Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical. Kenny Ortega and the folks at Disney do.

Chapter 4
The Assignment

"Whoa." Troy stared at the mansion before him. "You live here?" he asked to Sharpay as the door opened.

"Yeah I live here." Sharpay answered. Right in front of her was an old man wearing a tuxedo, "Good afternoon Alfred. This is Troy Bolton; we'll be doing our school project in the living room."

"Pleasure to meet you Troy." Alfred greeted politely as he led them to the living room. "I will be right back with some snacks Miss Sharpay meanwhile you and Troy can start working on your project together."

"Thanks Alfred." Sharpay dropped her purse on the couch and sat down while Troy was still looking around the house impressed.

"I knew you were rich but wow…" Troy complimented as he sat down beside her. "So do you want to get started or what?"

Sharpay nodded, "The sooner, the better." She and Troy then took out their pen and papers and started asking their questions.

"I guess it's my turn to ask the questions." Troy said while Sharpay rolled her eyes and tapped her pen impatiently.

"Okay um… who's your favorite musician?" Troy asked.

"I like Billy Joel, The Used, Elton John, and the All American Rejects." Troy stared at her slightly impressed and slightly shocked.

"You liked The Used?" Troy managed to choke out.

"What you think just because I'm blonde, rich, and have an awesome fashion sense doesn't mean my musical taste are the same. I like the music I listen to, to have deeper meaning." Sharpay answered.

Troy stared at her with a new found appreciation but before he could say something to her Alfred came in carrying some soda's and chips.

"Here you go Ms.Evans and Mr.Bolton if you need anything I'll be a room away." Alfred said as he handed them the chips and the soda.

"Thanks Alfred." The two teens told the man before he left to go to the kitchen.

"Okay Bolton what's your favorite tv show?" Sharpay asked as she was eating the chips.

"I'd have to say American Idol and Survivor." Troy drank his soda and glanced at Sharpay who was writing down his answers. She's kind of cute when she's not being an Ice Queen But Troy caught himself before he thought about Sharpay even further What am I saying this is Sharpay Evans! Get a hold of yourself Troy.

"Bolton?"

"Bolton?"

"Troy!" Sharpay yelled. Troy turned around with surprise, "You called me Troy."

'That's because you were too busy daydreaming. Look can we get back to this assignment, the sooner we finish the faster I can get you out of my house." Sharpay snapped.

Troy sighed frustratedly, "Fine. Favorite movie?"

"Just Married, My Best Friend's Wedding, and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. Favorite subject?"

"Phys. Ed and English."

Fifteen minutes later the two had finally finished the assignment. Troy packed all his things back into his bag, he gave Sharpay a small smile and said, "Surprisingly I actually enjoyed hanging out with you Sharpay. Think we can do it again sometime?"

Sharpay snorted, "Not in this lifetime Bolton. Is anyone picking you up?"

"Yeah my mom." Troy answered as he looked around the living room. He stopped in front of a picture of a woman with long blonde hair, who looked like an older Sharpay, a man with short blonde hair, who had an uncanny resemblance to Ryan, smiling in front of the camera. Troy picked up the picture and asked, "Your parents?"

Sharpay turned around and stared at the picture, "Yeah who else can they be?"

"You look a lot like your mom. So are they here?"

"Business Trip."

"What did you do on Christmas Vacation?" Troy asked curiously as he put the picture back and sat beside Sharpay.

"New York."

"Were your parents with you?"

Sharpay gave him an intense glare, "Look Bolton what I do for in vacation is none of your business. And for your information no my parents didn't come, they never do."

Sharpay's voice was filled with anger and sadness that Troy had the urge to reach out to her and comfort her. But before he could do anything Alfred came in the living room, "Mr. Bolton I believe your mother is her to pick you up."

Troy stood up and walked to the door, he took one last glance Sharpay and left.

Thanks so much for all the reviews everyone. Hope you enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review.