gym. "Ashlyn, I just don't have the skill set to be the lead." Vania replied. "Now that's a lie. You do and I have heard it" Ashlyn stopped, making Vania stop as well. "Ash, I say that I will audition. Will you let me go to my class" Vania said. "Yes," Ashlyn smiled. "Fine, I will give it a shot," Vania said , before running to class. Ashlyn cheered, before making her way to her own class.

_________________________________________

The next day got Ashlyn doing the warm up and Vania standing off to the side watching them in amaze. Once the music was done, Vania heard Carlos say, "Great! That's it for the warm-up"

Vania looked at Ashlyn with fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry, that was the warm up" she whispered to Ashlyn. "Don't sweat it. You will be fine." "Everyone, pair up not with a friend. Theater is a community" Ashlyn quickly finds her partner. Vania started to panic, just thinking that she needed to find a partner."Hey, do you want to be my partner?"  Seb walked up to Vania. She knew him but just from afar.  "I would love that" Vania sighed out of relief.  They quickly walk out to the stage.

After doing another warm up. Miss Jenn had some students line up to do some reading. She walked up to Vania. "You are giving major Taylor vibes" She said, smiling at Vania before walking to the next student. Carlos quickly gave her the Taylor script. Vania looked over to Ashlyn and she gave Vania a wink.

Miss Jenn then turns to Ashlyn. "You're giving me uncommon depth. Ms. Darbus?" "I'm dying, I'm deceased, yes" Ashlyn nod happily.  "Oh, your application says you play piano?" Miss Jenn asked. "I dabble," Ashlyn replied, Vania smirked, knowing that Ashlyn was amazing at the piano.

"You ever written a song?" Miss Jenn questioned. "I mean, nothing I've ever shared with anyone" Ashlyn answered shocked. " I always thought the drama teacher should have an Act Two power ballad We'll sidebar," Miss Jenn whispered before turning to the others in line. 

Ashlyn slowly turns to Vania in shock. Vania returns to the wink from before. It feels like something might change like Ashlyn mentioned in lunch.