"RYAAAAN!"

"What could her highness want now?" muttered Ryan as he got up from his computer and walked down the hall to his sister's bedroom. Looking into her room he saw nothing, but the sheer pinkness of her walls, floor, ceiling, and just about everything else. And a pile of designer clothes on the floor that was becoming bigger as more flew from her closet. "You called, Sharpay?" said Ryan in that patronizing tone his sister hated.

Sharpay's blond head of hair poked out of the closet to glare at him only for a second before returning to the task of emptying the closet of its contents. "Ryan," said her voice angrily, "Stop being a bitch and tell me where it is."

"Where what is, Sharpay?" asked Ryan, taking a step into the room.

"You know what!" said Sharpay getting angrier by the second.

"Sharpay, if I knew what it was then I would tell you where it is." said Ryan walking to the closet to check its insides.

Not even half of Sharpay's had been thrown out on the pile, and that pile was pretty damn big. The walk-in closet was about thirteen feet high and twenty feet deep with a lot of walking space in the middle and a mirror on each wall. Ryan's own closet wasn't even half as big as his sister's. But then again 'only the best for our little angel', as his parents usually said to Sharpay. Not that they were ever around long enough to see if she even liked it, or kept it, or even to give it to her. But that's how it is when your parent's have business meetings, and private getaways, every day. The longest they actually stayed in their home was for five whole hours. But back to Sharpay who took another pile of clothes and threw them straight in Ryan's face.

"My Gucci dress with matching handbag and hat ensemble. Where is it?" asked Sharpay again.

"It's still at the store. You told me to go get it just five minutes ago." Ryan reminded her.

"Then why isn't it here yet?! And why are you just standing here?! Go get it!" Sharpay screamed at him folded her arms over the breast of her pink robe with the embroidered SE.

"Sharpay, is about to start in eleven minutes. I'll never be able to make it to the mall and back in time. Just pick something else to wear." said Ryan.

"NO! I can't just pick an outfit out in a second. Go get my ensemble or else . . ." said Sharpay letting the threat hang in the air.

That was enough to prompt Ryan into running from the room and into his car, the one thing his parents actually did give him. It was the same kind as Sharpay's, except in baby blue. Ryan didn't know how Sharpay expected him to get the ensemble back to her in just . . . nine minutes! He wouldn't even be able to make it to the mall in nine minutes. But the thought of what she might do if he didn't do as she said was an even worse thought.

By the time he had reached the mall he was already late for first period and would probably be late to second too. Rushing to the Gucci store he ran up to the front counter, which was fortunately unoccupied by any customers.

"Hi." said Ryan to the woman behind the counter.

"Hello, Ryan." said the woman. All the employees knew him by name since he was there every week carrying out Sharpay's shopping orders.

"Is Sharpay's order in?" asked Ryan impatiently.

"Yes. I've got it right here." said the woman as she reached under the counter and pulled out the ensemble that was in its box. "I hope Sharpay likes it."

"She better love it." said Ryan as he handed the woman his credit card.

"It's ok. Sharpay already had it paid for." said the woman pushing his card back to him.

"Wait." said Ryan confused. "She already paid for it, and so she sent me to get it."

"Yes."

"Why didn't she just send one of the butlers? Or just have it sent to the house?!" shouted Ryan. The woman flinched slightly as his sudden outburst. Ryan did his deep breathing exercises and put on a smile. "Sorry about that," he said apologetically, "I sometimes overreact. Thank you for your help."

"You're very welcome. Do come again." said the woman as if nothing had happened.

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon." Ryan muttered under his breath as he left the store.

Returning to his car he put the keys in the ignition and jetted back to the house. Besides the fact that he had nearly gotten into two accidents, it was a nice drive. When he was back he found that Sharpay's car wasn't in the driveway, in the garage, or anywhere on the premises. This meant she had already left for school . . . in a different outfit. Sadly, this wasn't a first for Sharpay so Ryan wasn't that angry, or surprised. He just went inside, put the ensemble in Sharpay's room, and returned to his car. This time he drove at a more controlled pace to school and was able to arrive at the break between third and fourth period.

Entering through the double doors of East High Ryan headed for his locker, which was conveniently located a couple lockers away from his sister's. When he got there he found Sharpay mingling with her 'best friends', or as Ryan liked to call them her groupies. They only liked her for what she had and she didn't even mind, because she had everything. They followed her everywhere and spent all their time at her house or at the Lava Springs resort with her. He saw more of them then he saw of his own parents. And like Sharpay they boss him around too. It was almost like they were permanent step-sisters that he couldn't get rid of. That's why he eventually came up with another name for them. The evil step-groupies.

