𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜: 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚃𝚠𝚘

"Are you seriously not going to audition for Gabriella?! You'd be perfect for it!" Ashlyn pratically screams at me over the loud noises of the cafeteria. "I don't want a big role this year, I've got enough on my plate." I say as I notice Gina walking through the cafeteria. "Hey Gina!" I yell, trying to get her attention. Gina turns her head in our direction and smiles with what looks like relief. I wave her over as Ashlyn scoots over on the bench to make room for her. Gina sets her lunch tray down before sitting down. "How's your first week at East High going? I know our big school can be so overwhelming at times." I ask her. "It's been good, I'm used to having to figure out new schools. I've gotten really good at finding lockers." She finishes with a laugh. Ash and I laugh aswell. "Gina, I know you're new, but would you please help me convince Willow to audition for the musical." Ashlyn pleads. Gina raises her eyebrows in question. "You're not going to audition? Weren't you in that movie over the summer?". Now it was my turn to raise the eyebrows. "How did you know about that?" I ask her before side- eyeing Ashlyn, who returns the look with a confused one. "Oh, uh, is it not true? I'm sorry, I just heard the rumor going around school." Gina says innocently.

Willow: It's not that I'm not proud of it. I was just hoping to keep it under wraps until the musical is already casted. I don't want to be cast just because my step-dad paid my way into a role in a movie as a way for me to suddenly be fine with him worming his way into my family. I want to be cast because someone actually sees potential in me.

"Oh, no it's fine. I just wasn't expecting everyone to know this soon." I say, mentally cursing EJ for telling people about it, seeing as he's the only other person in school that knew. "So, uh, how was it? Being on a movie set?" Gina asks sheepishly. I smile at her softly. "It was amazing, and what all of those actors say is true, craft services is the best." Ashlyn laughs at my comment. "Why am I not surprised that the only thing you take away from that whole experience is the food part?" She jokes. "You know my love for food Ash, I simply cannot resist it." I say with a laugh. Ashlyn's eyes avert to the other side of the caferteria as her face contorts into a digusted look. I follow her gaze to a table where EJ and Nini are making out next to the rest of the water polo team. "If I never see that again, it'll be too soon." I hear Ashlyn say from her seat beside me. "Hey, Willow, you okay?" Gina asked, concerned as I snap out of my stare. I shake my head lightly, trying to get the image out of my head. "Yea, why?" She giggles. "You zoned out for a second." she explains. "Oh, sorry, it's just, uh, EJ's girlfriend is uh, she's really pretty. Wish I could pull off a leather jacket." I say, trying to cover up the lie with a laugh. I notice Ashlyn giving me a knowing look. Ashlyn has known about my feelings for EJ ever since our sleepover in eight grade when she forced it out of me with a game of truth or dare. I break her gaze as I see Ricky zip past our table, looking visibly hurt. It makes sense, I know he and Nini broke up over the summer, I know I wouldn't like it if I had to watch my ex being all lovey- dovey in the cafeteria.

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I hear laughter come from the living room as I take my shoes off. I walk into the room and am met with the sight of Autumn and Brynn playing with her dolls. Brynn laughs again as Autumn dramatically impersonates the doll she's holding. She turns around when she hears my footsteps. "Hey Wills! How was your first day back?" she asks me as she gives Brynn the doll in her hand and follows me to the kitchen as Brynn continues to play. "It was good, the new drama teacher announced the fall musical. Funny enough it's High School Musical." Autumn raises her eyebrows in surprise. "Are you auditioning?" she asks me as I grab a water from the fridge. "Yeah, Ash wants me to go for Gabriella, but I don't know if I want to jump right back into the spotlight, you know? I might just sit this show out" I explain to her. "Plus, I'm pretty sure EJ is going for Troy and he's obviously going to get the part, because who else would...and his new girlfriend will probably be Gabriella." I continue. Autumn's eyebrows raise even higher. "He has a girlfriend now? Isn't that Ashlyn's hot cousin you've liked since sixth grade?" I blush at her comment. "I have not liked him for that long." I counter. She gives me a knowing look. "Okay maybe, but it doesn't matter now, he's no longer available."

Willow: Okay so maybe I sorta like my best friend's cousin. But it doesn't matter anymore. EJ is with Nini now. And she's a sweet girl.. the sweetest girl. I'm happy for him...

