Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical, High School Musical 2 or Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church.

A/N: I'm sorry that the sequel is just coming out now. I wanted to get it out sooner, but I got distracted with getting ready for school, starting school, and doing homework. I'm going to try to continue to post one chapter a week like I've done in the past, but with all I have going on this semester, I may not be able to stick to that schedule. Also, I want to let you know that since the I wrote the prequel to this before HSM2, there may be some things in this story that don't follow the second movie. Now: to the story!

Chapter 1: Where Are They Now?

Ryan Evans, currently known as Ethan Rodgers, was sitting in his cabin looking through his eleventh grade yearbook. He was currently living in Canada. His closest neighbors were five miles away. He introduced himself as Ethan Rodgers because he couldn't risk using his real name and being found. Looking at the pictures of all his old friends, Ryan couldn't help but wonder what they were all up to now. After all, it had been about five years since he had seen them or heard from any of them.

Letting out a depressed sigh, Ryan closed the yearbook and set it down on the coffee table. He headed over to his computer and signed in to browse online. The first thing he did, like always, was check the news. He was skimming the headlines when one caught his eyes. It read: "Wife of Business Mogul, Vance Evans, Died Yesterday." Tears immediately appeared in Ryan's eyes as he read the headline. He clicked on it to read more.

"Emily Evans, wife of wealthy businessman, Vance Evans, died yesterday. The cause of death is still unknown, but those who knew her best say the cause was a broken heart. When their son, Ryan Evans, ran away five years ago, Mrs. Evans suffered mentally. She never recovered from the loss of her only son. It is unknown where Ryan is, or if he is alive. Mrs. Evans is survived by husband, Vance, and daughter, Sharpay. A service will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico."

Ryan now had tears flowing freely from his eyes. His mom had died, and he felt responsible for it. In his emotional state, Ryan found himself booking a ticket for a flight to Albuquerque. He then turned off his computer to begin packing. When he was done, he fell asleep, heart broken.

Ryan woke the next morning and prepared for his flight that was leaving in three hours. He needed to be at the airport soon.

Meanwhile, back in Albuquerque

Troy sat down at the kitchen table with the paper in his hand. Gabriella, his wife of about two months, was cooking up something that smelled delicious. Troy took out the Sports section and began reading.

When Gabriella finished cooking, she placed two pancakes and scrambled eggs on a plate for Troy, then put the same amount on her plate. She set the plate in front of Troy who momentarily took his eyes off the paper to give his wife a "thank you" smile. She returned with a "your welcome" smile. Troy then went back to the sports page. Gabriella sat down and took out the Local section from the paper.

Just looking over the headlines, Gabriella felt herself frown at some of the unfortunate things that were happening in town. She then internally told herself to skim the obituaries to see if any neighbors she knew had passed. "Oh no," she breathed when she ran across one in particular.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"Mrs. Evans…she died yesterday." She answered, tears in her eyes.

"Mrs. Evans...you mean Sharpay's mom?" Gabriella nodded in response to this question. "The poor Evans family," Troy said now sad.

"We should go over and see how Sharpay and her dad are doing."

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'Why'? She's are friend Troy." Her voice rose slightly.

"I'm sorry, calm down. I just meant that we haven't seen her in years. Why would we go now?"

"Because, Troy, she could probably use a friend right now. Get ready because we are going over there later."

They finished eating and got ready to head over.

"Hey, Taylor, did you see the paper today?"

"No, you took it away from me and wouldn't let me have it. Remember, Chad?"

"Oh, yeah…well, I was reading the obituaries and apparently Mrs. Evans, Sharpay's mom, died yesterday."

"Oh, my gosh…poor Sharpay."

"I know, I want to do something, but I don't know what." He said, sitting on the couch next to his fiancé.

"We could send some flowers. Jeez, that seems so lame, but it's all I can think of to do."

"It sounds right, though. Don't a lot people send flowers as a condolence to the grieving family?"

"Yeah, but she's our friend. I feel like we should do more."

"We haven't seen or talked to her in years. I think flowers will work."

"I guess your right." Taylor sat in Chad's arms for a moment before she said, "Who's going to tell Zeke?" She looked up towards the stairs where Zeke's room was located.

"Let's do it together?" Chad asked.

"Okay, we'll tell him when he wakes up."

"Jason," Kelsi called as she walked into their house. They two were engaged.

"What's up, babe?" he asked as she entered the living room where he was watching a basketball game.

"When I was at the store today, some ladies were talking. Apparently, Mrs. Evans died yesterday." She cuddled up next to him, feeling bad for her friend.

"That sucks…who's Mrs. Evans?"

"Mrs. Evans is Sharpay's mom, Jason." Sometimes his clueless-ness was endearing to Kelsi, but right now it frustrated her.

"Oh, Sharpay Evans…that's the Sharpay that went to high school with us, right?"

"Do you know any other Sharpay?" she asked a bit out of anger.

"I don't think so."

"You don't Jason."

"Okay, if you say so," he agreed while kissing her forehead.

"What should we do to let her know we're thinking of her?"

"Do you know when the service is?" asked Jason smartly, but Kelsi raised her voice.

"No, I don't know when the service is. Jeez, Jason, sometimes you can be the densest person I know!"

"I'm sorry. I was just going to say we could go to the service if you knew when and where it is. I'm sorry, it was a stupid suggestion." Jason looked a bit down-hearted.

"No, I'm sorry, Jason. I shouldn't have yelled. I'm just upset. That is actually a great idea. I'm going to find out when the service is, then, we can pay our respects in person. Sometimes, you're a genius," Kelsi smiled at Jason, who smiled back. "I love you."

"I love you, too." They both leaned in for a kiss.

A/N: I hope you all found this to be a good introduction chapter. Notice, no one mentioned Ryan when talking about how they felt bad f or Sharpay. Also, I am working on a one-shot that I could use a bit of help with. If you notice, I try not to describe what my characters are wearing. However, with this story, it's essential. So if anyone out there could help me describe what Sharpay and Ryan wear during this scene of HSM, I would be very grateful. I'd credit you as a co-author, of course. So the outfits I need help describing are the ones Ryan and Sharpay wear when they overhear Troy and Gabriella practicing "Breaking Free" and Sharpay devises the plan to keep them away from callbacks. Thank you all!!!!