New chapter!! Here's a little New Year's present for all my readers! LOL
Thanks to: Penny, fallinrain, Sohi, digigirl02 and Dramione x3. Also thanks to everyone who added this to their favorite/alert story list!
HSM belongs to Disney.
Chapter 14
Jealousy, evil schemes and heartbreaks.
"So… who's the girl your brother is visiting?"
Sharpay smirked a little, as she kept on picking new outfits. She was hoping that Pricilla would bring out the matter before she did.
"Kelsi; you know, the girl who's always hanging out with us?" said the girl, smiling knowingly to herself. With a little luck, Pricilla will help her with her scheme without really noticing it…
"Ah. Yes, I know who" she didn't say anything more for a while, but Sharpay knew that she'll push the matter further, eventually "are she and Ryan dating?"
Just what she had been waiting to hear. "No. Not really. However, you seem awfully jealous, my dear"
"You know I like your brother" said Pricilla, shrugging "but I wouldn't feel threatened by a girl like her"
"And why would that be?" asked Sharpay, curious, still smirking.
"Oh, come on Shar! We both know Ryan is not into those types of girls"
"And that would be…?"
"She's so shy and practically invisible!" exclaimed the cheerleader "Ryan likes easy-going, popular girls"
You'll be surprised, darling "I guess you got a point" stated Sharpay "what do you think, yellow or brown?" she asked, nonchalantly, showing her a pair of blouses, same design, different color.
"Brown. Goes better with your hair"
Sharpay nodded and put the yellow one back. After that, Pricilla kept on rambling about Ryan and how he couldn't possibly like Kelsi, just interrupting herself to make a few comments about Sharpay's clothes choices. The blond wasn't really listening but she enjoyed Pricilla's reaction; of course, she said she didn't think Kelsi was a real threat but Sharpay was quite sure that the cheerleader will be duplicating her efforts to win Ryan's heart.
And that was exactly what she had been hoping for.
She lay awake in bed until almost midnight, her mind wandering over and over to the little chat with his twin, during their trip home. It amused her to no end just how naïve and trusting Ryan could be, telling her all his plans and desires, without even thinking for a second that she could use them against him. During the last few months she had been making scheme after scheme to prevent him and Kelsi getting together and still…
Sometimes she did feel a little guilt. But just a little. Not enough to stop her. She loved her brother, of course but precisely because of that, she couldn't let him be with Kelsi. If her twin and the young composer got together, they'll be spending less and less time with her… Kelsi could actually steal her brother! And there was no way she was allowing that!!!
Still, she had to make a move, and the sooner, the better. She thought she had it all figured out: after all, Pricilla had almost told her that she'll be getting Ryan, no matter what (which was alright, because Ryan wouldn't be really in love which meant he won't be 'leaving' Sharpay) and yet, if her brother insisted in spending more time with Kelsi (all alone, 'cause there was no way she would go and visit her too) things could get… out of control.
She sighed. It seemed that she would be actually telling Pricilla her plan. It was the only way to speed things a little bit more. And even though she didn't enjoy sharing her brilliant ideas with someone else, this time, she'll have no other option.
But in the end, she thought, everything will be for the best… won't it?
"You want me to do… what?!"
"Stop being a Drama Queen, Pricilla. That's my job"
"But Sharpay, I can not do it!"
"You like my brother, don't you?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"So, what's the matter? It's just a little, innocent kiss"
"I'm not throwing myself at him! Who do you take me for?"
"Pricilla, please. Trust me; it would work out for the very best"
"I'm not sure, Shar, I mean…"
"Oh, whatever! If you don't want to, then don't! But I hope you don't mind me finding someone else…"
"NO!! I mean, I… argh! I hate you so much right now…"
"Don't worry, you'll forgive me, won't you, my dearest, soon to be, sister-in-law?"
Sharpay smirked and Pricilla smiled a little too. Evil scheme into motion! Phase one completed!
And now, she'll just have to wait for the final result…
Ryan seemed a little too happy for his own good. Sharpay watched him as he climbed the stairs, grinning like a fool, occasionally chuckling at some memory. So, she guessed, his little visit to Kelsi had gone better than she had hoped. She sighed. It was getting more and more complicated. Why wouldn't he just act as she expected? That way, nothing could possible go wrong…
But, oh well, it was funnier this way. It was a little more of a challenge. A nice change, perhaps.
She just wished that she wasn't gambling on something so important…
It had been a week since they came back to school. Sharpay was getting more and more nervous each day that passed. She was quite sure that Ryan was 'enjoying' himself with those 'visits' to Kelsi. And yes, she was extremely jealous.
