"We're here!" Soul happily spoke, entering the rehearsal room with her arms locked with Carter and Zak as Sully followed close behind. "I present to you, Zeke and Jason!"

"Welcome!" Miss Jenn greeted, making her way toward the group. "But before I can actually give you the part, I must hear you sing something from the show."

Zak and Carter shared a look before shrugging their shoulders.

[Zak, Carter, Both]
The way we play tonight
Is what we leave behind
It all comes down to right now, it's up to us
So what are we gonna be?
T-E-A-M, team!

Gotta work it out, turn it on, come on

This is the last time to get it right
This is the last chance to make it our night
We gotta show what we're all about
Work together
This is the last chance to make our mark
History will know who we are
This is the last game, so make it count
It's now or never

The group cheered and clapped for the boys, shocked at their voices.

"Wow, I did not expect that. Welcome to the show!" Miss Jenn declared, causing the boy's to smile at the woman. "Take any empty desk."

"Hi. I'm Emmy." Emmy beamed, approaching the group as she had her eyes locked on Zak.

"Hi, Emmy... I'm Zak and this is Carter." Zak introduced himself before gesturing to the boy beside him. "I'm guessing you're in the musical too?"

"Yup. Little Miss Emmy here is playing our Taylor." Soul said, placing her hand on the young girl's shoulder, causing her to smile from ear to ear.

"That's cool." Zak said, causing the girl to grin before skipping away to Miss Jenn. "She seems nice."

"Yeah, that's because she has a crush on you." Soul chuckled.

"Wait, what?" Zak panicked. "She does not have a crush on me? She just met me."

"Look at her." Sully said, causing the group to slowly turn to the girl who was already looking at the boy, sending him a finger wave, causing him to send her a small smile and wave before the group turned back. "She can't take her eyes off of you, dude."

"Yeah, she's crushing hard." Carter joked, causing the Walker siblings to chuckle as Zak glared at the boy.

"Haha." Zak sarcastically said before his face went serious. "Please don't tell Mara."

That caused the trio to burst into laughter.

"Gather around, Wildcats." Miss Jenn spoke, clapping her hands, gaining everyone's attention. "Since High School Musical 3 should have been tightened up in editing, for pacing,  we'll need to jump right into our table read. Even if we are short our leading lady. What's the word on the bird?"

"A source on the crew says that Gina's in hair and makeup, prepping for the big Miss Darbus scene." Emmy announced.

"Who's your source?" Carlos questioned impressed.

"Oh, Carlos, I can't reveal my sources." Emmy said, smirking at the boy.

"How does she know that?" Sully whispered to Soul.

"She knows everything." Soul whispered back, causing the three boys to look at her. "No literally, she knows everything. Sometimes it's scary."

"Noted." Zak said, sounding scared.

"I was prepared for this when I agreed to share Gina with the movie, and we will make this work." Miss Jenn reassured the cast.

"Okay, but can we just talk about how insane it is that the real Miss Darbus is gonna be walking these halls again?" Ashlyn geeked. "The halls where I once played Miss Darbus, and where, today, Miss Jenn takes over the role."

"You guys." Miss Jenn said, letting out a nervous chuckle. "Let's not get too excited. I am still a member of Actors' Equity,  and while I am willing to scab for this role, it means nobody can report me to the union!"

"Yes, mother!" Carlos promised, locking his lips and throwing away the key.

"Soul." Ricky said, causing the girl to turn and face the boy as he held up the place holder that read Chad Danforth with a giant smile, making her grin.

"Perfect, where should we put it?"  Soul asked, causing the pair to look around at the tables.

"There." Ricky said, stopping in front of Ashlyn, causing Ricky to cover Martha with Chad.

"Oh, you want me to read for Chad as well as Martha?" Ashlyn questioned, causing the duo to wordlessly share a look before turning back to Ashlyn. "I mean, sure, gender is a construct. Let's do this."

"Well, actually, there's..." Ricky started but was cut off.

"Sorry!" Kourtney exclaimed, racing into the room. "I'm here! I'm here. I was up late, working on 11 versions of my college essay. If a living legend like Dani can be fired after one day, nobody's future is safe, y'all."

"You're already working on college applications? Wait, when are college deadlines?" Ricky questioned, causing the girl beside him to shrug.

"Well, early admission is at Halloween, and the rest are soon." Kourtney explained. "Very soon."

Ricky didn't know how to respond as he made his way toward his seat.

"Babies... We should begin." Miss Jenn announced, causing everyone to take their seats as Soul slid into the desk between Carlos and an empty desk. "Again this script is 213 pages long, so..."

"Have you guys started?" Gina asked, rushing into the room, causing the group to compliment her outfit.

"Movie star, much?" Ashlyn called out. "Okay!"

"I thought you'd be doing fancy movie things." Miss Jenn spoke.

