Hi! This is my first HSM story. It's the prologue (it's kinda short) and it's set when Sharpay and Ryan are about 4 years old.

Oh, and the story is themed; Autumn, true love, sacrifice, friendship, heartbreak, loyalty and destiny.

You'll love it. :)

It was Autumn.

The leaves of every single tree in New Mexico were now golden and brown, falling from the branches and flying with the wind. The cold wind whipped hard against the faces of the people, the air of bitter sadness gushing through with the season.

It was early in the morning, and at this time people usually got up to get ready for work, but today was different.

A small little girl, no more than 4 years old, stood at the cemetery with her father and twin brother as they silently watched from afar.

Dozens of people stood around as a priest read out from his Bible. Many were crying, all dressed in black.

"Friends and family," the priest began. "We're gathered here today to mourn the death of Olivia Evans. Loving mother, beautiful wife, and friend to all. Your struggle lasted for many, many painful years. You will never be forgotten, and eternally loved. Rest in peace, my child. Your soul is free at last." As the priest finished his final words, the coffin that laid in front of everyone was then lowered down into the grave.

The little girl gave her father's hand a squeeze as she watched the coffin disappear into the ground. Her brother let out a soft sob, but she stayed emotionless. She tilted her head up to look at her father.

"Daddy?"

Richard Evans glanced down at his small daughter. She tried to keep a brave face, but the sadness was clear in her eyes.

"Yes, Sharpay?"

Sharpay sighed and pressed her cheek into his leg, staring sadly at the grave. She looked up at him again.

"Why did Mommy have to die?" she asked.

Even at such a young age, Sharpay knew how to keep her pride. She knew how to act. She knew how to hide her emotions. So she did not cry, nor did her voice tremble.

But Richard knew her too well, and whenever she put on an act like this, she was in great pain. He smiled weakly and crouched down to her, taking her hands.

"Sharpay," he said softly. He looks over to his son. "Ryan." The little boy wiped his eyes, stiffening a little as he turned around to his father.

"Why did she leave us, Daddy?" Ryan asked in a whisper. "Didn't she love us enough to stay?"

Richard shook his head firmly.

"No," he said. "No, your mother loved you both. She always will."

Sharpay bit into her bottom lip, feeling the tears coming.

"Didn't Mommy know we'd be sad without her?"

Richard sighed wearily.

"These kinds of things happen all the time," he said. "People are born, and people die. That's just how things are sometimes, no matter how sad it makes people." Sharpay could no longer hold back her tears as she glanced at the crying guests.

"But… why did it have to be Mommy?" she muttered tearfully. "Why did she have to die now?" Richard cupped Sharpay's face and wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. He turned around to Ryan beside him and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. He smiled at his two children.

"Mommy… Mommy was very sick for a very long time," he said quietly, hugging them. "She knew she couldn't stay with us forever…" He reached into his pocket and fished out a necklace with a locket hanging from it. "So she told me to give this to you, Sharpay." Sharpay stared at the necklace with awe.

Her mother had always wore that necklace, for as long as Sharpay remembered. It was her lucky charm.

"Mommy's necklace?" she asked. Richard nodded and put it around Sharpay's neck. She looked down at it. "Mommy wanted me to wear it for her?" Her father nodded again. He touched the locket thoughtfully.

"When your mother and I first met," he said. "I gave her this locket. It's to put the photo of the one you love inside it so they're always close to your heart." Richard smiled a little as he remembered back. "Mommy put my picture in there, and she told me when you met the boy of your dreams, you'll always have this locket." Sharpay couldn't help but laugh at Ryan's disgusted expression. Her laughter immediately calmed as she stared back at her father. She sighed sadly, clutching the locket in her hands.

"I miss her, Daddy," she muttered. "I miss her alot."

"I know, angel," Richard told her gently. "But just know… she'll always watch over us from heaven." He looked up at the cloudy sky, smiling sadly. Ryan and Sharpay followed him.

"Do you think Mommy's watching us right now?" Ryan asked. Richard nodded. He took his son's hand and gently placed it over his chest.

"She's always with us," he said. He smiled at Sharpay and did the same to her, taking her hand and placing it on her chest. Sharpay managed a small smile.

"For always?"

Richard nodded.

"Always."

Next, we go back into the present day when Sharpay and Ryan go to school. They've met Gabriella and the duo are friends with Troy and the gang. Not too much drama yet, but the summary predicts everything… hehehe