INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

Chapter 6

I entered the drama room and instantly regretted it. Everyone stopped to stare at me. Oh boy. I walked further into the room and ignored everyone's stares. I took a seat at a desk that had a placard on it. The name 'TROY BOLTON' was printed on it in all caps. "You've gotta be kidding me." I whispered to myself. Ms. Jenn walked in and immediately spotted me. "Ah! Jackie. Glad you could make it." She said. "It's not like you gave me a choice." I muttered. Nini took the seat to the left of me, EJ sat to the right of me, while Ricky sat to the left of Nini. Oh boy! Well isn't this just a big 'ol bag of joy?! I glanced over at Nini to see her staring at EJ to avoid having to look at me or Ricky which didn't help my situation at all given the role she had. I then glanced at EJ who looked at me and gave me a brief glare. I looked away and my eyes widened. 'Wow.' I mouthed. "Don't forget to silence your phones!" Ms. Jenn said taking a seat between Carlos and Big Red, who was currently filling the role of the Stage Manager at the moment. "I realize that you all walked in here as strangers." She started. "Actually, EJ's my cousin." A girl interrupted pointing at him. "But after today, you're a family. One tribe, committed to lifting this classic film to new heights." She explained before Carlos took a selfie with himself and the 'CHOREOGRAPHER' placard. She looked at him and he immediately put them down. "Please take your neighbor's hand." She said taking Carlos' hand and asking for Red's. Everyone was soon holding hands, especially Ricky and Nini, much to her dismay. I was the only one not doing it. "Jackie. You are the one who makes our circle complete." Ms. Jenn said. I sighed taking Nini's and EJ's hand. "Feel each other's energy. Let the silence speak volumes. In a world full of no, this is a space full of yes." She said. "Nice. Did you just come up with that?" Carlos whispered to her. "I did." She answered. 

Ms. Jenn began to sing as she closed her eyes. I pulled my hands free from EJ and Nini, shoving them into the pockets of my denim jacket. My eyes widened slowly as I began to shake my head. "What have I done?" I whispered as Ms. Jenn hit a high-note. Must've said it it a bit loudly because I saw Nini's head turn towards me in my peripheral. Ms. Jenn finished the song and I was left with a million thoughts in my head. 

"Sharpay heads for class, hears singing, opens the door to the biology lab. She finds Gabriella and Troy washing their hands...." Red was currently doing the read-through as I stared at him in utter horror. "Stop. Don't run it all together. Read the punctuation." Ms. Jenn told Red. "Sharpay comma heads for class period." B.R. reread. "Oh god." I whispered staring at the ceiling. "And they are hearing the songs in their heads period." B.R. finished. "And that's Act One. Let's take a break." She said. Everyone stood up and began conversations. Ricky and B.R. got up and walked a distance away. EJ and Nini stood in front of me. "Whoa. If that kid's our stage manager, we'll be lucky if the curtains open." EJ said. My eyes widened as I raised a brow. Excuse me? "Oh, hey, give him a break. First time reading loud since the fifth grade Science Fair." Nini said. "No, no, no, don't get me wrong. I like the guy, I was hoping we'd get through Act One by Christmas. I was also hoping we'd get to sing the songs." EJ said. "Oh, I don't know. Guess Miss Jenn just really wants us to pay attention to the lyrics." Nini said. I glanced up at them. "Well, yeah, but, I mean...I mean, she can't sing 'em like you can." EJ said. I rolled my eyes abruptly getting up from my desk loudly and leaving the room.