Disclaimer: I don't own High School Musical or any of the characters, no matter how much I wish I did.

Summary: After graduating from East High, no one's life was the same. Their biggest worries were no longer the Twinkle Town Musical or the Basketball Championships. Sharpay became a huge Broadway star, along with her brother. Troy made it big in the NBA. When an unexpected meeting brings the two together, dark memories are revealed and a new future begins. Troypay, I promise!

Prologue

A/N: Forgive me, but there's a lot of important background here. It'll make more sense in the next few chapters. By the way, I'm just letting the story unfold as it will. So if it gets a little confusing, just say so!

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New York, New York. Rain was pouring down as the business men and women scrambled to find a taxi. It was even harder with the rain, but being a beautiful blonde woman certainly had its advantages. Sharpay Evans, the Ice Queen of East High, had grown up since graduating. She went directly to New York where she studied at various schools for the arts. Her blue eyes were no longer shallow and her voice had lost that ice-cold tone. Deep down, she was still the same as ever. She did whatever it took to become the biggest star on Broadway. She stepped on anyone she could, except her brother. Everywhere she went, she took Ryan with her. Ever since their mother's sudden death in the end of their senior year, they were closer than ever. He was the only one that knew the 'real' Sharpay. The one she tried hiding from everyone—the Sharpay that got hurt easily and hated taking no for an answer. In turn, she was the only one that knew his. This bond brought them closer in a way that could only happen between the Evans'.

On the other side of the country was Troy Bolton. He never lost his boyish charm, his beautiful eyes, or his great hair. Instead, he grew a few inches. His singing voice improved and secretly still watched a few plays after basketball season was over. He was the team captain of the L.A. Lakers. Troy stood in line at the LAX Airport. A business trip required that he go to New York; on the side he headed a company that donates money to the basketball programs at elementary and high schools. The plane had been delayed due to the heavy rains in New York, so he was trading his plane ticket for a train ticket. While waiting, he began to reminisce. The first person that came to his mind was Gabriella Montez. Her flowing dark hair and her loving brown eyes still made him smile. She was his first love...his first kiss. Now, she was just a distant memory. Sometimes, he felt it was his job to avenge her, to make sure whoever hurt her would pay. But, the police tried everything...they did what they could. If they couldn't find what happened, what made him think he could? His thoughts were interrupted by a push by his best friend, teammate, and business partner-Chad.

"Come on, man, we really have to go. Aren't you the one that doesn't want to miss the meeting?" He said, irritated.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry. I was just thinking...about...some things," Troy responded. After leaving the airport, he realized that a few silent tears had found their way down his face. In the car, Troy and Chad began talking.

"Gabriella, right?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Troy. You've been thinking about her constantly since, well, it happened. It's been three years! No-don't interrupt me this time. We were all hurt: you, me, Zeke...even Sharpay and Ryan. I wish it had never happened, none of us do. But you need to move on. At first I thought you had, but-"

"It happened exactly three years ago yesterday. I can't just forget. I didn't mean to hurt her, you know? But then she...no one could...I'm not over her, I just can't be." By this time, Troy had no intention of hiding his feelings. He was crying his eyes out.

"Troy. Please don't. TROY! Snap out of it. I'm sorry if I'm being insensitive, but you'll thank me later." Inside Chad's head was a small plan to try to help him through this. He didn't know if it would work, but he had to try. They sat in silence the rest of the way there. "We're at the train station, Troy. I want to get to New York before the rain gets too bad. Otherwise, we'll never get to the hotel in time." Chad's phone began to ring. A quick glance told him his plan might actually work. "You go ahead; I'll meet you on the train. I have to take this call." Shrugging his shoulders, Troy slowly walked away.

"You make sure she gets there," Chad whispered in his phone. "We can't have any mistakes this time. It can't end up like...like...well, you remember. I'll see you in a few hours. It's going to go as planned." Chad hung up the phone. "I hope it goes as planned," he whispered to himself.

END OF PROLOGUE

edited Jan 28, 2007