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Ryan felt as if his entire world came crashing down at those two words. His breath got caught in his throat; he couldn't breathe. He stumbled back slightly, taking a shaken step away from the doctor.

"My mother…" Ryan said almost breathlessly. He chuckled mirthlessly, shaking his head. "If… if she was the patient, then you can't possibly mean--" Dr Hayes shook his head and brushed past Ryan towards his desk.

"I'm not saying anything yet," he said matter-of-factly. "It's not Metallia's until we know for sure." He sat back down on his chair. Ryan wasn't fooled.

"What will happen to her if it is Metallia's Disease?" he asked. "Will the same thing happen to Sharpay as it did to my mother?" He was scared of the answer, but he had to know. He loved Sharpay too much to lose her, especially to the very illness that killed their mother. Dr Hayes shook his head again.

"Today's medicine and medical science is much more advanced than it was 25 years ago," he told him.

"And?" Ryan demanded. "What will that do for Sharpay?" Dr Hayes sighed.

"Like I said, I don't know what will happen to her until the test results come in." Ryan sighed frustratedly and turned away, brushing his hand through his blonde hair.

"Why Sharpay?" he muttered softly. "Why does it have to be her?"

"Metallia's is a very rare disease, occurring in only 1 in every 35,000,000." Dr Hayes took out another prescription note and wrote on it. "But it's genetic." Ryan spun around, pain in his eyes. He sighed ruefully.

"How… how advanced is Sharpay's condition?" he asked in a whisper.

"I'm not sure, Metallia isn't a predictable illness," Dr Hayes replied. He handed Ryan the prescription. "If the tests come back positive, very soon she'll experience more than just heatstroke and heartburn." Ryan slowly took the prescription note and looked down at it.

"What are you saying? What's going to happen next?"

"Her pain will spread, rapidly too, because of the infected blood. The rashes were probably caused by the infection as well." He pointed at the note in Ryan's hand. "As soon as you get the results, you must get those drugs for her. They cleanse the blood temporarily and they keep her heart beating." Ryan's eyes widened at his last words.

"What?" Dr Hayes closed his eyes.

"A victim of Metallia will have an attack now and then," he said grimly. "A surge of excruciating pain that may also cause collapses in the internal organs, mainly the heart or lungs. They will also experience numbness, uncontrollable shaking at times, nausea and shortness of breath. Injecting 5 milligrams of platinum peroxide forces the heart to continue beating, and the infected blood will then draw out. Oh, and Ryan…" He opened his eyes again. "There's something you need to watch out for. When a black mark appears on her skin anywhere, anywhere, and she gets an attack, no matter how bad it is, you are not to give her any more whatsoever." He folded his hands together. "But I'm guessing when she gets the results back, she'll have to be treated and hospitalized. Metallia's Disease is one of the world's most deadly illnesses."

"But you said the technology is more advanced than 25 years ago," Ryan protested. "You can save her, right? It isn't too late for Sharpay?" Dr Hayes shook his head yet again, looking away. Ryan felt anger take over his body as the doctor stayed silent. He grabbed his shirt collar roughly and made him look at him. "Tell me she's not going to die…" Dr Hayes expression didn't change.

"She won't go through as much pain as Olivia did, I promise you," he said. He placed a hand on Ryan's. "It's very unlikely the illness will mature to that stage." He was trying to calm Ryan down. "Even if the results come back positive, she might not be in danger."

"How do you know that?"

"… I don't."

Ryan took Sharpay straight home that day, not speaking a word to her at all. He stayed close to her, since the illness seemed to make her so distracted and vulnerable.

She fell asleep early that day, after taking about three pills to help with her rashes, but they looked worse than before. Ryan crept into her bedroom and sat at her bedside, just watching her.

Their father had gone to a business meeting out of town and wouldn't be back for a few days, so it was just the twins. Ryan watched his twin sister sleep.

He had matured alot over the past year. He was smarter now, and he realized the things in life. How much his family meant to him, and how much he didn't want to lose someone like he lost his mother.

Ryan straightened Sharpay's blanket. He stared at the bandaid where Brenda had taken blood from for the test, and the rashes. She was having cold sweats and was muttering in her sleep, perhaps from the side effects of the pills. Ryan bit into his lower lip and held her hand tightly.

He hadn't told her what Dr Hayes said yet, he was too afraid.

