A/N: I usually tag couples, but I decided not to this time because it's such a short story and guessing who will end up with who is part of the fun! The point of view will travel through each of the characters. I won't mark whose viewpoint it is, but the horizontal dash and tone/attitude change according to whose perspective it is will help you determine the POV. Enjoy! :)

The Group Project
One

I nervously tugged at my seatbelt as it uncomfortably constricted around my chubby abdomen. I held my hand up to block the blistering Albuquerque sun as I struggled to read the street names in the face of its powerful glare. I finally found the proper street and turned my little sedan up the long driveway to the massive estate waiting at the end. I parked my car next to the lawn and began my trek up the stairs to the massive front doors, trying to conceal my heavy breathing.

I pressed my chunky finger into the little doorbell and waited. After a few loud clacks of what I imagined to be high heals on tile floor, the front doors opened and oh my God, is this chick non-ironically wearing a tiara? I was so distracted by the way it hypnotizingly glistened beneath the chandelier's light that I barely caught it when she murmured beneath her breath, "oh, it's just you." Her thin slender shoulders slouched forward in disappointment and she turned around to go back inside the mansion.

A guy's voice called out from deeper inside the house, "Who is it, sis?"

"Marsha!" Sharpay quipped back.

"Um, it's Martha?" I called out with a forced kindness in my tone and smile on my face. I followed where Sharpay had gone through the arch and into the next room. I walked into the corner of a massive L-shaped couch. To the right was another door that appeared to lead into their kitchen. Just then, Sharpay's twin brother Ryan entered from the kitchen wielding a large bowl of potato chips.

"Hey Martha," he casually greeted me, tossing a chip into his mouth and crossing around to the other side of the couch to take a seat.

"Hey Ryan, how's it going?" I leaned my hip against the back of the couch while he tossed his feet up on the coffee table and lounged.

He rested the bowl on his stomach and I watched as it rose and fell with his heavy sigh, "I just want to get this over with already. I hate group projects."

I giggled, "Doesn't everyone?"

"Nobody better be late or I might lose it. I have ballet practice this evening, which I can't be late for. And these jocks better do their fair portion of the paper. I'm not afraid to snitch if they don't."

"Don't worry, I'm sure everyone will hold up their end of the research and writing."

He raised an eyebrow to me uncertainly, "I'm not sure if I should admire your naivety or what."

"It's not naïve!" I argued, "Who in their right mind could leave their work for the rest of the group to do in good conscious?"

"We're about to find out," he quipped back.

Just then, I heard a shuffling from the arch and looked over to find a tall, dark, and handsome man. He put his hands in his jean pockets and sauntered in front of the couch to take a seat in front of me. I cleared my throat to find my cute voice and cooed, "Hey Zeke."

I glanced over my shoulder to the girl addressing me, "Heyyy," I drawled out the last letter while hesitating to remember my classmate's name. "M-Mmmary?"

She corrected me, "It's Martha."

"Oh," I said, cringing at myself. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," she giggled, although I'm not sure what for.

I stood and walked around the back of the couch, past her, and towards the next door when a blonde girl suddenly emerged from it, the swinging doors whipping into the walls. She wore a gorgeous, excited smile and a flamboyant tiara on her head. Just as quickly as I could take in her beauty, her face dropped into a disappointed sneer. "Ugh!" She huffed in frustration.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"I thought you were someone else."

"Who are you waiting to see?"

She rolled her eyes, "Someone I've been waiting for the opportunity to talk to for a long time, but he's not here yet!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm sorry. You know, you and I could talk until he gets here. It might be a good distraction."

"And what exactly are we supposed to talk about?"

I looked off for a moment in thought as I scurried to think of what she might like. "We can talk about you! Tell me about yourself. I'd love to get to know you better."

"Well, I'm Sharpay Evans, remember that name. You'll hear it everywhere once I find my big break. I'm an actress, you see. My twin Ryan and I have been in every play since our freshman year. It's my destiny to be a star."

"I can tell."

She arched an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"I can tell that it's in your destiny to be a star. You're absolutely magnetic, Sharpay." I said.

"Oh my gosh!" She squealed, putting her hands up to her face in surprise. "Finally! Someone who can see my potential! Would you like to be my manager?"

"I'll be whatever you want me to be," I knew I was sounding desperate, but truth be told, I was. I would take any opportunity to get closer to this present-day princess. I was completely enchanted by her looks and feisty attitude. I longed to be in her life, however that may be.

"Fabulous!" She smirked, "I'll send you my headshots once we're done with this stupid project. Then you'll need to set up auditions for me, do you understand?"

"Yes, I'll do whatever you want."

"You're the best! Umm, what was your name?"

"Zeke."

"Zeke," She repeated it and I felt my knees weaken. "Short, but packs a punch. Simple yet dramatic…I love it!"

"Thank you," I said.

Martha joined us and asked, "Hey Zeke, I'm saving you a seat next to me for when we get started. Okay?"

"Umm," I looked back at Sharpay longingly. "Thanks, but that's okay, I'll stick next to Sharpay."

"But I-" Her thin lips drooped into a frown.

"We'll both sit with you," I offered.

Sharpay said, "Speak for yourself. I'm waiting for someone else."