Disclaimer: I absolutely DO NOT own HSM or any names that you recognize

A/N: Don't worry; I am ALIVE!!! I bet half of you thought I was bleeding on the side of the road; it took me so long to update. But I am alive, and somewhat well. I NEVER have time to type, except for in newspaper, but that's usually a busy hour, basketball, and volleyball also got in the way. On top of that I'm taking all AP- or advanced classes, plus two math classes, in which we have homework practically every night. So just about every night I have AT the very least 4 hours of homework that I have to try not to fall asleep on.

Nicholeishott4077: Thank you for your heartfelt encouragement (and to tell you the truth that was a little bit of sarcasm, but you DID help me snap back to reality). I'm unorganized, and lost my notebook so I don't have the next chapter for 'Diary' (I pre-wrote it in that notebook) other wise I would have updated that as well. I will try to update it as soon as I can. Thank you for being patient and Keep reading!

Chapter 2: Meetings and Conversations

Ryan sat at a table in the library patiently waiting for his partner to show up. Most people probably didn't think that Ryan could find his way to the library, but to tell the truth he was a fan of the written word, and the tall oak shelves filled with books comforted him.

He turned his head as Gabriella came around the corner.

"I'm so sorry, Ryan, I looked through all of the research rooms, and the tables at the front, but you weren't there," Gabriella said.

"Well, I thought you may not want to be seen out front-"

"Why would I not want to be seen?" she asked, confused.

"- with me," Ryan finished. Gabriella's cheeks turned pink as she lowered her head, and she was silent for a second.

"I-"

"You don't have to say anything, Gabriella. I know what people say about my sister and I, and to be perfectly honest; I don't care. People only see what they want to see," Ryan said, quietly, and in a tone of voice that Gabi had never expected to hear from Ryan. It was full of pity, and wistfulness.

"Wait, what did you mean by-"

"We'd better get to work, the library will close in about an hour," Ryan said, interrupting her question.

Gabriella bit her lip, as if wanting to say more, but she changed her mind, letting Ryan Evans keep his secrets, for now. She nodded to his earlier question.

"So, did you have any ideas on what to do for the project?" Gabriella nodded again and explained while Ryan took some notes.

Gabriella suggested that their report should be on Mexico during the Mexican-American War in the 1840s. The War was between the United States and Mexico, after the independence of Texas from Mexico. The two countries began disputing where the borders were. The Americans also believed in "Manifest Destiny" or the belief that the U.S. was destined to stretch from sea to shining sea. This caused problems with the Native Americans and Mexicans.

The war was started by the Texas War of Independence, "Manifest Destiny", and the U.S. wanting Mexico's northern land. Conventional fighting methods were used, and both sides fought European-style. Continued fighting in the dry deserts of northern Mexico convinced the United States that an overland expedition to capture of the enemy capital, Mexico City, would be hazardous and difficult. So on February 2, 1848, The Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo was signed, later to be ratified by both the U.S. and Mexican Congresses. The treaty called for the annexation of the northern portions of Mexico to the United States. In return, the U.S. agreed to pay $15 million to Mexico as compensation for the seized territory.

"That's not a bad idea…" Ryan mused out loud. Internally he agreed with Mr. Landon, that while Gabriella knew many facts she just didn't have that historical passion. I can change that, Ryan thought impishly, hiding his grin.

"Did you have any other ideas, Ryan?"

"Well…" Ryan started, not sure if he should continue.

"Go on, Ryan, what's your idea?"

"Well," he began again, "When we talked to Mr. Landon he mentioned that you just didn't have enough zeal for history. So I thought of a topic that could be exciting and-"

"But Mexico is apart of my heritage, isn't that good enough, and exciting enough?"

"Gabriella, I don't mean to insult you, I'm merely trying to help you get the best grade that you can," Ryan stated quietly, "These are not my words, but Mr. Landon's." This statement made Gabriella instantly contraire.

"Ryan, I-" Ryan cut her off yet again.

"Gabriella, its okay, you don't have to apologize; I just wanted you to know why we were paired up, and what the teacher said he wanted to see in our presentation. I already know what mo deirfiur-" he cleared his throat.

"I mean, what my sister will try to convince Troy to pick. Her favourite country and where our ancestors come from. She feels a- special connection to it, and I also know what event she will choose."

"What does that have to do with anything of ours?" Gabriella asked.

"Hold on, I was getting there. The event she's going to choose includes a conflict with another country. What if we chose the country opposing hers? We'll use the same time frame as her, but tell our side of the story."

Gabriella looked at Ryan as if seeing him for the first time. Did he actually want to oppose Sharpay? On purpose?

"That sounds interesting…."

