Author's Note: In honor of Black History Month (I'm not black, but I still find it cool), I'm making Careful Confessions into a story where Haylie and Sharpay get jobs at a local shopping store, while Taylor doesn't because the manager doesn't like black people. Enjoy, and happy reading!
Chapter Three: Play Practice
"Whoa, do they even make swords like these?" Chad asked, and Haylie giggled, while Ryan sighed as he went over to help the curly-haired jock.
"Of course not. It's just a prop, Chad." Ryan replied, and Chad looked at him.
"Are you serious? Oh, man..."
That's when Haylie burst out laughing as Ryan rolled his eyes.
It was day one of play practice, and everyone was chilling backstage, weather they were in the play or not.
Chad placed the sword down, and went over to help Troy with a piece of scenary, and Ryan went back over to Haylie, who was still in her "Cinderella" costume.
"You know, you can take that off." he said, and Haylie shook her head.
"No. I want to relive the magic."
"Suit yourself." Ryan explained as he gave her a kiss on the cheek, and walked over to help Zeke and Jason, while Haylie settled down in the couch with Gabriella and Taylor.
"Hey, Taylor! Do you remember that tree?" Gabriella asked, pointing to the tree that Chad and Troy were situationing, and Taylor gave her friend a smile.
"Oh, yeah! I do remember that!" Taylor explained.
"What are you guys doing?" Haylie asked.
"Remembering detention with Ms. Darbus. We all got caught." Taylor explained, and Haylie looked confused.
"For doing what?" Haylie asked.
"Cellphones. Well, me and Chad didn't have cellphones, but I guessed we talked back to her...the others did the same." Taylor contuined.
"Oh."
Everyone knew about Ms. Darbus' little pet peeve about cellphones: inside the theater, and possibly outside.
Sharpay walked up to them just then, and without speaking, grabbed Haylie by the arm, and dragged her away from the Wildcats.
"Sharpay--"
Sharpay held a finger to her lips, and pointed at Regina, who was talking to Ryan, Zeke, and Jason.
"See that girl over here?" she asked, and Haylie nodded.
"Yeah...her name is Regina Winchester. Why?" Haylie asked.
"Well, it's just so happens that a little birdy told me that she's out to ruin this show."
Haylie smiled as she took her arm out of Sharpay's death grip (claws and all) as she looked at her.
"Sharpay, are you sure your not making this up?" she asked.
"Of course not! I know these things, Haylie! I was part of ruining one musical, and one talent show, remember?" Sharpay whispered.
"Yes, but you don't know for sure--"
"Stop being a goody-goody two-shoes for just one second." Sharpay snapped, and Haylie was quiet as Sharpay sighed.
"Look, you can tell me why she isn't out to ruin the show, but maybe you should keep a close eye on her. Girls like Regina are like me: they can't handle being a minor role. They rather be the star. Not that I care, but you know what I mean. And I say she's out to ruin the show, and your relationship with Ryan."
That last line caught Haylie by surprise as she started to laugh, and people looked at her while Sharpay's frown dug deeper.
"Haylie!" Sharpay exclaimed.
"Sorry, Sharpay. But...really. I haven't seen anyone try to steal Ryan for a couple of weeks ever since Tara stopped liking him." Haylie said.
"Once reality hits you in the face, Haylie, you'll realize I'm right. I'm always right when these things happen: to you, or to any other girl who has a Wildcat as a boyfriend."
"Sharpay, your overeacting." Haylie stated.
"That's what my brother tells me, Haylie. I'm always overeacting. I know Ryan won't let Regina get to him, but she will."
Ms. Darbus came over to Sharpay, and said, "Sharpay, we need you out on stage with Ryan."
Sharpay nodded, and looked back at Haylie, before following Ms. Darbus out on to the stage.
Haylie just stood there, sinking in the information that Sharpay just told her.
Ryan always managed to get out a sticky situation when came to a girl, and Haylie knew that.
So, why didn't Sharpay?
She shook her head, and went back to Gabriella and Taylor.
"What did Sharpay want?" Taylor asked.
"Just to talk about the play." Haylie explained, but a giggle escaped from her mouth, and Taylor and Gabriella really looked at her this time.
"Are you sure? Your laughing." Gabriella pointed out.
"I'm fine!" Haylie replied, and another giggle escaped from her mouth, and Taylor sighed.
"Your not fine. Did Sharpay say something to you that wasn't true?" Taylor asked.
"Of course not! If she did, I wouldn't be laughing." Haylie responded, and she laughed for the third time, and the two girls shook their heads.
"I mean it, Haylie. Were trying to help." Taylor insisted.
"Well, I'm telling you there's nothing wrong!" Haylie explained.
"When you are nervous, or lying, you laugh. Please, Haylie." Gabriella said, and Haylie looked at the both of them.
"Sharpay told me that Regina will try to ruin the show, and my relationship with Ryan. The show part I can understand, but my relationship with Ryan? She never shown an interest in him!" Haylie explained, and the girls looked at each other.
"I don't know, Haylie. Sometimes girls like that can lead to trouble." Taylor stated, and Gabriella nodded.
"I agree with Taylor. They aren't all over your boyfriend, but by the next day, they are." Gabriella agreed.
Even her two best friends saw the light in Sharpay's nonsense?
Then again, Haylie always told herself to believe Sharpay, even though some of her theroies never really seemed to be true.
"I guess. I remind myself to believe Sharpay, even though some of her statements seem to be really...silly." Haylie stated.
"Believe it or not, Sharpay's statements seem to be true one-hundred percent of the time." Taylor replied.
Haylie started to say something, but Ryan came over to them with a paint can and a paintbrush, with a smile on his face.
"You guys look really busy." he pointed out, as Gabriella and Taylor laughed while Haylie rolled her eyes.
"What is it, Ryan?" she asked.
"Me, Jason, and Zeke were wondering if you guys want to help painting the castle?" Ryan asked, pointing to the paint can with his shoe.
"Yeah, does it look like we are dressed for painting?" Haylie asked.
"Hey, I'm not!" Ryan stated, and Haylie laughed as she jumped from the couch, grabbed the paintbrush from his hand, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Right. Your not." she whispered in his ear, and Ryan smiled as Gabriella and Taylor carried the paint can together, and Haylie followed them, leaving Sharpay's statement behind her.