The next day is Monday and of course, that means going to school. Troy sees Sharpay around the hallways and in between periods, but doesn't have a chance to talk to her. Taylor and the rest of the girls-minus Sharpay- were quite upset at Troy for breaking up with Gabby for no apparent reason, and as bad as he feels for breaking it off with Gabriella, the girl who he had the longest relationship with, he knows that it wouldn't be fair for her. Gabriella doesn't have his heart anymore; Sharpay does. It doesn't seem right and he knows it. But the King of East High is grateful for the girls for caring so much for the smart brunette, but wishes that they'd pay attention to the Ice Queen as well.

As the last bell rang, dismissing the students, Ms. Darbus calls out, "Remember, auditions for the musical is today!". Troy stood still for a moment, frozen. The musical. He considers auditioning for a part when he realizes something. Sharpay and Ryan. Those two have been working so hard for each school musical for so long. It wouldn't be fair of him to just swoop in and take that away from them. That would be like someone stealing the title of captain away from him. He wouldn't like that. And neither would the Evans twins. As he scooped up his books and backpack to leave, he heard Ms. Darbus ask, "Sharpay? Are you going to audition for the female lead?"

"No, Ms. Darbus. I'm not." He could barely hear her, since she was whispering.

"What?!" The teacher sounded mortified. "Why ever not?"

"Ryan's auditioning with Gabriella, and he's the only person who would ever audition with me. And without Ryan, I can't audit-"

"I'm auditioning with Sharpay!" He blurted out. The two females stared at him in shock. Sharpay's emerald eyes looked at him with curiosity, doubtful.

"I-I appreciate your offer, Troy, but, I only ever work with Ryan, since I know he won't leave me." The blonde whispered the last part, though Troy heard her.

He walked closer to her. "I won't leave you, I promise." She looked up at him, insecurity slowly Turing into confidence as she smiled firmly at him and he swore he saw heaven when he saw her dimples. Looking at the drama teacher, he replied once again, "We're auditioning, together."

The pair took a seat in the middle as they watch each pair perform, the anxiety growing. As Ryan and Gabriella took to the stage, Sharpay suddenly gasped out, "Troy. I just realized. I didn't memorize the song!"

Troy let out a small laugh. "I don't even bother to memorize the song! Don't worry, Darbus has the script on Kelsi's piano."

The blonde still pouted. "But still! I-I don't want to lose. Not again." She whispered quietly, but he still heard her.

Cupping a hand under her chin, he forced her to make eye contact. "Listen, Shar. I don't care if we get the parts or not. Let's just get up there and have fun, if we get it or not." As the drama teacher called out their names, Troy offered her a hand, to which she accepted. The two walked up on stage, hand in hand, and sang their hearts out. As the song ended, Ms. Darbus could only purse her lips together and remark, "Well, this will be difficult."

The very next day, the results were posted. It was a tie between Ryan and Gabriella and Troy and Sharpay. The two pairs would audition once again two months later, due to finals and Ms. Darbus' changing the musical a bit.

The day after finals were over, Troy found Sharpay on the swings once again, this time, she was looking heavenward, a small smile on her face.

"Hey, Shar." He greeted as he settled on a swing next to her.

"Hi, Troy." She smiled brightly, swinging gently back and forth. "How are you?"

He pauses a minute. How is he? "Good, I guess. You?"

The blonde taps her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, well, I don't exactly know. Do you remember when I told you about how I think that Venus must have hated me?"

Boy, does he? The brunette nodded, "Yeah, why?"

"Well, I think that Venus is telling me to stop liking Cameron Bale now." Troy feels bubbly inside. He's happy. He's nervous. Why?

"Why's that, Sharpay? You've been liking Cameron for some time."

She presses her lips together and remarks, "That is true. I really do like Cameron." The brunette feels all the excitement drain out of him.

"Um, Shar? You're confusing me."

The blonde laughed slightly. "Well, I do like him, but I don't love him. It's inconceivable. After all..."

Troy sees her lips moving and time stops.

What?

He's laughing inside, mentally.

This isn't good. Laughing is one of the first signs of shock.

End of Chapter.

A/N: That cliffhanger, though! Anyways, please leave a review! I'm sorry for not updating much! About one more chapter and this story will be over. I'm a bit sad to end this story, but I'm planning to do a small 'Troypay Theme Challenge' soon. Would you like a Troypay Theme Challenge? Please comment if you do!