Author: Myself
Title: Suddenly
Rating: We're going to go with T- M because it will get M later on but not for a while.
Pairings: Troypay Ryella Chayalor and Jelsi.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or East High nor do I want to yadda yadda yadda.
Side Note: I was listening to Ashley Tisdale's Suddenly when I got the idea for this fiction, hence the name, and I hope you all enjoy it. The song will be incorporated later on. Also, I will change some of the characters a bit to fit my storyline and my liking around so if you don't like the characters different then I suggest you don't read. Also, please don't hate on the story. If you don't like it... don't read it. Thank you.

Chapter 1

Sharpay's heels clicked across the halls with such confidence that everyone was a bit intimidated. She was the girl that the girls wanted to be and the one that all the guys wanted to date. A year ago her ice queen façade had completely faded away and right after a talent scout that had retreated to Lava Springs for a relaxing vacation had over heard her singing in a music room. It was nothing but her voice and a piano and it stuck a chord with the man and a short 2 weeks later Sharpay was flown off to record her first album. She never knew what all it took to put together an album but she knew that it wasn't easy and she quickly figured it out as exhaustion began to catch up with her and her perfect picture of herself slowly faded to a normal teenager look. No longer dressed in skirts, dress tops and heels she entered the high school in nothing but a pair of green Capri sweat pants, a plain white t-shirt and flip flops she made a line straight for her locker.

It was like her entire world had changed and she wasn't sure if it was for the better or not. She had almost ripped East High's golden couple apart for her own selfish reasons, she almost lost her brother because of the same and now she stood in front of her locker no longer the ice queen but as Sharpay Evans afraid of what they were whispering behind her. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath as she began to unload the things from inside bit by bit into the box that laid in front of her. It was her senior year and she would no longer be attending the school. Due to the fact she was about to release her album she wouldn't have time to attend high school so instead her parents had hired a tutor to follow her around the country so she could finish out her senior year. It's not like it mattered, not to her anyways, because as far as she was concerned everyone hated her and it was just fine.

After cleaning her locker out she starred at the empty shell that was left and felt like a part of her was gone. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is an opportunity." Her eye's closed suddenly as she sucked a shallow breath in. She knew that voice. She had dreamt about that voice one too many times to not have it memorized. However, she didn't know that the voice would bring tears to her eyes, tears she was determined to not let fall. This was her choice. This was her dream and she was going to take it. Before she could respond she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and her strong façade suddenly faded and her body had leaned back against the muscular chest almost afraid to move. "You're going to be great, Pay." The voice whispered as the arms moved from her shoulders to wrap fully around her engulfing her in a warm hug from behind. It was as if a weight was released from her shoulders just hearing those words from his mouth. The mouth of the only guy she had ever wanted attention from. Figures the day she was leaving he would give it to her but she chose to ignore that fact and concentrate on the moment because only God knew if there would be another moment like this with him.

The bell rang and everyone had scurried off to class. She soon realized that he was still holding onto her from behind looking into her blank locker. He felt a pain in his chest realizing that she was no longer going to be next to him between classes sending sarcastic remarks his way, she would no longer be sitting in his classes sucking up to the teachers causing everyone to laugh and she would no longer be gracing just their school with her presence and amazing voice. No, she was no longer just for Albuquerque. She was no longer just Troy's eye candy. Before he could stop the words in his heart they spilled from his mouth not caring who was around or who heard. "Don't go." It came out as a bare whispered but an emotional one. His arms tightened around her as he felt her tense under his touch causing his own eyes to close. Suddenly it all made sense to Troy and he was afraid it made sense too late.

Just a few feet away stood their closest friends watching with solemn looks on their faces. Both had always known that the two had a connection that no one could doubt and even Troy's girlfriend couldn't deny what was between them. Her hand quickly made it's way to her T necklace holding it tightly in her hand as a small smile graced her face causing looks of confusion from her friends. She knew. She had always known that although she was deeply in love with Troy he could never love her the same because his heart lied with someone else. Someone that was around far before she had met the boy. "Finally." She whispered causing a soft chuckle from the boy standing next to her.

"It's been years." He whispered not wanting the pair to know their presence was just down the hall watching the scene unfold before their eyes. Ryan had watched his sister grow and mature all because of the boy who seemed to have a firm grip on her. The smile on his face was undeniable as he glance to Gabriella reaching his hand out to take her free hand. "I'm sorry, by the way."

