AN: Hey everybody! I haven't got my Microsoft word back, unfortunately since my computer is 12 years old... it doesn't look like it's going to happen. But, on the plus side, my mom said we'll get a new computer "When the snow flies"... so that should be...October or November. xD But, I'm not going to keep you waiting until then! My cousin was nice enough to let me use her computer. So updates on my stories will be coming soon! Yay! Anyways, here's this chapter!

Christmas Surprises

Chapter 9

December 24th, Ryan, Sharpay & Kelsei's house at about 5 o'clock

"Are you sure that's everything?" A frustrated looking Sharpay asked. She, along with a worried Kelsei and a bored Ryan, was standing outside of their house, looking it over. They had spent majority of the day decorating the rather large sized house, and even if it did look magnificent, Sharpay wasn't satisfied.

"For the thousandth time, Shar, it looks great!" Ryan muttered, pushing his now paranoid sister towards the door. "And before you ask, I'm sure."
Sharpay huffed and pushed Ryan's arms away from her, walking the rest of the way inside on her own. Kelsei and Ryan soon followed, knowing Sharpay would yell if they didn't.

Glancing around the well decorated building made Sharpay beam proudly. No matter how paranoid she was she knew for a fact that this was going to be an awesome party. After all, the decorations were great, the food was great, the guest list was cool, her outfit was magnificent and all of her presents were perfect. Well, except one. She had searched for a few hours yesterday, looking for the perfect gift for Troy, but nothing seemed to be right. Now, the only thing she had for him was a framed picture of them when they were in 6th grade or so. Troy had always liked that picture… so it was the best she could do. She just hoped Troy would apperciate the gift.

With a slight sigh, the blonde sat down in front of the large Christmas tree in their living room. People would start arriving any minute and for some reason she just didn't feel like they were ready. Attempting to push the negative thoughts aside, she carefully fixed a wrinkle in her expensive, glittery, red dress. The dress was bought special for the occassion. It didn't have any sleeves but rather tyed behind her neck. The back was pretty much open until her waist where the glittery skirt joined with the upper part. The skirt ran to her knees and was slightly ruffled at the end. She had her hair pulled into a high, fancy ponytale and also had on a slight coat of makeup. She wore some dangly diamond earrings and several other braclets and necklaces. As far as she was concerned, she looked perfect in every way. But yet... something still wasn't quite right.

The loud doorbell jolted Sharpay from her thoughts. "I'll get it!" Ryan yelled, walking to the door as quickly as he could with out ruining his outfit. He had on a simple black suit with a red velvet tie. A black newsboy hat was on his head, even if Sharpay had told him countless times that the newsboy cap had ruined the entire outfit. But oh well, it was too late to go back now.

Sharpay slowly stood up and put on her best smile before slowly making her way to the door where Kelsei and Ryan both stood. Kelsei had on a green dress that had tanktop like sleeves. The skirt was long and frilly. And, having been Sharpay's dress last year, it was full of glitter. Sharpay had pulled Kelsei's hair up into a fancy bun and made her lose the hats and glasses, replacing them with contacts and a fancy hair peice. As far as both girls were concerned, Kelsei looked great.

Tossing a smile at the people who stood at the door, they quickly invited them in before declaring that Ryan was the 'greeter'. The two girls retreated inside with the newly arrived guests as Ryan stood outside on the porch, attempting to be a good greeter.

7:15 at Ryan, Sharpay and Kelsei's house

The loud music from inside the house could probably be heard for miles and the bright lights on the house made the atmosphere rather cheery. But yet for some reason the blonde girl on the porch couldn't feel any more miserable then she already did. She had a clipboard in her hand and she was sitting on the porch swing, freezing as she took her turn as the greeter -marking off names as people showed up. Katie was here, and Ryan's good friend Eithen. Somehow, Ryan and Sharpay's family had shown up... even their annoying older sister, Anastasia, and their little brother, Derek. So she couldn't help but wonder why she felt so... miserable.

Maybe it was because of the freezing weather outside? But no, that couldn't have been it. Even if it was her turn to be the greeter, Ryan and Kelsei said she could come in any time since majority of the guests were already there. But the blonde knew that music and cheerful people would only make her feel worse so she was just going to stay outside until Kelsei and Ryan forced her to come in. But maybe she should've grabbed atleast a light jacket?

