#4: Crashing Down

Back Porch at the Danforth/McKessie Residence

NM

2013

It was an image sure to haunt Troy Bolton's mind forever. One that could never be washed away, or simply tucked in some blackened corner to collect dust. It was emblazoned like a burning scar, a portrait of anguish that would serve as a memory.

Sharpay Evans, deprived of all her pride and sensibility, stood before him in a quaking mess of salty tears and dripping mascara. Golden threads matted against her flushed cheeks in an unrecognizable manner. All of that pent up sorrow and anger that had driven her icy mannerisms had been released; the dam had sprung free.

She had been the most fragile item to grace East High's halls… and he had destroyed her.

These back steps are steeper to the ground
The brightest stars are falling down
I'm walking the edge, walking the tightest rope

Like a mindless idiot, he couldn't find the words to express himself. Of course, his logical self was begging him to say something comforting; anything to break the steady stream of tears that had begun to form a puddle at Sharpay's feet. No matter how much he focused on forming a sentence, however, Troy was rendered ultimately speechless.

We can be frank, reality rips on through, rolling like a hurricane
I'm over the bridge and under the rain

"Yo-you know wh-what, T-Troy?" Sharpay stuttered, wiping her eyes furiously. "If you're n-not goi-going to say anything, th-then you should j-just g-go back inside. I d-don't want your ch-charity!"

"Sharpay, I…"

She silenced him:

"No! I-if you think I'm o-out here, c-crying because of you, d-don't flatter yourself. I wo-would n-never waste my t-tears on someone as loathsome a-as you! In fact, w-why d-don't you check on yo-your precious Gabriella, I-I'm sure she'll n-need some cheering up after the scene sh-she just made!"

Troy tentatively took step towards her, "Shar, you gotta believe me, I never…"

"St-stay away!" Sharpay squeaked. "Don't w-waste your breath… no-no one's watching, Troy. You c-can stop playing the p-part of the co-concerned friend now! I'm s-sure they'll give you yo-your Humanitarian Award inside…"

"SHARPAY!" Troy screamed, now inches from her face. "Listen to me, please… I never meant for things to get this out of hand. If I would have had the slightest inclination that Gabby would say something like that, my God, I would have left her at home in a heartbeat! You have to understand, I would never hurt you like that…"

"W-why would you think I'm h-hurt?" Sharpay stammered. "I'm clearly f-f-fine, just over-dramatizing the sit-situation."

Troy brushed her hand, but she recoiled as if she'd been burned. He sighed,

"I care about you, Shar. I always have, and don't think for a second that my relationship with Gabriella is going to change that. I mean, I know it's been awhile since we've even talked to each other, one-on-one, ya know? But, you'll always be a part of my life, okay?"

She scoffed, "I d-don't need your reassurance, Troy. I'm really not that interested in being 'buddies' again o-or anything… just, ugh, just forget this happened, okay?"

"Shar," he whispered, taking her hand once again. "I remember everything, all that's happened between us. Don't think for a second I've forgotten. And I never really apologized for, well, whatever took place those years ago, in New York. So, if you'll let me, I wanted to now."

He finished, surprised to see their hands still interlaced. It didn't last for long, though.

Sharpay jerked her small hand away, "It's too late, Troy."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," she repeated slowly. "It's- too- late. You waited too long; there's no undoing what you've already done, okay? Just leave it be… put it in the past. Besides, you've got a whole different future ahead of you now, so it's really not even…"

He cut-in, "Are you saying that you don't want to be a part of that? Common, Shar, we can still be friends, can't we?"

She looked wary, "I-I don't know if that's such a good idea, considering what's happened with me and your fiancé…"

"Shar, please?"

There it is again, she thought. That damn look that makes me give in so easily. Troy Bolton, you sure have mastered charm…

"Oh, fine," she smiled. "But, after all this, you better be giving me that Humanitarian Award, 'cause if anyone's being overly kind here, it's me."

"Ha, now there's the Sharpay I love!"

