Disclaimer: The movie High School Musical and all the characters that are in it are NOT mine and I do not claim to own them. Mickey Mouse owns them…sadly. But all characters that were not in the movie are my own creation.

A/N: WOOT! I'm back and with another chapter that took me forever to write because I had a little writers block and couldn't think of anything. But once I finally did, ideas were just flowing out and now I'm excited to write. I also really like how this is going so far and I'm glad a lot of people enjoy reading it. But this chapter is where all the drama begins. I will be introducing Gabriella Montez into the story and also an original character named Jackson Shaw who just happens to be Sharpays EX-fiancé (If I were to describe what he looks like, I would picture him being a spitting image of Jared Padalecki from House of Wax and Supernatural. He's so hot XD). What will Sharpay do when he comes back? Read and review and all that good stuff. I want to hit thirty to thirty-five reviews. That's a big goal and I hope this chapter is good enough to earn them. Love Y'all!

Details: Years after graduation, Sharpay Evans moves to New York City. She changed professions and has quit what she knew best, theater. But will an unexpected encounter with a long lost friend make her life change back to the perfect one she once had? Or will he only bring more drama back into her life?

Chapter #004: Stranger

The past few days have been some of the best days in Sharpays life. Ever since Troy had spent the night, and the kiss he left with her the next day, they have been inseparable. Whenever they had the chance to be together they were. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, movies, musicals and plays; they did it all. But to Sharpay it was like they were best friends; nothing less, nothing more.

The situation was beginning to really bother her. Was this going anywhere; she didn't know. She didn't even know if she really wanted it to go anywhere. She has a successful business and a beautiful home; why mess it all up with something she doesn't even know she wants?

This strange twist of fate that Troy brought into Sharpays life was very bittersweet. She had just made it into her office in the back of her boutique before her assistant came running in, frantic as always.

"I am so sorry I am late Sharpay. I promise it will not happen…"

"Jay, don't worry about it." Julie was confused. Usually Sharpay would be furious, demanding her coffee and list of clients she had scheduled for the day. "Here, I got you a Venti non-fat Caramel Machiatio with no foam. We've got a busy day and a lot of people to see."

The short, red-headed assistant was completely lost. The fact Sharpay was being extremely nice to her, especially for being late, was really odd. She took the cup of coffee and walked to the front counter. "Well, um, do you need me to go to the fabric store for you?"

"No need, I already went."

"Is everything okay, Sharpay?"

"Everything's cool. Why do you ask?" Sharpay said, looking up from a bunch of paperwork Julie usually does when she comes into work.

"I don't know; you just seem more…happier" Julie was afraid to say words like 'nicer', 'friendlier' or 'kind'.

"Really? I haven't noticed."

Julie smiled, realizing the reasoning behind Sharpays sudden happiness. "Could it be because of a certain man that calls almost everyday asking to speak to you?"

The statement made Sharpay giggle. "I really don't know what you're talking about."

Julie just grinned, knowing she was right. "Uh huh…" Just then the boutique phone rang and Julie picked it up. "This is Jay, how can I help you?" A few seconds passed and Julies grin grew bigger. "Okay, hold on one second." Sharpay noticed her grin as the phone was passed to her. "It's Troy…" Julie made sure she emphasized his name to make a point.

Snatching the phone with a smile on her face, Sharpay put the phone to her ear. "Hey Troy, what's up?"

"Hey Sharpay," Troy didn't sound as enthusiastic to hear her voice as she was when she heard his. "Uh, I can't make it for lunch today. A friend of mine from college made an unexpected visit and she wants me to go run some errands with her."

'She' was the only word that she heard in his explanation. "She could always come to lunch with us if she wanted to." And saying it made her stomach hurt.

"I don't think that would be such a good idea." Troy's response was quick and almost on the verge of being defensive.

What if it was his girlfriend he never told her about? She didn't want to jump to conclusions. It would make her seem like a girl who was possessive over her best guy friend. But that may not be an all too inaccurate statement. "Oh, well that's okay. I guess we can just reschedule right."