So, when on Saturday's morning, her brother announced he was going to Kelsi's house AGAIN she couldn't take it anymore.
"What?! You're leaving?!" that was unbelievable!! They weren't even together and she had already stolen her twin? Over my dead body she thought angrily to herself.
"Yes, I'm having breakfast with Kelsi and I'll stay there for a couple of hours, I guess…"
"Do you really have to?" she asked, now getting desperate and ALMOST begging. But just almost, because Sharpay Evans never, ever begged!
"Shar is something wrong?" he asked, seriously concerned, taking her hand.
"No, it's just… umm… can I come?" the girl cursed silently. Of course she didn't want to come! But it was her only chance… Some sacrifices can be made once in a while, right?
"Sis?" he was confused. Seriously confused. Sharpay, in her right mind will never go with him to visit Kelsi, will she? And yet… "I guess… if you want to…"
"Of course I want to! She's my friend too!" she exclaimed, gripping his arm and dragging him towards her car "I've been such a horrible friend, should have visited her long time ago…" she kept on rambling, trying to avoid Ryan noticing how suspiciously she was acting.
However, as she started driving towards the other girl's house, a side glance to her brother made her shine with pride. Wasn't he adorable? He actually thought that she was trying to befriend Kelsi! As if…! Not that she disliked the brunette that much but she wasn't going to let her take Ryan away! Not even in a million years…
"Hi, Ryan dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Nielson as she opened the door, smiling enthusiastically. However, her smile almost faded as she realized the person standing outside her door wasn't her beloved 'son-in-law' "oh, hi Sharpay, what a big surprise seeing you here"
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Nielson" said the blond, smiling politely "my brother shall be here in a minute, he's just parking the car. May I come in?"
"Oh, sure, sure" answered the older woman, still a little startled by the girl's visit. Luckily for her, Ryan appeared right then, saving her from a rather awkward moment.
"Good morning, Mrs. Nielson!" he exclaimed, happily "I hope you don't mind, but my sister wanted to visit Kelsi too"
I wonder her REAL reason for visiting… "Oh, of course I don't mind darling. Kelsi is in her room, as always, please, come on in"
The Evans twins smiled almost at the same time and entered. Sharpay climbed the stairs first, faking a smile the whole time, her brother, however, was completely oblivious.
Mrs. Nielson sighed. How the hell did the Evans raised such a nice boy and a completely mean girl?
Kelsi was feeling really uneasy about the whole situation. Having Sharpay sitting on a chair next to her bed, acting all concerned about her was something you don't see everyday. And, as the matter of the fact, the pianist was hoping she won't have to see that ever again.
Ryan tried to convince himself that everything was fine, that he should be glad to have his twin with him, thinking that she was kind of telling him that she 'supported' his and Kelsi's relationship. Which of course, wasn't the case, but hey! No one said he couldn't dream, right?
So, the day ended without any real sort of problem, but Kelsi was disappointed. She was hoping to spend more time with Ryan before going back to school (she had recovered from her flu and would be attending school next Monday). Oh, well, not everything can be perfect, right?
Unfortunately for Kelsi, things were just about to get worse.
"Kelsi?"
"Oh, good morning Ryan. How are you doing?" she asked politely, smiling. They were standing outside their classroom; the bell had just rang, so no one was outside besides from them.
"Fine. Hey, listen" he seemed to be in a hurry "I need to talk to you"
"What's wrong?" asked the girl, concerned.
"I think we need to talk about… about…" he was nervous and blushing a little "about us"
Us? Kelsi blushed a little, remembering where the last conversation about 'them' had (almost) ended.
As if he could read her mind, he added "about what happened during Christmas break"
Oh, so now they were having the 'big talk'? They were finally going to discuss where their relationship was heading? The girl smiled.
"Sure. After school?"
"Yes, 'cause right now Sharpay shall…"
"Talking about me?" asked the blond, apparently appearing out of nowhere "something good, I hope" she added and when the others just smiled a little terrified, she smirked, satisfied "come on, we don't wanna be late for class, do we?"
Her twin and Kelsi nodded and followed her, not really talking between each other.
The young composer walked across the school halls after her lessons were over. Mrs. Darbus had arranged a reunion with the whole drama club and she was supposed to be there. She was hoping meeting Ryan before that, but Sharpay had informed her that her brother had 'something really important to do', however, she offered to walk with her towards the school auditorium and keep her company during Ryan's absence. Which was quite suspicious but the brunette didn't dare to complain.