"We're on a two-hour hold 'cause Alyson Reed's flight is delayed, so that means..." Gina smiled as Ricky happily made his way up to the girl with her placeholder.

"You get to join the table read!" Ricky beamed. "I mean, you know, it's gonna be good for all of us to have a full cast."

"Well, no time to lose." Miss Jenn clapped, causing the couple to quickly sit down as Gina slid into the desk between Soul and Carter. "Hands. Hands, hands."

Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?

"Amen."

Thank you." Miss Jenn spoke before looking over at Gina. "Go ahead."

"Well I've never been asked to a prom, but this sounds like an invitation." Gina read, looking over at Ricky.

"Gabriella guides Troy to his outfit." Miss Jenn read the narrations. "The tension is fierce, but also appropriate for all audiences."

"This one." Gina spoke without even looking at the script anymore.

"Gabriella and Troy hold for a long beat." Miss Jenn read, looking up at the group. "We can speed through this, you guys. We'll be here all day... Oh, okay. Obey the stage direction. Very disciplined."

"Wow chemistry much?" Carlos spoke, looking beside him to Kourtney.

"I was about to say..." Kourtney eyed the pair, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I've never been to a dance, much less a prom, but I was hoping these might be a good start?" Ricky read, glancing over at Gina. "Do you think we're gonna have to waltz? 'Cause I have no idea how to do that."

"All I know is what my dad taught me when I was little. I'd stand on his toes, and he'd waltz me around the living room. Here. come here. I'll show you."

"What?"

"Come here!"

"We're on the roof!"

"Come here. You'll love it."

"Very good. We can skip the songs today, you guys." Miss Jenn spoke, waving her hands. "Let's just..."

Take my hand, take a breath
Pull me close and take one step
Keep your eyes locked on mine
And let the music be your guide
Won't you promise me? (Now won't you promise me)
That you'll never forget?
We'll keep dancin' (To keep dancin')
Wherever we go next

It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every stеp together
We just keep on gеttin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

Take my hand, I'll take the lead
And every turn will be safe with me
Don't be afraid, afraid to fall
You know I'll catch you through it all
And you can't keep us apart (Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
'Cause my heart is ('Cause my heart is) wherever you are

It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every stеp together
We just keep on gеttin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

Oh, no mountain's too high and no ocean's too wide
'Cause together or not, our dance won't stop
Let it rain, let it pour
What we have is worth fightin' for
You know I believe that we were meant to be, yeah

It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you (Like you)
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?

"Okay. For the record, I did not choreograph that, but... no notes." Carlos spoke impressed, causing the rest of the group to clap their hands as the couple took their seats.

"Agreed. Moving on." Miss Jenn spoke, glancing between Ricky and Soul with a smile. "Chad enters."

There was silence, causing Ricky to clear his throat, looking back at the door but there was still no movement. "Now, dude!"

Maddox and Jet appeared in the way, causing those who went to Camp Shallow Lake to cheer, quickly standing up.

"Oh, my god! Is this real life?" Kourtney asked in disbelief as she smiled at the new additions.

"Uh, guys, we heard from Ricky that you guys were short one very important Chad." Maddox said, placing her hand on Jett's shoulder.

"Not just any Chad. A low-energy, snarky little fella by the name of Jet." Ricky corrected, causing the group to chuckle.

"My boyfriend." Emmy, causing the group to look at the girl. "In the show."

"Weil, if it isn't my favorite cousin." Soul said, smiling at the pair, causing them to share a look before looking back at the girl.

"Which one?"

"Exactly." Soul said, causing them both to chuckle.

"Carrying on with the table read, now with the full cast." Miss Jenn spoke up, causing everyone to quickly make their way back to their seats.

"Go, Jet!"

"Yeah!"

"Copy, headed your way now. Okay, new deal." Maddox quickly stood up from her spot beside Sully. "They need Gina on set pronto and all Featured Extras in wardrobe now! So, everyone, follow me, stat!"

"Wait. I thought the extras weren't needed until next week?" Miss Jenn questioned as everyone began standing up from their seats.

"Yeah, Quinn decided to add students in the background of the Darbus scene." Maddox explained, quickly racing out of the room with the others as she led them to wardrobe. "Featured Backgrounds we're walking!"

...

The group was now all changed into different cliche high school students.

Ricky was the nerd, Ash goth girl, Carlos was a skater boy, Jet a football player, and Kourtney... Kourtney was colorful.

While Soul was dressed up in a light blue knitted matching sweater and skirt set with matching fuzzy platform heels.

"Come on in, backgrounds." Maddox said, leading the group into a decorated classroom, causing them to gasp as they look around the room. "Yes, this is a lifelike recreation of Miss Darbus' classroom, and, yes, I'm geeking out, too."

"Can we sit in any chair that we want?" Ricky excitedly asked.