"Of course, I'll give you a call later, okay?"

"Sure," Sharpay was trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. "I'll talk to you later."

Hanging up the phone, Sharpay sighed. Who was this mystery friend and why wouldn't Troy introduce them to each other?

"Hey Shar, you have a visitor up front." Her assistant said as she grabbed her purse and coat. "I'll be right back, I just have to go to the bank and deposit the checks from our last two clients."

Sharpay had to try hard to smile. "Okay, I'll see you in a little bit."

As Julie headed out of the boutique, Sharpay got up and walked to the front of the store. She was stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who it was.

"Hey Sharpay, long time no see." The tall, dark and handsome man in front of her immediately removed his sunglasses and made his way around the front counter to give her a hug.

When he tried to wrap his arms around her, she stopped him with one hand against his chest. "Jackson, what are you doing here?"

"Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome" was none other than Jackson Shaw; the ex-fiancé that cheated on Sharpay three years ago. In some ways, which she would never admit, she still loved him. But now with Troy back in her life and possible chemistry growing between them, getting back with Jackson was not an option.

"Well 'Hello!' to you too, Darlin'." Even though Sharpay hated his guts, she still thought that slight country accent Jackson has is very sexy. He stepped closer to her and placed his hands on top of her shoulders, massaging them a little. "You're lookin' good, Sharpay."

She looked up at him, staring in to his big brown eyes. "I'm busy and I have a client coming in soon so if you can please leave, I need to get to work." Sharpay broke free from his hands and made her way back to her work space.

"C'mon Shar, I know you're probably still bitter about that whole thing with Misty and I understand I said things that were hurtful but," He paused for a second and walked closer to Sharpay as she sat down in her chair. "I still love you. Through this whole situation and after all the stupid shit that I have done, I truly, honestly, from the bottom of my heart still love you, Sharpay Evans."

The tears welling up in his eyes were making Sharpay confused. Was he doing this to make her feel bad or was he truly being sincere? She could never properly read Jackson. He always had a hidden agenda and used Sharpay whenever he needed to get something. But could he have changed for the better? Maybe he is the man now that she once thought he was.

"Jackson," She stood up from her chair and looked him straight in the eyes. "I have finally become a happy person. You know that my whole life was been bent on trying to please others but now I am finally doing things for myself." She gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "Look, I am not seeing anyone right now. I don't even know if I want to start dating again. I'm just not ready for that yet."

Jackson nodded his head and looked down at Sharpay, her icy blue eyes looking straight in to him. "I understand," He took her hands off his shoulders and held them lightly in his. "But hey, I just came back from Texas and I would love to see you sometime, sweetheart." Just then, as he finished his sentence, he leaned down and kissed Sharpay gently on her perfectly glossed lips.

She didn't know what to do. Pulling away would be rude but at the same time, she didn't love Jackson. Troy was the one she wanted to be with and even though it was hard to admit at times, deep down she really loved him. But maybe she had only suppressed those feelings she had for Jackson?

Jackson slowly pulled away from the kiss, his eyes closed as he cherished every moment he had just spent with Sharpay. He licked his lips, still only an inch away from her face, and whispered in her ear, "Watermelon lip gloss; you haven't changed that much, Sharpay Evans."

Suddenly, the salon door swung open and Sharpay, out of impulsive reaction, quickly moved away from Jackson. "Oh my god," The voice immediately caught her attention as she moved her hand away from her face, hiding it just in case it was someone she knew. Then she saw the curly black hair and the dark brown skin. She knew who it was and wished it wasn't her at all.

"Well, if it isn't Ms. Gabriella Montez. Didn't expect to ever run in to you again." Sharpay smiled as she walked from behind the counter to where Gabriella was standing. "Now just don't stand there, give me a hug!"

The two girls embraced and giggled as if they were in high school. Sharpay never really liked her but what else would she do; kick her ass and throw her out of the store? That thought did cross her mind though.

