Disclaimer: I own nothing except the storyline. No plagiarism. No profit. Everything's all for entertainment. :D

Author's note: This story is an AU Suite Life starring the characters of Maddie (Ashley Tisdale), Corrie (Vanessa Hudgens, episode "Forever Plaid" to "Kept Man"), Trevor (Zac Efron, episode "Odd Couple") and my oc, Wes.

Enjoy!

Notice Me

Chapter One: Inside My Mind

Corrie was a simple girl. She never wanted to be rich or famous. All she ever wanted was to be happy. At the moment, she wasn't happy. Corrie wore the usual uniform which consists of a navy blue sweater with the school emblem over the heart, a white collared shirt beneath it and a blue, white and black plaid skirt. The white socks were up to her ankles and would probably leave a tan. Corrie slouched in her chair with nothing better to do. She was easily distracted.

It was Morality of all classes. No one was really listening to Sister Parker ramble on. They were too busy drooling over the new kid in class. As coy and adorable as Wes was, Corrie was too busy staring at the richest girl in the whole school. Hell, she was the richest girl in the whole city of Boston. She was the ever so charming London Tipton.

Biting down on her bottom lip, Corrie reached into her pocket and felt the envelope. Corrie could recall coming home and seeing her mother's expression which spelled out distress. Placing her bag down near the door and kicking off her shoes, Corrie advanced into the dining room. Lilibeth Santos was a middle aged Filipino woman. Being an immigrant from the Philippines, her mother found work requiring minimum English wherever possible. In the late 1980s it was maid service at the Tipton Hotel.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Corrie questioned with concern. She placed a hand on her mother's shoulder, guiding her into a nearby chair. The woman was ranting in Ilocano, her native language. It was one Corrie could clearly understand but hardly spoke. The woman had an envelope in her shaky hand, an envelope from Wilfred Tipton addressed to a Cornelia Santos. "Mom, what is that?"

"Cornelia," her mother called, thrusting the letter to her. "When you're ready…read it…"

Corrie tried to ignore it, brush it off as if it wasn't anything important. Who was she kidding? When you get a letter from one of the richest men in the world, you don't just throw it into a desk drawer and forget it. Corrie was excited. She nearly ripped the envelope in half. As fast as she could, she unfolded the letter and began reading. She never really knew much about her biological father. Now she knew the truth.

Apparently, Wilfred Tipton met Lilibeth Santos at his hotel and it was love at first sight. The only problem was that he was married to none other than London's mother at the time. It never worked out. Even if they had the guts to try and keep it from falling apart, it still wouldn't have worked. They were from two different worlds. The letter continued to explain that Wilfred Tipton was undeniably the father of Cornelia Elizabeth Santos.

Some might have called it obsession. Corrie called it determination. She'd do research about her sister and her father. London Tipton won Miss Mini Miss Beauty Pageant in 1999 and has a large closet with a talking mirror and its own kitchen. Her father was the richest man in Boston and from what Corrie heard he was hard to get a hold of. She felt special. He actually wrote her a personal letter. It's not like he'd have his assistant write a letter to his long lost daughter as he dictated.

Her mother currently worked minimum wage at a diner down the street from the apartment they lived in. Corrie was going to Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow on a scholarship after a recruiting officer discovered her angelic voice when she sang in the church choir every Sunday. Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow was an academically respected school which would make getting into an even better college easier than from a public school. Or so her mom constantly reminded her.

When hearing Maddie complain about London Tipton coming to Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow, Corrie could recall jumping up and down excitedly. She was going to tell her everything. She was going to show London the letter their father wrote and his impeccably complicated signature at the bottom of the page. Corrie always wanted a sister and they were the same age too. It was going to be amazing.

It was no secret. Her ADHD could get out of hand a bit. It made things hard when growing up, having to constantly remember to take her Ritalin to stay more normal than usual. Most people knew her as the girl who acted as if she drank fifty cups of coffee in the morning, again at lunch and later at night. Corrie was overwhelmed when seeing London in person. Everything she planned to say drained from her mind. All she knew was that London Tipton was there, in her classes and she was in awe.

