Hey guys! Thank you again for your wonderful in-depth reviews! krisppata, Oh Kay, G again, Serena, Pathetic Me (aaaaw!), ggrox2808, RyelsiTVshowplz, G and guest... you guys are amazing! I really appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback and talk about the chapter :) SO I tried to get this one out asap. Not a lot of Ryelsi here. This chapter spends some time catching up with the whole gang at Christmas. The next chapter is going to skip ahead to the following Christmas and catch up with them all again. I spend a bit more time on Ryan's POV than Kelsi's in this one but it will be the other way round next chapter I think.

I imagine it seems like they shouldn't be together right now. And you're right. They shouldn't. BUT I still believe they're right for each other and they'll find their way back to each other. So things shall be taking an upward turn soon!

Anyway, these Christmas chapters will be sort of tiding the story over but I hope you enjoy them all the same and that they give you a rounder view of the characters.

Thank you again for reading and for all your ongoing support and advice!

California

"Dinner is served!"

Gabriella looked up in surprise at the sound of her boyfriend's voice and scrambled to hide the ring binder she had been flicking through. She cringed as Troy stood in the doorway, holding a tray - with the tiniest turkey she'd ever seen - and his face mingled with disbelief and disappointment. Understanding that she'd been discovered, Gabriella removed the offending article from behind her with a sigh.

"You're not supposed to be working!"

"I know…"

Troy opened his mouth to say something then stopped himself, his expression softening. He placed the tray on the table and sat down next to her, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"I know this isn't exactly the best Christmas dinner we've ever had…" Troy said, his eyes flicking to their sad little meal. "And we're both weighed down with work... We tired and, well, money is…"

"We're broke." Gabriella supplied, though she felt herself smiling.

"Yes. We're broke." Troy agreed, grinning with her. "But?"

Gabriella quickly cast a glance around their pokey apartment to remind herself of their situation. They had made a vague attempt at decorating. Though with limited funds, time and energy the result appeared a little half-hearted. If she glanced through to the kitchen she could see the dishes that they had abandoned piling up. In the small sitting room they occupied now, almost every surface hosted large piles of paper. A strange mix of screenplays, legal documents and practice plans. The only exception was the table in the centre which had been ceremoniously cleared for the meagre meal that was now laid out for them. The dark shadows under Troy's eyes, and no doubt her own, were testament to how difficult their lives were at the moment. So why had they decided to spend Christmas in California where they were behind on rent and even more behind on their coursework?

Because their first year out of High School was supposed to have been a dream. Instead it had consisted of petty fights, awkward evenings and hurried reconciliations when they had an ounce of time to spare. When they had decided to get their own apartment, Gabriella had felt a small pang of fear at first. She hadn't been a spoiled child and she had no issues with having to cope with living on a strict budget, but she was realistic enough to acknowledge that this paired with her and Troy's workload, as well as all the usual problems that couples encounter when they first live together, it seemed like a decision that could make or break them. She had seen first hand the damage that two people's separate issues and happiness could do to their relationship as a whole. Of course she wished that she hadn't needed to learn this from her two beloved friends in New York…

The move had made Troy and Gabriella stronger than ever, as if they finally remembered and appreciated what they had together. There was also a constant glow of optimism that Gabriella loved. The idea that better things were coming. That the only way to go from here was up. Sure they were broke, but lately Gabriella's favourite part of the day was in the evening, just before they fell asleep. They would lie in bed, huddled close together so they wouldn't need to turn up the heat, and talk in whispers about their future and their dreams. She cherished those moments greatly and they didn't cost a penny.

"But we're together." Gabriella said, finally finishing Troy's sentence. "Merry Christmas Troy."

"Merry Christmas Gabriella."

Phoenix

Jason woke with a start and looked around wildly.

"I wasn't asleep." he grunted before realising it was just him in the dark computer lab. His eyes flicked back to the screen in front of him and he winced at the glare. Apparently he couldn't kick the habit of falling asleep in class, even if he was studying solo. The fact that the college computer labs were open late into the night probably didn't help. The film on the screen, his most recent assignment, was still playing. He hadn't been out very long. Only a few minutes it seemed. Still, he was exhausted. Pausing the video for the moment, Jaosn allowed himself a long stretch and a yawn. He glanced down at his phone a little sadly, noting the date again. Why had he decided to spend Christmas in Phoenix? To study his ass off through Boxing Day instead of eating turkey sandwiches and watching movies with his brothers in Alburqurque? Should he just call it a night? Catch a flight home in the morning perhaps? Was it worth it?

Leaving the questions unanswered he pressed play again, watching the video back idly. Before he could help himself, he was editing again. There was something addictive about correcting the small imperfections and transforming the dry recording into, there was no other word for it, art. Eventually Jason sank back into his swively chair and chuckled in appreciation at his adjustments.

