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Previously on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...

Well, it's official. Nini and EJ are splitsville.

But you were always there beside me

I kinda missed it 'cause I was dealing with my own drama.

Sweetheart, we've decided to legally separate.

I'm not stupid. I know couples don't magically get back together.

Right?

Five, six, seven, eight...

We're on the official countdown to opening night.

This is the moment when the creative team begins to give the show over to the cast,

which is strangely emotional, actually.

But Miss Jenn says, "That's a life in the arts."

Well, that and almost constant unemployment.

Whoo!

Oh, wait, I messed up!

Sorry.

Come on, dude, I'm just saying, this is your chance.

The last thing I'm gonna do is ask Nini to Homecoming on the day of the dance.

But she's single and ready to mingle.

Yeah! And I had to hear it from Ashlyn, who heard it from Seb.

I'm telling you, Nini hardcore friend-zoned me.

Then ask her as friends!

We can all hang out together! Like the good old days!

Nini, you've been in there for ten minutes.

Do I need to call the nurse?

Too big... to go down!

Top ten things I never wanna hear in a public bathroom.

What are you...

I am flushing my Homecoming dress down the toilet.

Look, I know you're still mad at EJ, but there are healthier ways to move on!

This is not mad. This is empowered.

I'm done with boys who think they can control me,

and exes who can't even handle being friends.

I am done with boys.

Nini, you need help.

No.

You know what I need?

Like actually need?

A girl's night.

Uh, didn't we do face masks and The Bachelorette last night?

No, I'm talking about like a night on the town.

I miss my bestie.

Mmm. So, it's like an anti-Homecoming Homecoming?

I'm down.

I'm in.

I believe a director's first job is to look out for the well-being of her cast.

I'm losing my leading lady's focus right when I need it most,

and I know just the place to put the pep back in Nini's performance.

Dad.

I'm concerned.

-It smells like my bedroom in here. -Why aren't you at rehearsal?

-Why aren't you at work? -I'm taking a mental health day.

This is your fifth one in a row.

That's like a mental health week.

Ten more minutes, then I'll get up.

Hey.

Mom's not coming back, this is the way it is now, okay?

No. It's not okay.

I don't like it either, but, I really can't look at you like this.

You need to, like, take a shower, rejoin civilization.

I don't exactly see you puttin' yourself out there post-breakup.

That, good sir, is where you're wrong,

because I am going to Homecoming tonight.

No kidding. With who?

Big Red, okay?

I'm taking Big Red to his first ever dance.

Friend of the Year over here. Give me a ribbon.

Forward. Throw it back.

Who needs a girlfriend when you got a best friend with two left feet?

He's bringing the mints, I'm bringing the moves.

Oh, boy.

We're in this together, okay?

Think of it as a bro pact.

Does this mean I need to make a dating profile?

First, make your bed.

Baby steps, Dad.

Baby steps!

Baby steps.

I don't get it. When I dance with you, it's easy.

When I dance with Ryan, I've got two left feet.

You've just gotta drill it, Seb.

I mean, I practice for like an hour every night in our barn.

My parents think I'm bonding with the livestock.

I need more practice dancing with someone who actually knows how to lead.

Well, are you busy tonight?

-Tonight? -Yeah. You know, Homecoming.

You mean, like, you and I dancing together?

In front of, like, all the non-theater kids?

As far as I know, that's how Homecoming works.

This would be my first time going.

Text me a pic of what you're wearing.

Yeah!

- Yeah! - Whoa! All right!

So, here we are! Tonight's on me, girls.

Okay, I am so into this,

but, um, do not expect Kourtney to bowl.

Yeah, this manicure goes nowhere near a 20-pound ball.

-There was an incident. -Yeah.

Hmm. If only I had a back-up plan.

Welcome to the most exclusive karaoke club in town.

I blame it on love, my baby

Good for him. Yeah! Respect.

Oh, just get ready.

Tonight, we are going to sit back and listen to some of Utah's worst vocalists.

-Seriously? -Seriously.

Look around. These people?

They have half your talent, and twice your confidence.

