Money Power Beauty
Chapter Two
You say that you want to go to a land that's far away. How are we supposed to get there with the way that we're living today?
Troy never saw Sharpay again for the rest of the week, it was now Friday morning and he still hasn't heard from the pretty blonde. He was beginning to think she has forgotten they made plans for the weekend. Troy sighed before leaving the elevator and smiled at Chloe, he was about to leave the reception when she called out his name. "Troy?" She called out.
Troy turned around, "Hey, what's up?"
"Oh I was just wondering – Me and some of my friends from human resources are heading down to that new club downtown tonight. Do you want to join us?" Troy could sense how nervous Chloe was.
"I am sorry Chloe, I have plans tonight. Maybe another time?" He wasn't lying, he actually had plans to spend time with his friend tonight. Even if he was free, he wasn't going to say yes. Chloe was pretty – not Sharpay E-Harris pretty – but he wasn't interested in a relationship and anything casual would probably ruin their professional relationship.
"Oh," She paused, "That's ok." He could see how disappointed she was, "Yeah, next time."
You took me to your favourite place on Earth,
to see the tree they cut down ten years from your birth.
our finger traced in circles round its history,
we brushed our hands right back in time through centuries.
Troy smiled at her once more before making his way to his desk, Troy settled down his coffee and bag before making his way to Marcus' office. He knocked on the already opened glass door, "Good morning Sir, I have your coffee."
"Thanks Troy, have you got the proposal for today's meeting?" Marcus got straight to the point.
"Yes it's right here." Troy passed Marcus the document that was in his other hand, "The meeting will start in half an hour."
"Great, let's get this done with so I can go and have lunch with my wife." Not going to lie, Troy hated the way Marcus never calls Sharpay by her name, it just makes her sound like he was her item, like a trophy. "You haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet have you?" Marcus asked.
"Em," Troy paused for a minute, "No – No I haven't – yet."
"Time will come my friend, she is absolutely stunning." Troy wanted to roll his eyes so badly, but he forced himself not to. "You are a lucky man, sir." He simply said.
Troy left Marcus' office and finally settled down at his desk for the first time this morning, he turned his computer on and a yellow sticky note stuck on a file on his desk caught his eye, he picked it up and examined it.
Midday tomorrow, do not be late. – S
The note also came with an address to a coffee shop, how did she manage to post a note on his desk? Troy chuckled, she is Sharpay, she can do anything. Before he knew it, it was time for the meeting. The meeting didn't go as smoothly as planned as the sponsors for the event Harris Industries is hosting were having problems negotiating fees.
As you held me down, you said:
"I'll see you in the future when we're older,
and we are full of stories to be told.
Cross my heart and hope to die,
I'll see you with your laughter lines."
"Troy, my wife is waiting for me outside, could you tell her that I am busy and I will see her at home tonight?" Marcus asked during a short break, "I don't think this will be done anytime soon."
Troy nodded, he was glad he could see Sharpay again. He left the conference room and made his way up to Marcus' office, he saw Sharpay sitting opposite where Troy's desk was. She stood up when she saw him approaching, "Sha-" Troy paused when he saw Sharpay narrowing her eyes.
"Em- Mrs Harris?" Sharpay simply nodded, "Mr Harris told me to inform you that he's stuck in a meeting and wouldn't be able to have lunch with you today. He said he will see you at home tonight."
Sharpay looked at me for a moment, "He couldn't even take an hour out to have lunch with me?"
"I'm sorry… It's a really important-" Troy was interrupted by Sharpay once again.
"Whatever." Sharpay rolled her eyes at Troy and pushed past him, he was confused; yeah it was disappointing that Marcus had to cancel on her but did she really have to act that way in front of him? And what is with this whole calling her Mrs Harris thing when she told him not to a few days ago. He sighed heavily and made his way back to the conference room.
Changes on our hands and on our faces,
memories are mapped out by the lines we'll trace.
This meeting was boring Troy so much, he hates dealing with sponsors and things, it wasn't his speciality. He wants to sit in meetings where they talk about computers and soft wares not money. The thought of Sharpay kept on drifting back into his mind, what is this beautiful woman doing to him? He hasn't stopped thinking about her since the day he saw her, he didn't think it was because he was crushing on her. Well, who wouldn't want someone like her. But still, he knows she's unavailable but why is he so hung up on her? It couldn't be her beauty, she was this beautiful back in college and she had never had this effect on her. Maybe once or twice after they made out at that party but not to this extent. There is something bugging Troy about Sharpay's behaviour, and he couldn't work out what it is.
