Timmy's Hidden Talent

Ch 10: When There Was Me And You

The next day, Chad and Troy were walking down an aisle in the library. Chad seized the opportunity to ask the question on his mind – not to mention the minds of everyone on the team.

A.J. asked, "What spell has this elevated-IQ temptress-girl cast that suddenly makes you want to be in a musical?"

Timmy answered, clear as day, "I just...did it. Who cares?"

A.J. repeated, "Who cares!" He looked hurt but he added, "How about your most loyal best friend?"

The librarian walked towards them and glared at Chad.

Miss Falstaff whispered, "Quiet in here, Mr. Danforth."

A.J. pointed to Troy and defended, "It's him, Miss Falstaff. Not me."

Once the librarian was off playing sight, he turned back to Troy and continued making his point.

A.J. pointed out, "You're a hoops dude, not a musical-singer person. Have you ever seen Michael Crawford on a cereal box?"

Timmy asked, confused, "Who is Michael Crawford?"

A.J. answered, vindicated, "Exactly my point. He was the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. My mom saw that musical twenty-seven times and put Michael Crawford's picture in our refrigerator. Yeah, not on it. IN it. Play basketball, you're going to end up on a cereal box. Sing in musicals, you're going to end up in my mom's refrigerator."

Timmy asked, confused, "Why did she put his picture in her refrigerator?"

A.J. answered, "One of her crazy diet ideas. I don't attempt to understand the female mind, Troy! That's frightening territory."

He looked up and saw the librarian heading in their direction. They walked over to a table and Troy started taking notes in his notebook. Chad, however, continued making his point.

A.J. asked, "How do you expect us to focus on the game if you're off somewhere in leotards singing in Twinkle Town?"

Now, Troy was starting to get a little worried. Leotards!

Timmy defended, "No one said anything about leotards."

A.J. responded, "Not yet, my friend, but just you wait! We need you, Captain. Big time."

Oops. The librarian was looming over them. She warned, "Mr. Danforth!"

A.J. defended, "I tried to tell him, Miss Falstaff. I really tried."

Then he crept away, followed by the librarian's accusing glare. Troy sat very still, thinking hard about what Chad had said.

...

Inside the chemistry lab, Taylor and the other members of the Scholastic Club were hard at work, when Chad, Jason, and Zeke entered. The jocks approached the geeks.

A.J. told Alicia, "We need to talk."

Alicia told him, "Go."

The two groups were deep in conversation when Sharpay and Ryan passed the open door of the chemistry lab. They stopped to look and listen.

Veronica commented, "Something isn't right."

The only thing Ryan did was nod in agreement.

Remy responded, "They must be trying to figure out a way for Troy and Gabriella to beat us out. The jocks rule most of the school, but if they get Troy into the musical, then they've conquered the entire student body."

Veronica added, "And if those science girls get Gabriella hooked up with Troy Bolton, the Science Club goes from drool to cool." Sharpay gasped and her eyes narrowed at the two completely different group. Veronica told Remy, "Ryan, we need to save our show from people who don't know the difference between a Tony Award and Tony Hawk."