"No, Math Nerd." Maddox said, getting serious. "This is a dictatorship, not a democracy."

"So it's just like home?" Jet questioned, causing Soul to chuckle.

"Richard, sit." Maddox snapped, pointing at the seat beside the window.

"Yes, ma'am. Or, copy." Ricky nervously said, quickly making his way to his seat.

"Faster. Goth girl?" Maddox smiled at the redhead, having her stand in the back between the desk with Carlos.

She then placed Kourtney right beside Ricky with Jet right in front of them with his back to the front of the room.

"Soul." Maddox called, waving the girl over. "You'll be sitting here and your prop."

"Got it." Soul said, taking the blue heart shaped fuzzy pen and notebook, sliding into the desk beside Jet that was on the side of the aisle from everyone else but still in the middle.

"Wow, Kourtney, you are very in character." Ricky spoke, watching the girl write in her notebook. "Do I need a notebook prop?"

"Oh, no, Ricky. This is not a prop. I'm writing eight college recommendation letters then I'm asking East High faculty to sigh, so..." Kourtney explained, causing Soul to raise an eyebrow.

"Wow."

"Wait, that's a thing that people can do?" Ricky asked.

"Is that- Is that even allowed?" Soul questioned, causing Kourtney to shrug her shoulders.

"All right! We're cross-shooting Background reactions while first team gets their coverage." Maddox exclaimed, waving her arm.

"In English this time." Soul said, causing the others to nod. "Jet, what language is she exactly speaking?"

"How To Bark Like a P.A. : 30 Weird Phrases to Shout Into a Walkie. She memorized it on the plane ride." Jet exposed, holding up the book, causing the girl to quickly snatch the book as she walked to the front of the group.

"How commanding." Ashlyn said, intrigued.

"All right. My Featured Extras, be big but not real. Animated but not exciting, totally appealing but completely forgettable in every way. You get it." Maddox mentioned. "And whatever you do, remember there is no speaking at all."

"Aye-aye, Captain Gadget." Ashlyn blurted, saluting at the girl. "No, starting now, I got it."

"All right. Hello, hello, hi." Quinn clapped, making her way into the room. "Now, I like to shoot the first rehearsal to see where the disasters might be, okay? So let's go. Let's go, people."

"Copy."

"Rolling, rolling." Maddox shouted, making her way out the room as Gina made her way toward the group, leaning on the desk Soul was sitting at.

"Hey, guys. I'm Alyson, call me Aly." Alyson Reed introduced her as she entered the front of the room. "No nerves today, all right? We got this."

"Scene 27, take one. Mark."

"Psst. You're a yes." Ricky whispered to Gina.

"What?" Gina whispered back.

"You weren't a maybe. You're a yes." Ricky whispered louder, causing Gina to grin before turning to face Soul, causing them to share a smile before quickly doing their handshake.

"You got this." Soul reassured the girl, causing her to nod, letting out a deep breath before she turned back around.

"Okay, it is gritty, it is dangerous, it is High School Musical 4 but it might as well be Kill Bill 3. Now for the record, I'm used to shooting a lot of takes. We might do this 50 times today. Okay? Thank you." Quinn's voice filled the room from the hallway. "And action."

"Hey, Bailey, can I talk to you about something?" 'Mack spoke his line.

"You know you can tell me about anything, Sam." Gina said, fully in character.

"I know, babe, but this is really hard for me to say."

"Babe, you're scaring me. What?"

"It's about Miss Darbus."

"Okay... Now I'm really scared."

"I just found out Miss Darbus doesn't have much longer... At East High. She's retiring."

"Sam, please tell me you're kidding. I don't know how to be at East High without Miss Darbus. When I came here as a sophomore, I didn't know anyone. I was totally lost and Miss Darbus made me feel found. She means so much to me." Gina started crying.

"She means so much to all of us. We're gonna get through this. Together."

Mack pulled the girl into a hug, causing the room to go quiet.

"Crying? Why is there crying?" 'Miss Darbus' questioned.

"I'm sorry, Miss Darbus. I just told Bailey you're retiring." Sam spoke. "I couldn't hold it in any longer."

"Attention, everyone! Please?" 'Miss Darbus' clapped, causing everyone to turn their attention to the woman as they quickly stood up. "What Sam just said is correct. I will be retiring at the end of this year, but what does retirement mean? Really? I prefer to think of it as we are going to be graduating joyfully and going off onto our next great adventures together."

"I'm not ready to say goodbye." 'Bailey' sadly spoke.

"In the theater, theater, there is never goodbye. It's an exit stage right. It's a kiss, kiss at the stage door. It's making sure you don't fall in love with your co-star, because what if you break up and then next week, you find you're cast in a bare-bones production of Romeo and Juliet." Miss Darbus reminisced. "Oh! The stories I could tell... Bailey, Sam, Math Nerd Boy, Skater Boi, Goth Girl, all of you. I am saddened as you are to be bidding adieu to my beloved East High.But a teacher, a true teacher, never really retires. She lives on, in you... In all of you.Wildcats forever."

