Chapter 2: Platforms, Not the Shoes

The little encounter with Troy, sure partly ruined her day. Boy, was he stuck up which kind of reminded him of herself when she was in a competition. She was especially competitive when she was in a competition with Troy and Gabriella. She hated them; not really but she hated how in the end they always get what they want. First, they got the Winter Musical leads last year, then they got, well, Ryan got, the Star Dazzle Award during summer and now Troy has a chance of becoming President and Gabriella First Lady.

She wanted to be First Lady.

No, she wanted to be President. A good one too. But her chances of becoming President are pretty slim, since no one likes her but Ryan, and with also not liking her, they fear her. And adding again to that who would want a dramatic Ice Queen to tell them what to do, set arrangements for any events and risk having everything turned pink. The student body feared that Sharpay would turn the colours of the school, pink and white and not red and white. They weren't going to let their school be a laughing stock of New Mexico.

But, how stupid would Sharpay be to let that happen? She wanted people to like her, have true friends. She didn't want to ruin anything for her beloved school. But she would ruin the other candidate running. Everyone else thinks Troy Bolton is the best choice but she knows that she is the true President of the school.

"Ryan, I'm home!" Sharpay yelled as she entered the front doors of their lovely home, which people could get lost in. She walked her way to the kitchen, passing be many maids and her butler. Ryan was always in the kitchen. "What's up, bro? she asked as she sat down on the high stool beside him.

Ryan was eating on the kitchen island and he couldn't fathom why Sharpay was so perky all of a sudden. "Did you meet a cute boy on your way home from school?"

The blonde girl wrinkled her nose and set off to the fridge to get some vanilla pudding. She loved vanilla while Ryan adored chocolate. "If you're referring to Troy, no... And why are you even thinking that?"

Ryan finished off his pudding and licked his spoon clean. "You seem so, happy, so like Sharpay from last year... Why?"

Sharpay leaned on the counter, pudding and spoon in hands. "I'm running for for President..."

Her twin, who liked to drink orange juice with his pudding, spit out the beverage all over the marble kitchen island. His mouth was still open and dripping with orange liquid. "Why on earth would you run for President!?" He clean his mouth and chin with the back on his hand and add, "plus, you told me earlier you didn't want to run for President..."

Being the kind sister that she was, Sharpay handing Ryan some paper towels to clean up the mess. "A girl can change her mind plus, I'm not going to let some basketball obsessed boy take over and run the whole school. Just think of what he could do to the theatre; he could bribe people not to go since canceling is not allowed but he could schedule all these pep rallies during the time of any productions!" She leaned on the counter more when it was dry and clean but still avoiding the places hit with orange juice. "I'm not going to let that happen. He's going to ruin everything and you're going to help me make sure that won't happen. You're my campaign manager..."

"REALLY!?" Ryan exclaimed, overjoyed. He's never done anything so important and technically she was putting almost everything in his hands. Who needs Troy Bolton when his got Sharpay Evans. "Oh my God, Shar! I'd love to be you're campaign manager! THANKS!"

"Now," Sharpay begun. "Think of a catchy slogan and platform for the campaign..."

Ryan ignored the hint of rudeness in his sister's voice and began to think. He traced the rim of his white fedora hat as he was thinking of a catchy slogan and a neat, yet unique way of having Sharpay's name on the students of East High. Buttons and flyers were old fashioned and not Sharpay's thing, wasn't anyone's thing actually. Having those were like tradition but he knew Sharpay would want to be different. Of course there will be posters but he needed something else. "I just thought of the perfect thing," Ryan said as he took his hat off his head and placed on the marble counter. "We can make several fedora hats, in pink, of course and then on the ribbon it should say Sharpay for President."

The blonde squealed out loud and hugged her brother, almost choking him. "That's a great idea! It'll be fashionable yet get the message out there for the students!" Sharpay imagined the scene in her head: the majority of East High wearing the hats and beating the pants off of Troy Bolton. Not literally, of course. "Now think of a catchy yet unique slogan..."