From the first day, Corrie has mellowed. Sometimes she thinks back on the day she met London. She seemed like a real creepy, obsessed stalker, but at least she didn't blurt out that she was London's long lost sister. As time went on, she became one of the girls London hung out with. She even went to London's birthday and brought home a flat screen her mom had to sell to pay the rent.

"Cornelia Santos, explain the difference between morality and the law," Sister Parker snapped Corrie out of her dazed state, breaking her train of thought. Startled and surprised, Corrie shoved the letter back deeper into the pocket of her sweater. Her mouth formed an 'o' as she nervously fiddled with the metal zipper. She looked down at her book and saw that it wasn't even open to the right page. She didn't even know what the right page was.

"Um…"

"Morality means following laws and not acting contrary to the laws of church and state. Laws provide us with standards about right and wrong, then moral decision," Maddie replied after seeing her friend's blank stare. Sister Parker nodded and turned back to the chalk board. Corrie gave Maddie a gracious smile and the blonde replied with a simple, knowing nod.

The bell rang and students around the room instantly began to gather their things and dashed out the door. It was lunch. She left the class and headed towards her locker. She didn't care much for the location of the locker. She didn't like the fact that it was beside the band room. Freshman in Beginning Band always seemed to give her a headache as they chatted and played their instruments badly. It only took a few seconds for Corrie to get her books and find the rest of the gang in the cafeteria.

"I don't get it!" London pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. Corrie slid into the seat beside Maddie and placed her bag onto the table. She didn't usually eat lunch. The lunch wasn't expensive though she needed the money to ride the subway home. "What's that thing Wes was talking about? Abstract…abs…whatever that abs-thingy was…"

"Abstinence, you twit," Maddie supplied. The blonde scowled massaging her temples. "I can't believe you girls. It's like you've never seen a boy before. He's giving us a personal anecdote about his choice of abstinence of all things and all everyone can think of is the exact opposite just because of his eyes−" Maddie spotted him from across the room and sighed, "Sea green eyes that are like pools of ocean water that you can get lost in…"

All the girls sighed dreamily including Maddie, as the boy walked by. All the jaws dropped and the girls began to giggle and gawk. Seeing the watchful eyes, he formed a smile that was anything but prudent and showed off his pearly white teeth. He was gorgeous, tall and lanky with legs that went on forever and messy blonde hair. He disappeared out the doors of the cafeteria and a round of sighs commenced.

"That fine piece of man is waiting for marriage?" Mary Margaret sighed, practically drooling. "What a waste of hotness."

"It's a valid and respectable choice," Maddie piped in.

"He's a bit too Jesse McCartney if you ask me," Corrie voiced her opinion while rolling her eyes. The girls looked at her before bursting into random shrieks. London and Maddie went on to relive their brush with fame, meeting Jesse McCartney. Meanwhile, Corrie pulled a newspaper out of her backpack and a pen from her pocket.

Everyone was so wrapped up in their conversation that they hardly noticed how quiet Corrie was being today. As everyone chatted, gossiped and ate their lunch, Corrie was searching the classifieds, biting subconsciously on the cap of the pen. It wasn't a surprise that her mother's scum bag of a boss wouldn't give her a raise or at least an advance. The boss wouldn't even let Corrie work there. It was against policy for two individuals of the same household working at the same establishment. Now Corrie was searching the paper, looking for a job.

"Whatcha doing?" Maddie asked Corrie as she leaned over and watched the raven haired girl circle one of the ads with her pen. Quickly and embarrassedly, Corrie folded the newspaper over and gave the blonde a wide grin. She tucked the pen behind her ear, trying to think up an answer.

"Oh, you know, just looking for a job," Corrie replied. "I could really use the extra money."

"Have you ever thought about working at the Tipton?" Maddie questioned curiously, stirring a plastic spoon around in her chocolate pudding. "The candy counter girl who has the shift right after mine just moved away so there's a slot open. I could put in a good word."

"Oh, would you, Maddie?" Corrie asked with hope gleaming in her eyes. Rent was overdue again and at first Corrie thought it'd take forever just to find a job. If she got a job, at the Tipton of all places, it would really help. "I'm a great worker! I'm good with people and good with math and…and…just really good!"

"Hello, Corrie, why don't you just ask the daughter of the man who owns the hotel? She's only sitting right across from you," Mary Margaret suggested as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. With a look of confusion, London looked from left to right.

