"Sarah, I'm leaving. Are you sure you don't want to come along?" Soul asked, stopping in her sister's doorway to see a room filled with boxes. "Have a little fun with friends before you leave?"

"No, I should probably get some rest before tomorrow." Sarah said, sending a smile as the sound of a car horn beeps from outside. "Is that EJ?"

"Carlos and Seb," Soul said, shaking her head. "EJ had to do some volunteer work at the soup kitchen with the water polo guys."

"That's why Sam didn't respond when I called for him," Sarah said, causing them both to laugh as another honk rang out. "Go, have fun. Send everyone my love."

"I will! I'll see you later," Soul said, smiling once more before heading downstairs, seeing her brother and his friends all around the living room table playing a game. Soul grabbing her coat, putting it on, making her way to the group. "Hey, guys! How's the campaign going?"

"We're being attacked by the Demogorgon!" Wyatt exclaimed.

"You guys better use the fireball!" Soul said, chuckling as she kissed all of their heads before heading to the door. "I'm off. Love you all! Tell me how it ends when I get back. Bye, Mom!"

"Bye Soul!" They all yelled to the girl as she made her way out the door and to the car.

"Well don't you both look sharp!" Soul complimented the two, sliding into the backseat of the car.

"As do you, Miss Walker," Carlos said, sending the girl a quick smile before taking off to Ashlyn's house.

"The party may begin!" Carlos exclaimed, happily, making their way into Ashlyn's house.

"Happy New Year!" Ashlyn said excitedly, coming down the stairs, bringing Seb and Carlos into a group hug. "My couple goals! Oh! In the softest clothes, I've ever felt."

"Yeah, try sitting in a car with them," Soul said, jokingly rolling her eyes, hugging Ash. "But she's right you guys are literally wearing clouds."

"They were a gift from Carlos," Seb explained.

"I was thinking, What's the opposite of an ugly sweater party?" Carlos said, leaning into Seb. "And then I conjured these."

"Were we supposed to dress in ugly sweaters?" Soul asked, looking at them with wide eyes. "Because if so no one informed me."

"No you're fine, besides this outfit is serving its purpose," Ashlyn said, looking at Soul's outfit with a smile. "You look incredible!"

"Those thigh highs are definitely to die for," Seb said, pointing to the heeled boots she was wearing.

"Why thank you," Soul said, bowing as she giggled. "You also look amazing as always, Miss Caswell."

"Exactly, can we talk about the fact that you are literally a vision in Uggs." Carlos said gushing, over Ashlyn's shoe choice. "I wish I was brave enough to dress comfortably for a party. What?"

"Kourtney came over and did me and Gina in a 2007 theme," Ashlyn explained, causing Seb and Soul to turn to Carlos.

"Say nothing," Carlos said to both of them. "2007 is a very ironic and on-point theme for reasons that I'm not at liberty to disclose until midnight."

"It's because we're doing High School Musical 2, right?" Gina asked, coming down the stairs.

"Gina! Look at you!" Soul explained, causing her to strike a pose before rushing down the stairs to wrap her best friend into a hug as Kourtney came down the stairs behind her. "If I knew Kourtney was here working her magic I would have come early."

"Me?! Look at you!" Gina said, letting go of the girl as she looked at her outfit.

"Stop," Soul said, shaking her head, hugging Kourtney next. "Hey, Kourt! Looking fabulous as always, my Queen!"

"Girl, look at you," Kourtney said, holding the girl's arms out looking down at the outfit. "This is definitely in my top 3 outfits worn by Soul."

"Wait... What? How do you guys know? Did Miss Jenn tell you?" Carlos questioned.

"Sweetie, use your inside voice," Seb said softly to his boyfriend.

"I'm Mexican and gay, this is my inside voice!" Carlos exclaimed, causing them all to laugh.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm 100 percent down for HSM 2 but we all know how spontaneous Miss Jenn can be," Soul explains.

"I mean why wouldn't we do HSM 2?" Kourtney questioned. "Our HSM was instantly legendary, and we already have the cast and half the costumes. Well besides Sarah."

"Who sends her love!" Soul added.

"Man, I was so excited to hold that secret over everybody's head," Carlos said, sarcastically, causing everyone to laugh once again.

"Fill these out," Kourtney said, handing over a strip of paper to the three newcomers.