Gabriella couldn't help but giggle quietly as she looked back into his eyes. She couldn't deny how handsome the boy was or how much she had been wanting to just be with him lately. It was no lie that Troy and her had drifted apart after all the events at Lava Springs but not out of anger. She had seen the look on his face when he pulled Sharpay up to sing with them. She had seen their hands locked together and the smiles on their faces. Normally a girlfriend would be upset but she could no longer be mad at Sharpay because her boyfriend was just as in love as she was. She was happy that they were finally making progress even if it was the day that she was leaving. So despite the fact she was still technically with Troy she gave Ryan's hand a squeeze back. "I'm not. He loves her. She loves him. I like someone else so it's okay."

The group of 6 slowly slipped down the hall way and back to Mrs. Darbus' room where they had a surprise going away party set up for Sharpay. They all knew that she couldn't leave without saying goodbye to her favorite teacher and because of the circumstances the principal had given them permission for the party and released them from their next class so they could all be with Sharpay until she had to leave for the airport.

"Troy…" Her voice was hoarse due to the emotions and exhaustion flowing through her body. Suddenly she had no control over them and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She was used to being in control of everything. Ever since she was a young girl she had been OCD about being in control of things and when she wasn't she felt like everything was out of order or messed up. She couldn't stand a mess or anything out of order. Choking back a sob she pulled from his arms but refused to turn and look at him, she couldn't. Bending down to pick up the box she realized that he already had his arms around it. "…I have it." She whispered trying to pull the box from him but realizing that her strength was nothing compared to his and she wouldn't win. She looked at his hands and his arms but turned before she could see his eyes. It would hurt too much. Instead she turned towards her locker and slowly started to pull down pictures that she had inside. Looking at them as she placed them in the box he was holding, neither dared to speak, she allowed a few tears to slip down her cheeks.

Once it was empty she looked around the inside and realized this was the end. She would no longer be a student at East High. She would no longer be known as the ice queen. She would no longer have to pretend to be something she wasn't just to protect her heart. She could start over and be a new person and a person that everyone would love. The thought caused a smile to cross her face as she pushed it closed. Her hand remained on the outside as she released a heavy sigh and for the first time turn to look at Troy. Her smile fell when she realized he looked like he hadn't slept in days, there were dark circles under his eyes, his goofy grin was no longer on his face only to be replaced but a frown that could only be taken as heartbreak, his spark in his eyes that Sharpay had loved so much was gone and she couldn't take it. It literally broke her heart.

"Troy, smile. Everyone loves you and you're not going to miss me bossing you around that much." She whispered almost giggling as she pushed the words out of her mouth. Only she didn't get a smile back from him. Instead he started down the hall with her box of things in his arms. She sighed and followed behind unsure of what to say or do with the situation at the moment. "I'm sorry." She whispered to herself. Only, she was unsure as to why she was sorry to begin with.

His heart sunk in his chest with the words she spoke so freely. Her giggle was one he would miss greatly and, although he hated to admit it, he would miss her bossing him around. She was the only one that was brutally honest with him and respected him enough to be honest. Most people in East High were afraid to tell him anything but something nice because of who he was but not Sharpay. Closing his eyes as he walked away from her he wasn't able to tell if she was following or not. The familiar clicking of her heels were absent in the halls causing a shallow breathe to be released from his mouth. He wasted no time walking into Darbus's room.

"She's coming." He whispered in a tone that everyone knew was heart break. The Basketball King of East High had fallen in love with the Drama Queen and no she was leaving. There was nothing anyone could do about it. He quickly made his way to the back of the class room and stood against the wall in the corner with his arms crossed, ankles cross and eye's fixed on the ground in front of him. He didn't want to watch her say goodbye. He didn't want to be there anymore. The party was his idea and he was suddenly regretting even coming to school that day.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Kelsi asked Chad quietly when she took note of his stance. His head normally high and shoulders back were now completely the opposite scaring everyone a bit in the room.

In all the years that Chad had known Troy he had never seen him so depressed. Even when Gabriella left Lava Springs he wasn't that bad and everyone knew it with just one look. What Troy felt Sharpay was the real deal. "I hope." He responded shortly unsure of what else to say.

Standing outside of the room a tall blonde stood wondering if she should go in or just leave. If Troy hadn't of walked in with her stuff she probably would have just left. She had never cried in front of anyone but Ryan, her family, Mrs. Darbus and Troyby accident and there was no doubt in her mind that she would be crying the moment she walked into the door. She knew once she was in Los Angeles living out her dream she would be happy but why did things have to be so hard to get there? With a loud sigh she placed her hand on the door and pushed it open expecting to see everyone at their desks working but instead saw a large pink and white cake propped up on the teachers desk, pink and white streamers everywhere and a large sign that said "You will be missed." Strung over the windows on the far side of the room.

