Welcome to East High Boarding School.

I didn't know if I should smile, gag or simply tell my mom to quickly turn around and drive back the way we came. What was I thinking? Start at a new school…yeah right! How am I going to survive without Nina and Alex?

"Okay deep breathes" I started chanting over in my head to calm myself down. "I can do this"

I was Sharpay; strong, independent, smart, beautiful Sharpay. The Sharpay that guys wanted to have and girls wanted to be. The Sharpay that was hard to figure out. Some people look at me and think "she looks lovely". They're wrong. Though I wasn't mean either I was just straight up and honest, which last time I checked wasn't a bad thing. Sure people got confused considering I have angelic hair, long wavy and blonde, a pretty face with deep brown eyes and light pink perfect lips, flawless skin, and figure that people die for. I was tall and slim, with nice sized boobs and just the right amount of curves, though if you look closely you realise that it's slightly disguised by my cut edge and killer style. I don't wear pink, or any other extremely girly colour for that matter. I don't do frilly skirts or flowy dresses and have never in my life even attempted to wear stockings. I HATE THEM! If you've got the legs, then show them off.

Today I happened to be sporting a sapphire blue top which showed just the right amount of cleavage, black skinny jeans that made my legs look miles long, a black leather jacket that hugged the top half of my body in all the right places and a pair of black knee-high boots with a heel. All in all I was the picture of perfection. I had no need to be nervous.

After I calmed down I pulled out my phone and decided to txt Nina back from before.

"Just entered Hogwarts. Will call after I settle into Gryffindor :P Peace out skank! Sharpay XXXX"

I looked at myself in the review mirror, smiling slightly. In only a couple of months I had changed from cry-baby-Sharpay to ready-to-kick-someone's-ass-Sharpay. You wouldn't think I had just suffered from a tragedy, you'd think I just stepped out of a fashion magazine, which I needed everyone to think, I couldn't let them know anything about me. I needed to remember why I was here: To get away. To get away so I could find Damon's killer in secret. I smiled wider. I was ready for anything.

My phone beeped, signalling a new message from Nina:

"More like Slytherin! Haha let me know when the next Harry Potter comes along(: Talk soon! Nina XOXO"

"Come on sweetie, the headmaster told me to meet her outside your first class" my mother practically squealed. She had her over cheeriness thing going on which normally led to her doing something embarrassing, which lead to her pissing me off which equals angry Sharpay, which I'm trying to avoid.

"Thanks a fucking lot mom" I said to myself. If I said it out loud she might start bursting into tears, which would be even worse! Nina was right, I'm pretty sure she does have bipolar.

I started thinking about Nina's last txt, slightly annoyed that she would think I'd start a romance with someone, when my boyfriend just died for Christ sakes. I just needed to concentrate.

After taking one last look at the photo of Damon on my phone I hopped out of the car and into the cool fresh air. I almost gasped when I turned to look at the school. It was beyond amazing up close. The tall slightly deformed shaped buildings gave the whole school an artistic affect which made was definitely a plus in my books. Thank god I wasn't going to a shit school.

I began to follow my mother who was already several paces ahead; I'm guessing she's too eager to get rid of me.

As we were making our way to my first class we passed many students. Some chatting happily to their friends, some studying, some listening to music peacefully and there was even a couple practically going at it on a park bench causing me to laugh out loud. Though my laughing soon died out as I bumped into someone making me loose my footing and fall on my arse, all of their books trailing along with me.

"Ow!" I yelled angrily "Would you watch where you're going!"

"Sorry" a male voice replied "but you have to admit that was partially your fault"

I just groaned angrily and began to get up, once I was fully on my feet I came face to face with an extremely attractive boy, probably the same age as me. He had light brown hair and bright blue eyes that were making me a bit dizzy, however I refused to act like a dim girl in front of someone who basically ruined my new pair of jeans.

"I'm Troy" he said holding out his hand smiling. All his books having been collected and were in his other hand.

I smirked at him and crossed my arms over my chest, making it obvious that I wasn't going to shake his hand. "I'm angry and don't care" I retorted sarcastically, and then stormed away in and attempt to try and catch up with my mother. Luckily I could see her outside a building waiting for me.

