The sound of knocking was heard from the girl's bedroom door, causing her to glance over her shoulder.

"Es, can I come in, sweetie?"

"Yeah, dad." Esme said, causing the door to creak open as the man's head peeked into the room.

"I was just trying on things for your show tonight and was wondering." Ernesto started, stepping into the room dressed in a tuxedo, causing the teenage girl to shake her head. "Too much?"

"Dad, it's a high school production, not a Brodway musical." Esme chuckled. "Also, you do also know I'm not in the musical, right? So, I'm not expecting you to be there."

"I know, but I want to be there. Besides, how else am I going to see all of the costumes you've been going on and on about?"

"Thanks dad."

"Now, I must go find something more appropriate." Ernesto said, placing a hand on his daughter's cheek, sending the girl a smile before dropping his hand.

"A nice shirt and some jeans will be just fine, Dad." Esme explained, causing the man to nod slowly.

"Nice shirt and jeans. Got it." Ernesto smiled. "Love you, sweetie."

"Love you too."

The man sent the girl one last smile before making his way toward the door.

"Hey, Mr. Ortiz." Zay and Lilly greeted as they passed the man.

"Zay, Lilly. How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Ernesto."

"Sorry, Ernesto." They apologized, sending the man a smile before he disappeared out the door.

"Hey, E." Lilly said, plopping down onto the girl's bed.

"Hey."

"Whatcha working on?" Zay asked, stepping up behind the girl, glancing over her shoulder. "Are you really working on your portfolio on a day like today?"

"I'm sorry. I just had two little smudges that needed to be done before my portfolio was completed."

"Ooo, let me see. Let me." Lilly gasped, rolling off the bed, rushing over to the girl, causing Esme to show her best friends the final piece.

"Wow."

"Esme, that's amazing." Zay said.

"Sups amazing! That school will totally say yes now." Lilly grinned, causing Esme and Zay to glane over at her. "Not that they weren't going to say yes before. It's just—I'm going to shut up now."

"Yeah, you do that."

"Thanks guys." Esme smiled, placing the closed sketchbook on her desk. "Now, who wants pizza?"

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

"We've got mystery flowers, people!" Carlos announced, carrying in a giant arrangement of flowers.

"Wow, those are massive." EJ said.

"Those are absolutely beautiful." Esme gushed, staring at the flowers.

"Yeah, probably absolutely expensive." Zay commented, causing Lilly and Esme to hit the boy's arms."I mean gorgeous."

"Why mystery?" Big Red asked.

"There was no card." Carlos explained. "So I'm guessing it's dealer's choice. But if I had to bet, I'd say it's for our leading lady."

"Aw." Nini said, placing her hand over her heart, quickly glancing at Ricky, causing Esme to get a weird feeling in her heart.

"Not from me." Ricky quickly denied. "Sorry."

Ricky's eyes quickly went over to Esme, sending her a smile only for her to send him a small one back before she looked away.

"There's definitely something still there, right?" Esme questioned quietly, looking at her friends. "Or am I just being paranoid?"

The duo glanced over at the ex-couple before looking back over at their love sick friend.

"Do you want the truth?" Lilly asked, causing Zay to bump shoulders with her. "I'm just yanking your chain, E. I think you're just making yourself paranoid. I'm sure whatever Ricky had going on with Nini is long gone."

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Esme breathed out, nodding her head as she began helping her friend with their final touches.

"Half hour!" Natalie called, causing people to begin cheering.

"Okay, last touches, anyone?" Kourtney shouted. "Speak now or forever; hold your face."

"Why? Where are you going to be during the show?" Seb asked.

"My beautiful babies, let's gather round for some housekeeping!" Miss Jenn gained everyone's attention as she entered the room, causing everyone to circle together. "First of all, who brought Versailes?"

"No one knows." Carlos answered.

"Well. I suppose we'll just have to share, then." Miss Jenn declared. "Oh, and speaking of sharing, most of you know that dazzling Taylor had to leave under family circumstances. Gina sends her love and support to all of you, but unfortunately she's on the East Coast and won't be able to make it to tonight's performance. And so, I have asked Kourtney to fill in for her stead."

