Soaring [ej caswell]

Thirteen: Typecasting

"Attention, thespians!" Carlos says sitting on the lunch table, "I have a brief announcement"

"Speech! Speech!" Seb says in a deep voice.

"After spending the last couple of weeks Google-stalking the Menkie Awards, I've discovered that there is no category for Best Choreography. And since the Menkies is step one to me becoming the first ever winner of a MEGOT..."

A MEGOT is a Menkie, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony. Everyone knows that.

"I've decided that I will be auditioning to be on stage this year. Thank you, all!" We all clap in excitement.

Auditions for Beauty and the Beast are today and I honestly don't have any idea who I'm going to audition for. Ashlyn said that I should try out for Belle and EJ agreed because he said "it's fitting" because he calls me "Belle."

When Miss Jenn first announced the spring musical, I didn't think I had a shot if Nini was auditioning, which she is amazing, don't get me wrong. But there was no way I was going to get it. But now...Nini is in Denver living her best life at YAC so now maybe, I have a shot? Who knows.

"Big Red's trying out too!" Ashlyn says.

"Yeah, he is!"

"Big ups, Big Red. You gonna teach me some of those allegedly great tap moves?" Gina asks next to me.

"I'm so scared" Big Red says nervously.

"Oh, just remember you cannot play Chip, the teacup, since it'd obviously be weird for you to be my son" Ashlyn says and we all give her a look of confusion. I raise my eyebrow at her.

"I mean, I'm probably getting Mrs. Potts. Not that we don't all have an equal shot" she shrugs.

"You're welcome" EJ says to Ricky, coming over and leaning over the table, then sitting down beside me.

"Uh, I've decided to take myself out of the running for the Beast. I'm just... I've got a lot on my plate. Which reminds me, I should probably pick a meal plan for Duke" EJ says pulling out his phone.

"Wait, you officially got in?" I ask but he ignores my question.

"Back up. You're not doing the musical either?" Ricky asks.

Wait a second, "either"?

"No. I've only got the bandwidth for a supporting role. Wait, what do you mean "either"?" EJ asks.

"I'm, uh, I'm not sure if I'm auditioning this year. You know, once a skate rat...Right?"

"Wait, for real?"

"Um, sorry, I've been trying to work up the courage to say this" A blonde chick I have never seen before says coming up to our table, "Okay, I can't believe I'm standing in front of both Troy Boltons right now"

"Both your performances last semester in HSM were incredible" she says.

"Thanks" Ricky smiles slightly.

"Thank you. That means a lot to us. It honestly takes a village to get a show up on its feet. I've been very blessed" EJ says and I smile and shake my head at him.

"No, no, I mean, thank you. Really. I mean, you both inspired me to wanna try out this semester. Its intimidating being basically, like, brand new to theater. Hey, honestly, you guys are all so talented"

"Oh, thank you!" Ashlyn says.

"Hey, do you mind if we..." she says getting her phone out, wanting a picture.

"No, absolutely"

"Cheese" she says holding her phone up, getting all of us in it.

"Hey, you can tag me in that. It's just @EJWaterPoloTheaterGuy. Theater... E-R" EJ says.