"Nice to meet you angry and don't care" I heard Troy yell.

With my back still facing him I brought my hand over my shoulder and flipped him off.

The last thing I heard from him was soft happy laughter before I reached my mother and we entered the building.

Once inside I trailed behind my mom, whilst thinking of Troy. No denying he was cute and sweet, but I was not going to start something. What would Damon think?

A dramatic, feminine voice that instantly made me dislike whoever was talking interrupted my thoughts then- "Hello I'm Silviar Darbus" I came face to face with an old lady with tons of wrinkles and white hair. She was wearing what looked like a bundle of rags making her look sort of like a hippy. "You must be Linda and Sharpay Evans, it's a pleasure to meet you" she said holding her hand out which my mother shook politely, me hesitantly- i really didn't want to shake her saggy, sweaty hands.

"Likewise" my mother replied calmly...a little too calmly causing me to double take. She always surprises.

"Our headmaster unfortunately is busy at the moment but if you make your way down the hall to her office I'm sure she won't be long" the old bag smiled reassuringly.

"No problem" my mother said and we began to walk away. However Mrs Darbus grabbed my hand causing me to turn around.

"I believe your first class is with me Sharpay" she whispered "and let me tell you we educate some of the brightest and intelligent young minds in the state, so you will drop the attitude, make your way back here when you have finished with the headmaster and be a good little girl" she ended with a fake smile.

I pulled my hand away and began to trail after my mother slightly weirded out.

Great I'm at a school full of nut jobs.

After talking to the lady behind the counter my mother and I were soon seated on wooden chairs outside the Headmaster's office. I grabbed a magazine from a table nearby and began to look through it angrily thinking about Mrs Darbus. Who the hell did that lady think she was? She's just lucky it's my first day otherwise I would have given her a piece of my mind. God I hope not all the teachers are on PMS.

The Headmasters door began to open and out stepped a quite young looking lady with black hair and dark blue eyes (who I assumed was the Headmaster) along with her was a very similar looking boy, who was about my age. I stopped my turning of the pages and began to check him out. He was beyond hot. He had a muscular build, though not too muscular, he was tall and lean and I noticed the slight outline of abs under his tight black t-shirt. As if noticing my starring he turned to look at me smirking whilst raising an eyebrow. I stared at him a few second longer then brought my attention back to my magazine, though not my full attention. I was still aware that the boy's intense blue eyes were staring at me.

"Oh hello, you must be Linda Evans. It's a pleasure to meet you" the Headmaster said shaking my mother's hand pleasantly.

"Yes very nice to meet you as well" my mother replied. "This is my daughter Sharpay" she added indicating towards me.

With my eyes still focused on the magazine I brought up my hand in a quick wave then letting it fall back to my side. This small gesture apparently amused the boy who started to laugh softly though annoyed my mother whose eyes I could feel boring into me disapprovingly.

"Happy to meet you Sharpay" the Headmaster said in a high pitch voice obviously indicating that she wasn't happy at all. I'm guessing she's seen my record.

"Linda, if I could talk to you privately in my office that would be great" the Headmaster said smiling.

"No problem" my mother replied then began to stand up and leave, however not before giving me one last stern look of course.

The headmaster smiled then turned her attention back towards the boy. "And you Erik shall sit here and wait patiently for me until I come back so we can settle on a punishment." With that she walked into her office, shutting her door and leaving me alone with the handsome male.

He took a seat across from me and though I was still reading the magazine I could feel his eyes looking at me intently.

I brought my eyes to his and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's rude to stare?" I asked blandly.

He smiled, he had a sexy smile. "Yes, though i rarely do what my mother tells me to" he replied teasingly.

By his look and attitude I was guessing he was a bad boy. I smiled slightly shaking my head and got back to my magazine. After a few minute of silence he decided to talk.

"Do you talk much?" he said, again in a teasing tone, obviously indicating the fact that I didn't carry on the conversation.

"Only when I'm interested in something" I replied bluntly.