"What are these for?" Soul questioned, grabbing it, looking on the front and back, noticing it was blank.

"Ooh, is this truth or dare?" Seb asked, excitedly.

"No, it's better. Write down your resolutions for the New Year." Kourtney explained. "We're playin' a game later."

Soul walked with Kourtney into the other room, leaving Carlos and Seb by the door.

The party was in full swing when EJ walked into the back door that was connected to the kitchen.

"Look EJ's here," Gina said, bumping Soul's shoulder, getting her attention as they talked to some of the dancers.

"I'm gonna go talk to him, I'll be back," Soul said, sending them all a smile as she approached EJ as Ashlyn was leaving. "Wow, I don't see you for 2 weeks and you decide to grow a beard."

"Soul, hey!" EJ said, wrapping the girl into a tight hug. "You look really nice tonight."

"Really?" Soul said, looking down at what she was wearing; a long sleeve black sheer top under a plaid bodycon dress and her black thigh high heels. "Why thank you. You like nice too. How was volunteering at the soup kitchen?"

"It went great actually! It's a lot better than posting every moment of my life on social media that's for sure." EJ said, causing them both to laugh.

"That's right, you're on social media break. I wish I had the guts." Soul said before pointing to where everyone was. "Are you coming in?"

"Yeah. I'm just taking it all in." EJ explained, causing Soul to give him a smile as she looked back at the group before turning back to him. "Not to be like your stereotypical second-semester senior, but starting to realize every day is the last time I'm doing stuff with you guys."

"Aw, that's actually really sweet! It's also really cute that you think you're getting rid of me that easily," Soul said, causing them both to chuckle.

"It's weird. You literally look so young to me now," EJ said.

"I honestly think the facial hair is getting to your head," Soul said, chuckling. "But you know what, I'll just take it as a compliment."

"I might grow it out," EJ explained. "Depends on what musical we're doing. Jean Valjean isn't Jean Valjean without facial hair."

"Do you seriously think we're going to do a show set during the economic depression about a man imprisoned after doing a musical about high school students who sing whenever?" Soul asked her friend with a serious face. "I mean I'm all about change but seriously EJ?"

"Wait, have you seriously not heard what musical we're doing?" Gina asked, gaining their attention.

"No. Was it announced?" EJ asked, confused.

"Nobody says anything!" Carlos exclaimed, standing from his spot on the couch as EJ looked around at everyone for help before turning to Soul.

"Sorry, my lips are sealed," Soul said, pretending to zip her mouth closed, locking it before throwing away the key before walking away from the boy, taking a seat on the couch as he followed behind her after taking off his coat as Gina sat on the edge beside her.

"I'm not gonna stop, that's who I am. I'll give it all I got, that is my plan. Will I find what I lost." Ricky sang, walking into the house with Nini right behind him. "You can bet on me."

"Alright, Ricky," EJ said, causing everyone to clap as he finished his rendition of Bet On It.

"Okay, okay, okay! Does anybody not know we're doing High School Musical 2?" Carlos asked, standing from his spot.

"We are? Whoo-hoo!" EJ cheered, causing Carlos to fall back onto the couch in defeat.

"Are we even 100 percent sure, it's going to be HSM2?" Soul asked the cast. "I'm just asking who has ever heard of school putting on sequels right after each other? It's unheard of."

Soul felt eyes on her as she turned to see Ricky looking not at her but at Gina as she watched Gina quickly stand up from beside her.

"I'm getting a root beer. Does anyone want anything?" Gina offered, looking around the group around the couch.

"I'm okay. Thank you." Ashlyn said, declining the offer.

"I honestly think we are soulmates because it's like you read my mind," Soul said, causing everyone to laugh. "I'll take one please."

"Coming right up," Gina said, laughing at the girl before making her way to the kitchen.

As Gina made her way back to the couch, Kourtney stepped up with a bowl full of papers.

"Okay, listen up. Rules of the game. This is important." Kourtney announced, gaining everyone's attention. "We need to set intentions and be accountable to one another this year."

"True that," Ashlyn said, agreeing with her.

"This is a terrible party," Natalie said, nodding her head.

"Hey, watch yourself. Okay," Kourtney said, letting out a giggle because of Natalie's comment. "All right, resolution one. Anyone's guess. I resolve to... This is so stupid. I can't."