"This show might be a good thing, Willow. You could make some new friends that aren't Ash and your three year old sister." Autumn tells me. "For your information, Autumn, I did make a new friend today." Autumn smiles, surprised. "Ooh really?" I nod. "Well tell me more! What's their name?" Autumn urges. "Her name's Gina. She just moved here from Texas. She seems cool but she's a little distant, you know? She's auditioning for the musical, though. Gina's going to be a real contender for Gabriella. She seems like she knows what she wants." I ramble on. Autumn smiles again. "Even more reason to audition, Willow. Who knows, maybe you'll get Gabriella and you'll get to hang out with EJ everyday after school." She says before walking out of the kitchen and into the living room. I open my mouth to respond to her but stop after thinking about her comment.

Willow: Maybe auditioning wouldn't be so bad after all...NOT because it would mean spending more time with EJ obviously...I would get to hang out with Ash a lot more..and I bet Gina could really use a friend in the show.

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To say I'm nervous would be a understatement. As I try to stop my sweaty palms from shaking, I see EJ give me a concerning glance. I mentally curse myself for making my nervousness so obvious as he makes his way over to me. Nini's eyes following him. "Are you okay, Willow. You look a little nervous." he says, laughing a little. "Oh, yea, I'm fine. Just last minute audition jitters, you know." I tell him, talking to him making my nerves even worse. "Yea, if it's any help, you really shouldn't be nervous. I mean, you literally were in a movie. A high school drama club audition should be a breeze compared to whatever you had to do to for that." he trys to assure me. Yep, my step-dad getting me the role was so hard for me. "Yea, you do have a point. Thanks EJ." He smiles comfortingly before gently nudging my shoulder. "You'll do great out there Wills. Good luck." he says as he walks back to where he came from. My heart skips a beat as I hear the nickname thats usually only used by Ashlyn and Autumn. "You have got to get over EJ. He seems really happy with Nini." Ashlyn says from behind me, making me jump. I sigh in relief when I realize it was her, before grumbling underneath my breath, "I know." As Miss Jenn walks into the dressing room yelling "Okay, theater people! Let's do this!" before leaving the room again, everyone following behind her. Ashlyn gives me a excited look before following the crowd, grabbing my hand and dragging me with her.

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My eyes watch in amazement as Ashlyn and Gina glide across the stage floor during the dance warm up. I try to drown out EJ and Nini's conversation behind me as Miss Jenn says to pair up with an unfamiliar face. Her words were "Theater is a community". I look around trying to find someone to group up with, until I see a nervous- looking blonde boy standing awkwardly to the side of the group. I put on a gentle smile as I approach him. "Hi, I'm Willow. Would you like to be partners with me?" I ask softly. He smiles brightly before launching his hand out towards me. I shake it as he says," I'm Sebastian, but everyone calls me Seb." We begin walks towards the center of the stage.

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"You are giving me major Taylor vibes." Miss Jenn says to me, going down the line of students, as she assigns them roles. I smile at Carlos as he hands me the script I'll be auditioning with. She stares at Ashlyn beside me for a while, making Ashlyn give me a weird look. "You're giving me uncommon depth. Ms. Darbus?" she asks her, causing me to laugh at Ashlyn's response. "I'm dying. I'm deceased. Yes. " Ashlyn responds dryly. "You both play piano, correct?" Miss Jenn questioned as I nod my head in response while Ashlyn stammer out a "I dabble."  "You ever written a song?" Ashlyn freezes at the question, making me but in and say, "She's a lyrical genius." Ashlyn quickly denies the compliment and states quickly "I mean,  I've written a few here and there, but nothing I've ever shared with anyone besides Willow and my stuffed animals.". Miss Jenn smiles awkwardly at her rambling and continues on with her idea, " I always thought Ms. Darbus dersevered an Act Two power ballad. We'll sidebar." She tells Ashlyn before turning to me.  I raise my eyebrows and my face contorts into a confused expression as I look at Carlos for an explanation, but he just shrugs his shoulders while Miss Jen continues down the line of students, assigning them potential roles. I lean forward towards the end of the line as I hear Gina say "Oh, I'm off-book already." To Carlos as he starts to hand her the script for Gabriella. Wow. That's impressive. Ashlyn and I look at each other in surprise when we hear Carlos talking about Seb playing Sharpay. That's so cool.

