Chapter 2: Looking Beyond the Future

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm so glad that all you readers are enjoying this story! I showed it to my friends at my high school and they liked it very much! Speaking of them, since my birthday is coming very soon, they originally were planning to take me on the day to see HSM3! But unfortunately, the release date from where I live (Japan) is February 9, 2009. So far away!! But maybe we might see it on the day after the school year ends. For those confused, the last day of school occurs in early March. So anyways, here is the next chapter! Hope you all enjoy!

P.S. the song "This is Me" from Camp Rock has been 4 pitches lower. I thought I would be a good song for Ryan in this story.


It was two weeks after the incident with Ryan. It seemed that everybody forgot about that when the third day of school came. As for Ryan, he's doing much better and is fine. Sharpay and Kelsi couldn't be more happier. But Troy still feels guilty but hasn't told anyone about it thinking that they might make fun of him. Gabriella forced everyone to forget about the whole situation and focus on their own cliques. That and she's still macking with Troy.

A new week was here. Time for another start. Apperantly, the school was having a Career Week. All the clubs were having their own booth for each career. What all the new freshman don't really know is that it's also a sign-up sheet for a clique. Sharpay was in the Graphic Novel Club, Ryan was in the Glee Club, Kelsi was in the Drama Department, Troy & Chad were in the Basketball team, and Gabriella & Taylor were in the Business Academy. And appearently, the Business Academy was getting more and more freshmen.

"It's official," said Sharpay. "Apperantly everybody wants to stuff their ideas down people's throat."

"It can't be that bad," Ryan said. "The Glee Club has gotten several kids here. Same with the Graphic Novel Club."

"Yeah but look at the Business Academy."

Ryan caught a glimps at their booth. You could tell that it was more crowded than people waiting in line for a concert. "Well...at least we got some people to sign up for our clubs," as he tried to cheer his sister up.

"Maybe I do need to be happy about that. I just hope they don't get all scared about the pyramid. It's stupid anyway," as Sharpay sipped her iced coffee.

While the Business Academy was still having people sign up, Gabriella caught a glimps of some people signing up for different booths from the art department. Her eyebrows went narrow. "Taylor, please take care of the booth for me," she said. Taylor replied, "I'm not sure if I can do it by myself." "Just do it!" Taylor's stomach jumped. Gabriella then went towards the arts booth.

"So what do you do in Graphic Novel Club?" asked a freshmen girl.

Sharpay replied, "It's really fun! We get to do activities like a four-panel comic contest, auctions for animes and/or mangas, and there's even a game that we do called test of courage."

"I think I might wanna sign-up!"

"You sure you don't wanna check the other clubs first," as Gabriella walked towards the Graphic Novel booth.

"Yeah I'm sure," the freshmen said. "Thanks for your offer though."

"But the Business Academy has much more activities like field trips, dances, and fundrai--"

"Thanks again but I'm going for Grpahic Novel Club. It was nice meeting you anyway." The freshmen went to her friends and chatted with them.

Gabriella had an angry look. She also saw Sharpay have the same face she made. "What are you so angry about Evans? You won the round."

"You were trying to take away someone's own decision. That was just plain rude."

"Oh boo-hoo, I could care less about my manners. What I care about is that there aren't enough people for the art department. That way, I can eliminate it."

"You have an icy heart that's the color black."

"You've finally figured it out Evans."

"I figured that out years ago. I just needed to give you the info."

Gabriella then scoffed and turned away walking back to her booth.

"Very nice Sharpay," Kelsi congratulated. "I don't think anybody, including me, had the guts to do that."

Sharpay replied, "Thanks. Somebody needed to give her a piece of mind anyway." She sipped her iced coffee again. This time, with a smile.


Lunchtime had come. Ryan was in the Choir room alone working on his homework. Not for any of his classes though. It was actually a song he was trying to write before the Spring Talent Show comes. That gives him enough time. For Ryan, it takes at least months to do just one song! Ryan got on the piano and a beautiful sound came out of his voice.

I've always been the kind of man

That hid my face

So afraid to tell the world

What I've got to say

The music from the piano suddenly stopped. Ryan jotted down more edits to his notes. On where it said "world", it was at first a half note A. He changed it to a quater note A, and a half note with A-flat & G-flat. After that, he continued to sing and play the piano.

So afraid to tell the world

What I've got to say

But I have this dream

Right inside of me

I'm gonna let it show

It's time to let you know

Ryan then run over it again. As he was doing that, someone came in suddenly. Ryan instantly was startled. Thankfully it was Kelsi that came in. "Was that your song?" she asked.

Ryan nodded. "It's...nothing really special. I'm going to sing it for the talent show. I know it's only seven months away but it usually takes me that long to finish this."