"Come on, Kourt, you have to read it," Nini encouraged.

"I resolve to remember everybody fondly when I go to Duke," Kourtney read, causing Soul's head to quickly snap to EJ. "Any guesses?"

"EJ! You got into Duke?" Ashlyn asked her cousin happily.

"I mean, have I technically gotten 'into' Duke? Did my father and our grandpa before him also go to Duke? Guys, I think it's just a matter of time." EJ explained, doing a lot of air quotes.

"First, please stop with the air quotes, you look ridiculous," Soul said, pushing the boy's hands down, causing everyone to chuckle. "Second, anyone would be lucky to have you EJ, it's just a matter of time."

"Okay. Resolution number two." Kourtney said, pulling out another slip. "Oh, I don't get this one."

"Just read it!" Ricky urges the girl.

"This one doesn't say anything except the words 'My cows'," Kourtney read, showing everyone the paper.

"You guys, I thought we were writing down what we're thankful for," Seb said, confused, causing everyone to gush at the boy's adorableness.

"A for effort, Seb. A for effort," EJ said to the confused boy.

"Okay. Let's see what we got." Kourtney said, grabbing another paper from the bowl. "I resolve to follow my dreams, however far away they take me."

Soul's mind went directly to Nini and her assumptions were proven correct as Kourtney and Nini made eye contact before Nini looked around uncomfortably.

"That's gotta be Gina. Right?" Ricky said, looking over at the girl on the edge of the couch.

"Nope." Gina simply said, shaking her head. "Not me."

"Is it Nini?" Soul asked, looking directly at Nini, causing her neck to snap in her direction as she knew the girl in front of her knew.

"It is, actually," Nini said, awkwardly sending Soul a smile as she looked back at Ricky quickly before turning back to Kourtney. "Back to the game, Kourt."

"Okay, yes I will," Kourtney says, clearing her throat as she grabs another slip. "This one says... I resolve to find my truth. I want to go back to being the person I once was. I want to have a relationship with all those who have touched my life. I want to live my life full of oh well instead of what if."

"Is this one Gina's?" Seb asked, confused, causing the girl to shake her head in response as everyone looked around the room.

"Soul?" Nini questioned, turning to the brunette girl with a hopeful smile.

"It's got to be Soul," Ricky agreed with his girlfriend.

"That it is," Soul said, smiling at the group.

"What does the ending mean?" Ashlyn asked, causing everyone to look in the girl's direction.

"Well, do you know when you do something and all of a sudden you start thinking 'what if this, this, or this happens?" Soul explains, causing everyone to nod in agreement. "Well I remember when I first started auditioning for plays and musicals and I had my very first audition and I was sitting just there and all of a sudden I started thinking 'what if I forget the words, 'what if I fall and embarrass myself and everyone laughs at me' or 'what if I don't get a part'. I remember telling my dad and he said 'you can sit here with all these 'what ifs' and let fear run your life or you can go out there and try your best and if you don't make it, you can say 'oh well at least you tried'. Those words have stuck with me all my life. Then everything just fell apart at once and my mind started having all these thoughts again. I decided I didn't need any of that negative energy in my life anymore so it's time to get back to that person I was."

"That's honestly the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my life," Kourtney gushed, causing everyone to agree.

"Thanks, guys," Soul said, smiling at the group before turning back to Kourtney. "How about we do one more, Kourt."

"Yeah, okay," Kourtney said, sticking her hand into the bowl once more pulling out another slip. "All I want is for our generation to save the planet. And I would also like absolute clarity about my love life."

"This is yet another deep one, Soul is this one yours too?" Carlos jokingly asks, causing everyone to laugh.

"I have no love life," Soul said, shaking her head, looking around the room, trying to think of who it could be.

"Haha, who is it? Is it you?" Ashlyn said awkwardly laughing as she pointed at someone but before Soul could question her the sound of the doorbell ringing and entered Big Red.

"Six pizzas. Two with lactose-free cheese." Big Red said, walking over to the couch with pizzas in his hands.

"Yes. Thank you." EJ said, grabbing the boxes from the boy. "Good Lord, dude, did you fall into a bucket of cologne?"

Soul watched as Big Red quickly rushed out of the room with Ricky right on his tail, causing Soul to bump EJ's shoulder as she stood beside him right in front of the piano.