His mind began to travel back to Tom Hudson's party, it was Troy's last year at UCLA, just before spring break. He remembers it so clearly because they were texting a lot afterwards, both of them trying to make something happen but time was just not on their side. Troy was so busy with finals and preparing for job interviews after that, they never saw each other again.
As you held me down, you said:
"I'll see you in the future when we're older,
and we are full of stories to be told.
Cross my heart and hope to die,
I'll see you with your laughter lines."
Four years ago, SAE Frat House
"Troy! Isn't that your friend over there?" A friend of Troy's pointed over to a blonde. They were all at a fraternity house celebrating Tom Hudson's birthday, he was a popular guy around, so the house was filled with people – mostly drunk or high – but still. Troy didn't want to go, but being vice president of the fraternity himself, he had to; also it was his last time of partying before the heavy studying ahead. Troy looked over to where his friend was pointing and spotted her, he smiled and approached the pretty blonde. "Hey you. What are you doing here?" He asked.
The blonde turned and smiled at him, "Hey, Bolton." Her eyes sparkled when she saw him, "I came with Jenna, are you not happy I am here?"
"No I want you here, I haven't seen you since like-" Troy tried to remember when he last saw her but he was having trouble even staying still, he was swaying. The blonde giggled at his state and placed her hand on his chest to stop him from falling onto her, "I think you have had one too many, Bolton."
"Sharpay, I think you haven't had enough." Troy smirked at her, he looked down at her hand that was still on his chest, my god she was stunning. "You are beautiful." He slurred.
Sharpay cheeks became warmer than before and couldn't help but blush, how can you resist Troy Bolton? "I think you are drunk, Bolton." Her eyes never once leaving his bright blue orbs.
Ashen face in cold breeze,
all the stories you will leave.
"Drunk or not, you are beautiful. You know what else I know?"
"What else do you know?" Sharpay smiled again, most people are annoying when they are tipsy/drunk, but she couldn't be annoyed at this boy. How could he still be so charming after so much drinking?
"You can't resist me." Troy smirked again and closed the distance between them purposely, not that he could help it, he couldn't even balance properly by this stage. Sharpay light pushed him off her, she wanted him close to her but not to the extent of crushing her, she was much smaller than him.
Sharpay giggled, "You think a lot of yourself." She paused, "Troy you are so drunk, let's go outside for some air." He nodded straight away, she took her hand and led him through the crowd of drunk students and into the backyard, where there were more students. Most of them were in their little group, smoking away whilst some were having their own eh personal moments.
Sharpay found a space on a bench and they sat down together, Sharpay looped her arm round his strong arm and held his hand. Troy was wearing a simple fraternity t-shirt, and a pair of skinny jeans but he was still so warm, probably from the alcohol. Sharpay on the other hand was wearing a short leather skater skirt paired with a baggy dress top that was tucked in, she was appreciating the heat she was getting from Troy.
"All the pretty stars shine for you, Sharpay." Troy smiled at her. Sharpay chuckled at his comment but couldn't help but blush again; Troy certainty knows how to melt her heart. "You are so drunk."
"I am so not drunk," Troy defended himself and stared down at Sharpay, he swears her eyes sparkled, it was mesmerising. He was speechless everytime he was this close to Sharpay, he wanted to kiss her so badly but fear that it would hurt their friendship, so he decided to kiss her hand instead.
I'll see you in the future when we're older,
and we are full of stories to be told.
Cross my heart and hope to die,
I'll see you with your laughter lines.
Troy and Sharpay always had that sort of relationship where they were friends but they were more than that, they weren't in a close friendship or anything, heck they barely knew that much about each other. But every time they have the chance to see each other, they flirt non-stop and then it results into nothing.
"Troy, why do you never kiss me?" Sharpay suddenly asked, breaking Troy out of his thoughts. She doesn't call him Troy often, and everytime she does, his heart skips a beat. She could make the simplest thing have the greatest effect on him.
"I-I" He paused, trying to organise his thoughts, "I don't want to ruin our friendship?" It was much of a question.
"What friendship?" Sharpay couldn't help but speak out, "We aren't that close Bolton." There she goes again with the Bolton.
"I don't think I am good enough for you." Troy looked at her, "You are so smart, beautiful, kind, and you have the whole world at your feet." He paused, "I can go on all night…"
"Troy… Why would you say that?" She smiled light at him and lifted her hand to cup his cheeks. "You are Troy Bolton, everyone wants you." She needs to stop calling him Troy now or he was pretty sure he was going to pass out.
"Does that mean you want me?" His heart leapt.
Sharpay stayed quiet but a small smirk appeared in the corner of her lips. "Will you kiss me now?"
I'll see you in the future when we're old.
I'll see you in the future when we're old.
Song: 'Laughter Lines' by Bastille.
