Chapter 22: Memories (Part 1)

The Evans' were a well-known family in their neighbourhood. They lived in the richest neighbourhood in Albuquerque and in the finest house on that block. Mr. Evans was known for being a tough corporate scoundrel who was always booked on some airline or other to fly off to some meeting or another at some glamorous location or other. Mrs. Evans was known to be a little dramatic at times; she loved the expressive arts and was known theatre-goer and a lover of aerobics.

They had two children – thirteen-year-old twins – Ryan and Sharpay Evans. The two children attended Junior East High School and were all set to graduate to East High School in the summer. Sharpay was described as having her fathers drive and ambition but at the same time; she had the eccentric traits her mother did and had a love of the Arts. Ryan was a little day-dreamer who could be seen lounging by the family pool; sipping lemonade as his sister styled his hair.

Yes, the Evans' had lived the idyllic American dream.

Sharpay Evans continuously stressed over clothes, make-up and 'hurting her throat' which could damage her 'career'. Ryan didn't really have any ambitions. He was a child and living for the moment. He was happy to let his sister stress and follow after her.

Mrs. Evans was a stay-at-home mom. She didn't want the preoccupations of a career, her husband was away enough from the children and she didn't want them to feel completely orphaned.

"When I grow up, I'm never ever going to stay at home." Sharpay mused as she bit into an apple.

Her mother stood at the kitchen island before a chopping board and smiled as she sliced a tomato.

"Then I suggest you don't have children." She remarked.

Sharpay toyed with her hair. It was long and extravagantly blond; it fell down way past her shoulders. She was very thin, the future curves that her later teenage years would bring her had not yet surfaced. She was also taller then most children her age which was made noticeable as Ryan walked past her, a head smaller then her, and reached for an apple from the fruit bowl.

"Children. Eww." Sharpay rolled her eyes.

"Gross." Ryan agreed. "We learnt that in sex ed."

The two siblings shuddered in disgust as their mother laughed.

"Well, why don't you two darling children go set the table? Daddy's coming home for dinner tonight." Mrs. Evans steered her two children in the direction of the dining room.

"Yay!" Sharpay smiled widely. "I hope he bought me a souvenir."

"I don't know about a souvenir but I know he's bringing a very important business colleague, so you two need to get dressed – after you set the table." Their mother mused as she turned to the stove and ladled something that resembled soup.

"Great, dinner's going to be boring." Ryan looked disappointed.

"How much do you want to bet their going to start talking about tax returns?" Sharpay commented as she left the kitchen with her brother.


James Hardman had a rugged looking face with dark features. His eyes were big and brown, he had a slight tan to his face and jet black curly locks for hair. He wore a sharp black business suit with a black tie and sparkling black shoes.

"Yeesssh, that guy over-polished his shoes." Ryan whispered to Sharpay as her pretended to be blinded by a bright light. Sharpay giggled and nudged him to shut up as James walked over to them and extended a hand to Ryan.

"And this must be little Ryan! I've heard so much about you, kid." He had a heavy voice and smiled a big smile as he shook Ryan's hand.

"That's me." Ryan nodded.

"This is my Sharpay." Mr. Evans placed a hand on Sharpay's shoulder, beaming with pride. "She recently took the Star Dazzle award at our country club. Quite the little artiste."

"Oh, daddy…" Sharpay laughed modestly.

James Hardman smiled broadly at her. He took her hand in his. His grip was firm and something about the glint in his eye startled Sharpay.

"You've got a great house here, Evans." Hardman acknowledged, letting Sharpay's hand go.

Sharpay ignored the sickening feeling she was getting at the pit of her stomach and forced a smile.


As everyone settled into dinner, Ryan couldn't help but to scowl at Hardman. Everything about the guy was so … cheesy and fake. He was a complete suck-up. Ryan hoped his dad wouldn't go into business with him. Sharpay was sitting in between Ryan and Hardman and she also looked bored with the conversation and Hardman's predictable replies.

"Well, I agree with you about the company revenues going downhill this season, James. It's a valid point." Mr. Evans nodded as he took a sip of wine. "What you did with the Bundt account was impressive as hell. Think you could work some of that magic down here?"

"I'm certain of it." Hardman nodded and Ryan made a face at him. Mrs. Evans noticed and shot him a sharp look.

Mrs. Evans didn't like Hardman either; he resembled a shark, but then again, so did most of her husbands' business associates. She had learned a long time ago to just sit back and feign interest with a smile.

"I'll, uh, I'll go check on the desert." Mrs. Evans announced, thankful she had remembered it so that she could take a breather. "Ryan, come give mummy a hand."

Ryan followed his mother and left.

"Ah…" Mr. Evans patted his stomach as he let out a burp. Sharpay giggled.

"Daddy!"

"Pardon me." Mr. Evans shot his daughter a cheeky smile and winked.

"Oh, I don't mind." Hardman laughed a forced laugh.

"Toothpick. Need a toothpick." Mr. Evans nodded as he looked around the table.

"Their in the lounge. Ryan was making toothpick-models again." Sharpay informed.

Her father shook his head a little and got up and left. Sharpay smiled to herself as she watched her father go and then took another spoonful of her rice.

"Your mothers a brilliant cook." Hardman remarked.

"Yup, she cooks a lot." Sharpay nodded.

"How old are you?" Hardman mused, turning his attention fully on her.

"13." Sharpay boasted proudly.

"Wow, you're quite a woman, aren't you?"

Sharpay shrugged a little, blushing. Hardman laughed and put a hand on her bare thigh. Sharpay stared at his hand, her heart skipping a beat. She looked up at Hardman. He smiled as he caressed her thigh.

"You are a beautiful young lady."

Her face reddened with humiliation. She looked away and pulled her dress down, causing her hand to touch his. He stopped stroking her thigh and took her hand. She tried to awkwardly move it away, feeling extremely self-conscious, but he held onto it.

"You have amazing eyes."

Sharpay turned and looked at him. There was a look in his eyes that she had never seen before in an adult. She had always been taught to trust adults. But she didn't like this. She wasn't comfortable.

She could hear Ryan and her mothers' footsteps. Hardman let go of her hand and returned to his dish.

"This is brilliant!" He remarked exaggeratedly to Mrs. Evans as she entered, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Why, thank you." Mrs. Evans smiled as she sat the desert dish down and Ryan put down a handful of plates. The two took their seats and her father entered the room.

Sharpay watched her family regroup and felt extremely awkward and isolated. She was confused and worried. She didn't know what to do.

So she ignored it and picked up her spoon, hunched her shoulders and continued eating.

End of part 1 of 'memories'. I wanna hear your predictions!