"Yes." he whispered to himself, grinning as the film played again.

This was why. For the first time in his life, Jason knew where he wanted his life to lead.

Rio-Rancho

"Can I…"

"No no no I'm cooking for you this time. Sit down."

Zeke looked up reluctantly from his spot on the sofa. His girlfriend, Lisa, was smirking back at him.

"Honey… Sit down."

Realising that he was actually half out of his chair, Zeke hastily sat down again but tried to appeal to her again.

"I'm doing dessert though… Right?"

Lisa just giggled and walked back into the kitchen. Zeke stared glumly at his feet. That meant no.

"Watch the game!" he heard Lisa call from the next room good-naturedly. Zeke took her advice and turned on the television, trying to relax as the Knicks game appear don the screen. He soon found himself turning the sound down, attempting to listen in on the goings-on in the kitchen. He heard a metallic scrape and felt a stab of horror.

"Those are non-stick pans!" Zeke called through, trying his best to sound casual, though there was a crack in his voice he was sure she'd heard.

"Yes! The volume sounds kind of low through there sweetie, are you sure you can hear ok?"

Zeke glowered in her direction and sank back into his seat. It seemed silly to get so pent up about someone else cooking. He didn't particularly mind most of the time, but this was Christmas! Well… not Christmas exactly. He and Lisa had only been together for a month and she had gone home to California for Christmas. However, Lisa had suggested a 'second Christmas dinner' on New Year's Eve when she returned. Zeke had initially warmed to the idea, never missing an opportunity to cook someone a special meal.

She had insisted on cooking.

She had taken it away from him.

She had even taken dessert away.

Lisa strode into the living room and without a word, placed a cold beer in his hand and pecked his cheek before returning to the kitchen. Zeke's eyes followed her as she left and he smiled wistfully. She was tall with a cropped, jet black hairdo. Her eyes were equally dark and very serious, like her personality. Not that she didn't have fun (they had initially bonded over their mutual love of eccentric cake decorating in the restaurant they both worked in) but she sometimes seemed older than her years. Immaturity and childishness on any level seemed to frustrate her. She was smart though. And kind.

Different from Sharpay in almost every way.

Zeke often asked himself if he had subconsciously found someone like this on purpose. He generally avoided answering that one. Even in his head.

Alburqurque

"My career is over."

"Chad…"

"It's over. I've heard the stories. One injury that's all it takes."

Martha gave her friend as patronising a look as she could muster from her spot next to Chad's elevated leg. He looked back at her propped up on his elbows, his face still childishly panic stricken.

"You've pulled a muscle." Martha murmured, delicately feeling the muscles in Chad's knee again.

"You sound pretty sure."

"I've got a knack."

If a 'knack' was having a good knowledge of dance as well as the inner workings of the human body… It seemed an easier way to explain to Chad.

"So… I'll be ok?" Chad asked carefully bending his knee a few times.

"Sure! Not for a few weeks though." she warned as Chad made to jump to his feet. "I'll give you some exercises…"

Grabbing a notepad she began scribbling some diagrams of movements that would help strengthen the muscle in Chad's knee again. She was lost in thought, trying to picture the way his limbs needed to exert to execute basketball techniques when she felt a prickling on her neck. Looking up slyly, she found that she was indeed being watched. Chad stared back at her, a goofy grin on his face.

"What?"

"You're really good at this Mar."

"Oh! Oh… No not really." Martha murmured, looking down in embarrassment. He should at least wait and see if her exercises actually worked first! She wasn't exactly a trained physiotherapist.

"Seriously! Martha, I HATE going to the doctor." Chad said, leaning forward seriously. "And with you I felt totally at ease and stuff!"

A lightbulb seemed to go off in her head. A career where she could help people, but was also dance and exercise related.

"Maybe it's more than a knack." Chad offered with a wink.

Parents are out. Want to come over?

Sure. Give me an hour.

She was already ready and could have been at Chad's house in ten minutes, but he didn't need to know how she sat by her phone, already dolled up, anticipating his request.

Quickly checking her reflection in the hallway mirror, Taylor grinned devilishly at the bright excitement in her eyes. There was something wonderfully addictive about the secrecy. The sneaking around.

"I'm going to see Martha. I might stay over." Taylor said, lying smoothly as she passed her mother on her way out the door.

"Mhhmmm." her mom replied, not looking up from her paper. "Have a good time sweetie."