Kelsi sat next to Ryan on the piano bench. She looked at his music sheet and said in amazement, "It's beautiful." Ryan blushed a bit. "How long did it took you to write just the first verse?"

"Two months. I've been busy appliying to different music colleges. That and the whole summer talent shows."

"You have a great talent. If the colleges reject you, their loss. Who knows. If you win the high school talent show, there might be some people who work in record companies and want you to be their next singer."

"That's another thing I've been thinking about."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Everytime I look at a young performer in their own concert, I think to myself, I wanna do that at right now. But education comes first in my dad's opinion."

"I still feel bad about your mom and dad's divorce."

"Don't worry. Sharpay and I are fine with it now. Besides, we still get to see him whenever we have free time."

They both smiled at each other. Kelsi looked at the music sheet again. She then thought of something. "I think you might need help if you wanna get this song done and over with."

Ryan had a questionable look on his face. "Who's help will I find at a time like this?" Kelsi just grinned looking at him. "You...will do that...for me?" Kelsi nodded. "Well, thanks. That means alot. What part will you work on though?" he asked.

Kelsi answered, "Maybe the chorus. That way it might be easier for you. I'll have it finished by tomorrow and we could work on the rest together!"

Ryan gave Kelsi a really tight hug as she chuckled a bit. The bell then rang for last period rang. "Thank you so much!" as Ryan got off of the piano bench and went to his class.


After class was over, Sharpay and Ryan were walking there way home. Right now, they were walking past the gates that seperated them from the track field. There, the basketball team was running a mile.

"So how's the song going?" Sharpay asked.

"It's gonna be great now!" Ryan answered. "Kelsi heard me and knew I was having a bit of trouble so she offered some help."

"Aw that was sweet of her! Who knows? You two are going to be dating sooner or later."

"Sharpay, we're just great friends. Nothing more."

"Just looking beyond the future." she smiled.

"Beyond the future? Very funny. And how is that web comic coming?"

"Over 300 hits on the first day the latest chapter was posted."

"Wow! Impressive!"

"Hey," someone from the tracks said. It got a hold of Sharpay and Ryan's attention. It was Troy, yet again.

"Hey," Ryan smiled. There was silence from Sharpay. "I'll leave you two alone," Ryan offered.

Sharpay added, "Ryan, I don't thi--"

"It's all right," as he let her understand. "I'll meet you at the house." Ryan then went to his usual route home.

All that's left was Troy and Sharpay, seperated from the gate blocking them. "I see that Ryan is doing a lot better." Troy added.

"Yeah," Sharpay quietly said.

"So how are things going for you?"

"Good, you?"

"Fine. It's all peachy keen." From the tone of Troy's voice, Sharpay could instantly tell. Everything wasn't peachy keen. "I'm sorry about what happened between you and Gabriella there."

"You don't have to apologize. It didn't have to have anything to do with you anyway."

"I've seen your drawings before. There pretty good. I wish I could draw like that instead of just sticks."

"Wow, East High's primo boy is talking about something other than basketball," sarcasm was totally there in Sharpay's voice.

"I probably deserve that."

"Look, you stick to your goals and I'll stick to mine."

"What just because I'm Gabriella's boyfriend official makes me your enemy too?"

"She might get mad at you for talking to me anyway. You're gonna kiss and make up anyway. Or in your case, mac n' cheese."

"Oh ha-ha, very funny."

"I can just tell what's on your mind anyway. Basketball, NBAs, and Gabriella."

"Well maybe the only things on your mind are those Japanese style doodles!"

"You're forgeting family, friends, and looking on the positive side of my life!" Sharpay then walked away frustrated. "And by the way," she added. "They're called anime and manga, you asshole." Sharpay continued walking back home.

Troy had nothing to say. He just stood there watching her.


At the Evans house, Ryan was looking for any mail for him. Unfortunately nothing. Sharpay got back and closed the door. "Hey Ryan."

"Hey," he replied. "How did it go?"

"Probably best not to talk about it. How about you?"

"No mail for me."

"It's about all the universities you applied to, isn't it."

"Yeah."

"Ryan, it's only the third week in school and you worrying about being in a music university all ready. We've got only a year of high school left and you know you don't wanna waste it. And besides, you're gonna sing at the pep rally tomorrow."

"That's one thing I should focus on."

"You're gonna do great. Trust me."

"Thanks. And before I go, please have you and Kelsi to do our usual ritual with me." Ryan give Sharpay the disturbingly cute eyes. He knew she couldn't take it!

"All right! All right! I'll get Kelsi and have all of us do it!"

They both shared laughter together. Sharpay could care less about what just happened with Troy. And Ryan couldn't wait for the pep rally.


More replies to reviews!!

XZashleyTroypayX - Thanks again for giving a review! The more the merrier!

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Many thanks to everyone!!