A/N: I am SO sorry that I haven't updated more. I've been having laptop troubles and been really busy with exams and essays and things like that.
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CHAPTER EIGHT
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"Well?" Troy asked as soon as the door was closed.
"Here's the thing, Sharpay's really sensitive about her Ice Princess image. She hates it when people call her that."
"It doesn't look like she cares."
"Well what can I say, we're pros." Ryan's face grew angry. "Every time I hear someone call her that I feel like punching them in the nose. Luckily Sharpay knows that and is able to get me away and calm me down beforehand. Anyways, as I was saying, Sharpay is really sensitive about being called an Ice Queen. The problem is that Chad is the one who is the worst about that nickname. I'm not sure I could handle it. I know Sharpay could put up a good front about it, but I'm not sure I could keep my temper."
"You think you could take Chad?"
Ryan smiled. "Troy, what have you learned today?"
"Well basically I learned that everything I thought I knew about you isn't real. That what I see at school isn't the real you."
"That's right. At school you see a wimpy, weak dumb guy. It's a logical step for you to assume then that in reality I'm not wimpy, weak or dumb."
Troy looked confused for a moment, then his brow cleared. "Oh, yeah I get what you're saying."
"Anyways, all I'm asking is that before we start hanging out with you, you need to talk with your group and make sure they know not to call Sharpay that."
"What about you? You're fine with people calling you stupid?"
Ryan shrugged. "I know I'm not and they're the stupid ones if they can't see what I'm really like. If you think about it, you could have been able to tell."
Troy nodded. "Well, okay I'll talk to the guys. How about you give me 4 days to smooth things over. You guys join us for lunch on Friday, okay?"
Ryan nodded. "Sure, that will be fine."
-----HSM-----
The next few days consisted of Troy's frantic efforts to convince Chad to let Sharpay and Ryan sit with them. It wasn't until Thursday after school that Troy was able to convince Chad.
"But Troy, they're stuck up snobs!"
Troy gave a little half-smile. "So? They're good performers and even though we are too, I think Gabby and I should get to know them better, so that we can learn a little more about performing and the business."
Chad rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay fine."
"One thing, Chad. It's one thing to call Sharpay an Ice Princess behind her back, but another thing to call it to her face or anywhere you know she'll be able to hear. Promise me you won't call her that?"
"Fine, fine. Gee, do I have to cut my hair too? Maybe they won't like it so long." Chad said sarcastically.
-----HSM-----
"Whiz," Sharpay whispered as they stood by the door of the cafeteria holding their trays.
"Don't worry Dee, it'll be fine. You're a great actress, you can pull it off. Kelsi's there too, look."
They looked towards the table and saw Troy, Chad, Taylor, Gabby, Kelsi, Jason and Zeke all sitting together. They had left 2 spaces open between Troy and Zeke for Ryan and Sharpay.
Sharpay took a deep breath. and started walking forward. As she walked Ryan murmured in her ear. "You know it'll be worse if they find out about me than you."
Sharpay stopped in her tracks at that. She turned towards Ryan with wide eyes. She looked into his eyes and saw the fear that was hidden deep within them. Ryan was right, she realized. If they found out about her, all that would happen would be that they'd know she was really nice. If they found out about Ryan, who knows what they'd think. "Oh Whiz I'm so sorry. You're right! Don't worry." A determined look showed in her eyes. "They'll never find out about you. I'll see to that." With that she turned and walked firmly towards the table.
She sat down next to Troy, not noticing the worried look she got from Gabby. Ryan was still standing where she'd left him. Sharpay looked up at him and met his eyes. Ryan walked forward and joined them.