-----------------------

Troy collapsed on the cement bench gasping for the air to reach his lungs. The boy's locker room was silent, save for the heavy-breathing and sweaty boys, who were trying to catch their breath.

The coach had run a hard practice, making all of the boys exhausted and glad that practice was over.

As soon as Troy felt his breath return to near normal he stripped, jumped in the shower, and jumped back out again as quickly as he could.

He began to dress as beside him Chad was running a pick through his hair.

"Who did you get paired with Landon's history project?" Troy asked him, even though he had heard his friend think it moments before.

"Taylor McKassie," Chad answered, smugly.

"And how did you get her to agree?" Troy asked while pulling his T-shirt over his head and his wet hair.

"Well, you know, with my amazing chick magnet skills."

"So, you made her feel guilty, and asked for the help of the 'smartest girl in school'?" Troy stated rolling his eyes.

"Dude, you know me so well it's like you read my mind." Troy's head snapped up looking over at Chad, who had gone back to his hair.

"Ha ha, good one," Troy said nervously, he was relieved. What Chad had said- well it was just Chad, but still…

Troy pulled out his cell phone, and looked through his contacts hoping he hadn't deleted Sharpay's number, since he didn't know her address. Mrs. Darbus had insisted that every member of her cast have everyone else's number for extra rehearsals and such.

"Troy, who are you callin'? Gabi?"

"No, Sharpay."

What the hell?! What came out of his mouth was; "Why?"

"She and I are partners in the history project," Troy replied, calmly.

"But- You got to choose your own partner. Why-"

"Not me, and Gabriella. Mr. Landon wanted Gabi to work with Ryan and he wanted me to work with Sharpay."

"But-"

"Chad," Troy interrupted, "It's done, I just have to get through the assignment."

But why didn't you put up a fight? Chad's thoughts echoed in Troy's head. Why indeed? All of the teachers adored Tory, and he probably could have changed the history teacher's mind, so why hadn't he?

His thoughts were irrelevant and made no sense, so to distract himself he pressed the 'send' button on his cell phone. After five rings he was prepared to hang up and try again later when a soft female voice answered, sounding strained.

"Hello?"

Troy's mouth was working to form words, but his voice wasn't cooperating.

"Look, if this is some prank, I don't have time for it, so I'm going to hang up…"

"Wait! Sharpay, it's Troy."

---------------------------------

Sharpay felt her mouth drop open. What on Earth!?

"Sharpay, are you still there?"

"Yeah, um… why did you call?" Sharpay looked over her shoulder, and up the stairs. She knew both her grandmother and nephew were a little under the weather. She was anxious to go back upstairs to her ailing family, to see what was wrong. Ryan was at the library, and, as always her father was at work. Troy's voice brought her thoughts away from her concerns.

"I just finished basketball practice, and you said to meet you at your house for the history assignment, but I don't know you're address," Troy said, all of this without taking a breath. Sharpay had completely forgotten she had asked him to come over. When she had come home, she had heard from the housekeeper, Hanna Greene, that Sharpay's nephew had come home from school early, and was sick, and that her normally vivacious grandmother had taken to her bed early that afternoon. Sharpay had thanked the woman, and set right to work; school had been the last thing on her mind.

"We live at 1881 SW Oak Ave., but I can't meet today, I have an um… family matter to attend to, can we reschedule?"

"Er, sure," Troy sounded confused, even over the phone. "When, tomorrow after school okay?"

"If all goes well her family members should be well by tomorrow, if not Sharpay was confident that Ryan and/or Mrs. Greene could handle her patients relatively well. It would only be about an hour. Sharpay already had an idea for their project, and she wanted to see what Troy thought…

"Tomorrow after school is fine. Can we meet at your house?"

Troy was even more confused, why the change in location? He was actually free after school, since his father had a meeting. And he told Sharpay so.

"That's Great! So I guess I'll meet you at your house…"

"You know, Sharpay, it seems kinda silly to drive separately to the same place why don't you catch a ride with me?"

This made Sharpay apprehensive. She was supposed to be avoiding Troy as much as possible. She was about to argue when she heard her nephews voice from upstairs.

"Sharpie, where are you?"

"Fine, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

What have I gotten myself into now? Sharpay thought as she made her way upstairs to her nephew's room, where he was still calling her name.

A/N 2: I'm sorry it's a little short, but did you like it? Tell me what you think and another (more exciting) chappie may be posted faster.

P.S. Should Sharpay's nephew's name be Ciaran (Kee-ran) like Ryan's or Graeme (Gray-mee) like his deceased grandfather (Yes, you will here more on the nephew later)

And remember to review. Please and Thank You.