A/N: Story behind why I'm updating even though I didn't get very many reviews: to explain some stuff and because I'm bored, and when I looked the first chapter had 666 hits and I thought, "That can't be a good thing."

Explanation: Troy and Sharpay's wedding. Sharpay has thought, since kindergarten, that when she and Troy grow up, they will get married, even though they haven't gone out for quite some time, things would just work out. As I have mentioned before, 5 years ago is the setting for the prequel that I will be writing and posting as soon as I'm done with this one, which isn't for a while, but I have the ending planned out. So anyways, please read and when you're done please, please, please, PLEASE review. It makes me happy. Really happy. As in, I might just decide to post a new chapter on the spur of the moment because I get a review. Maybe (read: very probable).

I was laying on my bed staring at the ceiling, sometime much later that evening, when there was a knock on my door. "Come in!" I called to it.

"Hey, Ryan. Didn't see much of you today," Zeke said, walking into my room. I shrugged, still looking at the ceiling. "Sharpay said I should bring you some food since you missed dinner a while ago."

"Thanks, Zeke," I said. "Does it involve cookies?"

"There are some cookies," Zeke said.

"Did you make them?" I asked.

"Of course," Zeke said. "Do you think I would serve you cookies that I didn't make?"

"Wasn't going to put it past you," I said, finally sitting up and accepting the food Zeke had brought me, even though I wasn't really hungry. "So, how are you and Sharpay?"

"We're fine," Zeke said, "I guess."

"She hasn't gone back to calling you 'tall person', has she?" I asked. Zeke laughed and shook his head.

"Nah, it's not that bad," he said. "She's just still totally into Troy."

"Didn't she get pissed off because he rejected her again?" I asked.

"Yeah," Zeke conceded, "but she's not giving up."

"You know, I talked to her about that," I said, taking a bite of one of the cookies. "These cookies are genius, by the way. She's had this preconceived, and totally false, I might add, notion that she and Troy are going to get married someday since, like, kindergarten. It's insanity."

"And when did they break up the last time?" Zeke asked, with a face as if he was trying to do some very high-end calculus in his head.

"Uh…wasn't it the summer before sophomore year?" I asked. That had to be right. It sounded right.

"That sounds about right," Zeke said. "Oh, well, I'd better go. Sharpay's waiting."

"Bye, Zeke," I said. He left my room, and my thoughts wandered around to Troy and Sharpay, where they dwelled quite often. If it ever came down to a point where I had to choose between the two, could I? Well, I definitely could have before last night. That would have been easy. Sharpay's always been my only real friend. But now that the whole Troy business had gone down, it was harder to choose. For some reason, whoever it is that dictates the plot of my life feels the need to interrupt my thoughts every three seconds, and there was a knock on the door. "Just come in," I said at the door.

"Hey, Ry," Sharpay said, coming in the room. "Are you okay? You've been in your room since you got back."

"Just resting," I said, shrugging.

"You may be a good actor, but you're a bad liar," Sharpay said. "What's really up?"

"I can't tell you," I said. Sharpay raised her eyebrows.

"And you think that will stop me from knowing?" she asked.

"No," I said simply.

"Alright, Ryan, who's the father?" she asked me. I spluttered, very taken aback.

"What?" I said. "I-What? There's a-What?"

"You heard me. Who's the father?" she repeated.

"Okay, I'm confused," I said, very confused. The father? The father of what? Or whom?

"The father. Of your child. Who's the daddy?" Sharpay asked.

"I am?" I asked, still very confused.

"Exactly," she said. "No, wait, what?"

"I have no idea," I said. "You're talking about kids and parents, and it's all very confusing."

"Whatever. So I heard you broke up with Kelsi," she said.

"Who told you that?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Kelsi," she replied in a "duh" tone of voice.

"Since when did you talk to Kelsi all the time?" I asked.

"Since she started knowing more things than I do," Sharpay replied. She paused, thinking, and then continued. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"No," I said.

"Are you sure? Because I'm going to give you one chance to tell me," she said. I gulped. She knows, doesn't she? I can't believe she told her.

"She told you?" I said. "I can't believe her."

"She didn't want to tell me," Sharpay replied. "She more let it slip than anything. Kind of brings a whole new meaning to 'fabulous'."

