Get Your Head In The Game! (Part 1)

For months Misty Asanatsu had endlessly listened to her best friend, Minami, detail every perfection and flaw about the hottest guy in the school, Kakeru Honda.

"Oh my God, He's such an idiot. I'm way smarter than him even though he's in advanced classes. Yesterday he didn't show up for Drama Club, so I had to do all his lines, INCLUDING that scene in the trash can!" she'd say, but then she'd suddenly gush, "But have you heard him sing he's sooooo good. And he's SO FRICKIN' HOT."

Misty, on the other hand, the polar opposite of boy-crazy, didn't realize that Kakeru's locker was next to hers until two months of school had passed by.

"He looks different in person," said Misty defensively after voicing this to Minami, who was looking almost murderous.

Kakeru had snagged the lead role of almost every school production since sixth grade. Before this year, she had only ever seen him in plays. Minami was on the Drama Club crew and therefore saw him more often.

"Minami-chan, can we talk about something else for once?"

"Fine... I think I might try out for the musical this year. Are you?"

"Okay."

***

They walked to the auditorium together, where the cast auditions for the winter musical were being held. Gradually, everyone picked a seat and sat down.

"Good afternoon," called out Mrs. Bigenwald, the Drama teacher, taking advantage of the silence. "I'm so glad to see so many people here. We have decided perform 'High School Musical' for this year's winter production." She paused to let it sink in.

"High School Musical?" said Minami. "Oh my God, the role was practically written for HIM." Misty had no trouble understand who HIM was.

Trying to distract her, Misty whispered "Which role do you want?"

"I think... Sharpay, but if I play Gabriella I might get to kiss HIM!" She giggled.

"There's no guarantee he'll get the part of Troy," Misty reminded her. "Anyway, I want to be Kelsey."

"But that's such a minor part! Besides, you don't get to sing."

"Ah, well."

They turned their attention back to Mrs. Bigenwald, who was handing out copies of the lyrics for "What I've Been Looking For" which would be the auditioning piece.

***

The next week, Misty and Minami returned for the auditions. One by one, the nervous students stepped forward for their turn.

"Minami Aisuna," called Mrs. Bigenwald.

"Good luck," said Misty and Minami jumped out of her chair.

By now Misty was the only one left in the auditorium, apart from Kakeru. Listening hard, she could hear Minami's voice coming from the back room. Her voice was pretty and childlike.

Minami soon finished and Kakeru was called up. Misty sat there, rubbing her lips together like she always did when she was nervous.

"Kasumi Asanatsu."

"Misty, not Kasumi." Kasumi was her real name; it was Japanese for 'mist'. She preferred Misty, however.

She walked to the back room, sitting down once more, and began to speak.

"Er- do I still have to sing if I'm auditioning for a role that doesn't involve singing?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Bigenwald, not looking up from her clipboard. "Who are you trying out for?"

"Kelsey."

"I'll take your choice into consideration." She leaned forward slightly. "Sing."

Misty did as she was told, and was relieved to find that her voice was not cracking. She relaxed.

"All right," said Mrs. Bigenwald when she finished. Callbacks are next Wednesday after school. The list will be posted outside the auditorium."

Misty and Minami were both euphoric at finding both their names on the callbacks list the next day, but not suprised that Kakeru's name was up there as well.

When Wednesday came, they walked once more to the auditorium for the final callbacks. They were required to sing more, and to recite lines from the play on stage. Misty's audition went smoothly.

The final cast was posted outside the auditorium two days later. Minami scanned the list first.

"Awesome! I got the role of Sharpay! NOW IT'S YOUR TURN."

She dragged Misty's hands away from eyes. She stared at the list. Her name was not down for the role of Kelsey.

"I- I didn't make it," she stammered to Minami. At that moment, they both looked at the role for Troy. KAKERU HONDA, it said. But below that, was printed:

GABRIELLA: MISTY ASANATSU.