"Surprise!" Everyone screamed at the same time causing her to jump a little. She was right. Tears started to stream down her face as a smile slowly graced her face. People cared. A hand quickly covered her mouth to stop the sobs that were threatening to escape as she took a step in and admired the faces of everyone around. There stood Kelsi clapping like a mad woman with her award winning grin on her face just like the teacher who stood next to her, next to Mrs. Darbus Taylor and Chad who both wore smiles, then Gabriella who surprised her by running towards her engulfing her in a warm hug only causing a soft laugh to escape Sharpay's lips before she wrapped her arms around the young girl as well however her eye's kept moving. Ryan stood with a proud grin on his face and next to him stood Zeke with a plate full of his homemade cookies that he knew she loved but Jason was currently eating them causing her to only laugh louder. She couldn't believe that they had done thins for her.

"Thank you!" She whispered loud enough for everyone to hear as she released Gabriella and moved her hand to wipe some tears from her face.

"Don't thank us. It wasn't our idea." Gabriella pointed to the back of the room where Troy had closed his eyes refusing to look up and acknowledge her presence much like she was doing to him in the hallway.

"Who wants cake?!" Chad asked loudly causing everyone to laugh and move towards the cake to light the candles they had placed all around the sweet treat.

However, Sharpay wasn't interested in the cake right now. She was focused on the boy who stood across the room. The boy she had known most of her life and loved the past few years. Before she knew was she was doing her feet had started to move towards him as if they were magnets being pulled by a force much strong then her. This didn't go un noticed by anyone in the room She had no idea what she was going to say or do but she knew she had to do something. This was her only chance to say the things she wanted to say to him and she didn't plan on letting it slip by her.

He heard them screaming surprise, he heard them all congratulate her and he heard them tell her that it was his idea. Suddenly he felt like sinking into a hole and never emerging. The moment he had walked into the room Gabriella had told him that she understood and she was releasing him and he felt better but it didn't matter because she was leaving. The spot against the wall only seemed to get more comfortable as his eyes closed. He pictured what it would be like if he had made a move before Gabriella had come to the school. Walking down the hall with his hand in hers, feeling her lips pressed against his own and laughing over the jokes that he had shared with Gabriella. He couldn't hate her for following her dream and he wouldn't. He just didn't want to celebrate it no matter how selfish that seemed. He wasn't ready.

Pushing his shoulder from the wall he unfolded his feet and arms and slowly opened his eyes to see Sharpay just a few steps in front of him with a look in her eyes he had never seen before. It was one of understanding and love and it was a look he never wanted to forget. She stopped a foot in front of him and just gazed into his eyes. Neither new what to say to one another but both wanted to get things out in the open. This was it. Their last chance to see one another for only God knew how long.

Everyone knew that Troy wasn't good with words so he did the only thing he knew how to do. Reaching out he took her hand in his causing her eyes to wander from his down to their hands that were now joined out in front of them. Slowly she looked back up trying to find his eyes and when she did she felt the warmth of his palm against her cheek. He couldn't believe he had waited so long to do something about the feelings that stirred inside of him and he couldn't believe he was doing it when it was too late but he was always taught better late then never. Her head tilted towards his hand causing a sigh to escape her lips before her eyes closed. He took in everything about her and about the moment that was unfolding between them. He never wanted to forget this woman no matter what happened in their lives. "Troy…" she whispered as her eyes slowly came back open to look into his beautiful blues.

"Shh. Don't talk. Not now." He whispered back as he moved his hand from her cheek back into her blonde hair. Slowly pulling on her hand and pulling her head towards his he caused her to close the rest of the gap between them. Both their hearts skipped a beat when their bodies came in contact with one another but neither spoke. Their eyes penetrated the others for a few moments just allowing their feelings to pour out of their souls with one glance.

Before either knew what was happening his lips ascended onto hers. Barely brushing one another at first neither moved much farther out of fear. They were both afraid to fall in love with one another, they were afraid to admit their feelings, afraid of what would happen when they pulled apart, afraid of what this simple kiss meant and afraid of what people would say.

"Don't be afraid." He whispered over her lips almost reading her thoughts because they were his as well. She smiled against his lips and laughed softly before she released his hand and moved both of her arms to wrap around his neck slowly rolling onto her toes pressing her lips fully to his.

