Chapter One: Beware of the Tabloids

The Gossip Daily

They dazzled the arts world once again with their performance as Tony and Maria in the Broadway production of West Side Story. Ryan and Sharpay Evans (27) are the new "it" couple, as far as the world of musicals is concerned. As they say, our Tony will be nominated for the Tony this year (best actor) but so will his beloved Maria. In a press interview, Ryan Evans declared that he owes everything to Sharpay, while Sharpay that she owed everything to her brother and hard work. But, wait! Who is her brother anyway? She always mentions him, but we've never seen him in any of Sharpay's premieres, and the Evans' have been around for a while. They have appeared together, inseparable in any play, indicating a strong bond and a loyal marriage. And sure, they look cute together.

"This is absolute nonsense," Sharpay muttered as she read the paper. "These journalists have yet to discover the simplest thing, that we are siblings and not husband and wives. Plus, their editors are so blind; they couldn't see the truth even if it was a pink elephant practicing ballet moves in front of them!"

"Huh?" Ryan asked, lying tired on his couch after all the fatigue of the morning rehearsal. "Could you please repeat what you said? I didn't think I quite grasped it."

"I said that those tabloids are always spreading stupid rumours! Look at it, yourself," the young woman said, handing him the paper furiously.

"What's the big deal? Oh my God! They got our ages wrong! I demand compensation. I am only twenty six!" Ryan remarked, shocked.

"You still don't get it, do you? Read on!"

"Well, it says something about the new 'it' couple, and a loyal marriage and not knowing who your brother is. I don't find that disturbing. It is rather funny. I actually laugh at those peoples' stupidity! At least, they got our strong bond right. We are twins after all. And plus, we do look good together".

"Oh, shut up Ryan!" Sharpay cried.

"Is that bothering you that much, Shar?" Ryan changed his tone. "It's just nonsense, as you said".

"Yes, but there are people who read and believe this crap!" the blonde protested. "Plus, our school reunion is fast approaching. What will I tell to them? When I see them and they are all so successful, I just want to cry! Take Troy, for instance. He had a great career as a player in the NBA!"

"I see what's bothering you now, sis!" the actor commented. "You really want to prove in our next reunion that you are someone… Fine then, may I remind you that Bolton's glorious career ended last year when he broke a leg? And you know, in basketball 'break a leg' does not stand for good luck!"

"Well, he still is the East High basketball coach, like his father used to be. And, he is happily married to Gabriella. I think they have a child, too. She is also a teacher in East High. God! I can't bear that much cuteness. Chad plays basketball for some minor league and still goes out with Taylor, recently appointed by NASA or something, Jason and Kelsi have moved to a tropical island, Zeke has started a baking business, Martha is a lecturer on music at Harvard… Even the skater dude is supposed to be something like the Tony Hawk with the cello!"

"Ok, stop!" Ryan said. "I bet nobody lives the perfect life, either. Now relax, and see what you got. You are probably the most recognizable face in the yearbook, you have starred in seventeen Broadway productions and you are only twenty-six, you have a nomination for a Tony Award which is way more important than a 'Tony-Hawk-with-a-cello", you live a life of luxury in New York and… what else would you possibly want, a brother who adores you maybe?"

"Thanks, Ryan," Sharpay smiled.

"Now stop complaining over a stupid tabloid…"

"But gossip can hurt you!"

"No it can't! You are my invincible sister. Nothing can hurt you, us. As I said, stop complaining over a stupid tabloid and take something serious to read, such as The Broadway Critic. Let's see what it's written here… Hmm, 'a flawless performance by the Evans twins?' Have you heard that, twins?"

"You are right," Sharpay whispered. "But this doesn't change the fact that I have put on some weight, that bad hair days come in a row or that I don't have a boyfriend!"

"You are crazy!" Ryan admitted. "You know perfectly well that you haven't put on any weight and that your hair is always shiny and silky. I know because you never eat anything and you never stop preparing yourself in the mornings. As for the boyfriend part, maybe it just hasn't been the right time yet. It hasn't been the right time for me to find the love of my life either. We'll both find our way".

Sharpay stopped weeping and looked her brother up in the eyes. "You shouldn't really be an actor, you know. You are wasting your time. Go and become a motivator, people will pay you a fortune to give them proper advice!"

Ryan pushed his shoulders up and smiled. "That's my sister!"

"Now let's go before we're late for the rehearsal!"

"We have a rehearsal? I mean…"

"I got you, there!" Sharpay cried. "We just finished it!"

The twins started to laugh. Ryan started to comically imitate his sister and her 'turn, left arm, turn, right arm, kick, right foot, left foot, turn, hands down!' yelling. She seized the opportunity, grabbed a pillow from the sofa and threw it on his head. It was just like the old times, when they were not twenty six, but six. They laughed and threw pillow cases one another until the phone rang. Sharpay rushed to pick it.

"Hello? Oh, Taylor, is that you?" she said, quickly changing her happy attitude to the sober, snobbish and callous tone which had given him the nickname 'The Ice Queen' in high school.

"Yes, and am I talking to Sharpay?" the girl in the other line asked.

"Yep, this is Sharpay Evans!"

"Great! Sharpay, I bet Ryan is somewhere close, so I'd really appreciate it if you informed him. As you know, we are soon to have our school reunion. It will be exactly next month. I wanted to remind you that, and to tell you that, for old times sake we will have the theme of 'Go Drama Club.' So, I guess would you like to prepare a show, along with your brother or…"

"Great, a show!" Sharpay shrieked. "Count me in! Will it be a competition?"

"Nah, nothing fancy really," Taylor replied. "After all it wouldn't be fair with you two being professional performers and such... See you in the reunion!" she finished and hanged up.

She had sounded really tired, Sharpay thought, as she rushed to tell Ryan the news. She was the one organizing the whole reunion, if she quite remembered, and that was a great load of work. Whatever! She would just inform Ryan, and then they could go and have lunch in some posh restaurant. Then, they could go shopping in order to relax a little and afterwards return home, to prepare for the night's show. Of course, Sharpay Evans felt safe and happy in her glamourous in and out stage routine.