A/N: I'm using this as writing practice, so sorry if there are any mistakes
If you recognize it then I don't own it
Thanks
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It's the Saturday before senior year and Troy is enjoying the last of his summer in the local coffee house, Higher Ground. Sitting the corner of the dimly lit room the gang and him were joking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.
Kelsi and Taylor are trying to explain the importance of chick flicks to Jason, making a university calculus class look simple. Chad is blowing straw wrappers at Zeke who does not notice his attention rather on Sharpay, Martha and Ryan's conversation on the opposite side of the circle. Gabriella was trying to have a conversation with Troy, but he was too wrapped up within in own thoughts to notice.
"So when are going to play with us again Ryan?" Jason's comment tore Troy from his thoughts bringing his attention to the group.
Ryan looks up not really hearing Jason through Sharpay's story. "Play what?"
Chad smiles as he turns to Ryan "Baseball! Man you were off the hook. I wish I had your arm. So you going to play with us again?" An awkward silence fell upon the group as they waited for Ryan response.
"Ryan does NOT play baseball!" Sharpay broke into the silence, her voice filled conviction.
"Yah he does!"
"Serious! Shar you should see him"
"He is even better than Chad!"
"Taylor!!!"
"What!? Its true"
"No!" Sharpay broke in, looking straight at her brother, who refuses to meet her gaze. "Ryan does not play baseball, you must be mistaken." There was something in her tone, that Troy couldn't place, desperation maybe?
"You obliviously don't know your brother very well, but after how you acted this summer that is not surprising" came Gabriella's bitter reply surprising him. Although they don't really talk about it, Troy assumed that everyone has moved on from what happened during the summer.
"Gabi" Taylor tried to cut in before things got out of hand.
"No, Taylor, Sharpay needs to know this. Ryan played at the staff baseball game. I don't see how it's a big deal." Gabriella's heated gaze could not be torn away from the blond twins. Was there something that Troy missed? When did Gabriella hate Sharpay so much? He quickly was trying to go over the events of the summer in his head to find a reason for his girlfriend sudden change.
"Ryan is this true" Sharpay was staring straight at her brother, who Troy noticed, still was looking at his hands both refusing to respond to Gabriella. When the silence continued, she spoke more forceful moving closer to her younger twin "Look at me!"
Ryan still refused to look at her, looking over Troy saw that Chad is just as stunned as he is. "Ryan! Look at me!" She moved so that she was standing over her brother, making her even more intimidating than Troy's father. "Ryan, I need to know the truth. Did you play that game?" Although this last part was quite, it was so harsh it made both Troy and Chad wince.
After a short pause, which felt like an eternity to everyone else, Ryan timidly looked up at Sharpay finally making eye contact, "I'm sorry" his voice cracked as he responded. "It was a mist--"
"He does not need to defend his actions to you!" Gabriella stood up.
"This is none of your business, Gabriella." whispered Sharpay still keeping eye contact with her brother.
"I thought I told you this before. You mess with my friends you mess with me. And the way that you are treating your broth--" Now when did that little conversation happen? Gabriella never mentioned this to Troy, who told her in detail everything that occurred between him and the Evans family as part of their promise to be truthful with each other.
"You know nothing of my brother. And it is not up to you to comment on my relationship with him" Sharpay tore her gaze away from her brother to Gabriella as if she was challenging her. The argument got so heated at this point Troy could do nothing but listen.
"Well if you treated like a human being and not as a fashion statement--"
"Do not tell me how to treat my brother, for someone so smart you act--"
"Act how Sharpay? I care about my friends."
"You don't care about Ryan you were only using him to get Troy back. Thinking that you were doing a good deed by hanging out with--"
"How dare you say that! You just can't believe that someone would rather hangout with Ryan over you! You're a self-possessed, over dramatic bitch! I-- "
"Can you take me home" A small voice causes everyone to freeze, Troy looks around the group trying to find out who spoke. "Please." Shit! It's Ryan, Troy forgot he was here, and by the looks he was getting from the gang he was not the only one.
"Sure, Troy can I borrow your truck?" Gabriella turns towards her boyfriend. Was Ryan even talking to her? "Troy?" Unsure of what to do he makes no move to grab the keys from his pocket.
"I meant with Sharpay" Gabriella froze in shock, she didn't expect that. She opens her mouth but Ryan cut her off before she has the chance to say a word. "Shar, can we finish this at home? I, uh, I just need to go home"
Sharpay's face softens at her brothers broken words, surprising Troy. She nods and with a quick turn of her heals, without a word to anyone she left the coffee shop, Ryan following quickly behind her. Leaving everyone wondering what the hell just happened.
