Sharpay walked back to her car and headed to Ryan's house. She knew she was early but she had nowhere to go and she didn't want to go home. There was no point in going home and then turning back around to go over to Ryan's house. She sat Madeline back in her car seat and then walked over to the driver's side and drove off. She didn't even think of calling Ryan or Gabriella to let them know she was on her way. She figured she could just show up and they'd understand.
The drive was very quick and Sharpay noticed how there were cars around the house. That meant they already had a few guest and she was glad. She didn't want to be the only guest in the house and have nothing to do. She grabbed the present and carried Madeline towards the house. She could hear kids laughing and running inside the house. She rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.
Chad was the one who opened the door and greeted her.
"Sharpay!" He exclaimed giving her a quick hug.
She hadn't seen him for at least two years—since Madeline was born. Thinking about it made her realize that it was a while ago. Everything was all right at first, and then things started to fall apart. Everyone moved away and she didn't know where to go but move out of the house too. And she did. But she totally regretted it.
"Oh wow. Maddie! Little Madeline! Look at you." He tickled the little two-year-old.
Chad just nodded and showed her to where everyone was. She let Madeline down knowing she would want to go play with the other kids.
"Shar!" Ryan exclaimed giving his sister a hug.
Then Gabriella gave her a hug, then Taylor. They were just setting up the moon-bounce and some of the party decorations. It was just like High School again. Everyone together, laughing and talking. They were missing a few people but that was all right for now.
"Oh Shar! Can I talk to you?" Ryan asked leading her to a quiet corner.
Sharpay nodded and studied her brother carefully. He had a very serious look on his face and it was giving her a worried feeling.
"Troy called—this morning," He began.
Sharpay's eyes grew wide.
"And?" She asked letting him know to go on.
"He called to tell me that his business was moving down here and thought about dropping bye to say hi to James—I had to tell him that I had another son now. But I told him he could come by today if he wanted since we are celebrating Matthew's birthday—he said maybe if his flight gets here by then…" Ryan explained with seriousness in his eyes making Sharpay feel cold and lost.
Sharpay's mind went blank. Completely. Did this mean that she was going to see Troy today for the first time in so long? Why didn't he call her? Why didn't Ryan tell her this morning when he called? IS he going to be happy to see her? Will he like Madeline? Questions were roaming in Sharpay's head non-stop.
"But—there's a few problems. Apparently, he heard from someone—I'm guessing dad, that you moved to New York with your boyfriend. So he's not expecting you to be here—"
"What?" She cut him off. "Where could dad get that from? So he's coming over because he thinks I'm not going to be here? So if he knew I was here he couldn't come? He doesn't want to see me? What?" Sharpay questioned sounding very freak out.
Ryan kept on hushing her to speak lower so no one could hear them. He just didn't want someone to just join their conversation, not right now. He wasn't done explaining everything to Sharpay and he wanted to tell her everything first before someone got in the way.
"No! That's not what I—or he meant! He did ask if you were going to be here, but before I could answer he told me about what he had heard! I'm sure he wants to see you. You are still married to each other. But—he doesn't think you're coming," Ryan finished his explanation.
"Oh." Was all that came out of her mouth, what else could she say?
What was she suppose to do now? Leave the part? Too many things were going on today. Not that it wasn't normal, everyday she felt like there were so many things going on all at once.
"Just—act natural. If he talks to you, do whatever you want. He thinks you have a boyfriend. Remember that." Ryan warned her before rushing towards the door to let Matthew's friends in.
Sharpay sat with Taylor and talked to her about a few things going on in her life—mainly about Troy though. She wanted to see him so bad. She kept on telling Taylor about it, over and over again. Taylor seemed to understand everything she was saying. Gabrielle later on joined their conversation and Sharpay had to tell her story all over again. Apparently, they all knew about Troy coming.
Soon more and more kids arrived. But no sign of Troy. Sharpay began to wonder if he was really going to show up. She was really excited, but sacred to see him. She really did miss him and it's just been so long! At least three years—it's been way too long! She knew she should be forgetting the past, move on, and just forget about Troy. He probably moved on already—it was his idea to move on anyways. But how could she move on? Knowing that he could just walk in through that door any second didn't help.
"Mommy!" Madeline called for her.
"What?" Sharpay asked holding her glass of water firmly.
"I'm hungry." She mumbled.
Sharpay smiled and picked her up. She went over to the food table and got some snacks for Madeline.
"Are you having fun?" Sharpay asked her sitting on the empty dining table.
Everyone was outside on the deck talking and watching the kids play. She sat her drink on the table and sat Madeline on her lap. Madeline started eating her animal crackers and named all the animals before she put them in her mouth. Sharpay helped her when she got stuck on an animal. Once in a while Madeline would pop an animal in her mom's mouth, even though Sharpay didn't want any. Times like there were moments Sharpay loved. She wished she could just do things like this everyday and not worry so much or work all the time.
"Sharpay." Ryan's voice called of her.
She looked up to find Ryan and…Troy standing right in front of her. At that moment she felt her heart skip a beat. Her eyes locked in with his. She could have sworn she was dreaming. Her body suddenly grew weak and she felt herself almost letting go of Madeline.
"Um." Ryan spoke.
"RYAN!" Gabriella screamed from the back door.
"I'll be back." Ryan said jetting off towards Gabriella.
Ryan was glad to be out of that situation. It was awkward for him too and he wasn't involved in their relationship! This was one of the many times he was glad that Gabriella called for him. That way he didn't have to try to get the two to actually talk to each other.
'They can talk on their own.' He thought rushing to the backyard.
In a way Sharpay was glad that she was going to be alone with Troy, but then she wasn't. She couldn't tell if Troy was even anywhere near happy to see her. It was hard to tell. Really hard. Even she didn't know if she was grateful that he was right in front of her. It was a moment she thought would never happen. Deep down she always thought Troy would show up—when Madeline was like eighteen of something. She just lost hope in him and she didn't imagine this. Not until a little while ago anyways. But then she did loose hope too, he had taken so long to get there she didn't expect him anymore.
They both looked at each other not knowing what to do or sat.
"Umm…hi," Troy said sitting on the chair across from Sharpay.
"Hey," She forced a smile as Madeline began to play with the tip of her hair.
Troy smiled back and looked down at the little two-year-old sitting on his wife—Sharpay's lap. He had no idea she had a child. It made him tingle inside but he hid it. Knowing she had a boyfriend was bad enough, now a child? What was next? An engagement? This was definitely nothing like what he was expecting. He only expected her to be with some guy and that was it. A little relationship, not a big one with a child!
Sharpay could see all her old memories with Troy now and she forced herself not to cry, no matter what. She didn't want to look stupid and she wouldn't be able to control herself if she let one single tear come down. It would just be too much drama. Inside though, her heart was beating like crazy. She had a feeling it was because she was so scared to finally see Troy again and here he was sitting right across from her not knowing what to say or do.
"Uhh…" Troy tried to start a conversation but nothing would come out.
He wasn't sure what to say. He imagined him coming back and seeing Sharpay again totally different. She would be single and she had been waiting for him. Right now, Troy had a feeling that he was the last person in her mind at the moment.
'Probably hasn't even thought of me once!' He thought keeping his eyes at the table.
He tried to look at Sharpay in the eyes but it was so hard. Staring at her eyes weren't the same as how it use to be before where he could tell what she was thinking and he could see all the sparkles in them. Now he couldn't tell, he didn't know anything anymore. It was like as if they've never met and knew nothing about each other.
And they meet again...What will happen next? Find out...in the next chapter! And thanks for your kind reviews!