Troy flung his arms around her small frame, feeling the soft material of her dress underneath his touch. He could feel his heartstrings tug as he inhaled her familiar scent, letting it hypnotize his senses and cause a sudden drowsiness to take over.

Man, snap out of it! he told himself.

Suddenly, he felt Sharpay wiggle out of his grasp.

"Okay, whaddya say we head inside and wrap this party up?"

Troy chuckled, "After you, milady."

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Back inside Chad & Taylor's

NM

2013

The apologies had been made (somewhat hurriedly) and the wine was long-since devoured; everyone began to gather their coats and prepare their goodbyes.

"Thanks for organizing everything!" Jason said.

"Yea, the food was excellent, and you guys have done a great job decorating!" Kelsi added.

Chad shrugged, "Hey, no problem guys. We're just thankful that you decided to show up! Oh, and the cooking/decorating was all Taylor."

Taylor nudged Chad, "You helped! A little…"

Soon, only Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and Ryan remained in the doorway.

"It was great seeing you again!" Sharpay gushed, embracing both Chad and Taylor. "I guess we'll catch up at the wedding in a few weeks."

Chad smiled, "Yea, of course! But, don't forget, you and Ryan are welcome anytime! Seriously, you should drop by… save me from the woman…"

Taylor elbowed him in the ribs, which seemed to shut Chad up for the time being.

Gabriella remained silent, tugging on Troy as a sign that she was ready to leave. Ever since her tiny outburst at the dinner table, she hadn't spoken a word around Sharpay.

"Oh, and Troy," Sharpay continued. "Thanks again for comforting me after, well, you know… it really meant a lot. Oh, and don't forget to stop by Ryan's sometime, you know, so we can catch up!"

Troy glanced around nervously, obviously a little startled at what Sharpay had just said.

"Yea, um," he coughed. "Sounds great!

She placed a soft kiss on his cheek, and in a flash, had vacated the spot, dragging Ryan along with her.

Gabriella's seething look was enough to convince Troy that it was indeed time to go, so after a quick nod to Chad and Taylor, they departed.

As Gabriella huffed to the car, stomping her feet the entire way, Troy couldn't stop his hand from subconsciously rubbing the spot where Sharpay's lips had been just seconds earlier.

Maybe being friends wasn't such a good idea after all…

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Troy & Gabriella's

Albuquerque, NM

2013

Troy gently massaged the bridge of his nose for what seemed like the umpteenth time that morning. All he had heard, since 10 o'clock a.m., was Gabriella's debate on whether or not roses or tulips would be the best choice for the centerpieces.

"I mean, the roses are more classic, and quite possibly more romantic," Gabriella contemplated, "but, then again, the tulips are unique and more colorful."

Troy sighed.

"Excuse me, but maybe if you actually contributed to the wedding plans, they wouldn't seem so dull!" Gabriella suggested.

"Lillies," he said, as if it were the clear choice.

"Ugh! Troy, lilies aren't even an option! You know how much I hate lilies," Gabriella whined.

Sharpay loves lilies, Troy thought. Damnit, here we go again! For God's sake, stop thinking about Sharpay!

Troy shrugged, "Well, then… how about roses? What's wrong with them?"

Gabriella gathered her papers, upset, "It's like you haven't even been listening!"

Without another word, she left the kitchen, retreating upstairs.

Thank God, finally some peace and quiet!

Troy rested his head on the cool surface of the kitchen table, letting his mind wander as always…

Sharpay…

"No!" he practically jumped out of his seat. "I will not think about her, not today!"

He calmed himself down, then trudged into the living room to watch some baseball. As he reclined in his favorite chair, Troy spoke,

"Nothing to take your mind off something like a good old-fashioned baseball game!"

He barely had time to check the score until,

If you're so obsessed with her, why don't you do something about it?! Why don't you go see her or something?!

"No!" Troy said aloud. "I will not go… well, maybe it couldn't hurt…"

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Ryan (and now Sharpay's) House

Just-outside Albuquerque, NM

2013

Sharpay groaned, "Ryan! I swear, it's an LCD screen, not a DCD one! There's no such thing as a DCD anything…"

"Okay, Shar, I think I know how to read, and according to this manual, it's a DCD…"

"Ryan, LCD stands for 'Liquid Crystal Display'… what the hell is DCD supposed to mean?"