He smirked at this. "Ouch I guess I had it wrong, I could have sworn you were checking me out not too long ago"

Great he was a cocky bastard as well. "Yes I guess you did" was all I could think to say back.

He smirked and stopped to stare at me for another moment before speaking again. "You know you don't have to pretend to read that crap" he said pointing at the magazine.

"What makes you think I'm pretending" I asked

"Oh I don't know maybe because you've been on the same page since we started talking"

"Maybe that's because someone keeps interrupting me"

"Maybe you should just give up and talk to the person whose obviously trying to get your attention".

"Talking normally leads to the twenty question game, which I have no interest in playing."

"The twenty question game?" he asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

I finally brought my eyes to his and began to explain. "Yes the twenty question game, talking to you would mean needing to know something about you, therefor I ask crap questions and you answer…and vice versa"

He looked at me carefully. "Then instead of asking the crap questions, why don't you ask the juicy ones?"

I looked at him shaking my head. "You wouldn't tell anything juicy to a stranger"

"Why don't you try me?" he said simply.

"Fine." I said closing the magazine and putting it back on the table. "What did you do that got you sent to the Headmaster's office?"

He shrugged "Just glued some teachers love letters on the ceiling for everyone to see" he replied like it was no big deal.

"Who was the teacher?" I asked smiling

"Mrs Darbus."

This caused me to crack up laughing. No wonder why the lady was so uptight. I instantly felt curious as well and wanted to know more about it, in fact I wanted to see the letters myself. I laughed even louder realising that she was my first class.

Erik smiled at me. "So I guess it's my turn to ask a question?" he said

I stopped laughing and began to panic slightly. Did I want him knowing anything about me?

I was soon saved however when the Headmaster's door opened and my mother and the Headmaster came out laughing with each other. I turned to look at Erik and shrugged my shoulders beginning to stand up. I was about to say some other time, but he might think of it as a date, which I wasn't planning on doing.

"Sharpay dear, I have a feeling you are going to love it here" my mother practically squealed. "Headmaster Cross informed me on everything you need to know, I have heaps of pamphlets here about your first classes and upcoming events and…"

"That's great mom" I said quickly with a small smile, interrupting her babbling.

She paused to look at me sadly, but quickly shook it off. "Oh well you can read over it anyway. We should get you to your first class. The Headmaster has arranged for your stuff to be taken to your dorm room" my mother said quietly.

"Yes, Erik here would be happy to do it" said the Headmaster.

"Mom I…" he said, but was interrupted by a stern look.

Mom? Did I hear that right? I looked oddly between the two of them. Well that explains why they look so much alike. I smiled slightly at the fact the Erik mentioned that he barely did what his mother told him to do.

"Come on dear, we better get going" my mother basically whispered. Great now she was upset.

I just nodded.

My mother said a quick goodbye to the Headmaster, who was looking me at me carefully, sort of like how Erik was looking at me before. I turned to look at him, he happened to be staring at me aswell. He smirked and winked at me before my mother and I began to walk away. I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head the whole way down the hall.

I started to think about Nina's txt again. Though I wasn't trying to meet anyone, I had already met two extremely attractive guys on barely the first day of being here. Troy and Erik.

I shook my head and frowned slightly. Remember why you're here Sharpay. I chanted in my head-Remember why you're here.

My mother turned around to face me once we reached Mrs Darbus's door and immediately pulled me into a tight hug which I didn't even object to, I hugged her back with everything I had.

"I'm going to miss you sweet pea" my mother said still hugging me.

"I'm going to miss you to mom" I answered back.

After hugging for another minute or two we finally broke apart. She grabbed my hands in both of hers and looked at me with so much love that it was making my eyes watery, I noticed hers already were.

"Remember sweetheart that all I've done, it was for you, cause I love you so much" she whispered gently.

"I know mom, I love you to" I said, and I meant it. No matter how embarrassing and annoying my mother could be she was still my mom. And I know I was probably never the easiest person to raise, I was grateful to have her, not once had she ever left me…until now; a voice echoed in my head, but I chose to ignore it.

