Stop it, stop it, stop it! You guys are too damn sweet in your reviews! I'm blushing here! Think of my image! God, I just love you guys. It's amazing, you and your words :p

Disclaimer; I don't own HSM, but I do own this story.

When Will They See?

Chapter 10.

--

Maybe it's a fairy tale,
but I believe in happily ever after.

--

Sharpay and Troy met each other outside school the next day, before having to go in and face the music.

They knew that most of the school would have seen the sign-up list, and therefore know that they were auditioning together. They'd made a plan, though, to tell them why. They didn't want people to know about their new relationship, and Sharpay had thought about breaking free, but she wanted to do it little by little. Not just come clean one day and show them her real self.

She knew they wouldn't believe it anyways.

"So, I'll catch you after school?" Troy asked, looking at her.

"Yeah, but I was thinking of something, actually….!" Sharpay smiled, stroking his hand gently, "Why don't we eat lunch together?"

"Like together-together?" Troy asked, "At the same table?"

"Yes!" Sharpay said, "God, you are so smart, what did you think ´together´ meant? Like together-not-together?"

Troy laughed, "No! But you just wanted to keep things low?"

"I know, but if people find it weird, we'll just say that we're discussing our history project."

"You do know that that excuse will be unusable when we've handed in the paper, right?"

Sharpay rolled her eyes, "I know, but when that time comes, we'll just tell them that we're rehearsing for the audition."

"Fine." Troy smiled, "I'll not catch you after school then, but at lunch?"

"Exactly!" Sharpay said.

Troy leaned down and kissed her quickly. "I'll go in first and take most of the looks, and then you'll casually sweep in after, right my sweet love?"

Sharpay laughed, "Yes."

"Bye!" Troy cheered. He left her, and went for the entrance to the school. He was dreading the moment his team-mates saw him. Chad would act like he'd mentally gone crazy, otherwise he would be fighting against a hard attack after seeing it.

Troy opened the door, and hurried in.

When the door closed behind him, the hall got silent.

"Oh, there he is!" a cheerleader whispered, pointing at him.

"Yes, I see him!" another one replied, nudging someone else in the side.

Troy looked around, sensing everyone's eyes on him. He casually scratched his head, and went for his locker.

But Chad caught up with him in no time, after seeing him, "Hey man!" Chad yelled, "What is wrong with you? Are you insane? I saw the sign-up list! You're auditioning with Ice Queen!?"

"Yes." Troy said, approaching his locker. He opened it, and tried to find his books between all the other stuff he'd plopped in there during his High School days.

"Is that all you have to say?" Chad asked, "Just ´yes´? I mean, something must be wrong, are you sick?"

"No!" Troy said, "It's just because Gabriella didn't want to audition after we broke up, and Sharpay is in a fight with Ryan. We were during our history project, and got to talk about it. Then we figured we could audition together! It's no biggie!"

"But you're gonna have to spend time with her, to like, I dunno, rehearse?!" Chad exclaimed.

"So?" Troy said, closing his locker, "She's sweet enough."

"What is wrong with you!?" Chad yelled, throwing his arms in the air.

Troy rolled his eyes, and turned around just in time to see Sharpay walk through the door, her head high. She was wearing a white skirt, a pink top, and pink stilettos. Her hair was held in place by a pink hat, with lots and lots of pearls on it.

People immediately started whispering, but she just walked past them.

She didn't get far, because Ryan stopped her, "Sharpay?"

She looked at him, giving him a quick glare and then continued her walk through the hall, but Ryan didn't give up that easily. He picked up speed to keep up with her.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked, "Are you auditioning with Troy Bolton?"

"Oh, are you talking to me now?" she sneered, not even looking at him.

"You have officially gone of the reservation!" Ryan said, "First all that stuff with Aaron, and now this! What is the matter with you?"

Sharpay stopped suddenly, causing Ryan to walk right into her. She turned around, anger written across her face.

"What is the matter with you!?" she yelled back, "Can't you just leave me alone now? Huh? The stuff between me and Aaron and mom and dad has nothing to do with you! Stay out of it Ryan!"

"But I care, I'm your brother."

"If you say so." Sharpay said, rolling her eyes. She went to her pink locker and ignored Ryan.

He looked at her, waiting for her to turn around, but that didn't happen. After two minutes, Kelsi approached him and pulled him with her.

People patiently waited for Sharpay to do something, but she was pretty occupied with her locker, so they eventually lost interest.

Troy looked her way, when Chad pulled them away. He knew she was probably crying, and needed someone to talk to, but he couldn't go there. It would be too obvious.

