Title: Scenes from Freshman Year: Fall Disorientation
Summary: College is a time where you figure out who you want to be and who you are underneath the façade. It's a place where you grow up, and you explore life. This is a collection of moments from Chad and Sharpay's first semester at the University of Albuquerque. This story will take place at U of A but will contain cameos from all our favorite wildcats. Good thing Ryan has unlimited text messaging and Troy is getting really good at remembering to call his BFF.
Alternative summary: How Ryan Evans accidentally (on purpose) set up his former (?) crush with his sister and has no regrets (eventually).
Welcome back bobcats to scenes from freshman year remastered.
This is part one of Scenes From Freshman Year remastered with at least an AI beta this time. (I cried when I saw all the typos. I'm sorry. I'm so embarrassed. I was just a baby fanfic writer at the time.) I'm also planning to completely change the ending.
Pairing: Chad/Sharpay and Troy/OFO eventually but begins with all the Canon couples at the time of HSM 3. (I do not acknowledge the existence of the fourth movie.) College is a time of breakups and self-discovery. How many high school couples really make it? Also platonic Chad and Troy, Sharpay and Troy, and mostly platonic Ryan and Chad. It's complicated. Of course, we have Ryan and Sharpay being best friends and siblings for life.
Other pairings will occur throughout the story. Even though this is an old story that I'm rewriting, I will update the pairing tags as I go. I am planning to change some things. For example, right from the start, it will be evident that Ryan is a Kinsey 4.5 in this though he starts the story with Kelsi. (I will also make a conscious effort to spell that name correctly this time.) Something went down in that locker room after "I don't dance," and you can never tell me otherwise. That's why Chad and Ryan's relationship is not wholly platonic, half of their dialogue is still flirting.
Rated: Overall, this story is M for sexual humor, sexual situations, language, and some difficult subject matter later. This includes discussions of sexual assault, mental illness, Domestic violence, cancer, and child abuse. Specific warnings will be added to individual chapters. If this was turned into an actual Disney property, it would end up on Hulu and not Disney plus. Although more like what happened to Love, Victor than High Fidelity.
This was the second story that I ever wrote, and since I discontinued the first one, I really consider this my first story. It was written from 2009 to 2012. Between the New Disney+ series and the desire to get as much of my work on A3O as feasible, I decided that it was time to dust the story off and start uploading.
However, much like my Ugly Betty Gossip Universe series, I couldn't just upload it as is. I wanted to go back and do some serious rewriting. For example, I rushed the ending because I just wanted to get done after a very traumatic car accident. I was such a novice that I made so many mistakes, including not enough Ryan Evans in the first half of the story. In the last decade, my writing style has changed dramatically. I think I'm a better writer than I was when I first wrote this story. At least I hope I am. I did cringe at all the typos I kept in accidentally. After much internal debate, I decided to also crosspost here since I'm rewriting so much.
Also, I will be expanding on some things. For example, this chapter has more Chad & Ryan friendship (with flirting). It was implied in the original version, but I want everything to be more explicit this time around.
This story also contains a lot of original characters out of necessity. You can't have Chad and Sharpay starting college without some original characters to populate the campus. In hindsight, these characters weren't developed as well as they should have been, especially in the early chapters. That's another area I want to improve upon. I feel this is something I'm better at now that I've had over a decade of writing experience.
Beta: Grammarly
I wish I could get an actual human being to look over these chapters, but that isn't in the card for now. I'm accepting volunteers. Regardless an Al beta is still better than what I had for the original version. Also, a decade of advancement in voice recognition software has helped tremendously.
Disclaimer: I still do not own High School Musical. I just really like playing with Disney IP. I think Daria and Star Trek are the only things I've written for that are not Disney IP. I do a ridiculous amount of Marvel stories now. I just realized that most of the MCU wasn't even out when I started this story. I'm not certain Disney owned Marvel yet, actually. I feel old.
The following work is based on characters created by Peter Barsocchini. I'm just giving you all the text that Kenny Ortega wished he could have given you back in 2008. Okay, maybe his recent Variety interview pushed me to start working on the rewrites.
XXXX
Chapter One: Conversations in a Line and Allegedly White Lies
July 2008
Chad stood outside one of the many University of Albuquerque dining halls, in the scalding New Mexico heat, waiting to register for his fall classes. The whole process of freshmen registration at U of A annoyed Chad. Instead of registering online like all other students at the university, incoming freshmen and transfer students were required to register in person after a three-day orientation program. Much to his annoyance, he was considered a freshman for these purposes. It was unfair.