She brought one of her hands to the side of my face and looked at me with happy, sparkling eyes. After a moment she brought her hands down to her side and slowly turned around, walking away from me.

I don't know how long I stood there, just watching the empty place my mom had just left. But after a while I began to wipe the tears that had fallen freely from my face. After taking three big breathes I turned to the door and opened it.

I soon came face to face with a normal looking classroom and twenty other students. I stood there confidently, acting like I just didn't cry over my mom a few minutes ago.

"Ah Miss Evans, kind of you to join us, if you'd please take an empty seat and pay attention, that would be lovely" I turned to see Mrs Darbus staring at me expectantly. I suddenly remembered our last conversation and made my way to the only empty seat I saw which happened to be next to a beautiful girl with black hair, tan skin and an irritated look. I noticed that she was wearing a very expensive looking flowy green dress, which would have made me gag but I happen to like green and at least she wasn't wearing stockings with them. I looked at her shoes next which was a pair of dark brown ankle boots that were from jimmy choos, I know this because I have the exact same pair. She looked like someone I'd want to be friends with, if it wasn't for the evil glare she was giving me which I just shook my head to and ignored. Scratch that she's a catty bitch, I befriended too many of them to know to stay away.

I sat down on the desk next to her and pulled out a notebook and pen, trying to listen to whatever Shakespearean crap Mrs Darbus was going on about. However I was finding it a tad hard considering green dress girl and her friend, who looked a lot like a red head Lindsay Lohan, happened to be whispering about me. Though I couldn't hear what they were saying I could tell by the way they would stop to whisper, then turn to look at me and shoot me evil glares. Gosh people here were just peachy.

I started thinking about Erik then. He was sexy, wild and annoying. I smiled to myself remembering the prank he pulled on Mrs Darbus. Oh shit! I looked up instantly and almost choked with laughter. Although the ceiling was miles high, Mrs Darbus's massive writing made it easy to read the extremely sappy and embarrassing love notes. They were all signed to a Mr D, whoever the hell that was.

I shook my head smiling and turned to look back at Mrs Darbus, who happened to be looking at me. Crap! I thought way to be subtle Sharpay. I looked around and noticed that I had gathered the attention of the entire classroom. Even better.

"Is there a problem Miss Evans" Mrs Darbus asked slowly, with her nostrils flared and her shoulders up to her face as if she was about to pounce on me at any second.

I smirked and replied a "No Mrs Darbus"

For some reason this seemed to anger a lot and she flared her nostrils even more, which I thought was highly impossible. "Well then, if you would please respect your other classmates and pay attention, that would be fantastic" she said 'fantastic' in a high pitch voice making me roll my eyes.

I nodded and after getting one last stern look from Mrs Darbus, she turned and got back to explaining how Shakespeare was presumed gay, which got some snickers from boys in the back. I could only assume that they were either gay, or extremely anti-gay.

I noticed green dress and her friend looking at me disapprovingly, I was tempted to flip them off but resisted. They didn't know any better, they were probably the bitches that ran this school. I smiled; those bitches wouldn't be acting like this if they knew I used to be just like them.

Flashback

"Come on Shar we're gonna be late" My best friend Tiara said, grabbing my arm and rushing us towards the front of the school.

I laughed as we made our way across the parking lot looking like total idiots running in our pink heels and denim mini-skirts.

Once we got to the front of the school we stopped and looked at each other, making sure nothing was out of place. Tiara pulled a rosy pink lip gloss from her Gucci bag and reapplied it, then handed it to me so I could do the same.

"How do I look?" we both said at the same time, then cracked up laughing again. Great we were already slightly drunk. Every morning before school started we'd chug down a bottle of vodka for a little buzz.

"Okay enough laughing, I'm going to pee my pants" Tiara said holding her stomach.

I laughed. "Very classy Tee"

"Oh shut up!" she replied with a genuine smile, not like the fake one she gives everyone else.

I smiled back and linked my arm through hers, and then we began to make our way through the hell whole called West High.