"Oh my god, Sharpay," squealed Groupie #1, "Your outfit is so darling."

She was referring to the Armani ensemble that Sharpay wore with a Louis Vuitton bag and Coco Chanel boots.

"I know." said Sharpay basking in her glory. "It took me hours to come up with it."

My ass, thought Ryan angrily, more like two seconds.

"Oh, Ryan," exclaimed Sharpay as she turned around and saw him," there you are! I've been looking all over for you! You know, skipping classes won't do well for your already poor grades!"

Ryan wanted to yell at her right there and then. She knew he wasn't that smart, but that he tried his hardest. And to insult him in front of a hall of people. But it was just usual Sharpay. So he kept his mouth shut.

"Sorry, Sharpay." said Ryan in a polite tone. "I was out getting your Gucci ensemble from the mall. Remember?"

"Oh please, Ryan," said Sharpay waving him off, "Gucci is so yesterday."

"Seriously." said Groupie #3.

"Everyone knows that." said Groupie #2

"But I guess I can forgive for your mistake . . . this time." said Sharpay with that evil glint in her eyes. "Anyway, I need you to carry my books for me. With you gone I've had to have some strange girl carry them around for me."

"Let me guess, she's kinda small with glasses and shy?" asked Ryan.

"Yes!" said Sharpay astonished. "How did you know?"

"Sharpay, that's Kelsi." said Ryan. "We've known her since the first grade."

"Oh," said Sharpay surprised, "Is that right? Well, she isn't very strong. She kept dropping my books all over the place."

"Just give me the books, Sharpay." said Ryan so he could end this conversation.

Sharpay snapped her fingers and from around a corner a small brunette girl appeared carrying a stack of heavy textbooks. She stared at Sharpay and Sharpay simply waved at Ryan. The girl walked over to him and transferred the books.

"Hey, Ryan." she said.

"Hey, Kelsi." he said kindly. "I heard you had a rough morning."

"You know her highness." said Kelsi. Luckily, Sharpay had returned to gabbing with her groupies so the comment went unnoticed.

"Yeah, she had me go to the mall and pick up an outfit that she didn't even end up wearing. So now I've missed my first three periods." said Ryan.

"Lucky for you that you have me." said Kelsi with a smile.

"What'd you do?" asked Ryan suspiciously.

"I got all your homework from your first three periods. And told your teachers that you weren't feeling well which is why you weren't here." said Kelsi.

"Oh my god. Thank you, Kelsi," said Ryan with much gratitude, "You're a life saver."

"Well, thanks to you I don't have to carry Sharpay's books anymore. So I say we're even." said Kelsi walking away. "See you at lunch."

"See ya." Ryan called after her. Turning back he saw Sharpay and her groupies staring at him. "Yes?" he asked.

"If you're done chitchatting we've got to get to class." said Sharpay indignantly.

"Can I at least get my books first?" asked Ryan.

"No time. And would you mind carrying the girl's books also. I knew you wouldn't." said Sharpay finishing the conversation without letting Ryan getting a word in. In a second his stack of books was three times as high and he was unable to see past it. "Hurry up, Ryan, or we'll be late." he heard Sharpay say as her heels clicked down the halls.

Without further thought Ryan just followed the sound of the heels as he walked blindly through the halls. In a few seconds his nerves about walking blind went away he just started walking without worrying who he might bump into. But when the sound of heels went away the nerves soon returned. Ryan tried to look past his stack, but couldn't without the giant tower rocking every which way. So he just started walking forward again. For a few seconds he was good . . . until he ended up crashing right into another person. It was amazing how the entire hall was empty and he managed to bump into the only person walking through it.

The books had managed to scatter all across the hall and Ryan was laying flat on his back with his eyes closed. The back of his head hurt and he was hoping the other person would just walk away without even noticing him. Sadly, a few seconds later he could feel the heat of another person hovering over him.

"Are you ok?" asked a familiar voice.

Ryan's eyes shot open when he recognized it. Standing over him was Troy Bolton, the prince of East High. Or as people liked to call him, the basketball king, ruler of the school, god of the court, every girl's wet dream, and some boy's, every possible name you could think of. And right now, the worst person Ryan would want to be embarrassed in front of.

"Um, y-yeah." Ryan stuttered as he pushed himself up with his hands. Eventually he was in a sitting position on the floor. "A-are you o-ok?" God dammit, thought Ryan, I sound like a total loser.