"I will…"

That rush again. That even her own mother didn't know what she was up to. Not that it mattered. Now that she had left home it was generally acknowledged that she was an adult and therefore made her own decisions. Still, she wasn't sure her mom needed to know that she was still occasionally sleeping with her high school boyfriend…

Although she was still tingling with anticipation, Taylor felt her good mood sink a little. It didn't matter, because the minute she saw Chad she would forget this. It would feel just like it always had, as if nothing had changed. However, when he wasn't there to distract her, her mind wandered. Then she remembered that this arrangement could only be temporary and had probably already gone too far to avoid causing either of them pain.

It was a song Ryan had heard a million times over. His favourite holiday song as a matter of fact. Ironic really as he had never actually seen snow on Christmas Day. Yet, it wasn't Christmas Day in the Evans household if his mother and father didn't dance around the living room to 'White Christmas'.

They had not long finished Christmas dinner and Sharpay had already disappeared upstairs to 'freshen up' before the traditional board game session to come. Ryan had opted to stretch out on their luxurious sofa in the living room, relaxing contently after all the food. He smiled fondly as his Dad heaved himself up from his chair, walked over to his wife and held out his hand. His mother giggled and rose from her own chair and Ryan watched enviously as his parents effortlessly fell into a waltz. He rolled his eyes, but really it was very sweet. Every year they did this, and every time they acted as if it was the first time.

"Oh!" his mother exclaimed, halting their graceful dance. "Vance, Ryan! Look!"

Everyone's eyes followed to where she was pointing and there was a chorus of gasps.

It was snowing.

Not rain. Not hail. Actual snow.

"It's a real White Christmas!" Derby squealed, pulling in her husband for a kiss.

Ryan just stared outside.

He was suddenly reminded of last Christmas, when he had wound up attempting to sneak out of Kelsi's house. Her brother had tried to distract her parents by claiming it was snowing. Kelsi had explained later that years ago her parents, under the impression that they couldn't conceive, had fallen pregnant with her older brother, their firstborn, on Christmas. That was the only year they had known it to snow, and they had been watching out for a White Christmas ever since.

Ryan thought of the kind, friendly Nielson family noticing the snow and celebrating. Celebrating without their daughter who was hiding in New York this year, where snow was a given. Ryan's eyes flicked back to his parents again. They had their arms wrapped around one-another as they gazed out of the window, their smiles lit up by the fireplace.

It was enough for Ryan for one evening and he stood up.

"I'll see what Shar's doing." he mumbled, before retreating upstairs.

Sharpay's door was open and he could already see her sitting on the floor, her knees hugged to her chest. Ryan knocked anyway before entering but she didn't look up. She was staring at the floor and a brush was lying by her side, as if she had started getting ready then forgotten about it.

"It's snowing." Ryan said lightly. Sharpay looked up and smiled warmly, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Ryan sighed and sat down next to her, crossing his legs.

"You might as well tell me now. Then we can go downstairs. Mom and Dad are doing the annual Christmas dance but Scrabble is going to appear sooner or later."

Sharpay chuckled and looked at him fondly. There was no point in lying these days. They knew each other too well and the time they got to spend together was scarce.

"This is the second year I haven't received a gift from Zeke." she said, smiling grimly. "Guess I should be used to it by now…"

Ryan froze and bit his lip. Sharpay frowned at him.

"Ry?"

Like he said, there was no point in lying these days. Ryan sighed and disappeared across the hall to his own bedroom. After a short rummage in his closet, he revealed the gift that Zeke had left in his care last year.

"He left this for you. Last year." Ryan said softly, holding out the pink package.

Sharpay's expression started with surprise and worked through confusion, hurt and suspicion before finally focusing on fury. She stood up, a habit she had adopted when Ryan had finally grown taller than her. It was so she could tower over him.

"Why?" she hissed through gritted teeth. "Why did you keep this from me?!"

"I didn't think you were ready." Ryan said, meeting her gaze calmly from his spot on the floor.

"Oh really?" Sharpay asked, her voice growing higher in pitch as she doused her words in sarcasm. "You didn't think I was ready? What about me Ryan?! What about what I thought?!"

"Oh like you haven't ever organised my life for me." Ryan scoffed. This was a bad move. Sharpay's nostrils flared and Ryan quickly scrambled to his feet.

"Ok, I'm sorry! It's just… Zeke's a good guy. The best guy for you. I didn't want you to move in too fast and mess it up again."

"Considering we shared a womb, you really don't know how to pacify me!" Sharpay shrieked, finally losing her cool. She snatched the present from Ryan's grasp and stomped out, slamming the door behind her.

"This is your room!" Ryan called after her. There was no reply.

Sharpay slumped on Ryan's bed, ignoring her brother's jibe. Her storm out had been perfect and she certainly wasn't going back on it. He would have to deal without his room for ten minutes. She looked back at the door regretfully for a second then shook it off. Sure, it was Christmas, but she wouldn't be long. Soon she'd be downstairs again playing board games with her family. Ryan would forgive her.

