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Gina had never been an understudy before. Ever. It was basically a rule at this point that whatever school she went to she would beat out the competition and take the final bow. Her Gabriella audition was killer, but she was snubbed in the end.
When all of the thespians gathered around the cast list she was very shocked and confused. But that’s life, right?
Today was her first rehearsal as Gabriella and not Taylor, and she was eager to show Miss Jen what she could do. That it was a mistake to cast her in the supporting role. Maybe even change her mind.
She walked into the theater and took it all in. The partially built sets, scattered sheet music, and blocking tape on the floor. No matter where she moved, the theatre was always generally the same. It was her happy place.
EJ Caswell leaned against a half built locker, aggressively typing at his phone.
“Hey,” Gina said, setting her backpack down and moving to the floor to do some stretching.
“Hey,” he said, finally looking up from his screen. He looked like he hadn’t slept all night.
Gina barely talked to EJ, but she definitely knew his reputation.
He was crazy popular at East High, had an impressive GPA, played every sport imaginable, and got the leads in all of the musicals. But just like her, he failed to book the starring role in this one. Despite his confident and cool image Gina could sense that deep down he was just as angry as she was about all this.
EJ’s phone buzzed again and he opened the notification at lightning speed.
His face fell.
“Girlfriend trouble?,” Gina asked coyly. If she could get dirt on Nini from EJ, maybe she could use it later on.
“You know that kid who’s playing Troy? Apparently it’s some guy named Ricky that Nini completely and utterly forgot to mention to me our entire relationship. How do you date someone for a whole year and just never mention it?”
Oof. That had to hurt. Gina had zero experience in the romance department, but even she knew that forgetting to mention something that important was a huge red flag.
“I’ve told her about all of my past relationships and she never even brings him up? He’s trying to destroy me.”
That much was obvious. Ricky was practically glaring daggers at EJ during the audition. She didn’t want to mention this to EJ, but it was pretty obvious that Nini still had feelings for Ricky too.
“Did someone say destroy?,” Miss Jenn said brightly as she entered the room.
“Yeah, we are gonna destroy this rehearsal! Right EJ?,” Gina said, giving him a wink.
He smirked back.
“Yeah, completely destroy it. Totally.”
Gina giggled. How could someone this popular also be this awkward?
“Well that’s the attitude I love to see! Both of you have amazing voices, I can’t wait to hear what they are going to sound like together. Let’s start blocking ‘The Start of Something New’- my favorite ballad of the show.”
Gina and EJ moved to opposite sides of the piano, sheet music in hand.
Miss Jenn hit the play button on the instrumental track, and EJ started to sing the first verse.
Living in my own world
Didn't understand
That anything can happen
When you take a chance
Gina had to admit that he did have a great voice. It was strong, deep, and smooth all at the same time. And, just like her, he was already off book.
He was good looking too. The perfect Troy.
She took a deep breath and began to sing her part of the song.
I never believed in what I couldn't see
I never opened my heart
To all the possibilities
Gina’s eyes went up to meet EJ’s, ready for their harmony.
I know that something has changed
Never felt this way and right here tonight
This could be the start of something new
It feels so right to be here with you (oh)
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart (feel in my heart)
The start of something new
Miss Jenn was right. Their voices did sound beautiful together. Out of all of the guys that Gina had sung duets with at all of her new schools, EJ was the best match.
They continued the rest of the song just as strongly as they started, and Gina realized that she was actually having fun. Singing with EJ was kind of a blast.
Once they finished, both actors looked at Miss Jenn, who had tears in her eyes and a hand on her heart.
“Are you okay, Miss Jenn?,” EJ asked, looking just as nervous and weirded out as Gina felt.
“Am I okay? I am on cloud ten after hearing you two perform that number! Bravo!”
Then she started clapping, which made EJ and Gina laugh awkwardly. EJ smiled, and from what Gina observed it was probably for the first time all day.
“That was simply magic. I’m sure once we get closer to showtime it will get even better. The show is going to be great no matter what happens because we have such incredible understudies!”
Right, understudies. Despite Miss Jenn’s cheerful delivery Gina still felt like she was being overlooked by their drama teacher.
After running a couple of more scenes, Gina was more convinced than ever that she and EJ would have been a power couple onstage. Their acting and singing felt so natural together, and she was actually having fun. Before she knew it, two hours had passed and their time was up.
“Great work today Wildcats! Now if only I could get my two leads to work together like that. I’ll see you next week to pick up where we left off. And remember to pay attention to the notes that I’m giving Ricky and Nini since they will help you too.”
“Bye Miss Jenn!,” EJ and Gina called, smiling as they walked out of the theatre.
“Did you hear that?,” EJ asked her as soon as they were in the hallway, a wide and goofy grin taking up his whole face.
“Sure did, Troy,” Gina said, smirking.
“She said ‘If only I could get my two leads to work together like that.’ Their rehearsals aren’t going well and it’s only a matter of time until we get the roles.”
“Miss Jenn is finally going to see reason.”
“And if that’s true then Ricky isn’t competition. Nini and I are all good. I was worried for nothing.”
Gina smiled. She didn’t think that Nini was such a prize, but at least EJ was over being mopey and depressed.
“So, what are you doing now that rehearsal is over?,” EJ asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.
Gina didn’t want to sound lame and tell him that she was planning on watching YouTube videos all night and writing her English essay.
“I’m walking home and seeing where the night takes me.”
“Wait, you’re walking home?”
“Yeah, is that a problem?”
What was with this guy?
“Yeah, I can’t let you do that. It’s ten degrees outside Gina.”
“I have a jacket, genius.”
“Unacceptable. You’re riding with me. Don’t worry, I’m a really good driver.”
Well that was unexpected. And really sweet.
“You want to drive me home just because it’s a little cold?,” Gina asked, genuinely confused.
“Of course. I’ve got you.”
Gina tried really hard to ignore the way her heart did a flip flop in her chest.
She wasn’t really used to people doing nice things for her. Especially for no reason. Specifically popular jock boys she basically just met.
But at the same time, she felt like she could trust him.
“Um, okay. Yeah, I guess I’ll take a ride.”
Gina was starting to like EJ already. He wasn’t deterred by her sarcasm, did nice things for her, and shared her competitive streak. Maybe she found her first friend at East High.