Troy's POV
"Ok, this officially sucks." Well, I guess Chad's not to happy about this new requirement. Although, I can't exactly say that I'm thrilled about it either. I've got enough on my plate; I really don't need anymore things to worry about. School has actually been going really well the past few months. The basketball team made it all the way to the state championships – and even though we didn't win, we are still the second best team in the state. I still count that as pretty good. The musical worked out all right too. There was a full house every night of the performance, and even though I didn't get to perform closing night, I heard that Ryan and Sharpay did a great job. Yes, Sharpay. Gabriella still had not gotten a chance to come and watch any games, and she really wanted to be there to support the team, so she asked Sharpay if she would like to sing the lead on closing night.
What I thought was a little weird was that she actually seemed really hesitant to say yes. It was as if she really didn't want to, but she said yes anyway so Gabriella could come and cheer us on. She was smiling and said thank you, but she just didn't seem to have that standard "I got what I wanted" look in her eyes. Come to think of it, neither did Ryan when I told him he would perform closing night. It was almost as if they really didn't want it. Weird.
But any how – this new requirement. Somehow, the school board and the pta and the administration came to a conclusion about the students of East High. We're selfish. So, in order to help cure us all of this awful disease, they have come up with a new graduation requirement.
"Chad, what is your problem? Volunteering is a good thing." Ahh, Taylor. The supposed voice of reason in the group. I know that she really does care about Chad, but that still doesn't stop her from tossing a few jock jokes from time to time. And if we're being honest, I really don't think it bothers Chad that much. Those two have a very odd relationship.
"I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm all for volunteering – really I am, but a hundred hours? That's insane! Don't they know that we as teenagers need to have a social life too? This is just a stupid way for the school to get more recognition and money by saying that their students are all wonderful, giving citizens, and therefore are better than everyone else."
"Here's the part that gets me. I think that it's a little ridiculous for the school to force us to volunteer. It just seems like an oxymoron. I think that you should want to volunteer, not have it be forced upon you. If you don't complete a hundred hours, you don't graduate? That's just stupid.
Actually, Kelsi does have a point. It does seem a little stupid to try to force us do something that we may not want to do. But what amuses me is that Kelsi actually said it out loud. She has really become much more confident, and kind of just connected with all of us. She used to act, well; terrified of anyone who was more popular, which unfortunately, was almost everyone. Now, it's like she's part of the team. She and Jason did try going out for a while, but they decided it was just better to be friends. If I didn't know any better, I would say that she is actually beginning to develop a crush on Ryan. Not that that's a bad thing.
Now that I think about it, Ryan and Sharpay seem to be the only ones that don't seem to really belong. Wait. That's not right. Its not that they don't belong, it's that they never seem to really be around to actually be a part of the group.
Lately, we seem to be doing this "saved by the bell" high school scene. There's me, who's dating Gabriella, Chad, who's dating Taylor, Zeke, who is still crushing on Sharpay, and Ryan, who seems to have Kelsi crushing on him. Once basketball season ended and the musical "came to a close," as Darbus would say, we all realized how much time we had actually spent with each other. In fact, Gabriella even said, "now what do we do?" So now, our Friday nights are spent going out on a group date to wherever, and on Saturday, all of us go to Ryan and Sharpay's house for dinner, and we always end up sleeping over.
Here's the thing. Those two NEVER go with us on Friday nights, and they gave both Gabby and I a key to their house, saying we were more than welcome to go whatever time we wanted, but they wouldn't be there until 7:30 or 8. It was a little weird at first, but all of us have gotten used to it. But now that I think about it, I've never seen their parents. We usually get there about 6 or so, goof around in the kitchen, hang out in the game room, or basically whatever we want. True to their word, the two of them will get home about 7:30 or 8, looking exhausted, but happy. Every time we ask them what they're up to, all they say is rehearsal. You know, I'm beginning to think THEY are the ones who are dedicated. I'm just really curious as to why it seems like their parents are never around. I don't think I even saw them at any of the performances.
"Troy, what do you think?"