"Oh we need a platform..." Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to do to the school anyway?"

Sharpay let out an annoyed sighed and grabbed the nearest stool for her to sit on. "I definitely want to upgrade the arts department, visual, dramatic and music but they aren't the whole student body..." She began to draw imaginary circles on the white and grey marble island counter. "I can't be bias or no one would vote for me- Sure, I'm the most popular girl in school but who really knows the real me there? They won't vote for me thinking I'm in favour of only arts... Argh, I need some athletes and academics and I need to support those clubs- Eck, those awful clubs someone started-"

"Shar!" Ryan cut her off before she would ramble about the million of pointless clubs there were in the school. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You need to be the voice of the people. The voice of those smaller than you and I. You need to hear out what EVERYONE has to say, whether they love drama or not. You have to keep everyone's opinion in mind- " Ryan stopped, not finishing his speech. "I got the perfect platform for you!" he exclaimed. "People will write down what they think she should do or change in this school year, sign in anonymous and put it in the Sharpay for President Box..."

"I don't know- It seems like were putting their hopes up," Sharpay replied, not completely agreeing.

However, he wasn't listening, all he did was say, "I got a perfect slogan, of course you'll need more slogans but, how about this, You Want It! She'll Give It! Vote Sharpay Evans for East High's Student Body Queen (President is So Yesterday..) So, how 'bout it!?"

She shrugged. His idea was average, nothing special about it. Sure, it was different than most others and it's wat better than what Troy and his gang would think of. Luckily, cleverness runs in the family and didn't skip Ryan. "Better than nothing. I also bet that Troy can't think of anything that good," she said. The blonde patted Ryan on his back and pinched his cheek. "Good work, boy..." she spoke before taking off.

Ryan touched his cheek where the spot was slightly speak. "Good boy?" He then rubbed the spot and grunted in annoyance.

x-x-x-x

Troy grunted as he pulled into his parking lot, ignoring the dribbles and shouts coming from his back yard. He was still in shock on what Sharpay told him. Alright, so he told her the same thing but no one says that to Troy Bolton, especially not a spoiled little princess who tries to ruin things all the time. He wasn't going to let her ruin school, the place he spent most of his time in. Troy could just picture it; Sharpay ruining all the basketball games and maybe even changing the school colours to pink! No, that could never happen because he wouldn't let it happen. No way was he going to be beat by some daddy's girl.

He was going to be President no matter what it takes.

Now all he needed was the perfect campaign that would beat the sunglasses off of Sharpay's face and reveal her wide eyes of shock as he won. That was the goal. Beating anyone who comes in the way. He unlocked the fence door leading to the back yard and was quite surprised to see Chad, Jason, Taylor, Zeke and Gabriella there. They were always there because Troy's dad always lets them, especially when it came to basketball, especially two on two.

"Pass coach!" Chad hollered, waving his arms in the air, showing he was open.

Jack dribbled pass Zeke, who was blocking him pretty well, and passed to Chad. The afro-headed player, faked a left, which Jason fell for and scored the game winning basket. Twenty-three to twenty. "Nice shot, Chad!" He said over Gabriella and Taylor squealing.

"Couldn't have done it without you!" Chad replied, high fiving the coach.

"No fair," Jason called, brushing his sweaty dark brown back from his eyes. "You have the coach and he was like soooooooooooooo many more years of experience than us..." he finished, not noticing the evil glare Jack was sending him at the moment.

Zeke grabbed Jason from behind by the shoulders and said, "let it go, dude, let it go." He, on the other hand noticed Jack's evil glance as he took off for the kitchen. "Great ga- Hey, Troy!" he called as he saw Troy leaning on the fence, a smirk on his face. "Did you see my blocking! I've improved haven't I?"

Chad joined in, "dude, we have to thank you again for introducing us to the Redhawks!"

