CHAPTER THREE- The Female Scrooge

"Shut up!"

I stood before my floor length mirror attached to my closet door with Ia blue dress in one hand and a cell in the other. Gabriella, Taylor and I were on three way going over the party tonight. My spirits were lifted ten times more since that morning. I couldn't wait to dazzle the guests with my incredible fashion sense. It would be impossible for Troy not to notice me. I pictured him taking my hand and leading me onto the dance floor. We'd swirl around effortlessly and he'd lean in towards me for a...

Gabriella giggled. "Sharpay must be having one of her Troy fantasies again."

I rolled me eyes. "I'm focused on trying to find something to wear." The fantasy just seemed to slip in.

The girls went on and on about how whatever I wore would look amazing on me, but I couldn't settle for anything. Troy was going to be there after all.

My eyes tore away from my reflection as the door creaked opened and Ryan's head peeked out. I waved for him to come in. "Hey, I'll ttyl, k? G2G!" I clicked my phone shut and turned to Ryan. "Those girls can talk forever." I moved to the mess of clothes laid out onto of my bed and restarted my conquest for the perfect look for the twentieth.

Ryan leaned up against the wall and stuffed his hands in his pocket. "It's just hard to believe they can actually understand you." His eyebrows rose as he scanned the array of items on my bed. "Wow, Shar. I'm really impressed."

I turned back to the mirror with a pink skirt and white blouse. Should I go for the sophisticated look? "For what?" I frowned and tossed the pieces onto the reject pile. I wanted Troy to think of me as a princess not a teacher.

"All these clothes. We'll need a haul truck to take this load to the charity."

I bit my lip and went back to fishing for an outfit in my ocean of clothing. "About that..."

There was a pause. "You forgot didn't you."

I cringed. The disappointment in his voice was unbearable. "No. I just... can't go."

"Sharpay!"

I turned my back and moved towards the closet. I know he was starring at me with a look that would definitely make me feel more guilty than I already felt. "I'm sorry,ok." I tried avoiding his eye contact by trying on a new pair of shoes. "I have to go to the Christmas party tonight. Everyone will be looking for me. I'm like a VIP." I gave him one of my puppy pouts.

By the look on his face, it didn't seem to have an effect.

"And that's so much more important than giving to the needy."

Again with that sarcasm of his. "Maybe not if I were Robin Hood. I made plans before I even knew about this little charity."

I sat at my vanity set and brushed through my flowing blond hair. I considered whether I should go with an up-do or keep it simple and sleek.

"This 'little' charity could make a huge impact on someones life," Ryan said. "I can't believe you would turn this down for some party."

"A Christmas party!" I pointed out. "That's special, too." I spun around around to face him and pushed my hair over my ear revealing a pair of Christmas tree earrings. "I can't let these go to waste."

Ryan shook his head. "What happened to you, Shar? Ever since mom and dad got that fortune two years ago you've become this material princess who cares about nothing but herself."

"That's not true." I tossed my hair and stared into the mirror. So, maybe I've changed a little, but it was for the good. What was I supposed to do, just live my normal life as if nothing happened. Our parents had money, so I spent it. That's what it's for.

"People are dying and all you're worried about is your precious jewelry. It's like you've turned into the female Scrooge. Well, why you're out having a good time, I'm going to go do something good for someone else. Have fun at your party."

With that, Ryan stormed out the door, leaving me to soak up his words and for once I was speechless. I had no idea where this was coming from. I cared about lots of people, like him for instance. And Troy. I would gladly lend Troy one of my coats if he were in need, though I'm pretty sure it would be a few sizes too small. He was the one being selfish. If he really cared about me, he would have accepted my decline and left it at that. Besides, it wasn't my fault my parents gave me everything I wanted. Even though I would scream and have a tantrum if I didn't. Still, those things didn't run my life. I could live without them.

I winced as my eyes drifted to the compartment of my closet strictly for designer dresses.

Well, I could live without some of them.

--

I glanced at my pink crown shaped clock. It was already 8, which meant I had exactly one hour until party time. I had settled on a flattering green dress with asymmetry and a high waist glittering gold belt. I found a pair of red strap-ups that I don't even remember buying in the depths of my shoe section. It never ceased to amaze me how much stuff I've accumulated, tossed in my closet and never saw again months and months later. I laid everything out on my bed and sat at my work desk, day dreaming about the fun I'd have with Troy Bolton on my arm.

I had been giggling silently at an image of Troy feeding me a piece of fruitcake, when a ring came from my laptop. My eyes went to the bottom of the screen where an IM had popped up. My brows wrinkled as I wondered who it could be. I had not too long ago got off the phone with Gabriella and Taylor. Maybe they wanted my expertise on what they were wearing.

I clicked on the icon and the IM screen maximized. In the chatting box there was another icon asking if I wanted to accept a personal one on one invite. Whatever that was I had no idea, but I clicked it anyway.

Suddenly, the screen flashed blue and an error notice came up.

I punched in multiple keys, but nothing happened.

Great, I thought. I must have downloaded a virus or something. Ryan would know how to get rid of it, but he had already gone to the charity event. Not like he would be willing to help me anyway.

I groaned and lifted my finger to press down the power button, but quickly retracted it.

The screen began swirling like a black hole, sucking all of the errors words into it's whirlwind. It grew wider and wider until it broke through the screen.

I jumped to my feet, sending my chair falling to the floor. My heart beat out of my chest and I began to get dizzy from the constant swirling. What was this? Was I dreaming?

Then, right in front of my eyes a girl flew out of the hole and landed on two feet with such grace you'd think it was normal.

The freakiest part, she was the splitting image of me.

My jaw dropped to the carpet. I had to be dreaming and this was the part where I ran. Only, my feet were glued to the spot fearing that any move could be it's last.

My eyes slowly observed who or what stood before me.

I swallowed. It was me.

From the blond hair hidden underneath the hood of a long blue robe, which looked really good on me, to the intense eyes. They bore into me and I shivered. This must be what it felt like to endure one of my icy glares.

It was surreal. I was staring at myself. This statement wouldn't seem so bizarre if it involved a mirror, but nothing separated the two of us side from air. Which came from her, because my lungs had momentarily stopped working.

"You have to come with me," she said, holding out her hand.

She even had my voice.

I stepped back, tripped over the heap of clothing on the floor and dropped onto the bed. "Wha...Who are you?"

A small smirk pulled at her mouth as she let her hood fall to her back."I'm you."