She stared down at the present in front of her. It was wrapped in bubblegum pink paper, of course, and was square and quite thin. Certainly not baking...

"What would he get me?" Sharpay wondered, stroking the paper curiously. It was probably wrong to open it. If the rumours were true then Zeke was happy with a new girlfriend. Would it really do her any good to open a present from one year ago? When he had still loved her?

Her curiosity won out in the end and she found herself tearing at the paper. What she found in her hands was not what she ever would have expected.

It was an album. Or a scrapbook really. Pink again and with a copy of her yearbook photo (or one of the many) on the front. She opened the first page and felt her breath hitch in her throat. She would remember Zeke's handwriting anywhere.

Hi Princess,
I know you were probably expecting cookies or brownies or something, but I thought I'd do something a little different this year. Also, it doesn't need to be an event for me to bake for you!
You're the most ambitious and driven person I've ever met Sharpay and you're going to do amazing things with your life. I want you to remember every minute and this book is for that. For photos, yearbook pages, playbills… whatever you want!
I know you often worry about what the future holds for you, but I don't. Not ever.
I love you,
Zeke.

p.s
I've helped with the first few pages.

Fighting the lump in her throat, Sharpay let her fingers linger of the words 'I love you', before turning her attention to the first pages. Page one made her gasp. She had expected Zeke to begin with tokens from Senior Year, but he had been very thorough. She had no idea how he had done it, but the first pages were filled with achievements of her childhood. Ticket stubs from dance recitals, excerpts of sheet music to children's songs and even a cassette tape that she was sure featured some early recording of herself singing, taped to the page. She flicked through the pages and let out a small exclamation that seemed part laugh part sob as she found the page with the ticket stubs from all 19 school productions. It then went on to feature photos, music and script excerpts from Twinkle Towne and Senior Year. The last photo was a picture of herself and Zeke, dressed up in their Prom outfits for the show and grinning for the camera. Sharpay stared at the photo for a long time, taking in the unmasked expression of pure joy on her face.

She flicked through the other pages. Of course she expected they would be blank, but it got her thinking about what she planned to fill these pages with. Most of the answers were obvious. Broadway Playbills, recording contracts, newspaper clippings and awards to name a few. Sharpay screwed her eyes shut. There was something else somewhere in her mind, as if her brain was trying to hide it from her.

Then she found it. She flicked back to the picture of her and Zeke and considered it, her brow furrowing in concentration. There was something symbolic about that photo being the last one. As if it was the end of an era. It was then she realised that it couldn't be true. That couldn't be the last picture of Zeke in this book. He was supposed to be in further pages.

A knock on the door pulled Sharpay sharply out of her thoughts.

"Come in." she replied meekly.

"It is my room."

Ryan shuffled into the room his eyes apologetic.

"I'm sorry." they said in unison before chuckling softly together.

"You ok?" Ryan asked, sitting on the bed next to her.

"I think I'm having an epiphany."

Ryan raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes I know what it means." she snapped, rolling her eyes. "But… I can't really word it right now."

"Ok." Ryan said, putting a hand on her shoulder and smiling fondly at her. "Let me know when you figure it out."

"Sure." Sharpay replied with a smile, letting her head rest on her brother's shoulder for a second. "Go downstairs. I'll be down in a sec."

Ryan gave her shoulder one last squeeze and exited. Sharpay waited until she heard his footsteps vanish down the hall before scurrying back over to her own room. She quickly made her way into her walk-in closet and rummaged around her shoe rack until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out another pink package, rolling her eyes as she did so. Sure she loved pink, but it couldn't hurt for someone to be more original…

She stayed inside the closet to open it, wary of Ryan re-entering. As she ripped the paper off she squealed in excitement as she found a swish travel size dictaphone. After admiring it for a minute, she looked at the note.

Merry Christmas Sharpay. Thank you for all your support the last few months. Kelsi.

New York City

"Didn't I say you'd be begging to stay in New York this Christmas?"

Kelsi looked up from her gloved hands and caught Jen's twinkling eyes. Her friend was smirking but there was still a ghostly look of concern that had become an almost permanent fixture in her expression lately. Kelsi managed a weak smile in return, trying her best to reassure her friend, as well as herself that everything was alright. For the moment at least.

"You were right." she sighed as she turned back to the New York skyline. As she took in the spectacular view, she tried to count her blessings. She was studying, under full scholarship, at the most prestegious performing arts school in the world, sharing an apartment with her best friend in New York City. What right did she have to be miserable on Christmas Day?

"Damn, I'll get the wine..." Jen muttered, rising from her seat out on the balcony. In an instinctive reflex, Kelsi grabbed her friend's hand and squeezed it tight. Jen didn't comment but simply sat down again and gave her hand a gentle squeeze back in a show of support.