CHAPTER 15: Crazy Love

"I hate the way you look at me

I hate the way you smile

Hate those big brown eyes

Cause I know they are not for me."

The next morning.

Sharpay woke up without Prince on her side. She heard something from her back so she turned around. Prince was trying to fix himself without creating any noise…but he failed.

"Oh you're already awake," he walked towards her and kissed her. "I'm leaving now ok?"

"Why do you always leave?" she stood up next to him. "I'm trying to understand everything but it hurts too much when you leave me. Can't you stay here with me? Even just for a little more time?"

He looked down, "I'm sorry. I'm already late for an appointment."

"Please?" she tried to hold back the tears.

"I'm sorry Sharpay," he whispered then left.

Sharpay sat on the bed and started crying, "I-I don't know if I can still wait for you, Prince."

Later on, Ryan fetched Sharpay. They drove to the park to meet their friends.

"So…did he arrive last night?" Ryan asked.

Sharpay slowly nodded, she's upset. She stares at the window of the car, "Ryan?"

"Is there something wrong?" he glanced at her.

"First, I don't want the others to know what happened last night…especially Troy," she said. "Second, I love Prince. Third, I-I don't know how long I can take this. How long I can stand the pain, blinded by his kisses, hold back the tears."

"Just forget about him," he held her hand. "I-I don't know, Sharpay, but he doesn't deserve you. You deserve someone better than him."

"But there's no one better that him Ry," she insisted.

"There is, Sharpay!" Ryan exclaimed. "There is."

At the park, later that afternoon.

"So you guys done with your songs?" Kelsi asked Troy and Sharpay.

"Yup," Sharpay smiled.

"How about you Troy?" Zeke asked.

"Um…yeah yeah, I'm done," Troy let out a convincing smile.

"Great!" Chad exclaimed. "So you guys are both ready for tonight then."

"I wonder who's going to win," Jason said.

"By the way…have you told Prince about it Shar?" Gabriella asked. "Is he coming? I mean…Max and the other City Light people will be so happy to see him."

Ryan glanced at his sister.

"Um…I…Prince is not coming," Sharpay answered.

"He's not coming?" the others asked for confirmation.

"Yes," Sharpay slowly nodded.

"But why?" Taylor asked. "You need his support."

"Um…he's busy," Sharpay replied.

Then, a silence came in the atmosphere.

Ryan decided to speak, "Um…I'm hungry. Want some ice cream guys?"

"Yeah sure," his friends replied and they started walking towards as ice cream parlor.

While they were walking, Sharpay saw a happy family at the park. They were laughing. The father and the mother are so sweet to each other and their child is so cute and adorable. What a happy family! While playing with her bracelet she started to think about Prince…their plans together and their vows.

Troy held her hand, "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Sharpay looked at him. "Um…I-I can't lie to you."

"Need my advice?" he asked.

"I don't know," she relied. "Maybe I'm the only one who can fix this mess. But…if something goes wrong on my way…you'll still be there for me, right?"

"Of course! I'll never leave you, Sharpay," he said.

She thought, "You're very special to me Troy. Why can't you just be Prince? Why?" She looked at him, "I'm always counting on you ok?"

"Okay," he hugged her.

"Hey!" the others called out. "Are we going to eat some ice cream or what?"

"Coming!" Troy and Sharpay hurriedly walked to them.

That evening, the gang met at City Light.

"Good luck to both of you," the others said.

"Thanks!" Troy and Sharpay nervously smiled at their friends.

Meanwhile, at Archer Stadium.

"Pick it up Sharpay. Come on!" Prince was trying to contact her. After how many attempts, she finally turned off her phone. "OH COME ON!"

"You two had a fight?" Chrystal asked.

"Something like that," he looked upset. "What am I going to do?"

"In life, sometimes you need to make a choice," she started. "Sometimes, you can't have everything you want. Sometimes, you need to sacrifice the other one."

"But I love her," he cried. "I don't wanna lose her, Chrystal. She's everything to me."

Back at City Light, the contest had started a few moments ago and some contestants were done. Now, it's Sharpay's turn. She sang Could it be.

