Maybe you don't like talking too much about yourself
But you should've told me that you were thinkin' 'bout someone else

Soul heard a light knock on her door, causing her to look up to see Sarah with a small smile.

"Hey." Sarah said, walking in as she quietly closed the door behind her before taking a seat on the girl's bed.

"Hey! What's up?" Soul asked, turning around to face the girl.

"I hope you know I'm not trying to force you into trying out for the musical. I just thought-." Sarah started but was cut.

"No. No, yeah I know you're not trying to force me. I'm doing it because I want to." Soul explained, shrugging her shoulders, causing Sarah to smile at her. "I've been thinking it's been a while since I've been in a show so why not do it."

"Well, I'm so excited!" Sarah cheered, causing both girls to chuckle. "But seriously I'm so proud of you for doing this. I know it's probably hard you know without..."

"Yeah..." Soul said, trailing off before smiling at her sister. " But it's okay. Besides, I'm really excited to be doing it, especially since it's HSM."

"Yeah, I know it's going to be great." Sarah said, nodding her head, before the room went silent for a minute before Sarah spoke up again. "So, what were you playing? It sounded good."

"Oh. Thanks, it's just a song I've been messing around with." Soul explained, causing Sarah to nod. "I don't know, I might just scrape it."

"Hey, don't give up. You never know, inspiration is everywhere." Sarah said standing up and on cue, Soul's phone began ringing. "Who knows. That might be the inspiration calling you now."

"Hey Sarah." Soul called before her sister could step fully out of the door. "Thanks."

"Always." Sarah said, sending one more smile before closing the door behind her.

Soul picked up her phone to see a missed call from Ricky along with a voicemail. Soul played the message as she placed it to her ear.

"Hey, Soul it's uh me Ricky... I guess you know that unless you deleted my number which I totally understand if you did... Um anyway how's it going? How are you? I probably sound like a jerk asking that. Anyways, I was just calling to say it was good to see you and everything... I'll just get to the point... Soul I really do miss you and you know what we had and our friendship meant everything to me... It means everything to me. What I'm trying to say is you always got me and always knew what to say to me when I needed to hear it and this whole Nini situation is just getting to me and I could really use your help. Just call me back when you can. Alright bye."

Soul let out a small scoff, she couldn't believe that the boy she used to consider her best friend called her about helping him with a relationship that 'ended two of her most important friendships.

You're drunk at a party or maybe it's just that your car broke down
Your phone's been off for a couple months, so you're calling me now

....

"People! Make sure your audition number is clearly visible on your clothes." Carlos said, making his way into the dressing room. "This isn't a game."

Soul was sitting in the dressing room as she looked at herself in the mirror as Sarah sat beside her as she talked to Seb, Soul quickly looked down to see her number sitting on her visibly.

🎥
Soul, East High Junior
It's the number three. It has always been my lucky number since I was born. I was born in the 3rd month on the 3rd day and I'm the 3rd born.
🎥

"Hey," Sarah said, softly touching her sister's hand, causing her to snap out of her daze as she looked over. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, everything's fine." Soul said, nodding her head, sending her sister a small smile, causing her to nod before she turned back to Seb as Soul quickly stood up to stretch.

"Okay, theater people!" Miss Jenn said, gaining everyone's attention as clapped. "Let's do this."

That caused everyone to cheer before they started following Miss Jenn out of the room as Soul felt Sarah pull her out of the room in the midst of everyone.

As Soul and Sarah stopped at the side stage they saw Sully, causing Soul to send him a big smile.

"Come on Soul!" Carlos said, grabbing the girl's arm as he pulled her onto the stage where the dancers were stretching, pushing into the front and center spot right beside Gina, causing the two to send each other smiles. "Okay, I'm going to show you a simple warm up and copy it back to me okay."

Not waiting for anything back, Carlos quickly jumped into action and Soul easily realized what it was.

🎥
Soul, East High Junior
''He's doing the warmups Miss K taught us to do before every performance. (chuckles) of course."
🎥

"A five, six, seven, eight!" Carlos called out, causing all of the dancers to quickly start. "Yes! Come on, One and Three! Great! That's it for the warm-up."

