Thanks for all of the cool help, but if you still have ideas, don't hesitate to send them! I think I'm just going to fill this chapter up with a flashback or something... maybe show how they got the idea of moving to NY in the first place...

Disclaimer- I don't own The Wall Street Journal, Duke University, the Food Network, Manhattan, NYU, the Canal Street Malt House, Birkenstocks and High School Musical

Principal Matsui shook my right hand, and turned my golden tassle to the left side of me cap. Words could not explain how proudI was. And when I felt the light touch of my diploma in my palm, I felt like breaking into song right there in front of everyone. Principal Matsui wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion as I continued shaking his hand, beaming up at him. I had done it. I had actually graduated. I made my way down the other side of the stage, making my way towards Troy. "I cannot believe I made it this far." I said to nobody in particular. I looked down to the diploma I gripped in my hand once more. I looked up in time to see Ryan making his way down the stage right after me.

Yes, I had made it that far, but I came to realize that I had no where to go from there. Ryan had gotten a job in New York City writing for the Wall Street Journal, I assumed Gabriella had gotten some scholarship along with Taylor to some scientific school, I knew for sure that Chad was on his way to Duke University, and Zeke had said something about getting an internship with the Food Network. Troy had said something about a university...

"Congratulations!" I hadn't even realized that Troy had wrapped me in a hug. It wasn't until the day of my graduation that I figured out that I had no future plans? There was no way that I could rely on fate this time, and hope that with a small prayer, a big opportunity would fall into my hands. I had screwed up. I looked down to my diploma again. All of that hard work. For what, a tiny celebration where I throw my hat into the air?

"Congratulations, Class of 2008!" Principal Matsui announced. Everything was happening so quickly. I felt nauseous as the fact that everyone surrounding me was moving on plagued on me once again. And suddenly, dark blue caps were spilling from the clear blue sky above us. By that time, Troy had let go of me and had joined the celebration. I thought back to my four years of high school. Where had I made a wrong turn? I was an honor student... president of the drama club... I had even lost my bitchy attitude! Now that was an achievement.

"Is everything alright?" Troy pressed his lips to my ear in the midst of all of the mayhem. I felt so numb, I couldn't even feel excited about the fact that Troy was touching me."You're being really quiet." I looked up to him as if I was seeing him for the first time. I suddenly felt jealous that he was moving on, to bigger and better things than high school. Not only jealous, but lonely. "Sharpay?" he asked again as students flooded from the risers and into the crowd to greet family members. I wondered why he couldn't just leave me too. He knew he had places to be.

It was hard sitting by the pool.Usually, I would be worrying about homework I hadn't completed or scheduling to tutor another student. But it was summer vacation, and the only thing I had on my plate was my future and the warm summer sun. It was mandatory that I evacuated from the house, as Ryan was filling the place with a really tense, nervous atmosphere while he searched for a place to stay in Manhattan.

"What's up with your brother?" I heard Troy's voice behind me. He strolled across the stretch of pavement from the patio to my pool chair. "There are clothes and real estate magazines everywhere." I didn't respond. I only took myself to the thought that there was a possibility that I would be sitting out here everyday for the rest of my life if I didn't come up with a plan. "So what happened yesterday? You left in such a hurry, you didn't get to hear my announcement." He nudged me to the edge of the pool chair and took over.

"Hey!" I shouted, almost tumbling out of the chair. "What announcement?" I asked with genuine interest. Great. Another achievement by Troy Bolton. I wasn't even ready to face the fact that by August, he wouldn't be around any longer.

"I chose a university." he shrugged, as if it was no big deal. But it was a huge deal, especailly if you're not going to a university. "NYU." he finished. Not only would I not see Troy anymore, but he would be in the same general area as my brother. No fair."What about you?" he finally asked. "What career path is Sharpay Evans taking?" I rolled off of the chair, avoiding his question. How are you supposed to tell someone that you have no career path? I dove into the pool, and got lost in the flow. And for once, I was happy to be in over my head.

"The Canal Street Malt House has an opening." Ryan slapped the open magazine onto the kitchen table. I was silent. Why was he telling me about this? It was almost as if I was being held prisoner in Albequerque. "Three bedrooms, two bathrooms." he grinned. I shrugged. So what? I didn't care that he was going to have a fancy loft, I didn't care that he was going to have two bathrooms...

Unless...

"Ryan..." my heartbeat picked up. "Are you... asking me to move in with you or something?" I was touched. I was getting out of this place!

"Think about it, Sharpay." Ryan smiled down at me. "There are billions of job opportunities in the city. Mom and Dad will have the place to themselves like they've always wanted, and we'll be out on our own! Who knows? What if you get discovered or something? Become some big Broadway star?" I laughed.

"Just don't get your hopes up, Ryan." I shook my head.

"No way! What are you doing here?" I asked. I hadn't even noticed the open space of the loft, and Troy was already distracting me. "I thought it was just me and Ryan." I shrugged. It wasn't like it was a bad thing Troy was living with us. In fact, things got a lot better.

"He told me you guys had an extra room." he shrugged. "And NYU is just a subway ride away." he smiled pleasantly to me just as Ryan dropped all of my bags in the doorway, He let out an exhausted sigh before standing up straight.

"You're here already?" he didn't wait for an answer before dramatically falling to the cold floors. I turned back to Troy.

"Have you picked out a bedroom?" I saidslyly, inching towards the spiral staircase that led do a narrow hallway. He knit his brows together and shook his head. "Good! First one up the stairs gets the biggest room!" the words tumbled out of my mouth as I broke into a sprint, climbing up the stairs as fast as my slippery Birkenstocks would take me. Soon enough, Troy was behind me and had his arms wrapped around my waist, carrying me back down the stairs. "Cheater!" I screeched when he tossed me to the last stair like a piece of luggage and took off.

But it didn't matter. I was finally wiping off my slate, hopefully starting something new. Fate had thrown me something better than a life plan. It threw me the support of my brother. And maybe the support of a potential crush...

Hey! That wasn't half bad! It was almost... dare I say... necessary! Tell me what you think, and puh-leeze send me your ideas!