I am totally confident!

Aren't I?

Way to have my back on girls' night, Kourt!

Look, I have been in your position.

In my biggest high school role,

I quit the show before they could figure out that I didn't know what I was doing.

I thought I was a fraud.

But... you're amazing!

It takes time to step into the spotlight, Nini.

That's why we're here tonight.

Plus, I have a ten-year-old coupon for free sodas and nachos.

Settle in! Have fun!

I blame it on love I blame it on you and me

I can't. I can't.

- Thanks. - Next.

Last name is Caswell, first name is EJ. There should be two tickets.

Found it.

Wait, when did you become "Nini"?

-Good Lord! -There was a...

last-minute cast change.

Whatever.

Looks like you're at table ten with the other theater kids.

Snap a photo on your way in.

Thank you.

Next!

Come on!

Nuh-uh. No way. I didn't agree to photos.

Relax. It's all part of the plan.

Right, and what exactly is the plan?

All will be revealed.

Look, I agreed to take you here. What else did I agree to?

Fewer questions, more nodding.

Say "cheese."

I don't believe this!

This dude steals my girlfriend

and 12 seconds after they break up, he's already playin' the field.

You could take a lesson from that, my man.

Gee, thanks for defending my mortal enemy.

The point is, you made a pact with your dad.

You're putting yourself out there again, right? So, put yourself out there.

Like, tonight.

Speak of the devil.

Get a load of this player. He's texting me for fashion advice.

Me!

Excuse us.

These seats taken?

Yoo-hoo! Miss? Can I place an order?

Sir?

Anyone?

Um...

Pardon me. You're not Karen, are you?

Who's asking?

Sorry, I'm just waiting for someone named Karen.

At least, that's what she told me.

Ugh. Isn't online dating the worst?

Hi. Can I get three ginger ales, heavy on the ice,

and an order of nachos, please? Thank you.

Sorry, you were saying?

Actually, I was agreeing. That online dating is the worst.

But, I promised my kid I'd put myself out there.

Am I showing too much chest?

I think you look great.

I'm Mike.

Hi. I'm... not Karen.

Now, that's a name you don't forget.

Um, thank you.

If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my table.

Good luck, Mike.

I've got my own revolution

I cannot believe this.

-You're telling me. -She's wearing the lime green sweater.

What're you talking about? She's wearing a bedazzled tablecloth.

And she's with EJ.

- Girl, I'm talkin' about Tonya Freeman. - Wait, what?

The senior who keeps killing all my costume ideas? She's here.

And she's wearing the exact outfit I chose for Gabriella

that she said would make you look like a Teletubby.

- Are you gonna say something to her? - No.

I will! I'll march up there and ask her where she got it.

Ooh! Okay. Count backwards from ten. Let's not ruin girls' night.

Uh, kinda too late!

EJ and Gina beat Tonya to it.

I'm gonna say something.

Nini! I'm serious.

Sodas are here, nachos on the way. What's up?

Uh...

Sorry, Miss Jenn, um, could we have a second?

Of course. I'll get napkins. And earplugs.

He'll show up, okay? Maybe he just hit traffic.

We live in Salt Lake City.

There hasn't been traffic since the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Don't assume Seb stood you up, okay?

Maybe he was just in a farming accident.

Not helping.

Could you get me some punch, babe?

Sure, babe.

Hey, not to intrude on date night, but you can do better than EJ.

That guy, that guy's bad news.

You're not exactly one to give relationship advice.

And when I want your opinion, I'll ask.

Well, I'm giving it anyway 'cause I sorta thought you were classier than this.

But, hey, maybe you really are what people say you are.

-And that is? -Dude.

Just a little too ambitious for your own good, or anyone else's.

You're back!

Still no Karen? Thank you.

Uh...

Actually there is no Karen.

I made her up just to talk to you.

Hold on. I can't decide if I'm offended or flattered.

Would you maybe wanna bowl together sometime?

And what is your name?

Real name or stage name?

Wait, you're an actor?

- Mmm. - That explains the charm.