Soul turned to Gina with an impressed face. "I must say, those high kicks of yours are pretty great!"

"Yeah? What about your everything?" Gina asked, causing both girls to chuckle. "Have you been dancing a long time?"

"Yeah, ever since I could stand but this is the first time I really went all out in almost 2 years." Soul said, nodding her head. "I'm guessing you have too."

"I mean here and there." Gina said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Everyone, pair up." Miss Jenn said, causing Soul and Gina to look at each other with small smiles before Miss Jenn quickly added. "Not with a friend. Theater is a community."

Soul watched as Gina stood back up as she came face to face with Nini, that was Soul's sign to find someone.

As she turned around she walked right into someone, causing her to quickly let out a gasp.

"I'm so sorry!" Soul quickly apologized, looking up to see EJ Caswell. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"It's all good." EJ said, shaking his head with a smile, causing her to send one back. "You're Souline, right? Sam and Sarah's sister."

"I prefer Soul, but that would be me." Soul said, nodding her head, letting out a little chuckle. "And you're EJ. Sam's fellow water polo team captain."

"Guilty." EJ said, causing both to chuckle as Soul noticed almost everyone was paired up.

"So do you want to be partners?" EJ asked. "Unless you already had one."

"No, no. I don't." Soul said, shaking her head. "Sure, I'll be your partner."

"And we're back." Miss Jenn said, causing everyone to turn and face her.

...

Everyone was lined up as Miss Jenn was walking around assigning people parts she thought they would be great for.

Soul was standing between Sarah and Ashlyn as Miss Jenn made her way to Sarah as she looked her up and down once before turning to Carlos.

"Who are we kidding? Give her the Sharpay stuff." Miss Jenn said, causing Carlos to give her a bright pink packet as Miss Jenn stepped in front of Soul as she looked her up and down before humming as she turned to whisper to Carlos.

Soul quickly looked over to her sister with a confused face, causing Sarah to shrug as Soul turned just as Miss Jenn turned back towards her.

"You have me stumped... I've never been stumped. You're giving me a mix of many. Kelsi, Martha, even Ms Gabriella." Miss Jenn explained as Carlos eagerly nodded behind her, causing Soul to slowly nod. "So who would you like to read for?"

"Uh, I'll read for Kelsi." Soul said, causing Miss Jenn to smile.

"Yes." Miss Jenn said, snapping her fingers, holding her hand out causing Carlos to give her a yellow packet before she handed it over. "I feel extra confident in your choice."

Before Soul had the chance to respond she moved to Ashlyn as Carlos sent her a supportive smile, causing her to send one back before she smiled over at her sister.

"I'm so excited, you're going to kill it as Kelsi." Sarah said, smiling over at her sister.

"Me. You are going to be an amazing Sharpay!" Soul said.

"Yeah, that's if Seb doesn't get it." Sarah said, causing the two sisters to look at the end of the line to see Carlos handing the blonde boy the bright pink packet that was identical to the one in Sarah's hand.

...

"Okay, our last Troy." Miss Jenn called as EJ stands center stage. "And he comes with props! Love it. Whenever you're ready."

Everyone was gathered on the ground of the stage as they watched EJ perform and then the girls who were trying out for Gabriella.

Soul was taken back by Gina's voice; she was honestly a triple threat.

Finally it was Nini's turn to go but before she had the chance to start the sound of the auditorium doors swung up as Ricky Bowen came running in very late, causing everyone to turn and look at the door.

"Am I too late?" Ricky questioned, rushing down the aisle of the auditorium seats.

"We're all set on Troys. We're low on Chads." Miss Jenn said as Ricky made his way up the stairs leading to the stage. "You can read after the Gabriellas."

"I only studied the Troy scenes in the movie." Ricky explained.

"Troy would have arrived on time." Carlos said, causing Soul and Sarah to raise their eyebrows at each other.

"Okay, Nini, l let's try this again."
Miss Jenn said, taking her eyes off the redheaded boy and back to the brunette that stood center stage.

"You got this, babe! Who!" EJ cheered loudly.

The sound of crackling was heard before the lights in the auditorium went off.