Once we entered and started strutting down the long halls everyone parted for us like the red sea. Boys whistled, girls shot us evil glares which we returned making them cringe and walk away. We looked at each other and smirked. We ruled this school.

Soon we were seated next to each other in the theatre room, waiting for our teacher to get settled. We talked to the popular people around us about our weekend; we never asked them about there's but they didn't seem to mind, they were just happy that we were even speaking to them. In the midst of telling this girl about where I got my shoes from Tiara tugged on my shoulder grabbing my attention.

"Check out the new girl" she whispered smiling evilly.

I turned around and noticed a girl hovering in the doorway slightly uncertain of what to do. She was pretty and had light brown hair. She was wearing a denim skirt similar to the one Tiara and I were wearing and a light orange top that I knew for a fact was from Gucci, Tiara was dying to buy it not too long ago. She looked alright to me, but as I turned to look at Tiara I realised that she wasn't going to make the cut. Before Tiara could say something however our teacher spoke;

"Morning class, I would like to introduce you to our newest student; Alice Dobrev. I expect everyone to make her feel welcome" he said and I noticed that he was looking at Tiara and I. We sort of had a decency to be rude to new comers.

"Now Alice" our teacher said looking at her "if you make your way up to the stage, our composer will get something ready for you"

"Excuse me?" she aasked confused.

"Oh didn't you read the programme?" he asked raising his eyebrows "Every student has to perform a song so we can recognise there talent."

Alice hesitated then said a quiet "Um...Ok" before making her way nervously towards the stage.

After another minute, Alice made her way centre stage and soon upbeat music began flowing throughout the entire theatre. She opened her mouth and started singing to a song I was unfamiliar with. She actually sounded really good. I smiled and continued to watch her; she knew how to work the stage as well as she was strutting from left to right even adding a few dance moves. I noticed I wasn't the only one who was enjoying her performance either everyone else was smiling, clapping and bobbing there head…everyone except Tiara of course. One I saw this I immediately stopped smiling and just simply watched the rest of Alice's performance.

Once she finished, everyone clapped and she hopped off the stage. The girl that was wondering where I got my shoes from asked Alice to come and sit with her, which Alice smiled at and accepted. She was now sitting directly in front of Tiara, which Tiara was not enjoying by the way she was sending death glares at the back of her head. Tiara soon raised her hand asking for the teacher's attention.

"Yes Tiara?"

"I was just wandering if we should all take after Alice here and pounce around the stage like an elephant on terrets." Tiara asked in an innocent voice. I looked at her; I knew where this was going.

"Tiara…" the teacher started to say until Tiara interrupted;

"I'm sorry just my I ask; Alice do you have a cold?" Tiara said bringing her attention to Alice, who seemed to be on the verge of tears, well who wouldn't be, her dancing was just compared to an elephant with a disease.

"Um no" was all she said.

"Oh so wait, that was actually your singing" Tiara asked, with a hand to her chest, causing the girl to simply nod.

"Oh, I see oh now I feel stupid, it's just it sounded like you were about to choke. I was about to run up to help you, but I was afraid your horrible dancing and skanky prouncing would of knocked me out" said Tiara playing the part of the innocent girl.

Alice it looked couldn't take it anymore and began to stand up and gather her things, tears streaming down her eyes.

"Oh don't feel bad" said Tiara bluntly, the innocent act gone, replaced with an icy tone "A lot of people don't have talent"

With that being the last thing said, the girl ran out if the theatre crying her eyes out. Tiara smiled, and began to play with her nails, oblivious to the whole theatre which was deadly silent.

"Tiara…" the teacher began to say but was again interrupted, this time by the bell.

"Come on Shar, I'm parched" Tiara said getting up. I got up to and soon everyone began to leave.

As we were walking down the hallway a group of girls from our class came up to us;

"Ohmigod Tiara I was so glad you said something to that Alice girl she was horr-a-ble!" one of them said in an exaggerating tone.

"Totally, just awful" another one added

"I agree completely, some people just don't have talent like you two" another said referring to Tiara and I.

"Oh, I thought that you girls enjoyed it, considering you applauded so loudly" Tiara said putting on another act, this time a sad little girl.

