Okay, before I start, let me just explain a little. For those of you who know about Vanessa, she is half Filipino(I'm not sure if she's exactly half since they always mention that she's latina, chinese and all that, but what Filipino isn't? LOL) Anyways, they don't really mention it much, or give much credit to those who ARE Filipino, and are acting. They usually get Latino roles... or so the audience assumes. But whatever, so I just wanted to bring out this side of her heritage. This story is based on Vanessa's Debut, and the whole process. If you guys don't know what a Debut is, then here's a little explanation to help you understand BEFORE you read the story so that you don't get confused.

"A filipina girl of Filipino heritage, known as "The Debutante" celebrates her 18th birthday by dancing with her cotillion court of 9 teenager boys and 9 teen girls in an elegant and rehearsed Waltz dance. Another traditional dance where the Debutante shares a dance with 18 men each one offering a rose. This is The 18 Roses Dance. Another tradition during this grand celebration is the 18 Candles presentation where 18 ladies lighted 18 candles to resemble the 18 lights that will serve as guidance to the Debutante as she transition to the status of a full grown woman. These are all part of a Filipino tradition –The Debut Tradition.

The tradition for this debut started way back during the early Spaniards occupation time in the Philippines and was carried out from generation to generation in the Philippines and even those Filipinos residing abroad." (Credit to Pacific Sounds...I got that from their website. I didn't know how to explain it very well LOL.)

But yeah, they do other dances too other than the waltz and stuff. Each is different, depending on your own family traditions. Soo yeahh, there'll be a few twists to her's, but nothing major. The other HSM character's will be part of the story too! Okay, Well, ENJOY!

P.S. Sorry for any mistakes on the details about Vanessa, and all the other people. I'm not a crazed fan, and I didn't feel like tracking down the exact details. I'm not sure How she's related to Falisha, and Jayden, if they're sisters and what not. But I just made them cousins.. And not soo sure if she lives with her dad, so I just made him live in San Diego.. I read that he does though.. but who knows. yay for fanFICTION. LOL


"Nessa!" Jayden called as she walked out of the loft and down the upstairs hall.

"What is it Jay!" Vanessa called back, getting up from her bed as she was reading.

"Hey, can I borrow your laptop? Stella's on the main computer doing her homework, and I'm bored." Jayden asked walking into Vanessa's room.

"She's still doing her homework? Man, Stella needs to learn how to read faster." Vanessa said as she saw Jayden enter.

"Hey I can hear you guys, you know!" Stella yelled from her room across from Vanessa's.

"Haha, shut up Stella, you know you read slow." Vanessa laughed.

"Give me a break, I'm only ten." Stella told them.

"So can I Vanessa?" Jayden pleaded

"What about Falisha's? I already packed mine Jay." Vanessa told her.

"She's working on her online classes for college. Please Vanessa, I'm bored."

"No Jay, It's already packed. And I leave tonight, I don't want to forget it."

"Gah, fine!" Jayden pouted. "I hate how you always have to leave to go film something. Falisha and I rarely get to see you when we visit" She said taking a seat on Vanessa's queen sized bed.

"I know, but it's only for a week this time. At least we're not shooting everything for the sequel in Utah like last time. So I'm home more since it's closer.."

"Yeah, true. But you just got home two days ago!"

"Yeah, but that was from filming an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. And now I have to go back to the set to film the sequel. Anyways, grab me that box on top of the other two over there," Vanessa said pointing to a box on top of two other ones.

"Geez, you're so lazy." She laughed.

"Be quiet. I work hard." Vanessa said putting the script she was studying down.

"So do I." She said handing the big box to Vanessa. But Vanessa shook her head.

"No, it's yours."

"Really? What is it?"

"Open it. I got it when I was in New York for that sing-along and dance-along thing for High School Musical a while back. I ordered them back then but they said I needed to wait a few months until I'd get them. So I got them a while ago, and I never got around to giving it to you..." She explained to her sister as she was unwrapping the brown package.

"Yeeeee, what is it! Can't you just tell me Nessa!" Jayden said excitedly

"No." She simply said. "You're almost done getting through the package wrapping anyways, I can see the box." She laughed.

"Oh. My. Gosh!" She squealed. "Ah! I love em!" She practically screamed pulling out a new pair of boots. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She said hugging Vanessa.

"You're welcome!" She smiled. "I couldn't resist, you know me and my boots. I got myself a pair, but the only difference is they have my name on the side" Vanessa said pointing to Jayden's new pair of boots where it had her name embroidered on the side.

"Wow I didn't even see that. They're so cute!" she hugged again.