Ryan laughed, "I don't know, Shar, is it some kind of code or something?"

"AHHH!" she screamed. "I can't take it anymore! I mean, I thought living with my brother would be okay, since we're now both mature adults… but, God, what was I thinking?"

"I don't know," Ryan grinned. "I think someone's just a little jealous of all my new, super-cool 'bachelor pad' stuff that Chad hooked me up with…"

Sharpay sneered, "Oh, yea, Ry… I wish I had my own sweet 'bachelor pad' designed by the oh-so-brilliant Chad Danforth!"

Ryan looked confused, "Uh, don't you mean bachelorette pad…?"

Sharpay headed for the stairs, "That's it! I'm going upstairs and as far away from you as possible!"

"Fine!" Ryan shouted.

"FINE!" she replied.

The basement door slammed, leaving Ryan alone to his thoughts in the famous 'bachelor pad'.

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Upstairs (and 'as far away from Ryan as possible')

Sharpay exhaled nosily, releasing her inner stress and annoyance at Ryan, as she poured a cup of orange juice. Unfortunately, she could still hear her brother's music seeping though the basement walls…

I swear, he's been hanging around Jason too much lately, she thought.

The chime of the doorbell brought her back to reality, and before she could organize a list of possible visitors, she had already twisted the doorknob open, revealing an obviously distressed Troy Bolton.

"Tr- I mean, Bolton," Sharpay said. "What are you doing here?"

"Cut the crap, Sharpay," Troy laughed. "Can I come in or not?"

Sharpay looked back inside, still able to hear Ryan's incessant music, "Uh, I'd rather not… let's just stay out here."

She let herself outside, closing the front door. A moment of awkwardness passed as she played with the hem of her shirt, while Troy continuously brushed his hair from his eyes.

Tired of waiting, Sharpay began, "Soooo, what brings you here today? Sick of home, annoyed with the girlfriend, or frustrated with wedding plans?"

Troy was flabbergasted, "Are you kidding me? All three…"

Sharpay shrugged, "Wow, lucky guess."

Silence again.

"Anyway, what was up with you after the party?" Troy asked nonchalantly.

Sharpay's eyebrows furrowed, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you know, just you trying to make Gabriella jealous before you left…"

"Excuse me?" Sharpay defended.

Troy smiled knowingly, "Common, I mean it was pretty obvious what you were trying to do…"

"Oh, fine," she smirked. "Big deal, I was pulling her strings. It's not like I can't have some fun of my own… hello, she completely humiliated me in front of our friends!"

"Aha!" Troy shouted triumphantly, "You admit it!"

"Admit what?"

"That you want Gabriella to be jealous of you, and that you secretly like me," Troy said.

"Yes to the first, no to the second," Sharpay laughed.

"Whatever… no offense, Shar, but for an actress, you're not very good at hiding your feelings," Troy smiled cheekily.

She rolled her eyes, "Are you kidding me? I seemed to fool you many times when we were dating…"

"Ah," Troy pretended to be hurt. "Touché. The 'Ice Queen' still has some moves…"

"You've seen nothin' yet."

Troy chuckled, "Yea, yea, whatever… but, seriously, tell me right here, straightforward, that you didn't think about me once since I visited you in New York."

Sharpay smirked, "You sure you wanna do this?"

"Positive," Troy finished, competitiveness creeping into his voice.

"Fine, then I never thought about you once," she said, looking him dead in the eyes.

Troy laughed, "Ahh, I never pegged you as a 'liar', Evans."

"Well, then, you pegged me right!"

Troy grinned, "There's no way to get you to fess up, is there?"

"To what?"

"To your undying, passionate love for me," Troy gave a seductive look.

Sharpay scoffed, "Ha ha; like I said before, don't flatter yourself, Bolton. I made that mistake once, it's not happening again…"

Troy scratched his chin, "Hmmm, you see, I'd have to disagree with you there."