"I'm not the one on the floor." said Troy with a smile. "You need any help with your books?"

"No." said Ryan quickly, wanting Troy to leave as soon as possible, "I can get them. You should be going or you'll be late."

Troy looked at the watch on his wrist and noticed the time. "Oh shoot, your right," he said standing straight up, "I gotta go. I'll see you around."

"Uh-huh." said Ryan without even bothering to watch Troy leave. He went straight to gathering the books that were all over the floor. By the time he had rebuilt the stack the class bell had rung. Fortunately, with the stack of books on the ground Ryan was able to tell where he was and quickly was able to make his way to his class.

"Mr. Evans," said Ms. Darbus with mild surprise, "I was told you were out sick."

"Not even sickness could keep me away from your class Ms. Darbus." said Ryan when he had reached his seat next to the glaring Sharpay.

"Well, that's very nice, Ryan," said Darbus, "But the next time you decide to come to my class late . . . don't."

The harshness in her tone made Ryan flinch and Sharpay smile. Fourth and fifth period couldn't go by fast enough. But eventually they were over and it was lunch period for Ryan. He was able to leave Sharpay's books at her locker and go to lunch. In the cafeteria he met up with the Kelsi at the drama club table.

"Hey, Kels." he said sitting down.

"Hey, Ry." she said taking a bite out of her sandwich.

"So how's your day been since you were released from Sharpay duty?" asked Ryan.

"Pretty boring." said Kelsi. "How's yours been?"

"Late to fourth. Bored in fifth." said Ryan, "Normal day."

"Late to fourth?" inquired Kelsi.

"After Sharpay gave me her books I also had to carry the groupie's books." said Ryan. "So I couldn't see where I was going and I ended up getting lost and I ended up crashing into Troy Bolton."

"Troy Bolton?!"

"Want to scream that any louder?" asked Ryan as he clamped a hand over Kelsi's mouth.

Kelsi removed his hand and stared at him wide-eyed. "You bumped into your long-time crush of like three years and you aren't excited?"

"First, it's not a crush, I just think he looks cute. Second, no I'm not excited. Third, it was totally embarrassing and I hope it never happens again. Lastly, here comes the queen."

Kelsi turned around to watch with Ryan as Sharpay and her posse slowly sauntered over to the table. Sharpay stopped in front of Ryan.

"Ryan, be a dear and go buy me some food from that place that I love." said Sharpay in an innocent voice.

"I have no money, Sharpay." said Ryan.

"You have a credit card."

"Not I don't. You took it during fifth period, remember? You said it was punishment for me being late to fourth." Ryan reminded her.

"Well, here," said Sharpay digging through her purse and shoving the card in his face, "You can have it back. Just go and get my food."

Ryan took the card and put it in his pocket. Getting up from the table he said good-bye to Kelsi and left the cafeteria. Once he was in his car he left the school parking lot and drove into town towards the restaurant Sharpay liked to get her lunch from. Inside they already had her food since she always gets the same thing every time.

"Hello, Ryan." said the guy at the register. Again the employees knew him here because of Sharpay's frequent needs.

"Hi, can I have Sharpay's food?" asked Ryan.

"Right here." said the clerk, pointing to the bag on the counter. "That'll be 87.45."

"Sharpay better really like this food because it is burning a hole in my pocket." said Ryan as he reached into his pocket and felt the actual hole that was in it. And the emptiness of no credit card or even a wallet. "Oh god!" said Ryan as he frantically searched his other pocket, which had no hole, but no money either.

"Is there a problem?" asked the clerk.

"I have no money." said Ryan with a hung head.

"Then I guess you get no food." said the clerk snatching the food off the counter.

"Wait!" said Ryan, "Can't I just start a tab?!"

"Sorry. We don't have tabs." said the clerk snootily.

"Sharpay will kill me if I don't bring back her food." Ryan pleaded.

"I'll make sure to attend the funeral." said the clerk before walking away.

All Ryan could do was grunt and whine as he trudged back to his car, looking out for his wallet and credit card all the while. When he got back to school lunch was almost over and Sharpay was not happy.

"There you are, Ryan!" she barked, "Where is my food?! You had better not have used that credit card on something else?!"

"I lost my credit card and my wallet." muttered Ryan.

"You did what?! Oh, great job, Ryan! Now I have no food!" Sharpay scolded him.

"I'm sorry, Sharpay."

"Sorry?! You're sorry?! Sorry isn't good enough! Just get out of my sight! You're making me sick to my stomach!"

Completely mortified Ryan left the cafeteria and the school. He decided to spend the rest of the day at home.