Troy lifted his last spoonful towards his mouth, Sharpay was telling him all about her adventures in New York earlier that year. He was listening, or at least half listening. He didn't know why, but he enjoyed her company. It was strange, he knew this. She wasn't exactly always his favourite person but people change right? He could still see the old Sharpay in amongst whatever had happened to her in New York. He smiled, dumping his cup into a nearby trashcan.
"Sharpay." He stopped her, walking over to a flyer he had spotted on the ground. He reached for it, picking it up and flipping it over. "Annual Talent Show, Sign up outside Target." He looked at Sharpay; she stared at him trying to figure out if he was serious.
"It will be fun." He begged, she was mulling it over he could see it in her eyes. Troy often got what he wanted, and Sharpay was very much the same. "Okay, fine." She caved.
Troy fist bumped the air, "This will be great." He promised her, thinking to himself, Gabriella would hate this. "You won't regret it." He told her, kissing her cheek. Maybe his intentions were wrong, or maybe they were right. This was the perfect opportunity to try new things right? He needed to get out there, to live his life while he still could. This was no big deal; Sharpay lived for these kinds of things. It's not like he was forcing her into a hot lap down at the race track.
"I know." She smiled, knowing that she could never regret singing with Troy Bolton.

Kelsi had logged into her Facebook after she had returned home. Her parents were working, which kind of actually sucked and she had nothing better to do. Between liking and sharing funny photos, and commenting on some of Zeke's baking jokes, the experience was most definitely boring. She switched over to the chat bar and scrolled through the online contacts, Zeke Baylor, Martha Cox, Chad Danforth, Ryan Evans, and a few other classmates she didn't really talk to. She checked the time for the ninetieth time and decided to message Ryan,
Kelsi: Hey babe
Ryan: Miss me already?
Kelsi: ha ha you bet.
They continued the light and fluffy conversation, it was the usual boyfriend, girlfriend stuff., nothing to serious and it would have continued if Kelsi hadn't been shocked by an unexpected message from Gabriella.
Gabriella: Hey Kels! Miss you loads x
Kelsi didn't know what to say, it was rare that she was ever online at the same time as Gabriella who had become a social butterfly since starting college. She was hardly ever online, and even then she hardly ever responded to texts.
Kelsi typed eagerly, she really missed talking to her. They had been really close back in school.
Kelsi: Hey! It's been ages. How's your summer?
Gabriella: It's been busy, I'm doing a summer course (I know, typical Gabriella, right?)
Kelsi: You're crazy!
Gabriella: I know, people keep telling me
Kelsi bit her lip and decided to take the plunge, she typed slowly allowing herself opportunities to back out.
Kelsi: So new boyfriend? He's cute.
Gabriella sent a blushing smiley face and Kelsi smiled to herself remembering when her friend had done the same thing regarding Troy years ago.
Gabriella: He's great. We get along really well.
Kelsi: I'm really happy for you.
Gabriella: How's everything with Ryan?
Kelsi: Everything is perfect, he's still a gentleman.
Gabriella: How's Troy?
Kelsi gulped, she knew there was a possibility of this happening, she didn't know how she was meant to respond, she knew Troy wouldn't like the idea of them talking about him but at the same time she knew that he would expect nothing less from girls. She decided to go with the truth, less could go wrong that way right?
Kelsi: He's not too bad, still not the same Troy he used to be though.
Gabriella took a while to reply, Kelsi watched the screen eagerly awaiting her response.
Gabriella: He'll be okay.
Kelsi: Yeah of course he will
Gabriella: Maybe he'll even move on
Kelsi was about to reply, but right before her eyes Gabriella's green light turned off indicating that she was now offline.

Troy parked his truck outside his house, he looked over at the driveway where he usually parked, but this time there was no room, his parent's were back from their trip. He walked over to the garage where his dad was busy unpacking the car.
"Hey Dad." He called out to grab his attention, his father turned around and placed his luggage onto the ground, he walked over to his son and greeted him with a tap on the back.
"Troy, good to have you home." He said proudly, he had been more than happy with Troy's basketball results in the past school year.
"You too." He laughed, helping his father with the bags, the two boys wandered into the house where Troy's mother was already in the kitchen.
She took one look at her son and rushed over, kissing him on both cheeks. "I'm too happy to see you to even yell at you for the empty beer bottles." She gushed, holding her baby in her arms. She had suffered the most with her son moving out, he was her baby boy and it didn't feel right having a house without him in it.
"Enough kisses." Troy laughed, his mother let go of the tight grip she held on him, and he laced his arm around her shoulders, he remembered when she had done that for him during those years before he outgrew her.

"What do you want for dinner? We can have anything." She told him, admiring her son fondly.
"Pizza is good." He shrugged.
"Oh Pizza!" She scoffed, "We can have pizza any time."
Troy chuckled looking over at his dad who shrugged back at him. Troy looked down at his mother and smiled, "I couldn't say no to some of your famous meatballs."
Her face lit up, "Alright, but why don't you invite the boys round? I haven't seen any of you since High School. Get the old gang around you can all shoot some hoops and maybe your father can run down to store and get some crackers for smores." She turned to eye her husband who looked like he was a little boy being told to wash the dishes.
"C'mon." He groaned but she rolled her eyes.
"Troy. Do me a favour, and don't end up like him." She teased causing her son to laugh.
Troy sent out the group message inviting Jason, Zeke and Chad over for dinner. He considered including Ryan since he had unofficially joined their group but he decided against it, he didn't want Ryan to mention anything to do with Sharpay, not with Zeke hanging around, despite his innocent intentions for the blonde, he didn't need any more drama on top of things. It was going to be bad enough when his friends accidentally spill the beans about the Gabriella Break up!
Chad was the first to arrive, his mother had sent him along with a salad which he had no idea of its contents as he placed it down on the Bolton kitchen counter, Troy decided to inspect it himself before his mother slapped his hands away.
Chad couldn't help but laugh.
The two boys ran up to Troy's room to play a bit of COD before the other guys arrived, Chad however decided to take this opportunity of newfound privacy to interrogate his best friend.
"You know I was talking to Ryan earlier," He started, causing Troy to freeze, Chad grabbed Troy's shoulder it was enough to make the boy jump.
"You do realise you don't have to tell me every time you talk to Ryan..." He teased, trying to keep it light between them.
"He said something really strange though." Chad continued, watching to see if Troy would sweat.
"He's always saying strange things dude." Troy laughed, not giving in.

"Something about a talent show?"
"Talent Show huh? Sounds cool."
"That you entered with Sharpay..." Chad cried, turning Troy to face him, he stood directly in front of his friend and grabbed onto his shoulders to make sure he was looking. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Not only is she crazy, she's Zeke's ex and Gabriella's enemy." Troy glared at him for the last part so Chad took it back, "Okay fine who cares about the last part. My point is, this is not a good idea Troy. You should stay away from her unless you want another drama filled summer."
"We're just friends, we're hanging out. When the summer is over I'll go back to college and she'll go back to scaring East High drama students, relax."
Chad shook his head, "She's probably going to fall in love with you. You idiot."
Troy refused to believe that, "She won't fall in love with me, and if she does then that's not my fault."
"Was it your fault when you kissed her?"
"That was a game."
"Not to her."

"Do you know something I don't?"
Chad shook his head and walked over to the window, "The guys are here." He announced, Troy nodded, walking towards the hallway. He turned back to Chad, "If you know something, you should tell me sooner rather than later." He advised before running down the stairs to greet his boys.