She shook off the thoughts as she glanced toward the end of the well lit driveway. Four figures could be seen walking up the drive way, one of which could easily be identified. Chad. Which meant the other three were... Gabriella? Troy? and... some family friend? Sharpay attempted to put the peices together as she felt slightly more hopeful. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all?

But as the figures got closer and she could make out their faces, she realized that Troy wasn't one of the four. She was right about Chad, and Gabriella, but the other two were a definate surprise. "Jason? Taylor? I didn't know you two were here in New York!" She put on her best smile, even though she felt her heart sink.

"Surprise." Taylor said with a smile. "And happy holidays." She cautiously adjusted her dark blue winter coat that covered the upper part of her long sea green dress. Taylor wasn't the type to wear dresses, but Gabriella had told her that it was a fancy party. Plus, Gabriella's long sky blue dress was almost identical to Taylor's dress.

Missing the point, Jason turned around and started walking down the drive. "Alright, since you don't want me here I'll be going..."

Chad grabbed Jason's arm and yanked him back over to the small group that had formed in front of the porch. "No Jason. Not what she meant."

"Well sorry." Jason rolled his eyes, turning back around to face the others. He smoothed the wrinkle on the sleeve of his suit. "But you wrinkled my suit."

"You'll live... my suits wrinkly too." Chad muttered, rolling his eyes at Jason.

Sharpay smiled, pulling Taylor and Gabriella into a hug as Chad and Jason aruged over wrinkly suits. "Happy holidays to you, too. But can I ask a question?"

"Go for it." Gabi nodded, with a soft smile. "And then I want to ask you a question."

"Alright well... where's Troy?" Sharpay slowly asked, not sure if she wanted the answer.

"Troy's not here?" Gabriella and Taylor asked in unison.

Chad and Jason turned to face the girls, overhearing them. "Say what?"

Sharpay shook her head, "No... he's not. Is he supposed to be?"

"Well..." Gabriella and Taylor glanced at eachother.

Chad nodded, not catching the tension. "Yeah. The dude left by 5 saying something about swinging by Macy's and then heading to Sharpay's house for the party. He said he'd see us there."

"Maybe he just got... caught in traffic?" Taylor suggested, seeing the sunken expression on Sharpay's face. "I'm sure he'll be here soon."

"Yeah..." Sharpay muttered with a sigh. 'Or maybe he just lied about everything...' She added in her thoughts. "Now... what was your question?" She slowly asked Gabi, wanting to get the topic away from Troy.

"Why are you outside in that dress when it's 15 degress and snowing? Let alone why you have an awesome party going on inside?" Gabriella asked.

"Because it was my turn to be greeter and the house is kind of... crowded." Sharpay half lied with a small shrug. She put on a fake smile, before walking up the steps to the house. "But come on... let's go have some fun!" And with that, she disappeared inside.

"Oh yeah!" Chad exclaimed, once again oblivious to the tension. And with that he ran off inside of the house. Jason quickly ran after Chad leaving Gabriella and Taylor outside.

Both girls rolled their eyes. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Gabriella asked after Sharpay, Chad and Jason had disappeared into the house.

"You mean that my boyfriend is a total idiot... or that we really need to get Troy here before Sharpay gets even more sunk and they both end up heart broken?" Taylor replied.

"Both. But mainly the part about Troy and Sharpay. Now come on!" Gabriella grabbed Taylor's arm and started back down the driveway. Both of the girl's were unaware of the blonde boy who had been standing in the doorway throughout the whole conversation.

The boy pulled the door closed before slowly following Taylor and Gabriella down the drive. This would be a night to remember.

AN: Well... there's that chapter. Not sure if I like it or not but oh well, whatever. It doesn't matter as long as you guys like it! Anyways... please reveiw so I know if you like it or not. I'll try to update again soon... but the next story I update will be 'Best Friends' not sure which one after that.

Now enough rambling for me. Let me know what you think. :) And sorry about spelling errors, let's just say I wrote this in a hurry. xD