The girls all started talking at once saying things like the felt sorry for her and they were picturing Tiara and I. After promising to applaud extremely loudly for Tiara and I next performance, we walked to our table and began to eat.

"Those girls are so pathetic" said Tiara enjoying her salad. When I just continued to eat my yoghurt, not saying anything Tiara stopped and looked at me. "Hello, earth to Sharpay" she said waving a hand in my face in an attempt to get my attention.

"Mm…?" I mumbled finally looking up.

Tiara shook her head and looked at me carefully "I hope that vodka hasn't put you on a down buzz" Tiara said worried, however it soon passed as she carried on talking;

"Anyway did you see the top that Alice girl was wearing hid-dee-ous!" she said shaking her head.

I frowned; I was certain that, that was the top Tiara had wanted so badly not too long ago. I was about to say something until Tiara spoke;

"OHMIGOD!" she practically yelled "Total hottie outside the vending machine" she ended with a slight squeal.

I turned around to investigate and almost squealed as well. "Whoa" was all I said. Tiara was right he was beyond hot; he was the hottest guy I had ever seen. As if sensing my staring he turned around and soon brown eyes met a blue-grey. I started to have a moment, he was staring at me and I couldn't bring myself to turn away, his eyes were so hypnotizing.

"Oh god, he's looking right at me" Tiara squealed. I turned away from the blue-grey eyes to look at her confused.

"Um I'm pretty sure he was looking at me!" I stated matter of factly.

Tiara almost choked on her salad "Shar no need to be jealous, we all know who he was looking at" she replied rolling her eyes.

"Me? Jealous?" I almost laughed "I don't think so. He was clearly looking at me, but its ok if you got confused, you had way more vodka then me, it's probably making you delirious" I said, licking the yoghurt off my spoon innocently.

Tiara opened her mouth about to say something right back when two of our friends came to sit next to us; Sasha and Vienna, my closest friends after Tiara of course.

"Hey girls, why at each other's throats?" Sasha asked curiously.

"Oh we were just discussing the fact that, that hottie over there" said Tiara pointing to the blue-grey eyed boy "was checking me out" she added smirking at me.

"And then" I said "Tiara realised that he was actually checking me out" I added smirking right back.

Sasha and Vienna were both looking at the boy smiling.

"That's Damon" said Vienna "New guy, bad boy and totally smoking" she decided to add.

"Hmm… Tiara and Damon… I like it" said Tiara dreamily.

"Yeah you also like puppy's, doesn't mean they like you" I said, which was true. Tiara always went on and on about she absolutely adored them however they seem to cringe away from her whenever she tries to pet one.

This remark seemed to remove her from her dreaming state and she looked at me angrily "You know what" she said standing up and bending down to look at me intently "I propose a little friendly competition. We'll see who Damon likes, by seeing whoever he asks out on a date" she said smirking.

I thought about this for a second. Friendly competition? Tiara didn't know the meaning of friendly competition. I turned back around to look at Damon, who was still staring at me, getting lost in his deep seductive eyes again, my choice was determined then. Without turning around I said to Tiara;

"Okay, you're on"

End of flashback

I ended up winning the 'friendly competition' and Tiara never forgave me for it. She stopped being my best friend and started being my enemy. It wasn't long before she turned the whole school against me…but I didn't care. I had Damon, Nina and Alex. I stopped caring about anyone else. In fact I was happy for the first time in my life. I stopped wearing pink and gave up on talking to the many Britney and Ashley's, I gave up on talking to anyone in general…and they stopped talking to me.

Strangely Alice took my place and became the new Sharpay and Tiaras new best friend. I felt sorry for her. She seemed like such a nice girl and Tiara had transformed her overnight… Tiara. Whenever I saw her she would have something to say. At first I would react, but then after a while I got over it and just ignored her, she ignored me to, but even though we didn't go off on each other we still kept our distance. Sometimes I missed her, sometimes I wondered if she ever missed me to.

I awoke from my thoughts and turned to look at the two girls, who were both shooting me glares.

This is going to be a long year