--

"I can't believe it!" Gabriella cried, looking at Taylor with big eyes, "I cant believe he's auditioning with her? What have I ever done to deserve this? I didn't do anything to him, except love him!"

"I'm sorry, Gabby." Taylor said, "But it makes sense, honey. You didn't want to audition with him. He had to find someone else."

"But why Sharpay?" Gabriella blinked, "Why her?"

"I don't know, honey…" Taylor bit her lip.

"I bet she's just trying to get him as her boyfriend!" Gabriella said, "I cant believe she would do that, I've been nothing but sweet to her!"

"Well, you did steal her lead in the last musical." Taylor pointed out.

Gabriella sniffed and leaned back on the toilet.

They were in the girls bathroom, having a big cry-out, after seeing the audition list. Gabriella hadn't been able to take it. She'd really hoped that Troy would get his senses back, and ask her to be his girlfriend again, and then they could audition.

"Now…" she said, sighing, "I need to find someone to audition with."

"Huh?"

"I need to get the lead, to show Troy I am better than him and Sharpay." Gabriella said, "Who can sing else, in this school?"

Taylor crooked an eyebrow, "Uh… Ryan can?"

"Yeah, that's true!" Gabriella squealed, "Do you think Kelsi would mind if him and I auditioned together? I mean, she can't, she's the pianist!?"

"You could ask her." Taylor said, "But look Gabby, we need to get to class. We'll figure this out later, ok?"

Gabriella stood up and nodded, "Sure!"

--

Sharpay entered the cafeteria, her eyes searching the crowd, to find Troy.

She didn't have to look long, because he'd saved her a spot between his basketball guys, which she wished he hadn't in the moment. It would be pretty awkward to sit there with them.

She took a deep breath and walked to the table.

"Hey Sharpay?" Troy said, trying to cover up his smile.

"Bolton." She nodded, "Weren't we supposed to discuss our project?"

"We were." Troy looked confused, "That's why I saved you a seat?"

"We can't work on our project here!" Sharpay said, "I can't sit with them!" she flung her hair behind her shoulder and looked at the table she usually sat at. Ryan and Kelsi hadn't come yet, "You should come with me. My table is free, we can actually work then."

Troy looked at her, and realized that sitting with the guys would be too big of a step for her. He took his lunch, "Sure. Just quick then."

"Of course, Bolton." Sharpay smirked, and then she left for the table, without even waiting for him.

Troy stood up to follow her.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Chad exclaimed, "You're not gonna go with her, are you?"

"We need to work on this, Chad." Troy said, biting his lip.

"Yo, man!" Chad said, "I don't get you sometimes!?"

"And I don't get you sometimes too!"

"But, you're messing everything up by spending time with her! She's the Ice Queen, the Drama Freak!"

"But it was okay when I was going out with Gabriella, and it's okay for you to go out with Taylor?" Troy said, shooting his friend an angry glare. Spending too much time with Sharpay definitely caught on.

Chad was speechless, but then he looked down and then at Troy again, "Ok, man. I'm sorry. Apparently you guys want to do a great project and you spend time together. I'll accept all that, but please don't take your eyes off of basketball? You still need to practise. We have that big game soon, remember?"

"Of course!" Troy said, "I practise everyday!"

That wasn't a lie. Him and Sharpay played basketball at his house everyday after school, and Troy had to admit, playing with her was much more delightful than playing with a bunch of guys.

She was fun, and made him laugh. She looked good, which was wonderful when you played. Just, to catch a glimpse of one of her smooth tanned legs, and he would have extra powers to win the game.

And Sharpay was definitely getting better too.

"Okay then." Chad said, "I'll see you later."

Troy nodded, took his things and left to join Sharpay...

Lunch was fun.

Troy and Sharpay didn't get disturbed by anyone, because people didn't know what to make of them.

Though they couldn't actually kiss or anything, their legs were tangled together, and they shot each other small glances, and Sharpay couldn't wipe the smile of her face.

They didn't work on their project, of course. It was already finished, so they just talked and made plans for the weekend.

Apparently Sharpay's father was out of town, and Ryan was invited to Kelsi's house for some sort of sleepover.

Gabriella, Chad and Taylor were invited too. Troy had also been invited, but he'd thanked no, already knowing he would most likely spend the weekend with Sharpay.

If they stayed at her house, they would be all alone.

Just have time to enjoy each other.

Or else they could stay at the Bolton's. Spend time with Troy's family, play basketball and eat Mrs. Bolton's very good dinners.

They didn't know which one of them they wanted, but they'd figure it out.

The bell rang, signalling the end of their break.

"We'll meet at my house, okay?" Troy said.