After two days of mandatory test that Chad couldn't get out of, he was forced to stand in line for hours at the makeshift registration center. Which was actually one of the cafeterias. Worst of all, Chad would be forced to stand next to the vein of his high school existence Sharpay Evans the entire time.
He sent several very annoyed text messages to Ryan:
Chad: Your sister is standing behind me in line, and she scares me. You could've told me she was in the first orientation class.
Chad: Why is she doing orientation anyway with the peasants? Your dad should've at least got her out of this unnecessary ritual. It is ridiculously hot, and the humidity is ruining my hair.
Chad: How can your sister wear long sleeves in 101° heat? She really is a masochist. I've always suspected, but now I have confirmation.
His friend could have warned him that his sister had orientation at the same time as him. He knew that Chad was doing it this week. Okay, he may have asked Ryan to ask his dad to get Chad out of this hell. No such luck.
For the first 45 minutes, they stayed silent, ignoring one another. Unfortunately, with the attention span of a five-year-old, by the time they were actually inside the building, Chad was too bored to keep quiet. Ryan never did text him back. Therefore, he decided to ask Sharpay something that Chad has been curious about for a while. At least since the night of the Senior musical, when he learned that Sharpay, not Troy would be joining him at U of A.
"Why are you here?" Chad asked the woman behind him.
"Registering for classes, just like you. I know you're smarter than this." Sharpay responded with pure annoyance.
"I meant, why are you going to the University of Albuquerque?"
"Ryan got into Juilliard, and I didn't," Sharpay responded just as annoyed as before.
"There are other schools that specialize in the performing arts, why not go to one of those schools? Even Troy is going to Berkeley instead of here. Both of you have the same major." Maybe there was a part of Chad that was still a little mad about that. He hated that he was abandoned for the girlfriend despite knowing Troy since he was literally two days old. High school has only been out for a month. He can mourn his best friend moving to another state for a little while longer. This doesn't make him ridiculously immature, no matter what his girlfriend Taylor says.
"Yes, but Troy is going to Berkeley to follow Gabriella like a lost puppy." Chad entirely agreed with her, but he wasn't going to say it out loud. He still honored the best friend code, unlike some people.
"The drama program here isn't great, but it is still pretty good. A few of the graduates have made it to Broadway." He wouldn't ask who because it was his mom who was the Broadway lover of the family, not him. "That's beside the point; there are no other choices for me."
"What do you mean?" Chad asked her in confusion.
"We are standing here in the middle of Martha Evans Hall, waiting to register for classes. This is just one of the four buildings on this campus named after one of my family members. My grandfather, on my mother's side, was once president of this university. My father is on the board of trustees now. Someone must represent the family name, and unfortunately, it is me." Sharpay's body language definitely told Chad she was unhappy with this.
"If the family legacy was so important, why did Ryan get to go to Juilliard?" Chad inquired.
"We made a deal. Both Ryan and I applied only to Juilliard and the University of Albuquerque. If we both got into Juilliard, that would be the end of the Evans legacy here. But since I didn't get in…"
"You get the honor of representing your family at U of A." Chad finished for her.
"Exactly, another burden of being this fabulous." She smiled at him, but Chad could tell it was her performance smile.
"Although, if your family practically owns the school, why are you waiting in line like the rest of us lowly peasants? Couldn't your dad get you out of this?"
"I just want the normal college experience for once," Sharpay, answered in an almost whisper.
"And waiting in line for hours on end for classes that you don't want to take is part of the normal college experience? What college traditions will you participate in next; the ritualistic binge drinking and passing out on your roommate's bed? Of course, this is after you get sick on the way back to the dorms. Remember, don't throw up on your friend's shoes." Chad joked.
"That's not normal, that is idiotic," Sharpay replied in disgust. "Like I would ever drink beer."
"The ice princess could never bring herself to drink beer like us commoners?" his words were not malicious in any way.
"You know there's nothing common about me." Sharpay joked back. They both giggled.
"You're not that common either. Why are you here? Shouldn't you have student-athlete privileges or something?" Sharpay asked.
"I think it might be my mom's fault because I'm here on an academic scholarship, not a sports scholarship. Therefore I don't get my Jock privileges until next semester." He doesn't even know why he told Sharpay about that. Only Ryan and Troy knew. Even his girlfriend thought he was there on a basketball scholarship. His 5 foot nine self knows better, and so this his mom. His dad is another story entirely.