-Have I seen you in anything? -Um...

Do you remember that gum commercial a few years ago

where the girl smiled and then her teeth turned into fireworks?

Are you serious? Of course!

Yeah, I was down to the final two for that.

It went to the other girl. It's been a cold stretch, professionally.

Personally, too.

I can relate.

I'm Jennifer.

Was this, like, a huge mistake?

What? Calling Gina out like that?

Yeah, that was mad harsh, dude. You owe her an apology.

She showed up to the dance with my ex's ex.

What's that about?

Maybe it's not actually about you at all.

Maybe people are allowed to go out with whoever they wanna go out with

and be whoever they wanna be.

Sorry, I've been falling asleep to Dr. Phil lately.

Can we just get outta here?

Now? Dude, we're at Homecoming.

You should be finding eligible hunnies for me to dance with.

Uh, hold that thought. Drama, two o'clock.

EJ, just go with me on this, okay?

No, I don't just go with things. You need to fill me in now.

"What is wrong with you, EJ?"

"I'm intimidated by how fly Big Red looks

"in that suit he borrowed from Ricky."

"Don't be intimidated, be inspired.

"Big Red is an underrated style legend."

Dude. You're an idiot.

Oh, my... Oh!

That's the plan!

There's no plan, okay?

I had a vague idea that Nini was gonna be here with Kourtney,

see me with EJ, and then...

I don't know!

Just get so fed up with all the drama that she just quit the show or something.

What can I get you?

Something wet?

Something wrong?

You think I'm actually going to confide in you?

I contain multitudes, Carlos.

He didn't show up.

My date.

Oh.

It's my fault.

I'm the fool who thought he'd actually dance in public with me.

Well, the night's not over.

Look, uh, we've all seen your moves.

You don't need a dance partner to dance.

What can I get you?

Sorry, I don't do cash.

Could you send me a Venmo request?

Sure.

Need to borrow a buck?

You do not want to clap at me right now. I will clap back.

Wait, wait!

I was actually gonna apologize.

Okay, go ahead.

Oh. That was actually it. The apology.

Look, who you hang out with or don't hang out with isn't any of my business.

Then why are you making it your business?

Good question. I don't know.

It's like I am an outsider to the theater stuff, right?

And you're, like, an outsider to East High.

I thought we sort of, like, got each other.

I mean, we did until you came for me.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

My world's been a little upside down lately.

At home, too. It's a whole thing.

You're not the only one with home drama.

Well, I didn't need to add to yours.

Give me a ride and we'll call it even?

Sure, yeah.

Question.

Why are you so good at sticking up for me, but you can't do it for yourself?

Look, I didn't come here for a fight. I came here to have fun.

And there's more than one way to be the bigger person.

Now, with a throwback one-hit wonder,

please welcome to the stage, Nay-nay!

It's pronounced "Nee-nee"!

Uh... No, it... It's pronounced "No way."

Oh, come on!

You signed me up to sing? In the middle of our dual crisis?

Hey! Step away from the phone.

Come on, this used to be our jam back in the day.

I can't do it.

-Why? -'Cause it just hit me.

The only reason I got the lead at school is because I played the lead at camp,

and I got the lead at camp because my boyfriend...

Ex-boyfriend.

...took out the girl who got the actual lead. That part was never mine.

These past couple months, this whole Nini 2.0 thing,

it's all built on a lie.

I'm a fraud.

Well, that sounds familiar.

Last call for Nay-Nay.

- I can't do it. - Someone check the bathroom?

- Nini! - Next.

- Okay. - Okay.

That's it, girl. I don't know what to do with this.

Nice sweater.

Uh, where do you think you're going?

Not on that stage, I'll tell you that much.

I don't get it. What happened to the seventh-grade Nini

who used to belt this song out in the backseat of my mom's minivan?

She grew up.

Nuh-uh. She met Ricky.

-What? -Ever since you discovered boys,

you've spent way too much time trying to see yourself through their eyes.

Oh, come on! No, that is not true.

-No, I... No. -Ah. Oh. Uh...