Everyone glanced over at the Greene girl, clapping happily for her.

"Yeah, Kourt!" Esme cheered.

"So now, what I would like to do is, please think of a word or phrase from the show that expresses where your head is or your goals for tonight. If anyone wants to share?"

"You're my guys, and this is our team." Big Red was the first to share.

"What if you want to try something really new and it's a total disaster and all your friends laugh at you?" Ricky stood up from the piano bench.

"Oh, um..." Nini spoke. "Do you ever feel like there's this whole other person inside of you just looking for a way to come out?"

"Do the romp, and strut your stuff!" Carlos said, shaking his hips.

"My shower head is very impressed with me." Kourtney chuckled.

"That might be difficult for Chad, since he probably can't count that high." Lilly said, causing everyone to laugh.

"The answer is yes!" Esme chuckled, shrugging her shoulders.

"No, no, I'm not afraid. I'm just... scared." Zay spoke.

"I'm proud to call you my sister," EJ said, looking over at Ashlyn, who stood at his side, causing people to aw.

"Aw, it's close enough." Ashlyn nodded, causing everyone to chuckle before she held up her hands.

"Sharpay's kinda cute, too." Seb was last.

"So is a mountain lion, but you don't pet it!" Everyone exclaimed in response, causing everyone to laugh.

"And I'll just say, no matter what happens tonight, we're all in this together." Miss Jenn glanced around at all the teens, causing them all to share a smile as Esme locked eyes with Ricky but quickly looked away as Miss Jenn clapped her hands. "Okay, Wildcats, take a moment to settle your nerves; if we had a curtain, it would be up in 20 minutes!"

This caused everyone to cheer once again, people going to change into last-minute ostumes and doing whatever it was they were doing beforehand.

Esme noticed Kourtney approaching, causing her to give the girl her full attention.

"Hey."

"Hey, Kourt, or should I say Taylor?" Esme grinned. "Congratualtions."

"You're not upset; I'm leaving 20 minutes before the show." Kourtney asked.

"Well..." Esme dragged out before a grin broke onto her face. "I'm just kidding. I totally got this. You, Ms. Greene, go be a star."

"Thanks, E." Kourtney smiled, pulling the girl into a quick hug before rushing away.

The sound of a throat clearing caused the girl to quickly turn around.

"Hi." Ricky said.

"Ricky, Hey." Esme smiled. "Nerous?"

"Little bit." The boy admitted, letting out a light chuckle.

"Don't be; you're going to be amazing tonight." Esme said, placing her hand on the boy's arm. "No one would have been a better Troy than you."

"Thanks, Ezzy."

"Anytime. Hey, I gotta run, but I'll see you out there. Break a leg."

Before the Bowen boy had the chance to respond, the girl had walked away.

"Yeah, you too." Ricky muttered to himself, watching the girl before turning away.

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven..." Esme heard the Rodriguez boy count as she sat at her small work desk in the dressing room. "The leg has to cross from the back."

"How's it going?" Nini asked, rushing into the room.

"I think she's getting it." Carlos said, causing Esme to glance up.

"Oh, my god, there's like 100 parts." Kourtney groaned.

"Yeah, that was two counts of eight, but keep drillin' it, though." Carlos said before leaving the room.

"I don't know about this." Kourtney sighed, sitting down.

"Oh. Here. My good luck charm." Nini said, holding up the HSM phone. "Vanessa Hudgens' phone from the movie. Trust the process."

"But what if it's a mess?" Kourtney questioned.

"Then we'll go down together, okay?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt." Esme stood from her seat, approaching the duo. "Maybe I can help."

"Unless you know Gina's trayography, then I don't think you can." Kourtey shook her head, causing Esme to send the girl a guilty smile. "You know the dance?"

"What can I say? I'm a visual learner." Esme shrugged; the sound of the crowd applauding caught the trio's attention.

"It's our scene!" Nini grinned.

"And it starts in thirty seconds." Natalie announced from the door.

"Come find me after, and I'll help you as much as I can." Esme offered.

"Thanks, E." Kourtney smiled, squeezing the girl's hand before quickly rushing out of the room with Nini.