Ryan didn't sleep that night; he just continued to think about how bad it could really be, and what fate had instored for his twin sister.

It's very unlikely the illness will mature to that stage, even if the results come back positive, she might not be in danger. The voice rang over and over in Ryan's head. Should he believe it?

He took out a plastic container from under his bed. Inside, were syringes and bottles of platinum peroxide; the medicine Dr Hayes had told him to buy for Sharpay if the results showed she had Metallia's disease. He had bought it early, because he had a feeling his worst nightmare would really come true.

Sharpay might really be infected.

The cast list was finally cast two days after the auditions. Some were sorely disappointed, but it was decided nonetheless.

Copacabana - Autumn Musical Cast

Lola - Sharpay Evans

Tony - Troy Bolton

Rico - Ryan Evans

Supporting cast - Gabriella Montez, Taylor McKessie, Chad Danforth, Zeke Baylor, Jason Cross, Kelsi Nielsen

Troy's jaw dropped. What?!

Gabriella let out a disappointed sigh, but said she was happy Troy got the leading role. She gave him a big hug, almost crushing his ribs. He was forced to now look at Sharpay and Ryan behind her. Sharpay looked as excited as ever, while Ryan didn't look happy at all.

"See? I knew we'd get the part we wanted!" Sharpay exclaimed happily. She frowned when Ryan didn't respond. She placed a hand on her hip and glared at him. "What is up with you? You've been mopey like this ever since we came back from the doctor." Ryan dropped his gaze to the ground, not replying. "Ryan, what is it?" He sighed and took her hand, pulling her to a deserted classroom where no one would disturb them.

Troy continued to watch them as they disappeared. What was going on? He had to know.

"Troy?" Gabriella said, seeing him distracted. Troy quickly turned back at her, plastering a grin.

"Sorry. What did you say?" Gabriella scoffed and gave him a smirk.

"I said you're going to need alot of practice if you're going to play Tony," she said, shaking her head. She chuckled. "You'll probably even have to stay after school with Sharpay and Ryan." Troy just smiled. He looked back at the empty classroom Sharpay and Ryan went into.

"So are you coming to my house now to study for that Biology test next Thursday?" Gabriella asked in a light tone. She raised an eyebrow. "Troy?" She felt him carefully pull her arms off him.

"You go first," he muttered, still glancing at the classroom now and then. "I… uh… I forgot something in class. Be right there." Gabriella nodded and planted a quick kiss on his lips before setting off. Troy immediately headed over to the classroom, pushing the door open just a little so he could hear.

He didn't know why he was suddenly so curious about what was going on between the Evans twins, but he couldn't help it. He could feel that something was very wrong.

Sharpay yanked her hand out of Ryan grip, annoyed. "Geez, what is your problem?!" Ryan ignored her rudeness, too distressed to worry about it. He took her shoulders firmly and looked her straight in the eye.

"After you left the room yesterday," he said. "Dr Hayes and I talked." Sharpay cocked her head to the side.

"About what?" Ryan didn't speak right away, he didn't know if he should tell her the truth. It would scare her too much. Troy leaned in closer, keeping himself hidden behind the wall.

"When the test results come back," Ryan said. "Dr Hayes says you'll probably have to go to hospital." Sharpay's eyes widened.

"What?" she said again, confused and a little scared. "What's wrong with me?" Ryan forced a smile.

"I just… I just think you should listen to him, Paypay…" Sharpay started to get impatient. She released herself from his clutches and took a step away from him.

"No!" she yelled. "And give up the play?! I don't care what I have! I'm not going to some hospital just because of some sunstroke!" Ryan tried hard to calm her down. Troy frowned at the twins' behavior. What was going on?

"Shar, please!" Ryan pleaded, his voice trembling. Sharpay stomped her foot hard and shook her head.

"There is nothing you can say, Ryan," she said coldly. "I am not going to give up--"

"Metallia!" Ryan cried out. Tears fell from the young man's brown eyes as he stared into his sister's. "It's Metallia."

Sharpay's already pale face suddenly turned even whiter. Her mouth fell open and she let out a shaky gasp. She backed away from Ryan.

"No…" she muttered, shaking her head. "No… you're lying…" Ryan shook his head.

"I wish I was," he said. "I… really do." Sharpay shook her head again.