- All right, it might be a little bit true. - Okay.

You know what?

Miss Jenn's wrong.

You didn't lose your confidence.

You just forgot why you love to sing in the first place.

Excuse me, can you start this song over again, please?

-What are you doing? -Practicing what I preach.

Don't need a king

I got my crown

Don't need a hero to lift me off the ground

I built this heart

It's beating loud

Won't let no bad blood ever bring us down

-Keep flying -Higher

-Fight like a -Fighter

What if I'm everything that I will ever need

A queen messiah

A strong survivor

Even the worst days won't get the best of me

'Cause I was

Born to be brave

I know who I am inside

And I won't apologize

Made my mistakes

And they gave me wings to fly

To my castle in the sky

I used to feel, like I was lost

It's like my phone's navigation was turned off

But it's the road I stumbled on

That led me right to the place where I belong

Keep flying higher

Fight like a fighter

Yeah, I am everything that I was meant to be

A blazing fire

That's getting brighter

Don't need nobody here that don't believe in me

'Cause I was...

Born to be brave

I know who I am inside

And I won't apologize

I actually kinda feel bad for the guy.

Made my mistakes

And they gave me wings to fly

-To my castle in the sky -My castle in the sky

Let my hair down and let it go

No more running

I run this show

From way up here yeah, the view is gold

Born to be brave

Now I'm standing miles high

Like castles in the sky

Bosses and queens Stand up on your throne

Know who you are This is your kingdom

Legends at heart Individuals

Go make your mark Be original!

'Cause I was...

Born to be brave

I know who I am inside

And I won't apologize

Made my mistakes

And they gave me wings to fly

To my castle in the sky

Let my hair down and let it go

No more running I run this show

From way up here, yeah, the view is gold

'Cause I was

Born to be brave

Now I'm standing miles high

Like castles in the sky

Like castles in the sky

I mean, that was amazing.

It's great to be in love On Valentine's Day

Looks like I missed a lot.

The dance started three hours ago.

We lost one of our cows.

-You could have texted. -We have bad reception at the barn.

I'm really sorry about being so late.

I'm really sorry about your cow.

Hey.

At least our ties match.

It's great to be in love

On Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day

There you are! I've been texting you,

but I realized your phone was here.

Wait. Hold on, did you upgrade your makeup in the bathroom?

Because you are serving ageless glow.

What? Stop.

Miss Jenn, did you meet someone in the bowling alley?

I...

You did!

It was a momentary flirtation. He offered to give me a ride home.

But trust me, men come and go, but girlfriends are forever.

So, this is where I live. Ta-da.

Let me guess, you pictured a wrought iron gate and a bunch of gargoyles?

Kinda. Nah, you're not that scary.

Uh, I kinda owe you a thank you, actually.

For what?

You're the reason I stayed with the show. That night at the skate park?

You set me straight and, um...

It's been a big deal for me.

Uh, the Troy thing.

Well, it suits you.

Hmm. I still don't know all the theater terms.

I don't know. It's just nice to have somewhere to go

after school every day, you know?

I know.

Believe me.

Yeah.

Yeah, we're gonna

Bop, bop, bop, bop to the top

Slip and slide and ride that rhythm

Bop, bop, bop...

Well, girls, did we get what we came for?

-No. -Not really.

What?

-But, I think I got something even better. -Well, you know what they say.

Karaoke works in mysterious ways.

Hmm. We should do this next year...

- ...I don't know. - I don't know either.

Please come to my office

before the opening bell, first thing Monday morning.

I've gotten some information

that I'd like to discuss with you face-to-face.

Miss Jenn, is everything okay?

Oh.

Never better.

Let's call it a night.

Okay.

Hey, um, before you head inside,

what was that big blow-up all about with you and your date?

I already forgot about it.

And I don't do dates, by the way.

It's hard enough to make friends.

Try moving five schools in seven years.

How's that working out for ya?

-I should probably... -Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, I... I meant what I said.

At the skate park, about you having your own style.

I don't even think I knew how much I meant it when I said it.

Good night, Ricky.

Hmm.