"Huh? Oh sorry, the volunteer requirement. Ok, at risk of sounding just like administration, I have to say that it's not that bad a thing. A hundred hours is a lot, but we have till two weeks before graduation. It's only March – of our junior year! Plus, they said that any time done during the summer counts, and its not like we have to suffer alone. Nothing here says that we can't volunteer together. And, look at this list of choices. There are over fifty approved places to volunteer."
"I think it might actually be fun. And Troy's right, with so many choices, there has to be at least one place that you'll like. I mean, there are preschool day care centers, hospitals, pee wee leagues, Habitat for Humanity, pet shelters… I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm looking forward to this."
When she says it like that, I can't help but think how lucky I am to have Gabriella. Taylor may be the voice of reason, but Gabby is the person who is able to keep all of us together.
"Hey guys, where are Ryan and Sharpay at?"
"I don't know, I thought I heard them say something about going to talk to the principal to see if they could get out of this. No offense to them or anything – I mean, we have all become friends, but if any two people could benefit from giving to others, it's them."
"Chad! How is that not offensive to them? I know they may be little high maintenance, but I really don't think they'd be so selfish as to try to get out of volunteering."
"Look Zeke, don't shoot the messenger. I'm just saying what I overheard, and that's what I over heard. I know people change, but I don't think even forcing them to volunteer will melt the Ice Twins. Their hearts are about as frozen as it comes."
I don't know, but something in my gut was saying that Chad was wrong about them. That we all were. But if we were, than where were they?
Ryan's POV
So, Sharpay and I had just come from the principal's office and were walking towards the cafeteria when we both heard the words from Chad that let us know as plain as day exactly how he felt about us.
"I know people change, but I don't think even forcing them to volunteer will melt the Ice Twins. Their hearts are about as frozen as it comes."
I stopped and looked at Shar, who had tears in her eyes, and we just nodded at each other and walked away. I can't believe Chad! He's supposedly our friend! They all are! And not a single one of them said that he might be wrong. Well, if only they knew.
Flashback to Principal's office
"I promise you Mr.Ishimatsu. Ryan and Sharpay have been volunteering with me at the center since it first opened five years ago. I can assure you, they do not get any kind of pay from us, except for the occasional slice of pizza."
"You'll have to excuse me for not understanding, but they are directors. They hold leadership positions, and they don't receive a stipend."
"That's right. Look, I don't understand what the problem is. Yes, the "E" in EYAC does stand for Evans. Their cousin, Lucas Evans, is the head director of the center. Both sets of families are major contributors to the center. But that does not mean they are getting paid. They aren't. I promise you, what they do is absolutely volunteer work. And, the EYAC is one of the approved volunteer locations. They aren't breaking any rules. All they want to know is if they have to serve an additional hundred hours on top of what they all ready do."
"Ok, Ms. –"
"Please, just call me Arabella."
"Ok, Arabella. How about this agreement – any student all ready volunteering does not have to serve an additional period over what they already do. They are already involved in the community, which is what we wanted. As far as I'm concerned, there is no problem."
"Thank you so much for your understanding Mr.Ishimatsu"
And that was it We were freaked out about this new requirement, and we just wanted to make sure that we would still be ok. Thank goodness for Air.
Well, after Chad's announcement, we decided we didn't want to sick around for the rest of the day, so we decided to go ahead and get an early start at the center. I heard Shar pick up her phone and dial someone
"Hey Air, it's me, can you come pick us up? I know you just left, but we don't want to be here anymore today. Please? I'll tell you when you get here. Thanks."
"She on her way?"
"Yup."
"Good. I just want to get out of here."
"Me too."
"I know people change, but I don't think even forcing them to volunteer will melt the Ice Twins. Their hearts are about as frozen as it comes"
Some friends. If only they knew, but even if we did tell them, they wouldn't believe us. They made that pretty clear.
So, who exactly is this Arabella girl, and why on earth is she even important? You'll see, if you review!
Thanks to all of you who did review! I love reading any encouragement, and it's great to see some interest in this. I'm not quite sure where I will take this, but I hope you'll stick with me and be around for the ride!