He inched closer to her still form.

"What're you talking about?" she asked innocently, reaching to place a hand on his toned chest.

Neither of them was about to back down, regardless of the situation. They both knew that if they went any further, there would be hell to pay. Yet they didn't surrender.

If everything's falling, if everything's changed

If I'm in the open, if I'm in the way

"How 'bout you make it two-for-two, Ms. Evans?" Troy whispered. "Look me in the eyes, again, and tell me that you don't feel a thing when I touch you… right here."

Troy swiftly cupped her porcelain cheek in his, fingertips barely touching her skin.

What am I doing here
If you're not with me?
What have I got to live for, if it's just my own dream?

Sharpay's eyelashes fluttered close though she still spoke, "Not a thing, Bolton."

"What about here?" he pressed his forehead against hers.

Her breath was hot on his face, "No."

Take it back to the beginning, back to the start
When gravity's pulling, you're still holding my heart
You come crashing down

"And, here," he finished, letting his thumb stroke her lower lip.

And you say that everything is different, why don't we just hold on?

In a rush of desire, their lips met.

"Nothing," she murmured into his waiting mouth, his tongue catching her words and coiling them into whispered nothingness.

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OMG!! You guys are the most amazing, super-great (I know, nice adjectives) reviewers ever! No, seriously (now I sound like Troy, lol), thank you sooooo much for the awesome reviews, they totally make this story what it is! 'Cause without you guys, I totally wouldn't have been motivated to write this chapter.

I'm not kidding… right now, I'm in bed sick with this massive cold (I mean, it's verging on the flu) and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to write the next chapter, and how this was going to be my only free day with school. And somehow, magically, I got the energy to do it (at one in the morning, btw). So, special thanks to you guys :)

FYI, this chapter was one of my favorites to write, and it came so easily! I think it's mostly because I'm starting to pave the way towards the real Troypay plot (which I think you're gonna love)… I just can't wait for the final chappy, I'm serious, I am SO EXCITED to write it! I have the whole thing planned out… it'll be sweet, I promise!

Anyway, here's a little thanks to the reviewers, once again:

((amyxjx))—Wow, I'm so touched! Oh, and you definitely have my permission to give Gabby a virtual slap…

((Gorgeous Nick Stokes))—Thanks! Yes, Nick is definitely one of my fav CSI's.

((ICan'tTakeMyEyesOffOfYou))—Thanks a million! And np about the review, you're an amazing writer and you totally deserve the praise! I'm so glad you thought that Gabby's outburst was 'hysterical' and not too OOC, cause that was what I was going for…

((remedyofpain))—Girl, Gabriella… I totally agree. She was way out of line, and those images were disturbing. Maybe she'll be able to redeem herself in the future, but I'm not promising anything…

((shawna))—Update's in!

((xPerfectlyImperfectx))—Thanks for reviewing, hope you liked the latest part!

((karemina))—I know the update took awhile, but hope you're still reading :)

((U.S Princess))—What can I say? Thanks so much… and the update was a little slow, sorry about that, but I had major schoolwork…

((Sarah11650))—Thanks… I understand about the 'refreshing' thing.. it's really hard to find well-written stories (especially Troypay ones) these days…

((jessebabe23))—I'm glad to hear that you felt the tension… don't get too close, lol!

((Seraph Lucifia))—Thanks, girl! And seriously, I was feeling so bad for Sharpay! The part at the end was my favorite to write, and if you want to get the full effect, you should definitely listen to the song "Then You Look at Me" that's in the chapter. It is so freaking POWERFUL!!

((ascii27))—I love futurefics too; they leave so much more opportunity for Troypay and other pairings!

((lovesymk))—Glad I put a smile on your face :)

Before I forget…

Song credit for Chapters 3 & 4:

Then You Look At Me ((Celine Dion))

Crashing Down ((Mat Kearney))

And of course, the disclaimer:

I don't own HSM. End of story.

Keep reviewing :)