Troy blushed slightly. He liked getting praise. "Actually, Sharpay was the one who introduced me to them, sort of."

"Dude, she was bribing you with them so you could sing in the talent show with her," Chad added, reminding Troy on how evil Sharpay truly was. "Working for her paid great but it was terrible. She nearly ruined our friendship and your relationship with Gabs! God, just think of she was running for President- How awful would that be?" Everyone laughed along with him. None of them would want to be under Sharpay's control again.

Troy, however, didn't laugh, instead he was scratching the back of his neck nervously. "What's wrong, Troy?" Gabriella asked.

"Actually, she is- aha, running for- aha, President..."

Chad burst out laughing as tears began forming in his chocolate brown eyes. He walked over to Troy and patted his back pretty hard. "Dude, you're so funny. Sharpay running for President! Yeah right-"

"I bet she doesn't even know what a platform is," Taylor added, snickering afterwards.

Chad turned his head to his girlfriend, an eyebrow raised. "Don't be dumb, Tay! Sharpay has a bunch of platforms!" he said, matter of factly. "I remember when the Spice Girls were in, she had all types of platforms, white ones, pink ones, green ones and every colour of the freakin' rainbow!" Then his voice got deep and serious. "I also remember her hurting me with them. One time during physical education in the third grade, she kicked me in the knee, claiming the ball was near... when she wasn't even playing! And then when she did actually play, she kicked, her shoe flew off and hit he right in the face... I had a shoe print on my face!"

"Technically, the second one wasn't really her fault," Taylor replied, slightly defending the Ice Queen. "And, Chad, that isn't the type of platform I'm talking about."

"Couldn't you have mentioned that earlier before my trip down memory lane-"

"Where's that?" Jason asked stupidly. "And when did you go there?"

They all groaned and Zeke swatted him across the head. "Jason!"

"What?"

"Please, let's ignore him!" Chad replied, trying to move on. "So, what's this platform you're talking about?"

Gabriella answered, "a platform is the plan on what you're going to do for the school once elected."

The afro haired boy, walked to Gabby and gave her a hard noogie. It was especially hard for her because she's never gotten one before. However, Chad did try a lot of times to do one on her, several during summer but she was to evasive, except now where she didn't see it coming. For revenge, Gabriella held onto the arm which was around her neck and bit it, forgetting about male germs. Chad jumped off and squealed, holding his arm tightly and rubbing the spot where she nipped him. It was pink and had four little teeth marks.

"Gabriella!" Chad cried. "How are you bite me!"

"How dare you," Gabriella answered back, pointing a finger at him, "give me a noogie!"

Troy looked at Chad then at his girlfriend. He couldn't believe he was going to ask them to be his campaign managers. Gabriella was his first choice but some of her ideas were too simple and have been over used, Chad on the other hand may have been an idiot but some of his ideas were actually quite creative. He thought they would make a perfect team, when they weren't bickering like they are now. "Chad," he called and Chad stopped yelling. "Gabriella," she also stopped yelling. "I want you guys to be my campaign managers."

"Really!?" They both replied, big eyes and mouth wide open.

"Yup," Troy replied, nodding.

Chad pumped his fists into the air, "yeah, we're going to beat the pants off of Sharpay Evans and give her a taste of her own medicine!"

"I'm going to think of the perfect slogan and platform for you," Gabriella giggled happily, as she hugged Troy for choosing her. "But do we have enough money to spend for posters, buttons maybe even some basketball shaped cookies?" she wondered. They weren't as fortunate as Sharpay who could afford anything with her nine credit cards. "I can only spare 75."

"I'm pretty sure I can ask my dad," Troy replied. "He is part of the school staff, maybe he as some people..."

"People?" Jason mimicked. "No offense, the only one we could get to help us with posters and stuff like that is the visual arts department. And did I mention 'arts', I'm pretty sure they aren't going to vote for you when they know Sharpay will put them first." Jason has finally found his common sense and they were all proud of him.

