Weightless [HSMTMTS]

Chapter 1

Ten could only sigh as he stepped through the entrance of East High. The books in his backpack seemed to grow heavier as he walked down the hallway.

Summer break was the same as always: revision during the day as well as putting in a few hours of basketball and dance practice kept him busy.

"Hey, Ten!" a voice called out, snapping him out of thoughts whilst walking towards his locker.

An arm slung around his shoulders, yet he didn't need to see who it was.

"Caswell, I see you're doing fine as ever." he said, taking off his earphones and slipping them into his pocket.

EJ Caswell, captain of the water polo team and one of East High's golden boys. You could say that the two were an interesting pair of friends, their dynamics were already intimidating.

Thanks to the magic of being next-door neighbours, the two had been best friends since they were seven.

"I just saw you last night, Ten. Of course I'm fine." EJ flashed a grin as the two made their way along the school's corridors. "I'm a little more than excited for you to meet Nini in person."

"Technically, I already met her through your video call last night." Ten commented, ignoring the usual stares and gushing around them. They were always directed to EJ. "Remember I'm—"

"Carpooling," EJ finished. He gave friendly waves to some students who were staring at them from their lockers. "I've only forgotten once."

Twice, actually.

"Let's get to assembly," Ten muttered, pulling away from the crowd.

---

The students of East High sat down and waited for the school assembly to begin. Once Ten had settled next to EJ, the headmaster started off an announcement about seniors wearing baseball hats.

Everyone was bored out of their minds, not even showing a single bit of enthusiasm when he passed the microphone to the new drama teacher, a petite woman and a student trailed behind her.

Ten recognised the boy as Carlos, a sophomore involved in theatre and dance. He was a nice boy, a little too dramatic for Ten's taste but kind nevertheless.

The new teacher took out a launcher and shot a shirt to a poor unsuspecting student a few rows down from where EJ and Ten sat. "Go wildcats!" she had cheered.

Oh boy. Ten looked to EJ with his eyebrows raised. This new drama teacher seemed to be certainly something.

She passed the launcher to Carlos before taking the microphone. The wave of feedback that came crashing over the hall made Ten wince in slight discomfort.

"My name is Miss Jenn," the drama teacher announced. "And when I heard that the high school where High School Musical was shot had never staged a production of High School Musical, the musical,"

Ten could feel the cogs of EJ's mind whir in motion, it was something right up his alley for theatre.

"I was shocked, as an actress, inspired, as a director and triggered, as a millennial," Miss Jenn continued. "Auditions are tomorrow after school. This show could change your lives."

"And I'm saying this as a background dancer from the original movie. Third from the left back row, red headband and yes, those are my real teeth—" the drama teacher rambled on before Carlos walked forward.

"Oh! And meet your student choreographer, Carlos. You know him as captain of the colour guard. I know him as an unpaid rising star," Miss Jenn said before bringing her voice down a notch. "But seriously, I have no budget."