"What are you guys screaming about?" Falisha appeared at the door. "I can't concentrate."

"Yeah, me too!" Stella whined appearing next to her.

"Grab those boxes right there." Vanessa said pointing to the stack of boxes left by the door. "Stella you get the smaller one." She added.

"What is it?" They asked as they reached down for the boxes.

"Just open them." She told them as they started walking towards Vanessa's bed to take a seat. Stella just decided to sit down on the carpet floor.

"Vanessa! Come downstairs!" Gina Hudgens, her mother, called.

"Coming!" She yelled, putting her script on her desk as she walked out, leaving them to open their packages, and Jayden trying on her new boots. Vanessa quickly trotted downstairs to find her mother at the kitchen table with a man, who had his back towards Vanessa.

"Yeah mom?" She walked into the kitchen.

"Hey sweetie!" Her dad turned around and got up from his seat.

"Dad!" She ran up to her father and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh my gosh, what are you doing here? I didn't even hear the front door."

"You're mom and I needed to talk, I had the day off, and I knew it was your last day before you have to go back to work for a little bit."

"Aw, thanks dad! I've missed you so much!" She pulled her father into another hug. After they let go, she turned to her mother.

"So, what is it that you wanted mom?"

"Well, your dad and I were talking about your 18th birthday." Mrs. Hudgens started.

"Okay, what about it? I mean, it's not for almost more than half a year." She said with a confused look on her face.

"We know, but we were thinking about you having a Debut. It's tradition in on my Filipino side of the family."

"But I don't get it, I don't remember Falisha having one..."

"Your Auntie asked Falisha when she turned 17, and she decided that she didn't want one." Her dad told her. "So we're asking if you wanted one."

"Well, what is it? I've never really heard of it. Or well, I have but not how Filipinos do it."

"Aye, that's what I get for not teaching you guys about your Filipino heritage." Her mother complained. "But it's like a coming out party. It's formal, you have an escort, and a court of 18 people you choose, then 18 roses, and 18 candles. The roses are guys, and the candles are the ladies. Then you perform some dances and all that."

"Ohh, sounds fun. Wonder why Falisha didn't want it." Vanessa said. Then the three heard screaming from upstairs. After a short while they heard Falisha, Jayden, and Stella running towards the stairs.

"So, did you want one? Or..." Her dad chuckled.

"Yeah! It sounds like loads of fun. But why are you guys asking me so early?"

"Because it takes time to learn all the dances and to do the planning. You'll have to choose the people on your court; 9 guys and 9 girls, most importantly your escort if you want one. Then your roses, candles..."

"Okay, okay, I get it mom" Vanessa laughed.

"Yeah, well honey, we're just telling you right now so we could start the planning as soon as possible since you have a busy schedule and all. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Hmm, yep, promise to be there daddy?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He kissed her forehead.

"NESSA!" Falisha and Stella came screaming into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Greg Hudgens laughed as he saw them running into the kitchen.

"DAD!" Stella shrieked "Eeeeeeek!" she rushed to hug her father. "Why are you here daddy!" Stella asked.

"Hey Uncle Greg!" Falisha and Jayden greeted.

"I came to talk to your mom about Vanessa's debut."

"Ohh, you're having one?" Falisha turned to Vanessa who nodded. "That's cool. Anyways. Thank you!" she hugged her.

"You're welcome." Vanessa barely got out as Stella came out of nowhere and hugged her as well.

"Thank you Nessa!" Stella hugged.

"You're welcome too Stella."

"What are you guys talking about?" Their mom asked.

"Look at the boots Vanessa got us mom! Their so cute! And she got them customized." Stella exclaimed.

"Yeah, I got them the same time I got that one bag for you mom, and that jacket for you dad when I went to New York a while back. It just took a while for their boots because of the embroidery, but I wasn't in town when they came in."

"Ohh." Her mother said as she examined the boots Stella showed her. "They're nice."

"You should be careful spending you money Nessa" Their dad stated.

"I am, I was being nice, and bought them a gift because I thought about them too, just as I thought of you and mom, instead of just myself." She said smiling.

"Touché ." Her dad laughed.

"Ugh, I should get back to my script." Vanessa said getting up from the table.

"It thought you guys were just learning the dances this week?" Her mom asked.

"We are, but you never know, Kenny always has surprises up his sleeves."

"Okay, we'll talk about your debut after dinner."


Soo, what do you guys think? Like it? Please Review! I'm not sure how fast i'll be updating this one since i'm still working on "The things i'd do for you". But hope you guys read that one too!Mmkay, go review, I'd like to know what you guys think about this story