Chapter 2- Manolo Blahnik
Gabriella tossed her head back and let the fresh air wash over her. She wasn't a naturally controversial person, which made arguing with Troy even more complicated. She didn't understand where her irritation with him was stemming from. Nothing he did lately seemed good enough. When did she become so particular?
She closed her eyes and exhaled the tears she felt building behind her eyes. The door behind her clicked and Gabriella swung around her. Behind her stood Sharpay Evans, in all her pink glory. Usually Gabriella would have ignored the other girl but instead she smiled. "Hi, Sharpay."
"Hello, dear! How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? I saw you and Troy arguing." Gabriella wrinkled her nose.
"You saw that?" Sharpay nodded.
"What's up? Can I help?" Gabriella shook her head. She couldn't figure Sharpay out. Last summer she'd been after Troy and now she was offering a listening ear to Gabriella's boy trouble.
"It's fine. I'm just a little off today."
"Oh, I totally know how that is. I was off yesterday. It was like everything was going wrong! My new Gucci bag was shipped to our winter house instead of here and we ran out of soy milk right before I was going to have a bowl of Cheerios!" Gabriella stared. If this was Sharpay's idea of making her feel better, it was feeble.
"Yeah." There was awkward silence. Sharpay clicked her heel against the concrete.
"Would shopping help? I know where all the sales are!" Gabriella smiled.
"They're some good ones this week! Taylor and I were at American Eagle in the mall yesterday. I love the '2 for 20 dollars' sale!" Sharpay looked confused.
"I don't shop at the mall."
"You don't?"
"I mean, I do, but not at that mall."
"Oh." More silence.
"Do you like shoes?"
"Sure!"
"Good. Let me introduce you to Manolo Blahnik. I'll even buy you a pair for opening night. Consider it a gift from a friend."
"Really, Sharpay. You don't have to do that."
"But I want to! Come on. I have a private sample sale in twenty minutes and you're coming with me."
"What about Ryan?"
"He has his own car. Come on!" Sharpay seized Gabriella's wrist and dragged her along to the parking lot where her bright pink convertible sat next to a shiny white Prius. A familiar silhouette stood behind the Prius, loading a bag full of dance shoes and rehearsal clothes into the trunk. Gabriella grinned and hurried over, wrapping her arms around the boy and squeezing.
"I like your car, Ry." Ryan grinned.
"Thanks! It's new." Sharpay's convertible beeped.
"Come on, Gabriella! We can't keep Mr. Blahnik waiting!"
"Sample sale?" Ryan asked. Gabriella nodded.
"Apparently Sharpay is introducing me to someone named Manolo Blahnik." Ryan snorted.
"It's a shoe, hon. He makes heels." Gabriella blushed.
"Oops."
"Don't worry. Sharpay won't let you forget. Go have fun." Gabriella hugged him again and took her seat next to Sharpay. The blonde girl put on her Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, revved the engine and sped off, throwing Ryan a whitened smile and a manicured wave.
"Bye, Ry!" Gabriella shouted, smiling.
They left Ryan behind and Gabriella donned the extra pair of designer sunglasses Sharpay offered her. It was nice to relax. Maybe Sharpay was trying to be friendly.