"JASON!"

x-x-x-x

She couldn't believe her mom would want her to run an errand, just because their maid was busy, butler sick and Ryan sleeping. How could a mother send her daughter, so late at night, to go to a grocery store to fetch some fruits for fruit salad. Okay, so it was only seven o'clock pm but she's never been in a grocery store alone. And she didn't think that buying food would make her more responsible and independent. Mothers never know what they are saying.

Sharpay found the nearest parking space, which wasn't near the store at all, and wondered why so many people shop late at night. She fast walked to the store entrance, scared of any creeps trying to get a turn on tonight. Then again, what kind of creeps hang around a grocery store. When she walked in, she was the only one dressed as if she was going to some red carpet even in LA.

"Ouch," Sharpay cried as someone from behind her banged against her with a cart. She turned around as she patted her bum lightly. And in her years of living she'd never expect to run into him at a store filled with food and food. "What are you doing here?"

Troy rolled his eyes. "Why else would I be at a grocery store?" he asked rhetorically. "I should be asking you that. What would Sharpay Evans do at a grocery?" He didn't expect her to answer because he walked away to the bread aisle. Surprisingly, she did follow him; for two reasons, A, she didn't know where she was going, B, she didn't want to look clueless around strangers.

"I have to run an errand for dear, old, lemme repeat OLD, mother."

Troy grabbed some white bread off the shelf, checked the date and placed it into his cart, as he said, "I don't find your mom that old; she's very relaxed, patient and calm." He looked back at her. "I think you need to learn from her, y'know, maybe try some yoga..."

"I have no time for that!" Sharpay cried. "Yoga is for people who have nothing better to do with their lives; people like my mother and brother."

Troy chuckled. She could be so rude and closed minded. "I bet you haven't even tried it yet," he continued on as he grabbed some whole grain bread and hamburger buns. "Who knows, you might want to try it when you lose to me..."

The blonde wasn't really paying attention to him when she spotted a free cart and strolled off to it. "I have no idea what you just said, Bolton but I can guarantee that it was a mean comment. And just for that, you have to accompany me during my time here and help me with my bags."

"No way," Troy replied, taking off for the fruits and vegetables. "I have my own errands to run. I can't escort you on your shopping trip. I'm not going to be one of your flunkies."

"Of course not because if you were one of my flunkies, I would definitely lose the elections," she commented back. "You have no brain and ideas what-so-ever. You'll lose this election on your own, I won't even have to do anything." Sharpay made a quick turn to the apples and grapes until Troy grabbed her arm.

Troy pulled her closer, until she was inches away from his face and said, "I can guarantee you that I won't lose, especially to people like you."

"Mommy, are those people kissing?" a little girl asked, pointing towards them from her seat on the cart. The mother looked at Sharpay and Troy, horrified and put her walking speed into the fastest gear.

He let go of her and turned away, embarrassed. "Look what you did," Sharpay replied. "Now I can never show my face in this store again, well, not like I'll ever come back here. That little munchkin needs to learn to mind her own business and to stop assume things because it makes an ass out of you and me."

"Back to our previous conversation, I'm not going to lose because I have a special ability you don't have," Troy retorted.

"You mean flirting with cheerleaders and any other female body in school," Sharpay replied much to Troy's dismay. "Please Bolton, I wouldn't call that a special ability; I would call that trickery because flirting when you have a girlfriend is simply lying or over exaggerating. You're just filling those poor girls with false hope..."

Troy didn't like how that sounded the more he thought about it. He didn't want to hurt anyone, he wasn't like Sharpay. He was going to toy with an innocent girl for his own benefits. But he couldn't let her see he was fazed by her sudden choice of wise words. "What's your point! If I flirt for votes, I'll and they can't withdraw their votes once I'm named President. It's a total win-win situation for me." Troy didn't like the way he was sounding, seemed like summer vacation all over again.