"What?" EJ asked, causing Soul to nod in the direction of Big Red with no words as her attention turned to Carlos.

"Remember, my feedback is both precious and invaluable," Carlos told the group. "So, think of this medley as a pre-audition workshop. You may begin."

Seb took a seat at the piano as he began to sing Fabulous.

it's out with the old

and in with the new

goodbye, clouds of gray

hello, skies of blue

a dip in the pool

a trip to the spa

endless days in my chaise

the world according to moi

i want fabulous

that is my simple request

all things fabulous

bigger and better and best

i need something inspiring

to help me get along

i need a little fabulous

Is that so wrong?

"Take it away, Soul," Carlos said, causing the girl to quickly take Seb's place at the piano as she started playing Everyday.

Everyday

Of our lives

Gonna find you there

Gonna hold on tight

Take my hand

Together we

Will celebrate

Oh, everyday

Soul smiled at EJ, motioning for him to join her.

we're taking it back

we're doing it here

together!

it's better like that

and stronger now

than ever!

we're not gonna lose

cause we get to choose

that's how it's gonna be!

Ashlyn joined Soul as she scooted over and continued playing the piano.

na na na na

na na na na

yeah

you are the music in me

you know the words

'once upon a time'

make you listen

there's a reason

"Come on roomie," Ash said, trying to get Gina to sing with her.

when you dream

there's a chance you'll find

a little laughter

or happy ever after

Soul felt a tap on her shoulder from Ricky, motioning for her to stop playing as he continued playing on his guitar as he sang with Nini.

you're a harmony

to the melody

echoing inside my head

a single voice (single voice)

above the noise

it's like a common thread

ooh, you're pulling me

when i hear my favorite song

i that we belong

oh, you are the music in me

yeah, it's living in all of us

it's brought us here because

you are the music in me

na, na, na, na

na, na, na, na

"One minute till midnight!" Natalie exclaimed to the group, causing everyone to cheer, snapping Ricky and Nini out of their world.

Everyone quickly gathered around on a circle as they hit around a beach ball as they sang All for one as Ashlyn went around handing out party horns.

everybody, all for one

our real summer has just begun

let's rock and roll, and just let go

feel the rhythm of the drums

we're gonna have fun in the sun

now that all the hard work

work is done

everybody one for all

and all for one

all for...

"Ten seconds till midnight!" Natalie announces as they all cheered.

"Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One-" Everyone screamed.

"I have an announcement!" Miss Jenn announces, walking into the house gaining everyone's attention.

"You cut your hair!" Carlos says, excitedly.

"Thank you. Wait, do you like it?" Miss Jenn questioned, causing the boy to nod. "That's not the announcement. Okay. Um... contrary to rumor, we are not doing High School Musical 2. We are doing an American classic. Beauty and the Beast." Miss Jenn announces, causing everyone to start chatting happily. "And I know East High just did it a couple of years ago. But you didn't do it my way. And you didn't win the most important award in all of theater."

"The Tony?" Gina asked in disbelief.

"The second most important award." Miss Jenn rephrases.

"The Drama Desk?" Seb asked, excitedly.

"Everyone, calm down! This semester, we are entering the Alan Menken Awards for High School Musical Theater." Miss Jenn announces. "And we are going to win."

"Um... That means beating North High, Miss Jenn." Carlos states. "They have a thousand-gallon Little Mermaid aquarium."

"Then we will have an aquarium, too." Miss Jenn says.

"In Beauty and the Beast?" Soul asked her drama teacher, confused. "There is no aquarium in Beauty and the Beast. There's barely any water."

"Okay, I need to study the text." Miss Jenn says. "So, who is ready to show the world they deserve to get that scholarship to NYU? I mean, who is ready to go from amateur thespians to statewide award winners?"

"What team?" Ricky calls out.

"Wildcats!"

"You've got to audition for Belle!" EJ said, turning to the girl beside him. "I mean come on, you know the entire film from beginning to end. Besides, who could play Belle better than you? Well Nini might be good too."

"It would be a dream come true to play Belle!" Soul gushed, watching Nini talk to the others nervously. "Besides, I don't think Nini would be the problem."

"Ricky, I'm moving to Denver," Nini announces, causing the entire room to go silent.

....