"I Know weve been friends forever
But now I think Im feeling something totally new
And after all this time, I've opened up my eyes
Now I see you were always with me

Could it be? You & I
Never imagined
Could it be suddenly Im fallin' for you
Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew
Could it be that it's true that
It's you (and it's me) and it's you

Its kinda funny you were always here
But who would ever thought that we would end up here
And everytime I've needed you youve been there for me through
Now it's clear I've been waiting for you

Could it be? You & I
Never imagined
Could it be suddenly Im fallin' for you
Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew
Could it be that it's true that
Its you (ohhhhhhhh) and it's you

Cause today is the start of the rest of our lives
I can see it in your eyes
And it's real and it's true
Its just me and you
Could it be that it's you

Could it be you & I
Never imagined
Could it be suddenly Im fallin' for you
Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew
Could it be that it's true that
It's you and it's you"

Meanwhile, at Archer Stadium.

"How could you forget the lyrics Prince?" Ms. Jean was mad.

"Sorry. I-I was just blanked out," Prince looked down.

Ghrystal threw a "are you okay" look on him and Prince responded with a nod.

A few moment later at City Light.

"Now er're down to our last composer, people," Max announced. "Please welcome…TROY BOLTON."

His friends cheered, "GO TROY!"

"YOU CAN DO IT FRIENDSHIP!" Sharpay yelled.

Troy tried to smile as he started singing Crazy Love.

"I hate the way you walk
Hate the way you talk
Hate the way you look at me

I hate the way you smile
Hate those big brown eyes
Cause I know they're not for me

Cause we can never be
More than friends
And it hurts me
Every time I close my eyes
All I see is you

And this crazy love
Crazy love
Oh this crazy love
Crazy love

I hate thinkin of you
Cause everytime i do
I just keep on missing you"

He needed to look at Sharpay all throughout the song to fight all the fears, nervousness, and to recall the lyrics he wrote. And Sharpay gave him a big smile.

"And I hate the way I feel
Everytime your near
Cause its feels like time is standing still

But we can never be
More than friends
And it hurts me
Every time I close my eyes
All I see is you"

"Hmm…great song," Taylor commented.

"It's like he's talking to someone," Kesi observed.

"I didn't know he can write a song like that," Gabriella added.

"He has an inspiration for that," Chad smirked.

"Like…uh…special someone," Zeke added.

"You mean Troy has a special someone?" Jason was playing innocent.

"Yup," Chad and Zeke gave each other a hi-10.

"Really?" the girls were shocked.

Sharpay felt a little jealous, "But I thought he doesn't have a girlfriend or he's not courting out anyone, right?"

Afterwards, Max announced the winner.

"Alright, here you go guys," he looked at the piece of paper he was holding. "This year's City Light's Songwriting Contest winner is…um…we have a tie actually…well, are…SHARPAY EVANS AND TROY BOLTON!"

The whole gang rejoiced, "WO-HOOOOO!"

"I wasn't expecting that," Troy's eyes widened.

"Your song's great," Sharpay kissed his cheeks. "Congratulations!"

"Um..thanks," he tried hard not to blush. "Congratulations to you too."

"Come on stage to get your prize champs," Max called out.

Later that night, Sharpay decided to get outside the City Light.

She was in deep thought.

Troy came in, "You won but I see a loser's face on you."

"Oh it's you," she turned to Troy.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Nothing," she shook her head. "I was just thinking."

"Thinking bout what?" he asked.

"W-What if I break up with Prince?" she looked at him.

"Are you serious?" he glanced at her in shocked.

"Things aren't working out between us right now" she looked down. "H-He's different now. I mean…he's not just an ordinary guy anymore. He's a superstar."

"Maybe you can still fix those things," he said.

"I'm always trying to fix those things," she replied. "But they aren't working out because he always leave. I know he has a job…but…h-how bout m-me?"

"So…you really want to break up with him?" he asked.

"I-I don't know," she shook her head. "Maybe I still need to think about that."

"Just tell me if you already have an answer," Troy said.

Sharpay nodded, "Can I ask you something?" she asked.

"Sure," he nodded.

"Do you already have a girlfriend?" she asked.

He laughed, "Nope."

"Only courting HER out?" she questioned.

"No!" he said firmly. "Have you ever seen a girl around me?"

"Well right now I see your Friendship around you," she smirked. "Tell me who's the Unlucky girl."

"Oh come on!" he exclaimed. "I'm not courting anyone out. Why'd you ask anyway?"

"The boys said you have a special someone, an inspiration for your song," she explained. "If you do, I guess I'll be sharing you with someone else. I don't think I can get used to it."

"Hey! Whoa!" he laughed. "You don't own me, what's with the share?"

"But I'm your Friendship," she said. "I always have 7o percent of your time because 30 percent is for food and basketball."

"You know what?" he took her hands. "There are only two special girls in my life. My mom…and YOU. Y-O-U, you."

"Really?" she hugged him tight.

"Really," he smiled.