Steps to Writing a Musical || Lin-Manuel Miranda

Step Five: Take a Break

You took Lin's hand and stepped out of the car, seeing a few heads turn your way. You recognized some of them as your old high school classmates, the ones you didn't like. After Lin handed the keys off to the valet, he offered you his arm as you both walked in.

You leaned closer, whispering in his ear, "People are staring."

"So let them." He replied.

You watched Lin's face carefully as he looked around your former high school in awe. Your heels clicked against the tiled floor as you led him to the ballroom (because yes, your school was so extra that a ballroom was a must have). You watched him as he ogled at the various replica statues that were in the hallways. You hated this school, but you had to admit that it was nice to look at. Lin had been in many beautiful buildings, but he'd never seen a high school that looked like this.

"Close your mouth. You'll catch flies." You joked.

"Ha ha." Lin returned as you finally reached the ballroom.

As you began to wave at a few of your old classmates that recognized you, you groaned to yourself. "Nothing even happened yet." Lin chuckled.

You could feel deep in the pit of your stomach that tonight would not go your way. Things never went your way when you were in this building. Every time you were here, you left angry. You prayed that wouldn't be the case this time since Lin was with you, but the feeling was still there.

"Can't help myself." You said. You realized, then, that you hadn't talked about what you both were going to do about your parents. You gasped to yourself, "Crap."

"Crap what?" Lin grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing server.

You nodded in thanks as he handed you one, "We never talked about my parents."

"I'm fairly sure we did." He chuckled, pushing one hand into his pocket as he sipped the champagne. "Remember, they're, like, super unsupportive."

"My parents think we're dating, Lin."

"I do act for a living. And write, but that's besides the point." He shrugged.

"You're really okay with acting like boyfriend?"

"Course. I'm not too grossed out by the thought of it." He said, his grin reaching shit-eating sizes.

You laughed, "Would you look at that? Chivalry isn't dead."

You glanced behind him, seeing a couple headed your way. You remembered them as Sarah Carmichael and Barry Hillman. They were the school's most popular, but you always thought they wouldn't last, both of them too snooty for their own good. Judging by the way she was draped on his arm, she probably took his last name.

"Incoming, behind you." You whispered, a fake smile on your lips.

"We're not spies, Y/N."

"Lin."

"Okay, okay. I got this." He snickered.

Lin turned around just as Sarah stopped into front of you, flipping her ginger hair over her shoulder. "Y/N, it's so great to see you." She said, her voice just as nasally as you remember.

"Sarah, it's been too long." You leaned in as she made a 'muah' sound against your cheek. "Barry, you haven't aged a day."

"You've never been a good liar, Y/N." He joked followed by an overzealous laugh.

Your cheeks began to burn, your fake smile taking its toll, as you pretended to fawn over her ridiculously huge wedding ring. "You got married?"

"Two years come April." Sarah smirked. "Best relationship of my life."