Well, here's a shot at writing dialogues. HSM isn't mine and so is my favorite Alicia Keys song I used here.
Kelsi Nielsen never felt the feeling of belongingness until her junior year in high school when Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez turned East High upside down. She gained friends, not to mention, confidence. But walking around the magnificent ballroom at Lava Springs made her feel out of place. Sure she was wearing the designer dress that Sharpay chose for her, just one of the dresses that Derby Evans gave her as a gift for the past couple of years that she's been her son's girlfriend. She never got to wear them as much. She really didn't have a very active social life nor one that will necessitate such attire other than the few functions she had attended as Ryan's date. Tonight was the celebration of Ryan's graduation from Julliard, or as Vance and Derby would insist her and Ryan's graduation celebration.
She resisted the urge to hide behind the piano in the corner of the room, meanwhile passing by a group of girls about her age having a conversation. She's sure she's met them before, but couldn't really put names to their faces.
"I can't believe Sharpay lets Ryan date her. I mean, she's so… blah." The girl in the short red dress said.
Sharpay has changed all these years. There are hardly any traces of her ice queen image now, unless you mess with the people that are dear to her. These girls, though they've known Sharpay for a long time, clearly do not know her deep down, Kelsi thought.
"I know, right? I hear he met her when they attended that public high school. Vance and Derby should've sent them to the Academy so he got to meet someone within in our circle." they said.
As rich as Vance and Derby Evans are, they are not the stuck up ones. And they value education above anything, and that for them goes beyond academics. As Kelsi found out, they sent their children to public school so they will learn to socialize with different kinds of people and to learn how to value what they have. She has such high respect on them because of this.
"I'm not sure what kind of spell she cast on him. Even with the designer dress, you just know there's something off."
"I know! She can't even walk it!" they all laughed, trying to be discreet but Kelsi heard them all. She walked away before she can catch more of their "interesting" conversation.
To say she's never felt smaller after hearing that would be an understatement. It shouldn't have bothered her so much. She knew she was a plain-Jane compared to them, and middle class. The Evans doesn't have an issue with it. She remembered Derby was so thrilled when Ryan and she got the scholarship to Julliard, thinking it was quite serendipitous. Vance treated her like a second daughter and Sharpay, even with their history, treated her as if she's her best friend. And to the best of her knowledge, Ryan never brought up the issue of money or the way she was raised in any conversation.
One could argue that maybe Derby bought her dresses is so she would measure up to their status, so they wouldn't look bad when she's with them. But Kelsi knew Derby did that for her, so she wouldn't feel odd or left out. Sharpay helping her pick dresses wasn't because of those reasons as well. The Evans women treated her as such because they are the kind and generous people she's known them to be all these years. On Vance's end, he never misses the chance to introduce her as his future daughter-in-law to his business partners. Those girls would probably think that the older Evans would want someone "better for business" for his son, but like her own father, Vance brags about Kelsi's achievement in Julliard ever since they attended the school.
Despite this, Kelsi felt the weight of their nasty remarks. She doesn't know why but somehow, something inside her is making her believe all those lies. Thinking of a place of escape, she walked back to the piano and sat there gazing through the room with a lost look on her face without the knowledge of a pair of brown eyes that caught her doing so, not to mention that the person heard what she heard as well.
"Ryan," Sharpay cut in on her brother's conversation with one of their father's business partners.
"Can you excuse me for a while, I think my sister needs me." He smiled warmly as he walked to the side after his twin.
"I know it's never bother her before or she's just as much a good actress as I am, but I think Kelsi overheard another nasty conversation about her and I think it got to her this time…" Sharpay said sounding worried, turning to the corner where kelsi sat behind the piano.
"I'll fix this" he walked in that direction after giving his sister a knowing smile with a wink.
Kelsi felt his presence even before she saw him. "You've always been more comfortable here than anywhere else." She saw him smile at her sincerely.
"Not really," she said as she moved to give him a spot beside her which he took. "I'm comfortable here as well" moving closer to him, she smiled. He loves that big yet shy smile she always gives him.
He started playing a song she's sure she has heard somewhere before but couldn't quite place the title, "I know what you heard a while ago, Kels…" then started signing softly.
I
just want you close No one no one no
one
Where you can stay forever
You can be
sure
That it will only get better
You and me together
Through
the days and nights
I don't worry cause
Everything's gonna
be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But
all I know is everything's gonna be alright
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no
one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can
get in the way of what I feel for you
She never got over the power of his voice. She has always known he is good but he never fails to amaze her every time. He kept playing, yet instead of singing he said, "Never doubt that Kelsi…"
I
know some people search the world
To find something like what we
have
I know people will try
Try to divide
Something so
real
So till the end of time
Im telling you that
No
one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one
no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
Still playing, oblivious to the attention of all the guests that are now on them, Ryan adds, "this song is true for me about you. No dress, or make-up or jewelry that you own or don't own can change that…" sensing the attention, he continued with his voice louder this time. "Kelsi, we can't control everyone's opinions and you know neither me nor my family cared about the nasty lies they say. They don't know you the way we do and we love you for you. But yes, there is something I wish to change about you. Something I've wanted to change for years now but I couldn't seem to tell you until now…"
A terrified look crossed Kelsi's face. "He's not going to break up with me now is he? I mean, not with everybody watching" she thought, fighting back tears.
But Ryan kept on despite the urge to comfort her, "I love you and there is only one thing I want to change about you…"
He got off the piano bench and knelt beside her. Kelsi finally found her voice, "what is it?" she said meekly.
"Your last name." Ryan held up an open red velvet box. "Kelsi, will you marry me?"
The silence in the huge ballroom became even more deafening as Kelsi's tears escaped her eyes. "Yes", she said in a faint voice which only Ryan could hear. Slipping the ring in her finger he kissed her as applause erupted in the room.