"Yup!" Sharpay smiled, "Too bad we don't have any classes together today, huh?"

"I'll miss you." Troy mumbled.

She shot him a last smile, before she turned on her icy façade, and left for her class.

--

Sharpay knocked on the door to the Bolton's around 4 o'clock.

To her surprise, it was Mrs. Bolton who opened, "Oh hi, Sharpay!" she smiled, "Come on in!"

Sharpay smiled and followed Mrs. Bolton into the kitchen.

"Sit down." Mrs. Bolton said, "I sent Troy and Jack to the grocery store, I need to talk to you."

Sharpay was confused. What was going on…? She sat down on a chair, and Mrs. Bolton placed two cups with lemonade and a plate with cookies on the table.

"What is wrong?" Sharpay asked.

"I don't really know what's going on with you and Troy." Mrs. Bolton said, "I mean, I think it's great you guys are friends again, but it's a little surprising and very sudden. And then I don't know what happened to Gabriella. I was hoping you could tell me that? He said he wasn't into it anymore, you know that, you were there, but – I don't believe a word of that!"

"Oh…" Sharpay's face dropped, thinking they might be busted, "I don't really know…" she said, "Hmm, we don't speak much about that stuff. I don't really know Gabriella... and Troy's friends."

"Really?" Mrs. Bolton asked, getting curious. She really wanted to know what life had been like for Sharpay and her brother, plus, she wanted to know if her suspicions were true. If Troy and Sharpay had something going on. Call her annoying like that, but that was Katie Bolton. Very gossip-y. "Why not?"

"Hmm, not really me." Sharpay said, suddenly feeling very shy, "I mean, I always just had Ryan. It was me and him, y'know?"

Mrs. Bolton nodded, "Okay. But why? Were you scared?"

"I guess I'm scared of getting too close to someone." Sharpay said, playing with her fingers, "I mean, if I don't get close to them, I can't lose them, now can I?"

"But you have plenty of people who wants to get close to you." Mrs. Bolton said, "Not all people will get killed like your mother. I mean, all of us care about you. You're getting close to us now. Why would you take that risk?"

Sharpay blinked, looking at the woman she'd known for all her life. If she found the question weird, she didn't show it; "Because it's you guys." She whispered, "You are practically the closest I will ever come to a mom. Ever again. I've known you forever, and when Troy and I… When we started talking again, I realized I'd get all you guys back. The people who meant so much to me – to my mom."

Mrs. Bolton nodded, reaching across the table to catch Sharpay's hand, "You know I'll always be here for you, Sharpay? You may not know this, but… When you were born, your parents had to decide who should take care of you and Ryan if they died or something happened to them." She paused, fighting the tears she always got when she was too emotional, "They choose us."

Sharpay's face lit up, "Really? I never knew that!"

Mrs. Bolton smiled, "And just so you know, you can tell me anything, Sharpay. We care for you a lot. And if anything is wrong, please tell me. I want to be there for you, because I made Charlotte that promise. It's only now when I see you again that I realize that I haven't kept it. I know you're not parentless, but you don't have a mother. Every girl needs a mother growing up. And I want to be there for you from now on. And you're always welcome here. Whether or not you and Troy will stop spending time together. You can always step by and say hi."

Sharpay smiled, happy tears running down her cheeks, "Thank you Mrs. Bolton."

"Call me Katie." Mrs. Bolton said, and then she went around the table and enveloped Sharpay in a big hug.

Sharpay laughed. This was too good to be true. It was such wonderful news. She hugged Mrs. Bolton back, and that was the exact moment, Jack and Troy decided to come home.

The two women broke apart, staring at the two guys.

"Well, well," Coach Bolton smiled, "Did we interrupt something?"

"No, no." Mrs. Bolton smiled, "Sharpay and I just talked and ate cookies."

Troy placed the shopping bags he'd been carrying at the kitchen table and looked at Sharpay, "What's up?"

"Oh not much," she said, whipping her tears, "I was just… You know, uh, my mascara!?"

"Yeah, that one isn't looking too good." Troy mumbled, earning himself a smack on the shoulder, "You want to play some one-on-one?"

"Sure!" Sharpay smiled, but then she realized something, "Oh, I cant… I forgot to change before I came here!"

"I'll find something in my room." Troy said, taking her hand, "C'mon!"

The two teens left the kitchen, leaving Troy's parents alone.

Coach Bolton looked at his wife, "Ok, so what did she say?"

"She didn't mention if her and Troy were going out or not!" Mrs. Bolton said, "Call me horrible, but I want to know!"

"Maybe we should just let them take their time?"

"Yeah, you know, they'll tell us when time is right, don't you think?" Mrs. Bolton asked.