"I don't see Paris Hilton," London said with a scoff. "What girl do you people keep talking about? What hotel?"

"The Tipton, London. We're talking about the Tipton and since your last name is Tipton have you ever considered the fact that we're talking about you?" Maddie asked with irritation. London gave her a blank look and Maddie just groaned loudly. The candy counter girl slammed her head against the tabletop over and over again. "I give up!"

"So what do you say about the job, London?" Corrie pleaded, giving the heiress sad puppy dog eyes. "I promise I'll do whatever you ask. Anything! I just really need this job."

"Quit stalking me and I'll pull a few strings with Moseby," London proposed with a serious tone. With a grin on her face Corrie lunged across the table and gave London a tight hug. With a confused and disturbed expression on her face, London tried to pry Corrie away from her. "And don't ever do this ever again!"

"I promise," Corrie said, happily, releasing London from her tight grasp. Maybe this was the time. Corrie stuck her hand into the pocket of her jacket, about to reveal the envelope to everyone. Just then, the bell rang and everyone began to scatter. With a loud sigh, Corrie slouched in her seat and pouted. There was never the right time to bring it up.

...

The next day after school was Corrie's first shift. She was frowning, hating the Tipton uniform almost as much as the OLPS one. It was a long-sleeved light blue button up shirt and a brown plaid skirt. Maddie wore her father's tie to spruce up the outfit though Corrie didn't even bother. Maddie was showing her around the hotel and how to clock in and out.

"Well, you must be Corrie, our new candy counter girl. London and Maddie have told me a ton of great things about you," Mr. Moseby said as he came up to the girls with an ear to ear smile. Corrie returned the smile and shook Mr. Moseby's hand.

"London and Maddie told me a lot about you too, Mr. Moseby!" Corrie responded after pulling away from the handshake. She tilted her head to the side for a moment and gave the man a curious stare. "You know, you really don't look like a Marion…Marion Moseby…isn't that supposed to be a woman's name?"

"Whoa, hey, Corrie, how about I show you our inventory?" Maddie asked, shoving Corrie away from Mr. Moseby. She turned back to her boss with a sweet smile. "It must have been one London told her, Mr. Moseby."

Maddie's smile faded as soon as the hotel manager turned away with a scowl. Oblivious, Corrie stood with an enthusiastic smile, swaying from left to right impatiently. Maddie just rolled her eyes and sighed. "Corrie, my shift's about done. Why don't you take over the register while I get my stuff from the staff room? I'll be right out to check on you before I leave."

"That sounds awesome, Maddie!" Corrie replied excitedly. She always wanted to play with a cash register. The buttons were so tempting, begging to be pressed. Before Maddie completely disappeared, Corrie yelled over her shoulder, "Maddie, where's London?"

"How should I know?" Maddie questioned while shrugging her shoulders up and down. "She's probably up in her suite, but you, missy, are staying right down here, protecting the imported chocolate and the money in cash register." Corrie frowned as she sat on the stool behind the candy counter. The chocolate was practically begging her to eat it.

Corrie tapped her fingernails against the counter, unable to comprehend how utterly boring this was. Maddie made it look so fun. The hotel was practically empty so Corrie did the only thing she could think of while trying to fight her way through momentary laps of boredom. She sang.

Baby, come back to me

In my heart I still believe

That we were meant to be

Together so whatever it takes

Baby, come back to me

I should have never set you free

Love maybe

Come back

"Hey…"

Corrie looked up to the source of the voice with a wide grin plastered across her face. Her face instantly went blank when she saw who it was. This boy was the perfection personified with a gorgeous smile, broad shoulders and a perfect tan. His plain shirt fit him nicely, hugging his large biceps and washboard gorgeous abs. His hair was the color of milk chocolate and his cerulean orbs stole her ability to speak.

"Not to sound forward or anything but has anyone ever told you that you have an amazing voice?" the teenage boy complimented her as he leaned over the counter, closer towards her. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand at the sound of his low, husky voice. A shiver ran down her spine.

Trying to force herself to concentrate on his words rather than his inhumane good looks, Corrie froze, a shiver running down her spine. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks at the realization that he had caught her singing. From the amused expression on his face, he probably noticed it too.