They were just passing the gym when the sound of someone talking made both girls stop. Apparently, someone was in there and both thought they recognized that voice. Sharpay smirked, very proud of herself, as Kelsi immediately rushed towards the door. Oh, this was going to be so entertaining!!
"Pricilla, I really don't think we should be here…"
"Why not?"
"Well, for starters, the classes are over and the gym is supposed to be closed… and then, I really should be somewhere else…"
"It's a matter of a couple of minutes, really" argued the girl, pushing the gym doors, smiling encouragingly.
"But… ah, okay…" he sighed and followed her, wondering what did she want to tell him and why did she think it needed so much secrecy. However, he knew it wasn't a good idea arguing with his sister's friends so he just… went with the flow.
"Well… now that we're here…" said the cheerleader, apparently really nervous. Ryan raised an eyebrow, confused. What was going on in here?
"Pris? Mind telling me what…?" he could never finish because in that moment the girl kissed him. Just like that, without any sort of warning or something! He was way too startled to even try to stop her!
She let him go after a few seconds and he just kept staring at her. Pricilla looked over his shoulder and after seeing Sharpay giving her the 'thumbs up' she giggled and left. Ryan didn't move.
"A magnificent performance, dear" said the other girl, as soon as they were out of the gym.
"Thank you! I learned from the best!" they both giggled. Everything had gone according to the plan!
Kelsi sighed, leaning against the wall outside the gym, feeling completely defeated and depressed. So, it really didn't matter to him, did it? Of course, he might thought that the 'thing' that he and Kelsi had was something deep and everything but he couldn't completely change, right?
He turned out to be a womanizer, after all she sighed again. She didn't want to believe that. However, when she peeked at the gym's door and saw him with… which was her name? Cristina? No… Pricilla! That right! Ms. No-one-is-good-enough-for-me. Or at least, that was how the Wildcats called her. Pretty, but way too much full of herself to be worth the trouble. And yet, Ryan had managed to sweep her off her feet. Yep, he was definitely a Casanova. Not that I can blame him… or her. He's just too handsome for his own sake. She giggled, although it was just to hold back her tears.
"Kelsi?" she looked at him and faked a smile. She couldn't let him know that she had seen him. It was better if he just thought that she wasn't interested. Better to her own pride, that is.
"Hi Ryan. What's up?"
She seemed… sad. But she could be a good actress, Ryan decided. He briefly wondered if he should push the matter further, but he was quite sure that she'll say 'nothing' and everyone knows where does kind of answer leads…
"So, I… umm… about Christmas break" better to change the subject, he resolved. After all, hopefully, she would forget whatever was bothering her after hearing what he had to say.
"I think we're better off this way"
"I think we should…" he interrupted himself, after his mind registered Kelsi's words "wait a sec. What did you say?" he asked, in a mix of confusion and fear.
"I think we should keep it friendly. 'Cause really, Ryan, we'll be just ruining a great friendship and…" tears were trying to escape; nevertheless, she won't let them. Not now, at least. Later, at home, perhaps…
"I…umm… I" what the hell?! What had gone wrong?! Everything was perfectly smooth between them and now she wanted to… no, she didn't want to…? "Yes, my thoughts exactly" he said, firm and trying to appear stoical. If Kelsi had been paying closer attention she could have seen through his lie but she was to busy fighting her tears…
"So, umm, shall we go now?"
"Uh?"
"I mean, Mrs. Darbus might be waiting for us to start with the reunion…"
"Oh, sure, sure. You go; I'll catch you up in a second, okay?"
"Okay. See you soon, Ryan"
"Yes. Soon" he seemed so distracted but Kelsi didn't dare to ask. She was afraid she might start crying if she stayed with him any longer.
As the brunette ran towards the auditorium, Ryan sighed. He had let a wonderful chance pass him by. And the feeling… the horrible feeling… was slowly and painfully killing him.
Against the popular belief, Sharpay did have a conscience. She just didn't listen to it. Sometimes at night, however, guilt didn't let her sleep. That was one of those nights. The look in her brother face after whatever conversation he had with Kelsi; she had realized the consequences of her scheme, yet she hadn't thought that Ryan would look so… devastated.
But it was too late to regret it. The results had been the ones expected. And she ought to be happy.
So… how was it? I had this idea going inside my head for a while but once I wrote it… I'm not so sure. Anyway, what do you think?
Well, happy new year! See you soon!!