"Nobody panic!" Miss Jenn quickly said. "Nini, let's wait for the lights to come back on. I don't want this to throw you."

"I'm not thrown." Nini stated as she started singing Start of something new.

Ricky rushed up to the girl as turned on his camera flashlight, pointing it at her before EJ quickly stood up from him spot on the stage, copying Ricky's action.

As she finished the sound of crackling was once again heard before the lights came back on.

"Okay. Well, thank you, Nini. I only needed 32 bars, but I appreciate your commitment." Miss Jenn said, turning to look at Ricky. "You, late boy. Let's do the Chad side."

As Ricky made his way to center stage him and Nini made eye contact but she looked away as she took a seat beside EJ.

After Ricky attempted to read the Chad lines it was time for him to sing a song and he chose to sing the song Nini wrote for him before their break.

"Okay! Lastly we have Kelsi and we only have one trying out and that would be Soul. Soul, dear." Miss Jenn called, causing the girl to glance over at her sister before she stood from her seat and made her way towards center stage, avoiding eye contact with Ricky as he watched her walk by.

"What should I know?" Miss Jenn said quietly to Carlos, looking over at the boy.

"Souline Walker but prefers you to call her Soul. Has been dancing since she was 3 and has been singing and acting since she was 5 but stopped everything suddenly almost a year ago. She also writes her own music." Carlos said, quickly listing simple facts about one of his close friends.

"I was actually planning on singing an original if that's okay." Soul explained, causing Miss Jenn to nod.

"Of course, whenever you're ready!" Miss Jenn said, causing the girl to nod.

I know you, you're like this
When things don't go your way you needed me to fix it
And like me, I did
But I ran out of every reason

Now suddenly you're asking for it back
Could you tell me, where'd you get the nerve?
Yeah, you could say you miss all that we had
But I don't really care how bad it hurts
When you broke me first
You broke me first

What did you think would happen?
What did you think would happen?
I'll never let you have it
What did you think would happen?

Now suddenly you're asking for it back
Could you tell me, where'd you get the nerve?
Yeah, you could say you miss all that we had
But I don't really care how bad it hurts
When you broke me first
You broke me first

Everyone started clapping for the girl, causing Soul to smile at the group.

"Wow." Miss Jenn said, looking over at Carlos, causing him to nod in response. "Great job, Soul. Alright everyone let's break!"

...

Soul made her way down the hallway with Sarah by her side as she freaked out.

"I mean he was just as good, meaning he could have just as easily gotten the role of Sharpay and so if he got the part where would that leave me?" Sarah questioned, quickly speaking to her sister, stressing out. "Besides, who has ever heard of posting the cast list the day of auditions, it's just never heard of."

"Are you done now?" Soul asked, chuckling a bit of a moment of silence.

"Yeah, sorry." Sarah said, sending her sister a small smile. "You know I start to ramble when I'm nervous."

"No need to be sorry and besides you did amazing and even if you didn't get the role I'm sure you got something. I mean you are too great not to have gotten a part." Soul said, causing Sarah to nod. "The cast list thing, it's common in some theaters especially when the one casting knows exactly what they are looking for."

"Clear!" Carlos called, making his way through the hall with everyone following behind him.

That caused Sarah to happily squeal as she grabbed her sister's arm as she dragged her along with the rest of the people who auditioned, stopping as they read over the board.

Cast List

Troy Bolton . . . . . . . Ricky Bowen
Troy Understudy . . . . . . E.J. Caswell
Gabriella Montez. . . Nina Salazar-Roberts
Gabriella Understudy . . . Gina Porter
Chad Danforth. . . . . . . . E.J. Caswell
Sharpay Evans. . . . Seb Matthew-Smith
Taylor McKessie. . . . . Gina Porter
Ms. Darbus . . . . . . . . Ashlyn Caswell
Ryan Evans . . . . . . . Sarah Walker
Kelsi Nielsen . . . . . . . . Souline Walker
Coach Bolton  . . . . . . . Andy Boniferro
Zeke Baylor  . . . . . . . . Benji Muto
Martha Cox . . . . . . . . Emi Alex Tsas