"No!" she exclaimed. "It's not true!" She felt her eyes sting and tears stream down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Troy was shocked at what he saw. What was Metallia?

"Dr Hayes is sending the blood results back in a few days," Ryan said. He took Sharpay's chin and lifted up her face so he could see her. "We have to tell Dad."

"No!" Sharpay exclaimed. She shook her head again. "He doesn't have to know, not until we're sure." Ryan took her hands and pulled her closer to him.

"But he can help you…" She looked away to hide her tears.

"It doesn't matter," she muttered, closing her eyes. "No." Sharpay turned around to face Ryan. "No, the show will go on. I don't need to stay in any hospital."

"Sharpay, stop it!" Ryan grabbed her and held her in place so she couldn't look away. "How can you be thinking of that stupid play when you know what's at risk?!" Sharpay began to cry, beating her small fists blindly at her brother.

"You're the one who doesn't understand!" she sobbed. "It doesn't matter if I go there! It doesn't matter if Daddy knows!" Ryan forcefully pulled her into a warm hug, tears in his own eyes.

"Yes it does," he muttered shakily. "They can help…" Sharpay shook her head.

"No, they can't…" Her anguished crying subsided to soft sobs. She gave up trying to resist her twin brother, too tired to fight. "I'm going to die, Ryan…"

Troy lost his breath at her words. He felt a chill down his spine, a feeling of fear he had never felt before, but he stayed silent. He looked over at Ryan, who now looked like a man who had lost everything dear to him. He held Sharpay in his arms, as if too afraid to let her go.

"No… don't ever say that…" Sharpay gently pushed herself off Ryan's chest, staring up at him.

"If I have Metallia, then I am." She sniffed and wiped away her eyes, moving away from Ryan. He reached out for her, but she didn't respond.

"Paypay…" Sharpay took a deep breath and fixed up her hair.

"Let me live what's left of my life, Ryan," she murmured. There was no smile. "No one can help me. They tried helping Mom, but they couldn't. I don't want it to be that way." Ryan grabbed her wrist, making her let out a cry of pain.

"I'm sorry!" he said quickly, trying to help her. Sharpay fell down on one knee, but she pushed Ryan away. She was breathing hard.

"Just… just promise me you won't tell anyone…" Ryan hesitated to answer. "Promise me, Ryan!" Slowly, he nodded.

Sharpay stumbled back onto her feet, casually straightening her outfit. Troy ducked behind the door when Sharpay turned around to it. She glanced back at Ryan.

"Don't forget rehearsals are on tomorrow," she told him. Ryan's eyes fell to the ground and he nodded as she walked out.

Troy came out from behind the wall as she walked into the distance. He stared sadly. She was an actress, even if she was in horrific pain, she could hide it. But she was sick, and she needed help. Why wouldn't she let anyone help her? Why wouldn't she let Ryan help her?

Suddenly, someone walked into him from behind. Troy spun around to see Ryan, shocked.

"Troy," he said, looking around. The halls were empty. "What are you doing here?" Troy tried to think fast.

"I… I forgot my book," he replied, stuttering. "Yeah… I came back to get it. That's all." Ryan obviously didn't buy it, but he didn't want to think that Troy had just heard his conversation with Sharpay either. He nodded.

"Okay, then," he said, stepping aside for Troy. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow for rehearsals." Troy nodded a little too enthusiastically.

"Right. Cool." Ryan gave him another strange look before leaving. Troy's smile disappeared. He suddenly had the urge to hit himself.

Tomorrow, at rehearsals. It would just be him, Sharpay and Ryan. He'd be there with Sharpay. What would he say to her? That he eavesdropped on her private talk with her brother? About her potentially fatal mystery illness?

Troy sighed wearily. He had to do something. He couldn't just stand around when he knew he could help her.

He just couldn't.

As soon as Sharpay reached the deserted area in the school, she collapsed and cried out in pain. She struggled to reach into her purse for the tablets. Her hands were trembling, but she managed to get them.

Not caring about water, Sharpay swallowed three pills. She exhaled shakily and laid there for another few moments before being able to sit up. She still felt tears fall from her eyes, but she ignored them. She had to.

Sharpay slowly stood up and dusted herself clean, resuming her casual walk, making sure no one would see her any other way.

It all had to be this way.

Next, rehearsal. Troypay begins to spark as Troy is forced to act alone when Sharpay suddenly collapses…