"Aha," Sharpay said. "But you forgot that I have a special ability-"

"Bribing people with money doesn't count," Troy countered, shutting down her ability as she did with his. "I would that 'you're lucky your parents are rich and hard-working'. For them to earn that much money is incredible!" Troy said, hailing her parents but not her. "But you, being born into an already rich family holds no talent what so ever."

Sharpay rolled her eyes. Boy, did he ever make a point. So what if being born rich isn't an ability, it would take her places. She could go to college without being smart because her parents had money and they also had connections. "Shut it, Bolton."

"How about we make a deal to make things a little bit more fair?" Troy asked. He knew bribing people with money will get Sharpay votes and he didn't want to compete against that. Not one bit.

She scrunched up her nose. That was a good idea. With Troy flirting, he would totally get a lot of votes and she wasn't up for that type of competition. "Fine, whatever you say, Bolton."

Troy stuck out his hand, hoping she would take it. "No bribing people with money, okay?"

"Fine as long as you don't flirt for votes," Sharpay added, taking his hand.

They shook hands in agreement of their deal, hoping it wouldn't break. "Deal!"

"Now back to you helping me with my shopping!" Sharpay blurted out, as she dropped Troy's hand. It felt weird shaking hands with him, sure she wasn't holding it like boyfriend/girlfriend but it was still awkward.

Troy frowned. Since when did he agree with that? "I didn't agree with that yet..."

"Yet? So you'll do it!"

"Huh?" Troy looked at her, clueless. Why did he add in 'yet'? Stupid. "Fine, as long as you pay for some of my groceries..."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh c'mon, you waste my time, I waste your money!" Troy teased. "Well, your parents' money."

It was her parents' credit card, not her's. It wouldn't hurt plus with the amount of money they get each month, Sharpay wouldn't be surprised if they hadn't noticed. For the Evans it seemed like that had a money tree. "Whatever. Let's go then."

x-x-x-x

"Thanks," Troy said as Sharpay pulled up into his driveway. "I didn't think that I would have bought so much and carrying it twenty blocks would have killed me," Troy added as he stepped out of Sharpay's car. He picked up three bags of groceries, which were really heavy.

"No problem," Sharpay said, watching him leave for his door. "I wasn't going to let my parents' good money go to waste if you happened to fall on the way home," she joked.

Troy blushed lightly. Instead of paying only half, like Troy demanded her too, she paid for everything. He was so ashamed especially when the cashier gave him a weird look once Sharpay said: "Just add his to mine." Why did she open her big mouth? Some gentleman he was. "Thanks, ah, again for paying for everything. You didn't have to, y'know."

"Well, I'm wanted to see what a good deed felt like since you did put up with my annoying questions for the past two hours," Sharpay referred to the two hour grocery trip and all the questions she had about each item she was going to purchase. "See you at school, Bolton!" Sharpay yelled, pulling out of the driving and speeding away, leaving dark tire marks on Troy's driveway.

He blushed again. Why? He didn't know but he should get inside before the ice cream melts. His mom was going to watch the Titanic Marathon, again and they had run out. But he needed to focus on the election. "This is going to be an interesting school year."

--

Woo, update! Sorry for the long delay. Felt like forever didn't it? Well, I just watched Prince Caspian yesterday. My cinema place was packed. Next time, I'll go earlier, hate too public places.

The movie was great, loved the fighting, loved the guys. Aha. Skander (Edmund) sure has changed, physically, Ben (Caspian) at first I thought he was erm, okay, but he's cute and William (Peter) always found him adorable but now more on the 'hott' scale. Anna and Georgie are cute too and boy, did the Caspian/Susan pairing catch me off guard but I ending up being okay with the pairing, doesn't bother me, doesn't fascinate me all that much.

Sorry for any errors, will fix later on. Must go to church right now, I know, going to church Saturday instead of Sunday... I wouldn't go at all, no offense, if I didn't have to... mothers. I love the title because it's so Chad! :)

-Aj