As the two hugged, Jackson cleared his throat, being loud enough so the two girls could hear him. "Oh," Sharpay stepped back from Gabriella but kept her distance away from Jackson. "Gabriella, this is Jackson, a friend of mine." She made sure she emphasized the word 'friend' so he wouldn't get the wrong impression. "Jackson, this is Gabriella, an old friend from high school in Albuquerque."

As they exchanged hand shakes and 'hellos', Sharpay couldn't help but think to herself. "What are the two people I despise the most in the whole entire world doing here…at the same time?"

"I actually have to go; I'll leave y'all to catch up." Jackson gave Sharpay one last hug before walking towards the door. "It was great seeing you again, Sharpay, and it was good to meet you, Gabriella." With that, he walked out the door and made his was down the sidewalk.

When he was out of sight, Gabriella immediately broke out in to girlish excitement like they were back in high school. "Wow, he is so hot! You guys are dating right?"

The statement made Sharpay laugh. "No way," She made her way back to her work space and took a seat. "So what brings you to this part of the country?"

Gabriella took a seat on the other side of the table and held out her hand, showing off a huge diamond engagement ring. "I'm getting married," Sharpay was memorized by the ring as she admired its size and shape. "And I actually wanted to ask you about doing my wedding dress."

Sharpay looked up from Gabriella's hand and then at her, a surprised look on her face. "Are you serious? I would love to make your dress." She was being so nice to her self-proclaimed nemesis, that it killed her. But business was business and if she was going to pay, that's all that mattered to Sharpay.

A couple hours passed as Sharpay and Gabriella went through all the things that would make Gabriella the dream dress. It made her sick; someone she doesn't like is happier then her. And she doesn't look bad either. To Sharpay, Gabriella looks exactly the same as she did back at East High. The only thing different was that she dressed a little sexier. She could tell Gabriella had a big confidence boost, and probably not for the better. And she had to remind herself to give Ryan a swift kick in the nuts for telling Gabriella that she was a designer.

"Oh my god, my fiancé was supposed to be here by now so he could go through all of this with me. Where could he be?" Gabriella looked at her phone, noticing that it was half past two and becoming very impatient.

Sharpay just focused at the job at hand. Gabriella was asking for a lot; strapless, sequins, silk chiffon, a corset top with a long and flowing bottom. She was definitely one of her more demanding customers.

"He better be here soon, I have a plane to catch at five and I cannot miss it." Gabriella was turning into one of those crazy bitch brides that Sharpay sees way too often.

"Are you going somewhere?" Sharpay tried to calm her down so she wouldn't freak out.

"Well, I'm going back home to Albuquerque. I only came here to see you and my fiancé. He's lives here for work." Her voice was beginning to smooth out and she had stopped the extensive fidgeting.

"Really, what does your fiancé do?"

"You might be surprised when I tell you, but he's a…" Gabriella was cut off as the two heard the front door of the boutique close. "I bet that's him now." She shot up and walked to the front of the store.

When Gabriella left, Sharpay got up, adjusting her skirt and making sure her hair looks okay. Parts of her were pissed at the fact that Gabriella was happy and parts of her were happy for Gabriella for the fact that she was happy. She felt the urge to call Troy right away and tell him about her day; how crazy it was and how it was one unexpected turn after another.

As Sharpay reached for her purse to get her cell phone, Gabriella walked back in to the back of the boutique. "Sharpay," When she said her name, Sharpay looked up from her purse and immediately had the wind knocked out of her. The very last person she thought it was going to be, it was. "Troy and I are getting married."

Troy had just as much of a surprised look on his face as Sharpay did. He had no idea he was walking in to Sharpays boutique and almost wished he hadn't.

She forced a smile to form on her face, as if she hadn't seen him in years, even though it was just yesterday that they had dinner together. Sharpay couldn't help but think to herself; Perfect Gabriella Montez wins again.