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Ashlyn and I start laughing under our breath as EJ approaches the stage in full costume and a basketball in hand. As I watch him sing, I find myself staring into his eyes. I manage to snap myself out of it before anyone notices me. I have to stop thinking about him like this, he has a girlfriend, and he seems really happy with her. And as cliche as it sounds, I know there is no possible way he would ever feel the same way about me, even without Nini in the picture. I just have to find a way to move on.

After EJ finishes, Miss Jenn moves on to the Gabriella's, calling Gina up to audition first. Gina gives an amazing performance. I'm so relieved we're not auditioning for the same part. As Gina walks off the stage, Miss Jenn calls Nini's name and just as she's about to start her song, the backdoor of the theater bursts open, causing everyone's attention to now be focused on the boy shouting across the theater. "Am I too late!" Miss Jenn takes a stressful deep breath before saying, "We're all set on Troy's. We're low on Chad's. You can read after the Gabriella's. Ricky, now approaching the stage, responds awkwardly, "I only studied the Troy scenes in the movies." After their conversation is finished, Miss Jenn  tells Nini to begin the audition. Just as Seb starts playing the piano, EJ yells from behind me. "You got this babe!" Making Miss Jenn spill her coffee onto the lighting control panel, causing the power to shut off. After being told she could  wait until the lights came back on, Nini decides to sing without the power. As she starts singing, Ricky pulls his phone flashlight out and shines it on her, almost acting like a spotlight. EJ, seeing this, pulls his phone out as well and copies Ricky's actions. Nini continues to sing the rest of Start of Something New, flying through the part we were told to stop at, but I don't think anyone minded, considering no one knew she had the voice of an angel. She seemed lost in her own world, she seemed in her element. I couldn't help but notice the way the two boys were looking at her. Two completely different looks, but the same feeling. A twinge of jealousy pangs through me as I take notice of the gaze EJ has set on her, full of love and admiration. A look that I wish was directed at me. 

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After Nini's audition, and Ricky's awkward yet romantic improvised monologue, and adorable little song, the rest of the auditions seemed to fly by. Ashlyn and I's went smoothly, the only thing left to do is wait for the cast list. Miss Jenn said to hang around the school because she was going to put it up today. Ashlyn and I decide to wait by our lockers for Miss Jenn to walk out of the theater with the list in hand. EJ walks past us, seeming a little angry, my guess because of the obvious display of affection towards his girlfriend by her ex-boyfriend. I give him a soft smile as he passes. He returns my smile with a half, sad smile. "I wanna know what went through Ricky's brain to make him audition for the musical just so that he could be closer to Nini, who is his ex-girlfriend, who also happens to be in a happy relationship." I tell Ashlyn, somewhat angry myself. How could someone think that was okay? "Wills, you can't tell me there wasn't a little part of you that auditioned because EJ was, and that would mean spending more time with him, even though he's also in a relationship?" Ashlyn asks gently. I sigh deeply when I finish processing what she's saying. "Oh my gosh. You're absolutely right! I'm a horrible person. What am I thinking?" I think aloud. "Hey, think of it this way, EJ will most likely play Troy, and you didn't even audition for Gabriella, so even if you did get a part, you wouldn't be in any scenes with him alone." Ashlyn says, making me calm down. I just need to focus on staying away from EJ as much as possible, until my feelings go away. 

My thoughts fade as I hear the theater door open and see Carlos and Miss Jenn walk towards the bullentin board, a piece of paper in her hand.  Everyone gathers around the cast list, Ashlyn and I pushing our way to the front. As we are, I hear EJ's sad question, "Chad? She thinks I'm a Chad?" Chad! No no no no. Please don't be Taylor. Please don't be Taylor. I rush straight to the board as I find the role of Taylor. My eyes follow the dotted lines to the other side of the page. Taylor.........Willow Chase. No no no this cannot be happening. "Ashlyn, please say this isn't real." I say as my hands start sweating. "Oh, it's real." she says, shocked at the outcome herself. It's official. I have to spend three months stage-dating my crush.

AN/: Ah this chapter was so much fun to write! It's way longer than the last one, so let me know if you guys prefer the longer or the shorter chapters, I enjoy writing the longer ones because it feels like I'm giving you guys more content. And there's a reason I didn't include Willow's audition. I have something special planned for episode two so stay tuned! anyways thanks for reading you guys! xo