"How tragic. I guess you're just stuck with the rest of us peasants."
"Because I couldn't convince your brother to pull some strings with your dad. Also, you are no peasant. We are standing in Evans Hall after all." Chad smirked at her.
"If I couldn't talk dad into letting me out of this, then Ryan wasn't going to talk him out of getting you out of this. It doesn't work that way."
"That's so unfair."
"Absolutely,"
Surprisingly they didn't stop talking to each other after that. The two continued to talk about everything from last year's musical to what classes they were registering for this semester.
"You are so lucky that you have most of your basic classes out-of-the-way," Sharpay said as she looked over his perspective class list. He would ask how she knew that, but Ryan probably told her.
"Except for English. That's my weakest subject. It's okay. I'm really looking forward to Heroes and Villains of Contemporary Literature. Who wouldn't want to take an English class that requires reading comic books."
"You still got an A. We were in the same class. Your definition of weak is different than mine," Sharpay remarked.
"Next," yell a distant voice from in front of them, breaking them from their conversation.
"I guess we finally made it to the front of the line," Sharpay commented.
"It's a miracle we survived the experience. I'll see you around campus, okay. Maybe we could do lunch in the cafeteria, another ritual of college life." He actually meant that. His high school self would be so annoyed.
"Maybe," was all Sharpay said as she walked to the open computer terminal.
XXXX
The Good Twin: I would have told you if you would've told me you were doing orientation this weekend. I didn't know you were doing the first cycle. Why are you doing the first cycle?
Chad: My mom.
Chad: It's okay. Your sister was almost human this afternoon. We talked a lot about what we are planning to do this semester. Surprisingly enough, we are taking some of the same classes. Although I doubt will end up in the same sessions.
The good twin: She has had more human moments lately. I'm still worried about leaving her all alone. I wish we could've gotten into Juilliard together or, at a minimum, Sharpay would've been allowed to go to another school in New York. Sharpay would've loved to have gone to school with Kim.
The good twin: Do you remember Kimberly Kim? She was two years ahead of us, but I think she tutored Troy during her senior year.
Chad: Yes, Troy had such a crush on her. It was ridiculous. We had trigonometry together.
Chad: Sharpay told me that your parents wouldn't let you and her apply to other schools. I'm sorry about that.
The good twin: It's okay. Honestly, it was more Darby than Dad. She is the one who has always been concerned about image.
The good twin: You have no idea how happy Darby was when I started dating Kelsi. Now she can pretend her baby ducky is hetero.
Chad: Yes, so much better than you making out with the Help after baseball games. Does your mom know bisexuals exist? You're still as straight as my hair.
The good twin: Most of the world doesn't realize that sexuality is a spectrum. I'm not entirely sure I would use bisexual. I'm pretty much demisexual when it comes to women but not men. Also, you were the one who decided to go back to Taylor.
Chad: Although you are an excellent kisser, I think you and me are better off as friends. You would have eaten me alive by the second week. Also, I am still with Taylor.
Chad: What does demisexual mean?
The good twin: Really? Even with her moving to the other side of the country. What if you meet someone else? College is a time of exploration. To figure out who you are. Maybe you'll find another cute boy to make out with. I'll send you a book on different orientations. I feel like it might help you figure some things out.
Chad: My dad said the same thing except he substituted "girl" for "boy" because I never told him about last summer or the one before. I think he might be in the same camp as your mom. Also, the book might be useful.
The good twin: Probably.
Chad: You're not breaking up with Kelsi. Maybe you'll be the one who will find a cute boy to make out with. Preferably one without a girlfriend.
The good twin: The baseball seduction incidence wasn't my best idea. At least I was right about you not being 100% heterosexual. Thank you for never telling Taylor about that. I'm not sure we would actually be friends now if she knew I kissed you while you two were not quite together yet.
Chad: I value my life and yours. She would kill us both if she found out.
The good twin: How chivalrous of you.
The good twin: Since your afternoon with Sharpay, went well, I have a favor to ask you.
Chad: It went okay in the sense that nobody ended up in the morgue.
The good twin: That is a plus.
The good twin: With me being in New York, it would put my mind at ease if I knew one of my friends was keeping an eye on Shar. We've never really been separated like this before. Yes, our dad will be around, but he's always distracted by his business. Mom only cares if we bring dishonor to the Evans family name.
Chad: I think your sister is a big girl and can take care of herself. She doesn't need you or me falling behind her all the time. The mountain lion can defend herself.
