A/N: I'd like to say a huge thanks to autumnamberleaves & Njjules for the lovely reviews I've received for this fic, it means a lot. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, and I'm glad that you're enjoying this fic, I can only hope you're enjoying reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it..Not that I enjoy being harsh to the lovely Ryan Evans, cos I don't!
-KJ
Kelsi and I scour the cafeteria for any free seats. Sharpay's sitting at her usual table that overlooks the room, with her plastic wannabes she calls friends. Chad spots me standing in the middle of the canteen looking slightly vacant, and calls us over. I shoot a hesitant glance at Kelsi, and she gives a small inclination of her head. She thinks I can do this, find my place in school society. Where does it leave Kelsi, though? I mean, she's used to being in the auditorium or wherever, writing songs, helping Ms Darbus with productions and stuff. Things are going to change – I can't see Kelsi in drama club, and drama club only.
An ear-splitting scream breaks into my thoughts and I almost drop my lunch tray on the floor. Kelsi jumps too, and we both no whose voice that was. Sharpay's heels click as she runs down the steps, her 'Sharpettes' tagging along behind her. My grip on Kelsi's hand and I give her a small nod and smile to try and make her feel better. I quickly put my tray on the table closest to us – I never know how long Sharpay's rants are going to last. Especially now she has an audience, and a large one at that. Kelsi follows suit. Sharpay isn't even close to starting, and already I can feel sets of eyes on me. This is nothing new to anybody, but still, it gives them all something to talk about it, doesn't it?
"Don't tell me that's what I think it is!" she finally reaches us and points to our entwined hands. "Oh my God. Oh…My God! Why?!" she continues, barely even acknowledging Kelsi's presence. I glance at Kelsi, who's trying her best to hide how hurt she feels. I can feel her hand quivering in mine. I place my other hand over hers, protectively.
"It is," Sharpay scoffs. "Ryan and Kelsi? Kelsi Neilsen?" I notice how she doesn't use my last name – our last name. 'Conveniently forgetting we're twins?', I ask myself. My eyes travel past Sharpay and to the table where Chad had called us over. The whole group is staring at us. Can't say I expected less. If I'm not mistaken, I can see the beginnings of a smirk twitching at the lips of a couple of them. I turn to look at Kelsi again; she's trying to maintain a defiant glare toward my sister. She doesn't even feel like a sister to me. I would never do anything like this to her, not even to become the most popular person at East High.
"Got a problem?" I retaliate without realising, my eyes widening in shock as I realise that I've spoken back to Sharpay. Nobody in school talks back to her. What Sharpay says, goes.
"You bet I do. You could do so much better than her, Ryan, and you know it. I mean, have you looked at her lately?" I gasp, but I keep looking at Sharpay coldly.
"Looks don't matter. Don't be so superficial. Kelsi is worth ten of you," I narrow my eyes at her, ignoring the jeers and chants of our classmates.
"That's what all the ugly people say," Sharpay responds simply, with a steel edge to her voice. "I don't have time for these people. I have to go perfect my audition – Oh wait, it already is perfect. Hmm, I meant practice." She begins to walk away, but bumps into Kelsi. "Move out of my way, Kelsi." I release my hands from Kelsi's, curling them into fists. I have no intention of hitting Sharpay but I have no idea how to control my anger. Kelsi touches my shoulder gently, trying to persuade me to leave everything as it is, but I don't want to. I want to show Sharpay – hey, show everyone else – that I'm not somebody that can just be pushed around. I've had enough, I really have.