"Mm," I said. Kelsi was really pissing me off today, and the joke wasn't really that funny.

"Why didn't you just tell me? You know I'd be fine with it," Sharpay said. Yes, I'm sure you'd be fine with it if you knew who my boyfriend is. "Anyone else know?"

"Chad," I said.

"Dating him, are we?" Sharpay teased.

"No!" I said. "He's dating Taylor, who also knows."

"I'm just kidding," Sharpay said. "You and Chad is worse than me and Chad."

"Sure," I said, not knowing where she was going with this.

"Can you imagine," said Sharpay, laughing, "you going out with one of my exes."

"Yeah, that's hilarious," I said, not meaning it. "So, how are you and Zeke?"

"Why? You're not dating him, are you?" she asked, suspiciously.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked. "That's insanity. Just cuz he bakes, it doesn't make him gay."

"I know," she said, "but I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me."

"Well, if there is, I'm sure you'll find it out eventually," I said, "even though there isn't."

"Like I said, you're a bad liar, Ry," Sharpay said.

"I am not," I protested, but it's true. I'm a horrible liar, and everyone knows it.

"Yes you are," she said.

"I know," I said, resigned. Sharpay looked at me clock and jumped.

"My, look at the time," she said, getting up and heading for the door. "Night, Ry."

"Night, Shar," I replied as she left. This cannot end up well for anyone.

The next morning, after my yoga class, I walked into the kitchen to get an orange to eat, and I ran directly into one Gabriella Montez and one Kelsi Nielson, who stopped talking immediately in a fashion that means they had just been talking about me.

"By all means, carry on your conversation," I said. "No need to stop on my account."

"Hey, baby," Kelsi said.

"Hey kids," I said, going around them to look for the fruit. "What's up?"

"My day," said Gabriella, grinning. Jeez, I thought I asked Kelsi not to tell. I just rolled my eyes and continued my rummaging through the fridge for an orange. The both of them just stared.

"If it's taking you this long to come up with some sort of crude joke, I can tell this is going to be a long day," I said. "And if you're going to make one about the word 'fabulous' you can save your breath, because Sharpay's already done it." They continued staring at me and I continued ignoring them.

"So when are we going out this week?" Gabriella asked.

"Wednesday?" I asked. "Go and see a movie, maybe some food?"

"Sounds good," Gabriella said. "Or we could skip that and just do it in your backyard." I had two options. Throw an insult back, or round on Kelsi. I took the worse choice.

"Kelsi!" I said, turning towards her. She shrugged. "You're not supposed to kiss and tell."

"You're also not supposed to have sex and shut up," she pointed out. I sighed.

"Or we could skip all of that, and you could just go do it with your boyfriend," Gabriella continued. "I mean, I've had you once, why not let someone else have a turn?"

"He's not a sex toy, Gabriella," Kelsi said, rounding on Gabriella.

"And who said I even have a boyfriend?" I asked. Gabriella rolled her eyes, ignoring Kelsi.

"Oh, please, it's so obvious," she said. "You've been floating on cloud nine since Sunday morning. Either you've got a boyfriend or you really hate Kelsi."

"I don't hate Kelsi," I said. "I love Kelsi."

"Whatever, Ryan, you think whatever you want," Gabriella said, leaving the kitchen. I turned back to Kelsi.

"God, Kelsi, you don't think I hate you, do you?" I asked. She shook her head. "Good, cuz I don't. Gabriella's wrong sometimes, right?"

"Yeah," Kelsi said, shakily. "I've got to go work on some…piano things…" She wandered away from me into the piano room and I sighed, now holding the orange I had come into the kitchen for.

"You are so not worth this," I said to it.

"Not talking about me, are you?" Troy said from behind me.

"No, I'm talking to this stupid orange," I said, realizing how ridiculous that sounds. "Really."

"That's not weird or anything," Troy said, laughing at the thought of me talking to an orange. "Where is everyone? I'm starving and this is my lunch break."

"I have no idea," I said. "I haven't seen 'Chef Zeke' all morning. You don't suppose…"

"Maybe," Troy said. "Doubt it. From what I hear, your sister's still pretty hung up on her ex."