The good twin: Sharpay is a better actress than anyone will ever know. Underneath the ice queen façade, there's a very vulnerable person there. I would just feel better if I knew there was someone else looking out for her. For a long time, it's only been me.
Chad: If I knew someone at Berkeley, I probably would be asking the same thing regarding Troy, so I get it. I will do what I can. But you know it's not gonna be like high school? We probably won't have any classes together. It's not like we are going to end up in the same dorm together since your sister will probably be a commuter student. Lucky.
The good twin: And you're not commuting yourself?
Chad: You know about the divorce. My dad's moving to Cleveland, and my mom is already in DC. I might have to move into the dorms early, depending on when the house goes into escrow. There's another open house next weekend.
The good twin: That sucks.
Chad: It's okay. Even if they both still lived here, I would go to the dorms because it's not good for me to be around the two of them together. I was actually happy when they divorced because they were so miserable.
Chad: Besides, college is a time of new experiences. Although usually, it's the kid that leaves the city, not the parents. But I don't do well with change. I can only handle it in small doses. I hope Rico Hall actually has air conditioning.
The good twin: This is true. Maybe you getting along with my sister will be one of your new experiences. She's not who you think she is. She's more like me with breast than you think.
Chad: Somebody is extra optimistic today. Also, I feel like there are more differences than that. I seem to remember a few. It was quite enjoyable.
The good twin: Well, you chose to stick with the status quo so you won't get to experience those differences again. Maybe choose differently this time.
Chad: With Troy at Berkeley, I don't think the status quo is an option anymore.
The good twin: That could be a good thing.
XXXX
15 minutes later
Ryan: Hey, I just talked to Chad, and he told me that he is going to be living in the dorms because his parents have opted to leave the state post divorce. Anyway, he ended up at Rico Hall, which, as you know, is the worst dorm. Even though it's close to the basketball stadium. Maybe you could get him switched to whatever building Shar will be in?
V Evans: That's too bad. So you want me to pull some strings to get your boyfriend a better dorm room?
Ryan: Chad is not my boyfriend. We are not dating. There was just the thing last summer, and we decided we were better as friends. Also, I know you saw the pictures of Kelsi and me at prom together.
V Evans: I thought you just took her to prom to make your mother happy. Which you shouldn't do. I love you as you are. She's just going to have to get used to it.
V Evans: It's too bad it didn't work out, I actually like Chad.
Ryan: We're still good friends. He might actually be my best friend outside of Shar. I just don't think we were a good fit romantically. I don't think he was entirely ready for it. At least that's what Kim told me.
V Evans: Occasionally, Kimberly knows what she's talking about. As much as I would like to help your friend, I can't. Now, if he was your boyfriend, that would be different.
Ryan: Chad is dating Sharpay.
V Evans: What?
Ryan: There being low-key about it because Chad doesn't want to hurt my feelings. You know the breakup with Zeke is still fresh, so they don't want anyone else to know that their relationship has changed. I still know because it's tough for Sharpay to keep secrets from me.
V Evans: How are you handling your sister being with your ex?
Ryan: As well as can be expected. I try to remind myself that Chad is a better person than Zeke. If I can't have Chad, then Shar should.
V Evans: That's very mature of you. We all know Zeke was a bad boyfriend. I remember her telling me Zeke went to prom without her after she got sick. She wasn't happy. I think that was the final nail in the coffin of that relationship. Thank God.
Ryan: I tried to stay behind, but she made me go. Let me repay her selflessness right now. Shar should at least be in the same building as her boyfriend. Preferably one with air conditioning.
V Evans: I'll see what I can do. I like that Chad boy. He was one of the hardest workers at Lava Springs. All Zeke wanted to do was experiment in the kitchen.
Ryan: Thank you.
Xxx
Ryan placed his phone back in his pocket, sure that at least now Chad and Sharpay will be in the same building. Yes, he had to lie to his dad to accomplish it, but It was for a good cause. Besides, it wasn't the type of lie that would hurt anybody. It would be fine.
To be continued
The Ryan and Chad text message conversation is all new material. Along with Ryan's conversation with his father.
I'm rewriting this mostly for my own validation. As well as to show myself how much I've grown as a writer in the last decade. I would love to know what you're thinking. This is an old fandom now. But I think we can still have some fun.
I've already done rewrites on the first 15 chapters. I'm debating whether I can update once a week or every two weeks. Let me know your preference.