"Once or twice," Corrie replied despite how nervous she was. With a smile on her face, she anxiously twiddled her thumbs behind the counter. Narrowing her eyebrows slightly into a curious expression, Corrie leaned forward, trying to get a better look at the familiar stranger. She was sure she'd seen him before. "Um, not to sound weird or anything, but…have we met before?"

"I knew I remembered that voice. I could never forget. You're Corrie right? It's me, Trevor," the boy replied as Corrie just gave him an uncertain look. She'd never forget a guy that hot. "Um, it a while back. I went to Camp Knock-A-Number and you went to camp Sing-A-Song across the lake."

There was a long pause before a gasp slipped past Corrie's lips.

"I remember you," Corrie said faintly as memories resurfaced. Her expression twisted as she recalled the most irritating and obnoxiously pedantic boy she had ever met. "Trevor…we both got the chicken pox and they put both of us in the infirmary cabin for a week. I remember we drove each other insane."

"Yeah, I remember connecting the dots on your forearm with a permanent marker while you were sleeping," Trevor reminisced with a chuckle, but instantly stopped when seeing the glare on Corrie's face. His amused smirk melted into a sympathetic smile as he moved his hand over hers. "I've grown up from then. I've changed. You know, Corrie, if I was your baby…I'd be back in a heartbeat."

She gulped, fighting the heat between them.

"You're charming, Trevor, I'll give you that one, but I'm not that easily won over," Corrie shied away, pulling her hand away from his. She kept her eyes downward, intimidated and self-conscious knowing his eyes were searching her.

"You've got a great voice," Trevor assured her once more, putting his hands up defensively. "I'm not trying to be charming…okay, I am, but it's a fact that you can really sing."

"Thanks," Corrie said while subconsciously tucking strands of her long dark hair behind her ear. "Music is my thing, my passion, I guess. I've been singing in the church choir practically my whole life. What about you, Trevor? Are you still a math whiz?"

"Math is great and so is genealogy, but it's got to be Poli-sci," Trevor replied with a smile. He looked up at Corrie and saw her blank stare. Usually he'd be annoyed that a girl had no idea what he was talking about. On this girl, the expression was quite cute. "It's political science. I'm a merit scholar, skipped a few grades. I'm actually in my sophomore year in college and I'm only seventeen."

"Wow, your parents must be proud," Corrie smiled brightly.

"I guess you could say that," Trevor nodded nervously as he ran his fingers through his hair. They shared a moment of silence. He looked at her. She caught him staring and coyly looked away. Corrie didn't know what else to say. She said the first thing that came to mind.

"Want some chocolate?"

"No thanks," Trevor declined, waving his hands in the air. He ran his fingers through his silky tresses once again, pushing his brown bangs away from his incredible eyes. It was an adorable habit. "Actually, I'm here for Maddie. Have you seen her?"

There had to be a catch to all of this. A guy she knew in the past that got really hot, hotter than Wes, the Jesse McCartney lookalike, just didn't walk up to her, Corrie Santos, and start flirting. He was probably dating Maddie. Picturing the two of them together made the grin on Corrie's face fade away. They'd make a cute couple. Plus, Maddie was smart. A perfect guy like Trevor deserved a smart and beautiful girl like Maddie.

"Trevor, hey!" the blonde's voice echoed through the lobby before Corrie could even formulate an answer to Trevor's question. Maddie came running from the employee lounge straight into Trevor's arms. Corrie smiled a fake smile, not knowing what else she could do. "I'm surprised you actually had the guts to show up."

"On the contrary, Miss Fitzpatrick, I never back down from a challenge. Come on, let's get some coffee," Trevor suggested with a chuckle. He wrapped his arm around Maddie's shoulders and led her towards the revolving doors. Corrie sighed, defeated. She couldn't even eavesdrop on their conversation correctly. She had no idea what they were talking about. All she knew was that she had no chance with this boy.

"Hey Corrie…" Corrie looked towards the door and saw Trevor stopped there as he shot a smile in her direction. "I'll be looking forward to hearing that hit single on the radio!"

"In time, Poli-sci guy," Corrie muttered, tapping her fingers against the candy counter once again. "In time…"