"And cut!" Quinn exclaimed but Gina continued.

"Miss Darbus, can I hug you? I don't think I'm ever gonna be ready to say goodbye. What's so good about goodbye?" The girl cried.

"Oh, of course, my darling." 'Miss Darbus' said, pulling the girl into a tight hug.

"Please just hold me and make it make sense."

"Wow!" Ricky blurted out, causing everyone to turn to the boy.

"Cut!" Quinn exclaimed, marching into the room.

"Ricky!" Kourtney exclaimed, causing the boy to turn and face the wall.

"All right, you, wow boy." Quinn said, pointing at the curly haired boy. "God. You look like a photocopy of an American Eagle advertisement, so you're not officially fired yet. But don't tempt me. You're eliminated from the scene. All right, let's turn it around. We got it in one take."

"Sorry, Ricky. I'm gonna have to walk you off set." Maddox said, pushing the boy towards the door, causing him to nod, sending Gina two thumbs up before he left the room.

...

"All right featured backgrounds, that's a wrap for the day! Nice work." Quinn exclaimed before making her way out of the room.

Soul stood up from her seat, smoothing out her skirt before making her way towards Gina with a smile.

"Am I allowed to speak to you or do I need permission?" Soul teased, causing Gina to chuckle. "You did amazing, G. I mean one take on your first scene has to be some kind of record."

"I don't know about all that." Gina said, smiling at the girl. "Thank you though, I'm actually really glad you are here with me... it makes me less nervous having someone in my corner."

"We're all in your corner, G." Soul smiled lightly at the girl. "You're not alone in this."

"Gina, Quinn wants to see you." Maddox spoke, appearing beside the girl.

"Oh, okay." Gina nodded before looking back at Soul. "I'll see you later."

"Totally." Soul agreed, nodding her head, causing Gina to grin before she made her way out of the room as Maddox made her way to the back of the room.

"Souline Walker." A voice spoke, causing the girl to quickly turn around, coming face to face with Mack. "I must say I am impressed. A girl with such talent and fame, yet you still go to regular school."

"So you're stalking me now?" Soul jokingly asked, crossing her arms. "I don't know if I should be flattered or weirded out."

"Definitely flattered." Mack answered, causing the girl to let out a scoff. "Besides, I wouldn't call it stalking... More like learning about my co-star." Mack smirked.

"Yeah, sure and in your little research did you read the part where it said I have a boyfriend." Soul questioned.

"I must not have read that far." Mack smirked, causing the girl to roll her eyes as she turned around, making her way out the door. "I'll see you around, Soul."

"Oh, brother." Soul muttered to herself as she ignored the boy as she continued walking.

...

Soul was finally changed and back in her regular clothes.

She was on her way to find her cousins and brother when she noticed the curly haired boy pacing near craft services.

"Everything okay?" Soul asked, causing the boy to quickly turn around.

"Uh, yeah definitely." Ricky said, nodding his head with a fake smile. "Actually you know Gina pretty well, right?"

"I would hope so." Soul sarcastically said, smirking at the boy. "What's this about?"

"Did you know about Gina's schedule?" Ricky asked.

"Know what about it?" Soul shook her head, taking a seat on the nearby bench.

"Well I heard from Ashlyn, who heard from Maddox, who heard from Emmy that apparently her schedule for the movie is gonna be like insane." Ricky explained, causing the girl to nod. "Which means she might be too busy for the musical."

"Let's be serious, Ricky. This is Gina we're talking about. She will do anything in her power just to make sure she plays Gabriella in the musical." Soul stated, causing the boy to nod. "It's the one thing she's looked forward to doing since being at East High. She wouldn't let that opportunity pass her by."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Ricky agreed, taking a seat on the table, causing the girl to turn to him. 

"I know, I'm right." Soul said, causing them both to chuckle. "Hey random question. You wouldn't happen to have that list we made before Freshman year, would you?"

That's right the list. Yeah, I'm not sure." Ricky said, shrugging his shoulders. "I think Nini was the one who kept it."

"That's okay." Soul said, sending the boy a small smile. "It was just a random thought I had the other day."

The duo went silent before Soul stood up.

"Well I should get going. Make sure Maddox and Jet settle in." Soul said, putting her bag over her shoulder.

"Right. Thanks again for asking your mom on such short notice." Ricky mentioned, holding his hands together.

"Don't mention it. My mom's very excited to have a full house again." Soul chuckled.

"Quick question before you go? You wouldn't happen to know where I could get stuff to decorate a trailer quickly, would you?" Ricky asked, causing the girl to raise her eyebrow.

...