A New Journey (High School Musical 3: Senior Year)

Chapter 11: ShowTime

Shortly after prom, it was time for the big show and Grace's grandparents would be among the audience to watch them perform. Naturally, Mrs. Darbus was in a tizzy about the quality of the performance since they would be performing in front of the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh. After school and before the big night, she had the show cast rehearse the show 2 times to make sure that nothing went wrong. As the school day progressed and night approached, the auditorium began to fill in with family and friends. Among them was Grace's own family who had reserved seats in the first row where the Juilliard scouts were sat behind them. Backstage, Grace was in the dressing room she shared with Sharpay which Sharpay had requested that they share one. It would give Sharpay more time to spend with Grace before her best friend left for England. Sharpay turned to Grace and said to her, as Grace prepared for her number, "So, are you ready to go back to England, Gracie?" Grace sighed softly and replied, "I guess so. It really doesn't matter if I am or not, we still have to go back." She didn't tell Sharpay about Troy going with them since they didn't discuss about telling anyone till after graduation. Just then, Ryan opened the door the dressing room. He smiled at his sister and friend and said to Grace, "Grace, your solo is up first after the opening number. Mrs. Darbus thought it would be wise for you to go first and get your number out of the since she knew how nervous you were at rehearsal." Grace turned to look at Ryan with a "deer in the headlights" expression and gulped. Ryan gave his friend a soft, comforting smile and said, "It'll be okay, Gracie. You'll do great. Break a leg!" With that, Ryan left the girls to get ready and closed the door behind him. Sharpay turned to face her nervous friend and said to her, rushing over to her to keep her from having a nervous breakdown, "Hey, hey, Grace. I need you to look at me. You'll be fine. You only have one number by yourself then one, one with Troy, and with the rest of us so really, only three to do. You have an amazing voice that's actually superior to mine. *Grace slightly chuckled, finally able to smile* It's true! And when I say it, I mean it. You'll knock them dead." Grace's eyes widened and replied, "I don't want to do that. My grandmother's out there and that's treason in our country." Sharpay giggled and said, placing her hands on her friend's shoulders, "It's just an expression, silly." There was another knock on the door, which startled the two girls. Gabbi opened the door and said to Grace, smiling softly at her, "You're on in five minutes, Gracie. You might wanna get to the stage now before you go on."

Grace nodded at her friend and turned to give Sharpay a small smile before she left the dressing room. The entire way, the teenager girl took deep breaths and began to hum her solo to herself so she wouldn't forget the lines. When she and Gabbi got to the sidelines of the stage, Troy was with Andrew, Sam, and Luke, all waiting to wish her luck. Grace smiled brightly and whispered, rushing over to them, "What are you guys doing here?" Troy smiled and whispered, bringing his girlfriend into his arms, "We came to wish you luck before you went on." Once he released her, Grace's three brothers took her into their arms, having a group hug. They pulled apart and Sam whispered, speaking for all three of them, "Granny, Pop-pop, Dad, Mum, Uncle Charles, Camilla, Will, and Harry all wish you luck too." Grace smiled and was about to say something before Ryan rushed over to her to tell her that she was on. Grace sent her brothers a small smile and turned to get on the stage. Gabbi handed her friend a microphone and gave her a quick hug, standing back. Grace took a deep breath and walked onto the stage, standing in the center. Then, a spotlight came on her and the curtains opened to reveal the audience. The young teenager felt her heart began to race as her eyes widened. She then turned to look at Kelsi who was with the orchestra, to conduct them. Kelsi began her friend's music and smiled at her, nodding at her to start. Grace took a deep breath and made eye contact with her family then began to sing.

[Grace]:
We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes and the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in summer air
See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns
See you make your way through the crowd
And say, "Hello"
Little did I know
That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you, "Please don't go," and I said
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"
So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes
Escape this town for a little while, oh, oh
'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"
But you were everything to me
I was begging you, "Please don't go," and I said
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"
Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"
Oh, oh
But I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town and I said
"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you, but you never come
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think"
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring, and said
"Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story, baby, just say 'Yes'"
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you

When she finished, there was silence in the audience before everyone stood up and applauded Grace. Grace's eyes were closed then she opened and widened them in shock and surprise. Her family were standing amongst the audience, applauding her. Her grandparents had proud smiles on their faces, as did her uncle, stepaunt, and cousins. She smiled softly and blushed, timidly. The young teenager then bowed and exitied the stage as the curtain closed. Her friends greeted her with excited cheers and applause. Troy brought her into a passionate kiss, causing her to giggle. Once he released her, her brothers jumped over to her and brought her into a tight group hug. Ryan cheered for Grace and said to her, "That was amazing, Grace! Your grandparents were absolutely in tears when you sang. The Juilliard scouts were floored by your performance. You should've seen how astonished they looked." Grace blushed and replied, "I only did my part." Ryan smiled and said, turning to the others, "Alright, next number! Let's get ready for I Want It All!" Grace turned to Andrew and said to him, "That's Gabbi's, Ryan's, and your number, Drew." Sam and Luke smiled at their younger siblings and Luke said, "We're gonna go back to our seats with the rest of the family. Good luck, guys." Grace stood next to Troy as they watched Ryan, Andrew, and Gabbi went onstage with some backup dancers. Ryan and Gabbi took center stage while Andrew took his place amongst the backup dancers. From the orchestra, Kelsi sent a thumbs up to her friends and boyfriend. Even though she wasn't apart of the dancing and singing, she still cheered them on while she controlled the music.  The curtains opened and the lights turned onto the stage occupants. Then, Kelsi started the music.

As the number went on, Grace laughed to herself at how hard Ryan was into his singing while showing off Gabbi. The backup dancers and Andrew were doing their best to keep up with Ryan, after all he was the choreographer. However, Grace knew that Ryan must've known that the Juilliard scouts were in the audience so he was trying to pull their attention to the number. As the numbers went on, it was time for her and Troy to do their duet. Grace took her place behind the balcony door props while Troy made his way down the aisle to the auditorium doors. The curtains opened to reveal Grace and she walked through the doors, beginning to sing.

[TROY]
You know how life can be
It changes overnight

[TROY AND GRACE]
It's sunny then rainin'
But it's alright

[GRACE]
A friend like you

[TROY AND GRACE]
Always makes it easy

[TROY]
I know that you get me

[TROY AND GRACE]
Every time
Through every up, through every down
You know I'll always be around
Through anything, you can count on me

[TROY AND GRACE, TROY]
All I wanna do
Is be with you, be with you
There's nothing we can't do
Just wanna be with you, only you
No matter where life takes us
Nothing can break us apart (You know it's true)

[TROY AND GRACE, with COMPANY]
I just wanna be with you, you
I just wanna be with you

[TROY]
The sun will always shine
That's how you make me feel
We're gonna be alright
'Cause what we have is real

[GRACE AND COMPANY]
And we will always be together

[TROY, GRACE AND COMPANY, TROY]
All I wanna do
Is be with you, be with you
There's nothing we can't do
Just wanna be with you, only you
No matter where life takes us
Nothing can break us apart (You know it's true)
I just wanna be with you

[GRACE]
All I wanna do

[COMPANY, TROY, GRACE]
All that I wanna do is be with you
All that I wanna do is be with you (Oh, only you, all I wanna do)
All that I wanna do is be with you (Yeah, yeah, I just wanna be with you)
All that I wanna do

[TROY, GRACE AND COMPANY]
I just wanna be with you