"Of course they will." Coach Bolton smiled, "Let them take their time. They're just kids. They're not planning on getting married yet!"

--

They entered Troy's bedroom, a room Sharpay had yet to be in. She looked around, curious.

"Just make yourself comfortable." Troy said, looking around, "And sorry about the mess. I'm a boy you know…"

"Yeah, I know." Sharpay said, "Where is the bathroom, I want to fix my make-up?"

"It's right down the hall." Troy said, "I'll find you some clothes meanwhile, okay?"

Sharpay nodded and left to fix her running mascara. Troy looked around the room again, quickly stuffing some things under the bed. Then he stood up to see if anything embarrassing was lying around, but figured there wasn't. Sharpay was his girlfriend. He could tell her anything.

He opened his closet to find a t-shirt or something Sharpay could play in. The top she was wearing wasn't the most useable to play ball in, though she usually wore tops.

But he definitely needed to find her some sort of shorts, and some snickers she could wear.

Or else they should just not play ball, and just sit and talk…

Maybe.

Sharpay emerged ten minutes later, make-up free, "So, did you find anything?"

"I was thinking…" Troy trailed off, taking her hand, "That we could just sit here and talk, maybe? Now, since you're not wearing anything appropriate… all though, I would love to see you run in that top!"

Sharpay smacked his arm, a smile on her lips though, "And I would like to see you play without your shirt again!"

"Oh, so that actually helped? It was my little trick to make you notice me." Troy revealed, smiling a little too. He sat them down on his bed.

"You're mean, Troy!" Sharpay said, "But I didn't like you because of that."

"I'm just adorable, right?" Troy teased.

He loved that he could be himself when he was with her. It was different from when he spend time with Gabriella. This was much more fun and casual.

Sharpay smiled and looked at him, so much love in her eyes, "And I'm adorable too, right?"

"Yeah, and pretty hot!"

Sharpay giggled and leaned in and game him a soft kiss on the lips. She pulled away and smiled at him.

"Now, why did you pull away?" Troy exclaimed, "What you did before was nice!"

"Oh…" Sharpay smirked, "Then I better do it again, right?"

Troy nodded, sending her one of his charming smiles.

They leaned in again, catching each others lips. Sharpay leaned back, her back hitting Troy's bed. He leaned over her, still lip locked.

They lay like that for awhile, just enjoying each other, until Sharpay let out a quiet moan, her eyes shut.

Troy pulled back, chuckling, "You're wonderful, Pay."

"And you're bad." Sharpay replied, "You're just kissing me, and now you're stopping? You can't do that to me."

Troy laughed, and Sharpay giggled.

"We should probably stop though." Sharpay said, sitting up, after pushing Troy away, "Your parents could walk right in here, you know."

Troy laughed, "I totally forgot."

"Serious matters…" Sharpay said, looking at him, "What are we gonna sing for the audition? Which monologue are we gonna do?"

"Oh…" Troy trailed off, "I don't know. Don't you have an idea?"

"I could find something in one of my old scripts. I've kept all of them. Maybe?"

"Yeah, that'll do." Troy said, "Just pick a song where we can really rock!"

Sharpay giggled, "If you say so, Bono!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Bolton popped her head in.

"Sharpay honey?" she said, "You're having dinner here, aren't you?"

"Of course, Katie, if I'm no trouble?"

"You're never trouble." Mrs. Bolton closed the door and went downstairs.

"You do realize they'll never let you go again, right?" Troy said, looking seriously at her, "Ever. When I tell them you're my girlfriend, they'll start planning our wedding."

Sharpay placed a kiss on his cheek, "Just let them do. And honestly, I don't see myself getting anywhere either, in the near future."

Troy flashed her a huge smile; "Me neither."

Okay, so this was mainly a fluffy chapter (especially the end, huh?) but I love some good Troypay fluff. Next chapter should be up soon, letting this story on. I will write a few more chapters with Troy and Sharpay, sharing some moments, I think I'll write one about their weekend, maybe, and then I'll go write a chapter about the game Troy and Chad are having, where I have a surprise…. So, remember to leave me a review, and I'll love you forever.

Quote from the wonderful Friends;

Joey: (sigh)... It's a fertility study.

(Rachel laughs.)

Monica: Oh, Joey, please tell me you're only donating your time.

Joey: Alright, come on you guys, it's not that big a deal. Really... I mean, I just go down there every other day and... make my contribution to the project. Hey, hey, but at the end of two weeks, I get seven hundred dollars.

Ross: Hey.

Phoebe: Wow, ooh, you're gonna be making money hand over fist!

Tootles, Stessa H., the crazy one.