Suddenly she was not afraid. Their lips made full contact causing ripples to rush through out her body as a jolt of electricity flew through his. This wasn't a feeling either were expecting from a simple kiss but it wasn't one they were willing to lose just yet. His arms quickly wrapped around her waist bringing her small frame as close to his larger one as possible. Their lips brushed together before tangling together passionately. Neither could hear the awe's and claps that seemed to be roaring through the room at the moment. Neither heard the Evan's walk through the door to escort their daughter to La. Neither heard the principle make an announcement for the students to align the halls to say goodbye to Albuquerque's newest star and neither cared at the moment. This moment was about them and only them.

Her grip tightened on his neck as his tongue moved out against her lips softly tracing them begging for entrance and she was more then willing to accept. Their tongues met for the first time causing a soft moan to escape her lips as tears rolled down from her eyes mixing with the taste of the kiss. The moment was bittersweet, much like the kiss they were sharing, for the first and last time for a while they finally got a taste of one another and what it could have been like if they hadn't of been so stubborn for years before. Memorizing every inch of the others kiss they finally became aware of the oxygen they slowly pulled away not wanting to. The kiss grew less intense as they pulled apart placing smaller kisses on the others lips until they were no longer in reaching distance.

Chests heaving, faces flushed and lips swollen they left their eyes closed and foreheads pressed together. Before either could say anything they heard the roar of the claps around them and both turned their heads to see their friends and now family standing there with smiles on their face. Both laughed nervously half embarrassed of what had just happened as Ryan lit the candles on the cake.

"Come on, sis. Blow them out and don't forget to make a wish." Winking everyone moved to stand behind the cake.

Sharpay's arms slowly fell from around Troy's neck causing her to look up at him for the first time since the kiss they had just shared. A warm blush came across her face and it didn't go unnoticed only causing more awe's to erupt throughout the room. Of course, Troy laughed only prompting Sharpay to playfully punch him on the chest and turn to walk away from him and towards the cake with a smile on her face. The first real smile she had since she made her way into the building that day. Before she could get up to the front of the class room she felt a hand creep it's way into hers causing her smile to erupt even larger as she glanced up to him. "Thank you." She said simply unsure of what else to say. She was thankful for the party, for the help he had given her that morning, for the encouragement and for that kiss they had just shared. For the first time in a very long time she felt sure of herself again.

Bending down he kissed her cheek right by her ear before whispering softly into it. "You're welcome, Pay." The feeling of his breath across her ear causing a giggle to escape her lips before they reached their friends.

"Thank you all. This is amazing and know I will miss you all." She announced loud and clear as she looked down to the candles on the cake. What to wish for? She already had everything she could ever need and want. Laughing quietly she looked back up to her parents, brother, friends and Troy before looking back down to the flickering candles on the cake.

"You better blow them out before the cake gets covered in wax!" Gabriella exclaimed with a laugh as everyone shortly joined her.

"Man hurry! It wont taste as good!" Chad piped up half joking receiving a hand slap in the back of his head from Taylor.

These were the moments she was going to miss the most. The moments where they stood and were just themselves only she had never been a part of it until now. Until now she had never been herself and she was suddenly regretting that decision but you can't change the past. "I don't know what to wish for. I already have everything…" slowly her eyes rose from the cake looking to everyone in the room once again. "… I have an amazing family…" Her eyes gazed over to her parents and brother offering warm smiles to them before her eyes gazed towards her new found friends "…the best friends anyone could ever ask for…" she hadn't realized that a few of them, Gabriella and Taylor mainly, were crying and probably had been for a while. She also hadn't noticed that Gabriella was holding onto her brothers hand causing her eyebrow to rise and a smirk to cross her lips. However, she was brought back to reality when she felt a soft squeeze on her hand. "…then there's you." She whispered softly raising her free hand to his cheek softly tracing his jawline with his fingers.

"Yeah yeah yeah enough from you two blow them out." Jason said laughing only causing Sharpay to smile brightly into Troy's eyes.

Troy felt his heart warm with her simple gesture and quickly bent down to press his lips against hers for a moment. It wasn't a deep kiss and it wasn't passionate but neither of them needed that. It was a short kiss that only the two understood to be love but refused to speak about just yet. "Blow them out, babe." He whispered.

Her eyes almost widened when he called her babe but she quickly straightened herself up and moved her hand from his. With a hand on each side of the cake a large smile spread across her face. "To the future." She said out loud as she closed her eyes and silently wished that it would include Troy in her life. Reopening them she bent down and blew them out causing the room to clap and shout playfully.

"Sharpay, honey…" her mothers voice was sympathetic and soft and everyone knew why. It was time to go. This was it. This was her goodbye's to them all. "…we have to get going."