DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I am not fortunate enough to own anything pertaining to High School Musical.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: My first "Kelpay"/HSM fic altogether, so let me know what you think! I'm a college junior with a ridiculous schedule, but I will update whenever possible.
Kelsi had just about had it. She was stupid enough to think that after she made strides - no - leaps - in self-assertion and confidence during the Winter Musical that people would start respecting her. That Sharpay would start respecting her. Yes, she was actually crazy enough to wonder if she and the female Evans twin could possibly try to collaborate musically once she saw that Kelsi had both talent and a smidge of a backbone. Kelsi thought that Sharpay could, if she stopped being a processed, manufactured toy for 5 seconds, exhibit real talent. But that didn't matter now anyway. Kelsi couldn't believe that she gave Sharpay that much credit. The young composer's knuckles turned bright white as they clutched the steering wheel of her father's beat-up '82 Thunderbird that she was shocked had the moxie to start every time she turned the key.
She kept replaying her conversation with Sharpay earlier that day in her head, only this time she was thinking of all the ways she should have responded, kicking herself for not doing so.
Kelsi was sitting at the piano in the music room during free period, as always. The Drama Club often met in the theater, so she chose the music room specifically to avoid other people. Now that "Twinkle Towne" was over, Kelsi finally had the time and energy to work on new music. While she loved the thrill of the whole school finally hearing her music, she still liked the idea of some pieces being just hers, at least if and until she was ready to release them. There was less pressure knowing that the music belonged to her and was not vulnerable to potential criticism. Every time she sat down at the piano lately, she found her fingers almost involuntarily pressing out a certain ballad that she had started months ago, but wasn't even sure herself where the inspiration came from. Kelsi sang along possible lyrics to herself as she let the melody consume and wash over her.
Kelsi was so engrossed in the music that she barely had time to freeze up when Sharpay strolled in the room, her stride long and seemingly precise, like she planned out each step before she took it. She leaned on the piano, wrapping an arm around it possessively. Kelsi's heart jumped to her throat in a fear she couldn't explain as she removed her fingers from the keys, almost like she had been caught doing something.
"Does that have lyrics?" was Sharpay's only greeting.
"Uh... yes - well - kind of - they're not - uh... why?" Kelsi stammered, wondering if that was even English.
Sharpay looked up, as if she were speaking to no one particularly rather than to Kelsi. "I need something original for the Spring Talent Show. Something to re-stake my claim," Sharpay's gaze danced in the air for a moment, as if she were thinking about something, but then shot down to meet Kelsi's. "Bring it on over to my house after school and we'll get down to business. You know where I live, I'm guessing," and with that, Sharpay was out the door, the clicking of her heels ringing in Kelsi's head.
And of course, Kelsi did know where she lived. Everyone in Eastern Albuquerque knew where the Evans family lived, which only fueled Kelsi's fire as she drove her crappy family car through Sharpay's neighborhood, which may as well have been paved with golden streets to announce its wealth. Kelsi punched the steering wheel with frustration. Any of her peers at East High would be shocked that she could even get this mad, especially over Sharpay of all people. Sure, Sharpay was rude and inconsiderate, but that was nothing new. In fact, her interaction with Kelsi was almost pleasant compared to her normal threats and order-barking. For Kelsi, it was simply the last straw, and her fuse was about to blow.
"I should have shouted," Kelsi thought. "I should have told her that the world and everyone in it is not for her to control.I should have given that diva bitch a piece of mind." Kelsi didn't even consider her directional as she peeled around the corner of Sharpay's street. She paused, and in a moment of sudden self-confidence, fueled by anger, thought, "I still can."
Kelsi whipped into the driveway of the Evans' house, stopping merely inches from Sharpay's obnoxiously pink convertible. She threw the door open, not even bothering to bring the sheet music with her. Her body was moving faster than her brain, and she could tell that for better or for worse, she was about to do this. Her petite fist pounded on the door to no avail, but when she pressed the doorbell, she immediately heard a lot of commotion, enough to throw her off a little. "Is the rich little family throwing a gala in there?" she wondered sarcastically to herself. "What is taking so long, isn't there a butler to answer the door?"
But the person who answered the door was no butler, nor was it a familiar face. It was a puffy-eyed, teary-cheeked Sharpay, whose gaze was urgent and frightened. Kelsi stepped backward, feeling like someone had unexpectedly heaved a boulder at her stomach.
"Sharpay?" she asked cautiously.
"Kelsi, um, now's not a good time. You should probably go," Sharpay's voice was different than she had ever heard it. Quiet, low, and small. Her eyes met Kelsi's desperately, praying she could possibly help her, but they both had the sinking feeling that she couldn't.
Kelsi decided to be brave and try. "Is - is everything okay? I mean, can I -"
"Sharpay!!" an unidentified voice that she presumed to be her father's bellowed from a remote part of the house.
Sharpay's eyes widened as she grabbed the door. "I gotta go," she said, slamming the door and leaving Kelsi on the doorstep, confused, worried, and nauseous.
The small girl stood there for a moment, unsure of how to process whatever was going on. Her brain instantly racked with guilt for all the anger she was storing up that vanished the instant she saw the look on Sharpay's face. Maybe the princess' life wasn't as perfect as Kelsi, or anyone at East High, had cracked up. Maybe she actually did have feelings and a heart that could be crushed like the rest of them. Kelsi traveled home in a somber silence, not even complaining about the squealing noise that her father's Thunderbird made when it braked.