"You mean you?" I asked Troy laughed.

"Of course," he said. "As if there'd be anyone else."

"What are you gonna do about her?" I asked.

"What do you mean me? What about you?" Troy asked. I sighed.

"Kelsi already told her," I said. "She was pretty good about it. Although she can be unbelievably confusing sometimes. She kept asking me who the father of my baby was."

"Wouldn't that be you?" Troy asked.

"Exactly," I said. "That's what I said. Then she got confused and forgot what she was talking about."

"That's weird," he said.

"I know," I said. At that moment, the kitchen door swung open, and Zeke came in carrying some dirty dishes. "You're not a waiter."

"I know," he said. "The kitchen's short staffed. Too many waiters had to caddy. Where's Chef Michael?"

"Got me," I said. Zeke sighed. "But I do know that I can make my own lunch. Don't worry about us." At that moment, Chad burst through the doors of the kitchen as well, although it was apparent he had just come in from caddying.

"Sorry," Chad said, hurriedly straightening his outfit up, "they had me caddying."

"Wow," Troy remarked. "Do you guys need my help?"

"Well, Mr. High-Paid Hotshot, teaching the kids to play golf," Chad said. "Suit up. Let's do this." Troy ran into the locker rooms.

"I'm fine, by the way," I said, holding up my orange, "unless you need more help."

"Nah, Jason's right behind me," Chad said. "He's just changing."

"Cool," I said. "I'll be outside when you guys are busying not being insane." What the hell did I just say?

"Bye," Zeke called over his shoulder. I took the "shortcut" through the locker rooms out to the pool, telling Troy where I was going as I did so. Out at the pool, I found Sharpay lounging in her chaise, sipping iced tea. I sat down in the chaise next to hers.

"Shar, let's talk," I said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because we never talk," I said.

"Fine," she said. "Let's talk then."

"Okay," I said. "So, like, remember what we were talking about last night–"

"Ohmigod," Sharpay said. "You're dating Chad!"

"No," I said. "Stop being ridiculous. I am not dating Chad. Not that you would really care, anyways."

"Mm," she said, taking another sip of iced tea. "I wouldn't."

"Right," I said. "So, I was going to talk to you about–"

"You know, you and Chad would make a good couple," she said.

"Why? Why do you do that?" I asked. "That's ridiculous. I'm not interested in Chad. What would make you say that? It's just mean."

"Nothing," Sharpay replied, taking another sip. "You two have finally stopped your ridiculous arguing."

"And you've finally stopped ignoring Taylor, but you don't see me saying you two are dating," I said.

"That's because I, unlike you, am not gay," she said.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" I asked, suddenly furious.

"Nothing," said Sharpay, looking at me for the first time in the conversation. "I was just pointing it out. I'm happy for you. Really." She paused. "You're really not dating Chad?"

"No!" I shouted. I never shout.

"You never shout," she said.

"Take the hint," I mumbled.

"Heard that," she said.

"I know," I said. I was getting fed up with Sharpay. And it was only Monday. Fortunately, I don't work for her.

"So, how are you?" Sharpay asked.

"I'm fine, thanks," I said, sarcastically. "Got into a light argument with Gabriella and Kelsi in the kitchen while looking for this orange, which, by the way, was not worth it, and then the boys had to waiter lunch."

"Do you remember if I have a golfing lesson with Troy this afternoon?" she asked me.

"Didn't he turn you down?" I asked.

"Yes. No. Maybe," Sharpay said.

"I heard he did. Actually, he told me he did," I said. "So stop pretending you can't play golf and get over him."

"I can't get over Troy," she said. I sighed. We'd had this conversation before, in fact, every time they had broken up since the sixth grade.

"Yes, you can," I said. "You did it before, you can do it again."

"I didn't do it before. Not really," she said.

"But you're dating Zeke," I replied. "And he's a great guy. So forget about Troy." I have to keep her away from him. I can't have my sister after my boyfriend, can I?

"Yeah, well, you're dating somebody," Sharpay said. "And I'm gonna figure out who." This is so not good.

A/N: So, yeah. Um, I don't own HSM or anything else, and thanks for reading and please review, because it makes me ever so happy.

Samantha.