Take A Bow
Summary: Everyone expected to see Sharpay Evans name in lights someday, now 6 years later it's Ryan's name that's up there instead. Nobody knows what happened to her, and she's believed to be dead. Is she?
Disclaimer: I don't own HSM
Chapter 1: Another Day
The city's bright lights shone in his eyes as he exited the theatre, waving goodbye to everyone. Rain poured from the sky as he clutched his bag to his chest, wishing he had an umbrella.
"Taxi" He yelled, trying to flag one down with no such luck
"Not having any luck?" A female voice spoke up behind him. He turned around so suddenly that it startled the young woman and made her drop her purse. He knelt down to help her pick her things up, while cursing underneath his breath. Her brown eyes shone with amusement as she put everything back inside the bag.
"I am so sorry. Sometimes I act before thinking. This is one of those times. I'm Ryan by the way, Ryan Evans" He said sheepishly
Her brown eyes shone with excitement as she gasped out loud. He was used to this reaction since his name was all over Broadway at the moment.
"Ryan Evans? Did you use to go to East High in Albuquerque?"
"Are you a fan? I can give you an autograph if you want one" He said, digging through his bag for some paper and a pen.
She shook her head, water from her long brown hair splashing everywhere.
"Ryan, don't you remember me? Gabriella? Gabriella Montez?"
He looked at her face, and realized now why she looked so familiar to him before.
"Wow, what are the chances of us running into each other? I haven't seen you since graduation"
"I know six years is really a long time" She said, smiling at him.
He forgot how much he missed that smile, and it reminded him of the crush he had on her during their senior year.
"Hey, do you want to grab a cup of coffee and catch up?"
She bit her lip and glanced at the yellow cab that finally pulled up.
"I would really love to, but I already have plans that I'm late too" She said, glancing at her watch
He leaned over to give her a quick hug and said, "Well it was good seeing you again Gabriella"
"What about tomorrow? Do you already have plans?" She asked
"Tomorrow would be good. Do you want to meet at 11:30 at the Starbucks on 9th and 25th?"
"See you then" She said winking at him.
He watched as the cab disappeared around the corner, and couldn't keep the grin off of his face. He was still standing there when a car came by and splashed water on him.
He was still smiling
--
The next morning came quickly and before he knew it, it was time to meet Gabriella. She was sitting at a table by the window when he arrived, and he couldn't help but admire her. She was still as beautiful as she was in high school, but now there was a more maturity to her. She looked up and motioned him towards him.
"Hey Gabriella" He said, coming towards her
"Hey you" She said, getting up to give him a hug
"I'm going to go get a coffee, do you want anything?"
She shook her head and nodded towards the mug she was holding
"Uh, well I'll just be right back" He stuttered out. God he was such an idiot whenever he was around her. He got his coffee and headed back towards their table to sit down.
"So Gabriella, what have you been up to since high school?"
"Well I graduated from Stanford with a degree in chemistry and physics. I taught high school chemistry for awhile and then decided to go back and get my doctorate so I can teach at the university"
"Wow, still the overachiever I see" He said, teasing her
"You're funny, but seriously what about you?"
"I graduated from Julliard with honors and I had to learn the hard way that a degree does not equal a job right after. I had to work my way up to become a star. I had a few minor roles before I finally got my big break playing Link in Hairspray. That led to other lead roles, and now I'm a big star"
"I'm impressed. I really didn't think you liked the whole theatre thing, and that it was more Sharpay's thing"
"Well I guess some things change"
"So how is she? Sharpay, I mean. You haven't mentioned her, so I was just wondering how she's doing?"
"If you ever find her, let me know" He said harshly
"Ryan…"
"I…I don't really want to talk about it. So what brings you to New York?" He said, changing the subject
"Oh, well Taylor and Chad are getting married this weekend. I'm maid of honor and I promised Taylor I would help out with the last minute details"
"Wow, I didn't even know they were still together. What about you and Troy?"
"We broke up freshman year. The distance thing was really putting a strain on our relationship. He actually playing for the Knicks, so he's doing pretty good"
A beep from his phone reminded him that he had to reluctantly leave, since he was due in rehearsals in half an hour.
"Hey, next time you're in New York give me a call" He said, scribbling his number on a napkin for her.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you around?"
He nodded and gathered his stuff up. He was halfway towards the exit when her voice called his name out
"Do you want to be my date for the wedding? I mean…I'm allowed to bring another person and I just thought you might want to go and see everyone" She finished
He grinned at her and said, "Sure. See you on Saturday I guess?"
"It's a date!" She said, smiling at him
It looked like his day just got a little more brighter.
--
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and leaned back against the counter. Wednesdays always seemed like the longest day of the week to her.
"Order up" A voice called from the kitchen.
She groaned and stood back up, putting her hair back up into a ponytail.
"Evans, hurry it up. You got some hungry customers out there" Rhonda yelled in her thick Brooklyn accent.
"I got it" She yelled back. She grabbed the food and grudgingly walked towards the table.
If someone had told Sharpay Evans at her graduation that she would be waiting tables six years later, she would have laughed in their face.
She gave the customers their food and leaned back up against the counter. Dana, the only other person her age that worked there, came up beside her.
"Hey, I thought you didn't come in until later?" She asked the red haired girl.
"I guess Rhonda couldn't wait until to see my beautiful face" Dana grinned at her.
Sharpay laughed at her friend and grabbed a washcloth to wipe down the table with. She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and started scrubbing down the table.
"So, have you seen the new RENT billboard on Broadway?" Dana casually asked
She closed her eyes and said, "It's kind of hard to miss"
"Shar, maybe you should go and find him. I mean he could help you out, maybe give you some money so you're not scraping the first of the month"
"Dana, we've been doing fine without him these past four years and I don't want his charity"
"Okay, it was just a thought" She said, grabbing a washcloth to help her wipe down the rest of the tables.
She wiped her hands on her apron and glanced at the clock.
"Well it's time for me to head out. Do you need me to watch Connor tonight?"
"No my mom took him. I guess you're taking Lacey away from me then?"
"Well she does belong to me, so yea I think so. Let's go Lace" She yelled to the little girl that was sitting in the back booth coloring.
"Lacey, tell your mommy you want to stay and help" Dana pleaded
"Sorry D, but someone will get cranky if she's not fed soon" She said, looking down at her watch. She picked Lacey up and said a quick goodbye to Dana.
As they headed back towards home, she thought about what Dana said.
Maybe you should go and find him.
It made her think about what he was doing right now, and if he was thinking about her.
--